Mario Kart theme park ride warns plus-sized riders they might not be allowed on

Move over Disneyland and SeaWorld - Super Nintendo World is opening in Universal Studios this year, and if you've ever played a Mario game in your life, this looks like a must-visit.

The Hollywood theme park is set to open on 17 February, and gaming fans from all over are already preparing - but some plus-size visitors might not be able to enjoy the full experience.

One of the most highly anticipated rides in the theme park is 'Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge'.

In the ride, inspired by the hit racing game, riders will put on a pair of special goggles before taking on Team Bower in some of the most iconic Mario Kart courses alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.

Thanks to the cutting-edge technology built into the game, riders will be able to collect coins, throw shells, and win the Golden Cup for Team Mario.

All in all, the ride sounds absolutely bonkers.

It's no wonder people are throwing their money at Universal for a chance to enter Super Nintendo World ASAP.

But, it turns out this ride might not be for everyone.

The team behind the manufacturers have warned that some guests might be turned away from Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge if they have a waistline of 40 inches or more.

It comes as Universal Studios and other major theme parks introduce tighter restraints on their seats to keep small children safely fastened in - meaning there's less wiggle room for plus-sized riders.

Super Nintendo World

According to The Wall Street Journal, staff have already had to turn some visitors away from the ride because of their size.

Commenting on the move, Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides, who build roller coasters for Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Six Flags, commented: "Our first priority is always the safety of the guests and the employees.

"We balance that with a very focused effort to make the rides as accessible as possible."

Some disappointed fans have criticised Universal for the new safety measures especially when, according to the CDC, the average waist circumference in the US is 39.7 inches for a man and 37.5 inches for a woman.

But this isn't the first time that Universal has done this, with similar restrictions on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and The Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash ride.

Those worried that these restrictions might affect their visit, needn't panic too much just yet.

Super Nintendo World

For starters, all rides with size restrictions will have test seats outside the rides to give visitors a better idea of whether they'll fit comfortably.

Secondly, some people who were lucky enough to visit Super Nintendo World already have assured hopefuls that the seat sizes are still 'very forgiving.'

NBCUniversal has also confirmed that it's looking at new ways to update rides to fit more guests.

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