Height limits have always been a challenge for some park visitors, as the safety features on the thrill rides are not designed to accommodate every rider. But Mario fans are flocking to Universal Studios Hollywood this month for the opening Super Nintendo World may find themselves unable to enjoy the most exciting park, this time because of their lines.
According to a recent report in The Wall Street JournalUniversal Studios Hollywood has warned that some guests will not be allowed to ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which allows guests to ride on a go-kart and experience Nintendo’s popular racing game in real life through augmented reality effects and animatronic characters, “if the waist line measures 40-inches or more.” With the average waist size for men in America now more than 40-inchesThis limitation can leave many visitors disappointed after enduring what can be a long line at a new attraction.
In recent years, theme parks across the country have become stricter about the safety and security of rides, and not just for high-speed attractions like machines. movers that can take riders through twisting loops and curves. As indoor travel has become more complex and now offers more experienced riders, the technology they use has become more complex… and more dangerous.
Driverless cars now weave through attractions like Galaxy’s Edge’s Rise of the Resistance with more speed and power than the rides used on traditional attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean. As a result, while Pirates does not prevent riders, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge will, as there is a serious risk of injury the rider should get out of the vehicle before the end of the ride. On top of this, there is now an increased emphasis on securing small children in the same seats used by older riders, which contributes to further restrictions for older guests.
Jeff Polk, senior vice president of resort operations at Universal Orlando Resort, he said The Wall Street Journal many of the park’s attractions offer test seats outside the rides as a result, allowing guests to test the restraints and strength ahead of time to avoid being turned around after hours in the line. But at the same time, some visitors to the park also told The Wall Street Journal that premature seat testing can be intimidating, embarrassing, and doesn’t always reflect the vehicle’s actual construction and design.
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Some attractions, like Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s The Incredible Hulk Coaster in Florida, now offer some seats specially designed for senior guests. But as the pandemic-stricken population re-embraces travel and vacations, parks are bursting with hours-long wait lines, and there’s less energy for parks to offer rides. with seats that cannot be filled at all times. riding is controlled.
Update 2/2/2023 at 11:00 AM ET:
Universal Studios reached out to Gizmodo to clarify that the 40-inch height guideline is not a strict limit and that some riders over 40 inches may still be able to ride, depending on individual circumstances.. In the company’s words, “This guide is not a specific restriction, but rather is meant to encourage guests to try out the test area or speak to one of our Team Members before boarding so that they can ride in peace and safety.”
The company also told us that it is working to ensure test seats have strong privacy and accessibility standards, although it did not provide specifics.
This isn’t the first time the company has used a 40-inch waist limit, with previous trips like. The ship of the Hippogriff and warning is greater Riders should use test seats before riding. Universal Studios told us it has staff reviewing the design of the rides and test seating and redesigning some of its existing rides, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventurewith an eye towards accessibility.
