Angela Morales was distraught when she was turned away from the Skull Island: Reign of Kong ride at the Universal Orlando Resort after staff said they would not be able to accommodate her. Now Angela has put in an official complaint and begun proceeding for a discrimination case arguing that the staff “fat-shamed” her.
Staff, however, claimed that it was simply a case of running the ride at capacity, and that they could not open up space and force other visitors to wait while providing accommodation for Angela. Morales’ response is that Universal makes no reference to weight limitations in its theme park guidelines, and that overweight people should be considered a protected class and deserve special accommodation.
Maybe if she uses the space of 2 paying customers to the park she should PAY for the EXTRA space she uses. It's not FAT SHAMING .. it is LOGIC.. Woman files complaint against Universal Orlando Resort saying she was fat-shamed by staff https://t.co/9nQZ2zK5Pq #FoxNews
— Gloria Bravo Pueblo (@Gloria_Bravo) 17 March 2018
However, people have rushed to the defence of Universal rides with many users putting forward a reasonable argument in favour of personal responsibility.
“Please, I’m fat too, if you feel ashamed lose the weight, it’s really a no brainer. If something happened to her on the ride, she would be the first to sue. No sympathy,” one user wrote.
“I felt ashamed of myself when I could no longer fit on the Harry Potter ride. I went to the end of the line and waited for my kids and cried in the darkness. I've lost 140 lb. I can now fit in it and I'm proud. Lose some weight, honey! For your health!” said another
Woman says she was fat-shamed at Universal theme park — and she's filing a discrimination complaint https://t.co/Lr5nWOVqMw
— サチ (@For_Butlers) 17 March 2018
【I don’t see this fat shaming, you asked for “comfort of others” and that doesn’t work even when your skinny】
“She wasn't fat shamed. She wanted the park to accommodate her needs, and make everyone else wait . The park was busy. I'm sure of the lines weren't long, they would have been more accommodating to her,” wrote another user.
“I'm bigger and cannot ride many rides at different parks.... it’s just the way it is. They have to build the rides to be safe...if you don't like it you have to lose weight,” added one more.
Universal, which usually declines from commenting on specific cases has seen fit to release the following statement:
“While we don’t comment on specific guest situations, we always strive to treat our guests with respect and we work to accommodate special requests when we can.”
