FoP almost made me cry...

[jeanico2000]

... with relief when it was over. Literally! Reading all the tips and reassurances on this board, I decided to ride FoP and happily secured FP+ for the ride 60 days prior. I am prone to motion sickness but can ride Soarin' and Mission Space Green without issues, as well as Gringotts over at Universal. My partners in crime are DH and our adult DD, who can ride anything on the face of the planet with no problems. So the 3 of us step into the ride room and onto our banshees, and I recalled a tip on this board that said to hold my back a little straight so there would be a bit of room left between my chest and the chest pad when the restraint came up. So far so good. Then the ride operator came behind all of us in turn to check the leg restraints and pushed hard on my back restraint while doing so, shoving me into the chest pad. I have a very average sized balcony area, but found it hard to breathe freely. I told the CM it was too tight, but he just said "that's how it has to be or you can't ride". DH and DD thought of keeping their back a little stiff, so did not have this issue. I totally panicked at this point, and was afraid (not logical, I know) that something bad might happen to me. The ride started, and I tried to relax. DH held my hand from start to finish, bless him. It is intense, although smooth, and the saving grace for me was the air being blown in our faces throughout. I won't be riding this again, but DH and DD loved it. On a side note, the glasses provided are ridiculously big, and DD had to hold on to hers during the ride! Just thought I would share my experience. Maybe think twice if you suffer from claustrophobia or panic attacks.

 

[Arianabtd]

Even after reading the boards about the back restraints, I was SHOCKED at how tight it actually was. I get rib pain from my Fibromyalgia and so the first time I rode I was aching pretty bad after. But I kept my back a little straighter the next couple times and the restraints didn't come up as tight.

 

[Disnsyncey]

out of 4 times in October, I think I got glasses that fit ONCE.....I was making some petty weird faces to keep them on my face.....

 

[loves to dive]

First time I rode it I didn't push back and the front hit me at just the right place in my sternum to cause my reflux to flair and I had to hold the glasses on with one hand the entire ride. The second time I rode it I straightened my arms real tight when it was setting so I wasn't hitting the front but still had to keep one hand on my glasses the whole time. I don't ride it if I'm there solo but my son loves it and there are so few rides he can ride because of nerve damage in his spine I suck it up for him. I'm thinking I'll take either some of those glasses strings or a stocking cap I can pull down over my ears which will hold the glasses on.

 

[stinkpickle]

My son complained about the glasses, too. A CM told him they were working on new designs.

 

[stinkpickle]

...the saving grace for me was the air being blown in our faces throughout...

It was the air blowing in my face that made me cry...watering my eyes, rather.

 

[IvyWinter]

Those glasses SUCK. they are huge on my face and the first time i rode all i could worry about was them falling off my face. I do suffer from panic attacks, but not on rides, thankfully. Im also a bit tiny, so i didnt feel like the restraints were too tight. I'm sorry to hear it was not the best experience for you!

 

[Micca]

You gave it a shot & now you know. Seems that there are a number of people who find the ride uncomfortable/awkward in some form or fashion. Maybe after a few years of people trying it once the crowds will thin out a bit from people who say "no thanks." It's a really cool ride but it wouldn't break my heart to miss it.

 

[CAS239]

I haven't experienced a CM pushing the restraint tight. When I've ridden it they just made sure it was locked in. If it made you uncomfortable then imo that would be a legit reason to complain to a CM or guest service.

I had plenty of room to lean further forward or kind of sit more upright

 

[lovethattink]

You were very brave to try it.

The pushing too hard happened to my son. He said he could only inhale little breaths because it was squashing him too much. But he didn't tell us or the ride attendant until after the ride.

Last time we rode they were more adamant about sitting all the way forward on the seat and holding on while pushing in the restraints. Made me wonder if something happened to a guest who wasn't secured properly?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Made me wonder if something happened to a guest who wasn't secured properly?

Something did happen. A guest, I believe it was an adult, slipped out of the seat and was standing on the ride vehicle during the ride. That FoP Theater was immediately shutdown and the guest removed.

When we rode in September, as the CM came by she told us we could relax our legs and move our feet back. When we rode it a few days later, we weren’t given any directions but knew we could move our lower legs to a more comfortable position.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sorry this happened but glad you were ok! Definitely glad I gave this one a pass

 

[disneyseniors]

... with relief when it was over. Literally! Reading all the tips and reassurances on this board, I decided to ride FoP and happily secured FP+ for the ride 60 days prior. I am prone to motion sickness but can ride Soarin' and Mission Space Green without issues, as well as Gringotts over at Universal. My partners in crime are DH and our adult DD, who can ride anything on the face of the planet with no problems. So the 3 of us step into the ride room and onto our banshees, and I recalled a tip on this board that said to hold my back a little straight so there would be a bit of room left between my chest and the chest pad when the restraint came up. So far so good. Then the ride operator came behind all of us in turn to check the leg restraints and pushed hard on my back restraint while doing so, shoving me into the chest pad. I have a very average sized balcony area, but found it hard to breathe freely. I told the CM it was too tight, but he just said "that's how it has to be or you can't ride". DH and DD thought of keeping their back a little stiff, so did not have this issue. I totally panicked at this point, and was afraid (not logical, I know) that something bad might happen to me. The ride started, and I tried to relax. DH held my hand from start to finish, bless him. It is intense, although smooth, and the saving grace for me was the air being blown in our faces throughout. I won't be riding this again, but DH and DD loved it. On a side note, the glasses provided are ridiculously big, and DD had to hold on to hers during the ride! Just thought I would share my experience. Maybe think twice if you suffer from claustrophobia or panic attacks.

I have already made my mind up to skip FOP when we visit in February. I know what I like and don't, and I definitely don't like the feeling of flying and swooping all around. So, thanks for the honest report. I didn't think everyone absolutely loved it and had no problems, so it's refreshing to hear from someone who was not in love with it. It's not for everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

No part of this ride sounds pleasant to me. So much of what I’ve read about it just sounds awkward. Glad for people who tell the icky stuff, that’s for sure! Thanks OP!

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

Where does the restraint land on your chest? Under, over or mid bust? I’m quite busty and I’m starting to be a bit concerned about that....

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Bummer that this happened to you. While I didn't encounter that specific issue, I didn't like this ride at all, and won't be riding it again, either.

 

[North of Mouse]

... with relief when it was over. Literally! Reading all the tips and reassurances on this board, I decided to ride FoP and happily secured FP+ for the ride 60 days prior. I am prone to motion sickness but can ride Soarin' and Mission Space Green without issues, as well as Gringotts over at Universal. My partners in crime are DH and our adult DD, who can ride anything on the face of the planet with no problems. So the 3 of us step into the ride room and onto our banshees, and I recalled a tip on this board that said to hold my back a little straight so there would be a bit of room left between my chest and the chest pad when the restraint came up. So far so good. Then the ride operator came behind all of us in turn to check the leg restraints and pushed hard on my back restraint while doing so, shoving me into the chest pad. I have a very average sized balcony area, but found it hard to breathe freely. I told the CM it was too tight, but he just said "that's how it has to be or you can't ride". DH and DD thought of keeping their back a little stiff, so did not have this issue. I totally panicked at this point, and was afraid (not logical, I know) that something bad might happen to me. The ride started, and I tried to relax. DH held my hand from start to finish, bless him. It is intense, although smooth, and the saving grace for me was the air being blown in our faces throughout. I won't be riding this again, but DH and DD loved it. On a side note, the glasses provided are ridiculously big, and DD had to hold on to hers during the ride! Just thought I would share my experience. Maybe think twice if you suffer from claustrophobia or panic attacks.

We're here now and rode FOP yest. I had to shut my eyes for most of the ride as it changes scenes way too fast for my eyes to adjust, and the drops take my breath away. Found it to be a rough ride - rougher than others told me anyway.

I really felt 'fluttery' after, for about an hour - a very unsettled feeling. About the restraints - I felt they were pretty loose. Didn't even touch my calves at all, and I had lots of wiggle room for my body - barely touched my back. I'm small, but not 'that' small!

The only thing the cm told us was to lean forward and hold on the entire ride with both hands. Yes, the glasses are huge. I had to keep using one hand to hold them on. Wonder why they're so big??? My DIL also had to hold them on.

We have two more FP's. Plan to give it one more shot, then if I have the same issues - that's it for me! Dh loves it though, but doesn't have astigmatism like I do.

 

[HopperFan]

... with relief when it was over. Literally! Reading all the tips and reassurances on this board, I decided to ride FoP and happily secured FP+ for the ride 60 days prior. I am prone to motion sickness but can ride Soarin' and Mission Space Green without issues, as well as Gringotts over at Universal. My partners in crime are DH and our adult DD, who can ride anything on the face of the planet with no problems. So the 3 of us step into the ride room and onto our banshees, and I recalled a tip on this board that said to hold my back a little straight so there would be a bit of room left between my chest and the chest pad when the restraint came up. So far so good. Then the ride operator came behind all of us in turn to check the leg restraints and pushed hard on my back restraint while doing so, shoving me into the chest pad. I have a very average sized balcony area, but found it hard to breathe freely. I told the CM it was too tight, but he just said "that's how it has to be or you can't ride". DH and DD thought of keeping their back a little stiff, so did not have this issue. I totally panicked at this point, and was afraid (not logical, I know) that something bad might happen to me. The ride started, and I tried to relax. DH held my hand from start to finish, bless him. It is intense, although smooth, and the saving grace for me was the air being blown in our faces throughout. I won't be riding this again, but DH and DD loved it. On a side note, the glasses provided are ridiculously big, and DD had to hold on to hers during the ride! Just thought I would share my experience. Maybe think twice if you suffer from claustrophobia or panic attacks.

Have never heard this and I shall be utilizing this.

I will say I think this ride is so strange in what it evokes from different people. I hate Soarin', I find it terrifying and I can't do Mission Space. No issues with FOP. My DS has many phobias that lead to severe panic attacks and he absolutely loves this. It seems to be something that just touches different folks on different nerves. Sorry you didn't enjoy but think of the plus ... no more worrying about a FP+ for it!!

 

[paradesintherain]

Where does the restraint land on your chest? Under, over or mid bust? I’m quite busty and I’m starting to be a bit concerned about that....

It's under, I had no issues!

 

[LSUmiss]

Where does the restraint land on your chest? Under, over or mid bust? I’m quite busty and I’m starting to be a bit concerned about that....

I think it depends on your height & the length of your torso. My chest sat above the handle bar area. I was concerned about this too b/c I am also quite busty. But my rib cage & abdomen area aren’t that large, so it was fine. I am 5’3 but have short legs so my torso is most of my height (not that 5’3 is barely any height!). My DH is 6’1 & it was even lower on him.