This post is for Universal Studios Hollywood, California.
Visit dates: November 17 & 18, 2016
On our first visit to HPFJ we skipped the outside test seat, stored everything from our pockets and our bags in the locker. We walked through the castle queue and arrived at the Gryffindor common room. I asked the Hogwarts student there for the alternate loading platform. My party was directed to an elevator that took us up to a corridor with signs leading to a second elevator that took us down to the alternate loading platform on the other side of the regular moving loading area.
The alternate loading platform has a stationary ride seat for riders that need more time or have difficulty getting on a moving ride like the Haunted Mansion in
Disneyland. The Alternate loading platform allowed me the extra time to get comfortable in the seat and get the overhead harness to click 3 times. You miss the introduction scene with Hermione Granger when using the alternate loading platform, but it is a great way to try different seating positions without the time pressure of the regular moving loading platform.
The 3rd seat from the left as you are walking toward the ride seat is taller but it was tighter on my chest than the other shorter seats. The first try I was tense and it was a tight fit around my chest, but I was able to get the 3 clicks in the 3rd seat. My stomach and thighs were both lose.
After I knew I fit, I tried all 4 seats on the regular moving loading platform and was able to relax and get the 3 clicks in every seat. If you don’t get the 3 clicks on the regular moving platform within a few seconds you will be asked to leave the ride.
Later in the evening I tried the outside test seat and was able to get the green light to come on, but it did feel tighter than the regular ride seats.
I wear a XLT shirt and 40” shorts.
Here are my dimensions using a cloth tape measure and fitted loose around me:
Male
6’1”
280 pounds
48” chest
48” stomach
43” waist
29” Thigh