Can plus-size guests fit at Universal Epic Universe? Travelers weigh in.

• Plus-size travelers often rely on fellow travelers’ reviews of theme park ride accessibility.
• Universal's Epic Universe has made efforts to be more size-inclusive by adding modified seats to several rides.
• Most rides at Epic Universe offer test seats so guests can check their fit before waiting in line.

Vikki Tupay is used to people asking about her body. 

“On a daily basis, people ask me, ‘What do you weigh? What are your measurements? How tall are you? What size do you wear?’” she told USA TODAY. 

Tupay knows dimensions matter to plus-size travelers like herself, particularly at theme parks, which don’t always feel built for them. That’s why she readily divulges details and her own park experiences on social media as Dream Big Vikki. 

“I'm 5’6”. I weigh 270 pounds at the moment. ... I wear a size 22, 24,” she said, adding that it’s not just about weight or size on rides, but how it’s carried. “My measurements are 52-48-56. My calves are 19 inches wide.” 

Those kinds of measurements can help fellow travelers set expectations for their own trips to places like Universal Epic Universe. 

“Universal is hard for me. Some days I'll fit on something and some days I won't,” Tupay said. She and other plus-size travelers have told USA TODAY the parks haven’t always been the most “size-inclusive,” but they have been working on it.  

Universal Destinations and Experiences told USA TODAY they continuously “listen to guest feedback and strive to design our attractions and experiences to safely accommodate a range of guests.” The park noted it provides resources like an accessibility guide and test seats at some of its attractions to “help guests feel informed and confident before riding.” 

Tupay and other plus-size park content creators put those resources to the test, to see how plus-size friendly Epic Universe can be. 

Fitting in 

“The first time I went, I did not fit on a few of the rides,” said Jason Vaughn, a travel agent and content creator at Fat Tested Travel. Vaughn is 5-foot-8 and has visited Epic Universe twice – once at about 350 pounds and more recently at 325 pounds.  

During his first visit, Vaughn didn’t fit on Curse of the Werewolf and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and though he did fit on Hiccups Wing Gliders, it was “very, very tight.”  

“Since then, they've added modified seats to [several] rides, and I've also lost just a little bit of weight that I can fit on a couple others,” Vaughn said. He noted he never thought he’d fit on Dragon Racer’s Rally, which allows guests to spin upside down, but fits in its modified seat as well. “The only ride I cannot fit on right now is Stardust Racers.” 

The same goes for Tupay, who has visited Epic Universe five times. For her, Curse of the Werewolf is hit or miss, but Stardust Racers has been a no every time.  

She’d love to see modified seating offered at every ride. “I know it's not absolutely possible, and I understand the restraints of certain rides − no pun intended,” she said. “I shouldn't ask for everything to be modified for me, but I also shouldn't have to lower expectations when I know some things can be modified. Why not others?”  

Jose Velazquez, creator of the Amusement Park Dad channel on YouTube, has been happy with his experiences on his two Epic visits. 

“I found that they're really making a huge effort to make it more accessible for bigger riders, and I was very appreciative of that,” he said. Velazquez said he’s on a weight loss journey, so his weight fluctuates, but he’s 5-foot-10, currently 370 pounds and carries his weight evenly. 

“Because of my belly, I'm a little bit better with the lap restraint [rides] because I can always put my belly over them or something like that,” he said. “But anything overhead is a little bit more challenging.”  

He hasn’t been able to ride Stardust Racers, Dragon Racer’s Rally or Monsters Unchained yet, but he’s looking forward to doing so someday. 

Testing it out 

Most Epic Universe rides have test seats outside the attraction queue, so guests can see how they fit. Only Constellation Carousel and Fyre Drill don’t have them listed on the park’s accessibility guide. 

“I always encourage people to use the test seat. If you don't see a test seat, ask about a test seat. ... [Many] rides actually have two different ones. They'll have one out front, and in case you missed it, there will be one near the end of the line if you want to check at that point,” Vaughn said, also encouraging guests to ask about modified seating options before getting in line. 

Tupay has waited through queues to try actual ride vehicles, even when she didn't fit test seats.

"I always say, ‘try.’ Give yourself a little grace and have the confidence to do it,” she said. “It may not work for you today, and that's OK. At least you tried.” 

Some guests get embarrassed about trying out seats in front of others.  

However, Velazquez said, “I think most of the time, people who don't know you don't really care, so they're not paying attention. ... It's best for you to just try it out so you know for sure.” 

“And [team members are] very supportive and very gracious,” he added. “Don't be afraid to ask for help because a lot of times they have good tips and tricks on how to maneuver certain things” − safely.  

While he acknowledged that it can be disappointing not to fit, he and Tupay agreed that it's better to be safe than sorry. 

“I'm always 100% safety first,” Tupay said. “If it doesn't lock to where it needs to lock, I will happily get off.” 

What to do 

Rides are only part of the park experience at Epic Universe. 

Velazquez and Vaughn recommend watching shows and meeting characters, too.  

They also think some attraction lines are worth the wait, even if guests don't plan to ride. Monsters Unchained, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry have particularly immersive queues.

“There's so much more fun to be had,” Velazquez said. 

Tupay wishes there were more information available on things like seat depth and width, the way attractions post minimum or maximum height. 

“I actually brought a tape measure to Epic with me and measured seats, because again, none of that information is anywhere,” she said.  

Epic Universe’s accessibility guide details which rides allow guests to remain in standard wheelchairs, permit service animals on board, provide closed captioning, and more, but the only mention of body size beyond height is noting when a “ride employs safety restraints which may not accommodate certain people due to their body shape or size.” This is standard across parks and destinations – not unique to Universal – and why many plus-size travelers rely on peer perspectives. 

Tupay encourages plus-size travelers to approach the park with an open mind. 

“There were so many things that I had absolutely no faith in I was going to fit on, and I did,” she said. “It is definitely more size-inclusive.” 

(This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Tupay's last name.)