How big is too big? Some theme park riders fear small seats and the "walk of shame"

LA Times ^ | 5/11/2016 | Brady McDonald

[jeannineinsd]

Universal’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has bedeviled many big and tall riders who discover at the last moment that their journey aboard the new attraction is indeed forbidden because they don’t fit in the “enchanted benches.”

The uncomfortable scene is a familiar one to anybody who has ever visited a theme park: The overweight rider becomes increasingly embarrassed as the ride attendant pushes and shoves with all his might on the over-the-shoulder restraint that stubbornly refuses to click closed. Everybody waiting in line knows what comes next: the walk of shame.

“The walk of shame is an embarrassing experience,” said Mike Galvan, who penned the “Big Boy’s Guide to Roller Coasters.” “I’ve been there many times. It’s disheartening.”

[Drew68]

A man who weighed more than 300 pounds was seriously injured in 1999 when he was ejected from the Superman coaster at the now-defunct Six Flags Darien Lake. Six Flags argued that the man was too large for the ride’s lap bar restraint to engage.

In 2004, a 5-foot-2-inch, 230-pound man fell to his death from the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags New England. A state report found the overweight man’s girth prevented a T-bar restraint from fitting firmly.

The Man of Steel don't like fatties.

[fireman15]

I believe my wife’s story tops yours. She flew from Oklahoma City to Chicago with Dan Rather as a seat mate.

Well that is more horrible than I could even imagine!

[wardaddy]

Tuff shite

Don’t eat so damn much

[trisham]

People are taller and thus heavier than they were in our parent’s day. I’m 5’6”, have a brother who is 6’2” and a sister who is 5’9”.