Universal Fans Concerned Seat Restraint Safety Should Be Examined After Recent Tragedy

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Universal Orlando Resort takes very seriously the safety of its Guests and Team Members.

Each Universal Orlando attraction undergoes massive and intense safety inspections and they are combined with fail-safe measures to ensure that every single ride is safe.

However, the recent tragedy at ICON Park in Orlando, where 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was released from his seat while riding the world’s tallest freestanding drop tower, the Orlando Free Fall, has many theme park fans rethinking attractions and wondering about the safety of theme parks across America.

The Wheel at ICON Park
Credit: internationaldriveorlando.com

Recently, concerns were brought up about the safety of Doctor Doom’s Fearfall at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The ride is a tower attraction that sends Guests 185 feet in the air and Twitter user Clint Gamache (@iamcg83) recently shared photos that the attraction does not have a seatbelt restraint that connects the over-the-shoulder restraint to the seat. This had many fans concerned.

For those that are debating with me that Doom still has seatbelts. I present exhibit A:

One Universal Orlando fan said it was better to have the safety restraint buckle than to not have it.

They should have them, better safety precaution to have them click on the overhead restraints.

The attraction used to have seatbelts that locked in the shoulder restraint, but they were removed during a refurbishment in 2018. One Guest said this was a “poor safety decision.”

Definitely should have locking belt attaching the harness between the legs, this is a poor safety decision.

While it may seem as if the seatbelt attaching to the harness would provide an added layer of safety, the attraction has several fail-safety measures in place to ensure that the restraint is attached and locked just as it should be. Many Guests quickly came to the defense of Universal, making sure others knew there was nothing for them to worry about.

Many Guests pointed out that the reason these seat buckles have been removed is that if you can pop open the seat buckle on a high-intensity ride, it’s not a true restraint. Instead, technology has advanced to allow for fail-safes to be put into place to ensure that harnesses remain in place.

doctor dooms freefall
Credit: Universal

In the case of ICON Park, one Guest noted that different dimensions of physics were in play, as well.

They really don’t, though. If the restraint is closed properly, nobody’s going to fall out, and all G forces positive or negative are sent straight up and down. ICON drop tower added a tilt function, and that brings a whole new dimension of physics into play.

 

Universal Orlando’s official description of Doctor Doom’s Fearfall reads:

Faster Than the Space Shuttle.

Doctor Doom is testing his latest invention, a machine that sucks fear out of people. His plan? Use the fear he collects as a weapon against the Fantastic Four. His henchmen will strap you into a seat, blast you into the sky and then—without a second to catch your breath—hurl you back down with a face-melting force stronger than gravity itself.

Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure
Credit: Universal

Universal Orlando has designed world-class attractions that are expertly operated by highly-trained Team Members and have many safety features in place to ensure that every rider is safe every single time.

Universal Orlando Resort is home to many thrilling and epic attractions that you won’t want to miss. You can experience Hogsmeade, which includes Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, and The Flight of the Hippogriff, as well as Jurassic Park River Adventure, the all-new Jurassic World: Velocicoaster, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk Coaster and much more at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

hogwarts express at universal studios florida
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Then, don’t forget about all the amazing attractions like Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, The Simpson’s Ride, E.T. Adventure Ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s, MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack, Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt, and much more all next door at Universal Studios Florida. Also in major Universal Parks News, Epic Universe— the largest Universal Park in the world— is currently under construction and is set to be finished by 2025.

Do you enjoy Doctor Doom’s Fearfall at Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments.

If you want to visit Universal Orlando Resort, you can today! Click here to get your vacation started! You can go to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, then eat some dinner and grab a drink at CityWalk. Want to take a splash? Volcano Bay is ready for you. With so many fun events like Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and more, Universal will give you an action-packed adventure like you are in the movies! And, who could forget about the Wizarding World of ‘Harry Potter’! Universal is also in the midst of building its biggest theme park ever, the Epic Universe, which is set to open in 2025. Or, how about a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood to experience the movies?

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