Are Universal Orlando Parks Plus-Size Friendly?
Universal Orlando parks have thrilling rollercoasters, rides, and attractions for fans of blockbuster movie franchises and popular television shows.
To make the parks more accessible, Universal Orlando makes several accommodations for differently-abled guests.
However, due to the nature of theme parks and the safety requirements of the attractions, some visitors may not be able to enjoy every ride.
The rides at Universal Orlando are somewhat friendly to plus-size people, and guests of all shapes and sizes can enjoy many of the attractions. Unfortunately, several rides that use lap bars and other restraints cannot be ridden by guests above a specific size.
Visitors to Universal Orlando should be aware of the size limitations for the rollercoasters and other rides before visiting.
This article breaks down the specific restrictions for each ride at the three theme parks and which rides plus-sized guests can enjoy comfortably.
Universal Studios Orlando has three theme parks with rides and attractions available for people of all ages.
However, not all of these are available for people of all sizes.
Islands of Adventure
At Islands of Adventure, the 19 rides and rollercoasters offer visitors a full day of fun.
Of these 19 rides, however, 13 cannot accommodate riders with waistlines larger than 40 inches (102 cm).
The following rides at Islands of Adventure are currently unavailable to plus-sized riders:
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- The Cat in the Hat
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- The High in the Sky Seuss
- Trolley Train Ride!
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Pteranodon Flyers
Universal Studios Florida
The 14 rollercoasters and rides at Universal Studios Florida provide visitors with plenty to do.
But of these 14 attractions, seven do not have accommodations available for plus-sized guests with a waist size of more than 40 inches (102 cm).
The rides at Universal Studios Florida without accommodations for plus-sized riders are:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Men In Black Alien Attack
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
- Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay is Universal’s Orlando waterpark.
Fifteen slides and rides at the park offer various water experiences. However, not all of the rides accommodate plus-sized riders.
Nine of the 15 rides and slides have weight limits associated with the experience, including:
- Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides with a 250 lbs (113 kg) limit
- Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides with a 1050 lbs (476 kg) limit for six people
- Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides with an 850 lbs (386 kg) limit for six people
- Taniwha Tubes – Tonga & Raki with a single-rider weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg) and a two-rider weight limit of 450 lbs (204 kg)
- Punga Racers with a 300 lbs (136 kg) limit
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster with a 700 lbs (317 kg) limit for four people
- Honu of Honu ika Moana with a 700 lbs (317 kg) limit for five people
- ika Moana of Honu ika Moana with a 750 lbs (340 kg) limit for five people
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge with a 300 lbs (136 kg) limit
Visitors to Universal Orlando may find that some rides on the above lists may have unadvertised accommodations for people with larger waist sizes.
For example, according to one visitor to Universal Studios, The Incredible Hulk rollercoaster offers a seat belt extender for plus-size guests, and certain seats on other rides may also accommodate larger riders.
Additionally, some attractions meant for children at each theme park also have height and weight restrictions; however, those rides are not included here.
Which Universal Studios Orlando Rides are Plus-Size Friendly?
While several of the rides at Universal Orlando’s theme parks do not easily accommodate plus-sized riders, rides that do not require a lap belt or upper-body restraint can typically accommodate guests of every size.
Islands of Adventure
The rides and attractions at Universal’s Islands of Adventure that accommodate every guest are:
- Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station
- Caro-Seuss-El
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Poseidon’s Fury
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
- Storm Force Accelatron
Universal Studios Florida
At Universal Studios Florida, the rides that do not have size limits or offer plus-size accommodations are:
- E.T. Adventure
- Fast and Furious – Supercharged
- Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- Shrek 4-D
- The Simpsons Ride
- The Bourne Stuntacular
Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay has six slides and rides that accommodate all body types, including:
- Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides
- Puka Uli Lagoon
- TeAwa The Fearless River
- Kopiko Wai Winding River
- The Reef
- Waturi Beach
In addition to the rollercoasters, rides, and attractions, Universal Studios Orlando has several live shows at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
These shows have plenty of space for guests of all sizes.
What Kind of Clothing is Most Comfortable to Wear at Universal Studios for Plus-Size Guests?
Many attractions requiring lap belts or other restraints have ride seats available at the entrance so riders can see if they fit comfortably.
Some visitors find the seats more accommodating when wearing certain types of clothing.
Plus-size guests may want to avoid clothing that is bulky or oversized.
This type of clothing can prevent riders from fastening the lap belt securely or pulling down a restraint completely.
Orlando is typically hot and humid year-round, so thin, breathable, or moisture-wicking clothing is often the most comfortable for all guests.
Is Going to Universal Orlando Worth the Expense for Plus-Size Guests?
Tickets to Universal Orlando parks can be expensive. For that reason, guests should understand – before they buy tickets – how many rides and attractions they can enjoy.
Unfortunately, finding that information in advance can be difficult.
Universal does not provide the specific dimensions permitted for each ride, but Facebook groups and other online resources are available for visitors looking for more information and support.
Everyone’s body is shaped differently, and sometimes, until guests try to fit in a seat, there’s no way to know if they can ride.
Whether a trip to Universal Orlando is worth the expense is subjective and based on what each individual can get from their experience at the parks.
Conclusion
The Universal Studios Orlando theme parks have many rollercoasters and rides that are not friendly to plus-sized guests due to limitations of the safety restraints.
However, some rides and attractions accommodate larger frames, and some plus-sized visitors find they fit comfortably in ride seats regardless of size restrictions.
Visitors of all sizes often enjoy Universal Orlando, even if they do not experience every ride the parks have to offer.
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