Taking a large friend to WDW - need ride feedback

[SpectroMan71]

Hi All,

I'll be bringing my friend to WDW next month and he's never been. He's about 6'2" and in the 350 range, with most of the weight being in the belly and chest. We've had issues with lap and shoulder bars fitting on Six Flags roller coasters and I'm a bit concerned that he might miss some of the best rides. Could anybody in this height/size range provide feedback on their experiences? In specific, I'm looking at Rock & Roller Coaster, ToT, Everest, Mission Space, and Test Track. Thanks in advance.

[ckdsnynt]

Hi All,

I'll be bringing my friend to WDW next month and he's never been. He's about 6'2" and in the 350 range, with most of the weight being in the belly and chest. We've had issues with lap and shoulder bars fitting on Six Flags roller coasters and I'm a bit concerned that he might miss some of the best rides. Could anybody in this height/size range provide feedback on their experiences? In specific, I'm looking at Rock & Roller Coaster, ToT, Everest, Mission Space, and Test Track. Thanks in advance.

Sounds like your best friend is my DH but I know he isn't going to DW until Nov.:lmao:

Seriously, WDW doesn't present him with challenges except, he has some knee problems and has for years so rides like SP and SM that you have to use your knees to push off with to get out of the car, are rather difficult for him. Probably because the car you sit in is below the place you have to step up to and get off. Make sense? Stepping down into the car isn't a problem, stepping up is. WDW seems to be much better than say, Universal. We tried universal 1/2 day and he could only ride one ride because most of their really fun rides had contraptions that went over your head and shoulders and had to lock at a specific point. They wouldn't reach that point on DH! :rotfl2: Disney's on the other hand, will lock upon contact with your shoulders. Much better system. Go for it and don't worry. I can't think of a single ride that he can't ride due to his size. You and your frend will have a blast.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I am a little lighter and A LOT shorter. The rides aren't the problem.

Walking is the problem.
Even with A LOT of stopping, you'll walk 3 to 4 miles a day if you spend 8 hours in the parks. Some people walk as much as 10 miles per day.

Since its a lot of stopping and starting, the walking doesn't bother me much on the 1st day, but the pounding on the feet is cumulative, making the walking harder every day. Muscle cream and walking socks are essential.

I would start by letting your friend know that the average person walks 5 miles a day, and gauge his reaction. Be most concerned if he refuses to believe that others walk 5 miles per day.

Also, don't be surprised if your friend wants to stay away from the pools and waterparks. A guy may not care, but you won't find many really big girls in a bathing suit.

[OneLittleSpark]

OK, here's a few links from All Ears that might help you:

The Big Picture (http://allears.net/tp/rid_josh.htm)

There are also links to other articles on doing Disney as a larger person, in the bar on the left side of the screen.


Attraction Vehicle Photo Gallery (http://allears.net/tp/gal_ride.htm)

This gives you pictures of all of the ride cars, so you can see for yourself what they look like, and how spacious they are.

Hope this helps! :thumbsup2

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Hi All,

I'll be bringing my friend to WDW next month and he's never been. He's about 6'2" and in the 350 range, with most of the weight being in the belly and chest. We've had issues with lap and shoulder bars fitting on Six Flags roller coasters and I'm a bit concerned that he might miss some of the best rides. Could anybody in this height/size range provide feedback on their experiences? In specific, I'm looking at Rock & Roller Coaster, ToT, Everest, Mission Space, and Test Track. Thanks in advance.I'm an inch taller than your friend and have about 50 lbs on him. I didn't have a problem with any of the rides you mention.

I can't do most roller coasters at Six Flags or Busch Gardens because of the restraints. I don't have that problem with anything at Disney, though.

My only tight squeeze this trip was the tea cups. I made it, but it was tight.

The only thing at WDW I can remember being specifically excluded from because of my size is the Segway tours. The weight limit on the Segways is something like 200 or 250 lbs.

[kimblebee]

Thank you so much for this thread. I'm a big girl and have been worrying about not fitting in a ride. I can't imagine anything more embarassing than having to get out of a ride because the seatbelt/restraint doesn't fit. I have read a few threads about the same topic and they have taken most of my fears away. One question I do have though is about TSM. I have seen pictures of the ride vehicle but haven't heard any first hand accounts. I leave in 9 days so I really hope I get an answer before that. Thanks so much


Kim

[Debbie Jean]

Thank you so much for this thread. I'm a big girl and have been worrying about not fitting in a ride. I can't imagine anything more embarassing than having to get out of a ride because the seatbelt/restraint doesn't fit. I have read a few threads about the same topic and they have taken most of my fears away. One question I do have though is about TSM. I have seen pictures of the ride vehicle but haven't heard any first hand accounts. I leave in 9 days so I really hope I get an answer before that. Thanks so much


Kim

I'm also pooh sized and love TSM :cloud9: When you sit down just pull the gun as far as it will go... it's not necessary for it to be all the way down for it to work... if you have a belly like I do ;) if will rest just fine on that.

Disney is has done a wonderful job of accommodating "people of size" ... if you ever see a turn style that looks "tight" just go through the handicapped gate... the one for POC has been replaced but I don't know about Haunted Mansion which I had trouble with in the past...I use an ECV now so it's not an issue...

Enjoy!

[kimblebee]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. That was my one 'worry' ride and now that you have given such an accurate answer I will stop worrying about it. :cool1:


Kim

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Disney is has done a wonderful job of accommodating "people of size" ... if you ever see a turn style that looks "tight" just go through the handicapped gate... the one for POC has been replaced but I don't know about Haunted Mansion which I had trouble with in the past...I use an ECV now so it's not an issue...The tightest one I remember is Carrousel of Progress.

[Debbie Jean]

The tightest one I remember is Carrousel of Progress.

Oh my, yes, I forgot about that one :sad2:

[LockShockBarrel]

I think anything that might be of concern would have a test vehicle available, so you could try it out and see if you can fit/are comfy/be safe and all that. Usually they're in discreet spots if my memory serves. I'm somewhere between Pooh sized and as Stitch says "cute and fluffy" and I've never had a problem at all, and I've seen people of all shapes and sizes get on those rides. Plus Disney is great at handling it, unlike Six Flags Darien Lake, where I had some punk kid say "Too big, get off."

[SpectroMan71]

Thanks everyone for your really helpful responses. I feel better about the trip now, knowing that we probably won't face any situations where he can't ride things that look good to him. We did have good employees at Six Flags who had him move to different seats/rows where apparently the seatbelts were slightly longer than the rest, and even had them push down on the bars in tandem (looked like they were operating on him, LOL) to do whatever they could to let him ride, but it didn't work. In one case, they took our name and said we could go to a different coaster for a ride without waiting. We'd already been on that one so it wasn't needed, but it was a nice gesture, especially considering that the Park really didn't do anything wrong.

[bratmomma]

I am happy you got answers that eased your mind! I hope you and your friend have a magical vacation!! :)

I did want to mention something that a PP brought up. I know a lot of larger women won't wear a bathing suit but I don't want anyone being shocked at POP in two weeks when you all see me in one! :) I am going to Disney World and I am going to have fun! Part of that is swimming with my kids (and its awesome for my joints after a day at the park, I have RA). So, if anyone reading this is a "pooh-sized" woman, don't worry, I'll be wearing my suit too, so wear yours and ENJOY THE POOL! :)

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I am happy you got answers that eased your mind! I hope you and your friend have a magical vacation!! :)

I did want to mention something that a PP brought up. I know a lot of larger women won't wear a bathing suit but I don't want anyone being shocked at POP in two weeks when you all see me in one! :) I am going to Disney World and I am going to have fun! Part of that is swimming with my kids (and its awesome for my joints after a day at the park, I have RA). So, if anyone reading this is a "pooh-sized" woman, don't worry, I'll be wearing my suit too, so wear yours and ENJOY THE POOL! :)That's always my attitude, too. I never think twice about going to the pool in a bathing suit/shirtless. I'm there to have fun. If someone's taking the time to take note of my size or what I'm wearing, that's their issue, not mine.

[SpectroMan71]

Oh, he's not at all embarassed to swim in hotel pools. I appreciate that, too, because there's nothing worse than being with someone who's too shy to enjoy themselves while worrying about everybody else's thoughts :)

[LockShockBarrel]

I still can't do the bathing suit alone thing. I wear a one piece and shorts, not so much because I care what other people think, but because I don't like watching my white thighs wiggle. I'm a size 18-20 and I actually find I let myself go just a little more at Disney because I figure I'll never see these people again so who cares right? My only issue with the whole Pooh sized thing and bathing suits is one of taste. I'm all for comfort and personal style and not discriminating against size...but can we please draw the line at the 350lb woman in the American flag bikini with the ties on the side? Not exaggerating, saw it at POP.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I am happy you got answers that eased your mind! I hope you and your friend have a magical vacation!! :)

I did want to mention something that a PP brought up. I know a lot of larger women won't wear a bathing suit but I don't want anyone being shocked at POP in two weeks when you all see me in one! :) I am going to Disney World and I am going to have fun! Part of that is swimming with my kids (and its awesome for my joints after a day at the park, I have RA). So, if anyone reading this is a "pooh-sized" woman, don't worry, I'll be wearing my suit too, so wear yours and ENJOY THE POOL! :)

My intent was to tell the op what he and his friend could expect, and to not necessarily build a lot of pool / waterpark time into the itinerary.

I personally do not feel comfortable in a bathing suit.

[robandniki]

I have been so heartened to read all your posts i am probably a little more than Pooh Sized and i am so worried as I love rides and really want to do the the bigger faster rides but had resigned myself to sitting out as i didn't think i could take the embarrasment of being turned away. will a short 350lb person fit in the rides?????

thanks

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I think you'd have a really good chance!

I would definitely say that you could ride BTMRR.

[billyvmom]

we are flying a southwest. and now we are scared about the very public Pooh size problem with the seats where they refused to let a large person on without even checking the lap restraints first. I will die if they turn my husband away he is right at the extender size and he will be sitting next to my 4 year old who won't mind if daady is taking up her personal space cross your fingers for us Pooh kind unite. we are bringing a tape measure to prove his width just in case though.

[billsfan]

I am 6'1" and go about 380 lbs. I am not wide side to side but I am wide front to back. The following things I have experienced at WDW.

1. I can ride in the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway but must sit in the passenger seat and steer the car from there.:rotfl:

2. I have ridden Dumbo and the Astro Orbiter but must sit by myself in the cars.

3. My DFi is small (5'3" and is of normal weight). When we first rode BTMRR together she freeked out a bit since it is one lap bar and when it hit my gut it was stil around 1 foot away from her. Not a problem since it is not to extreme of a roller coaster. Now she doesn't freek out.:thumbsup2

4. The Tea Cups are a very tight fit because I am wide front to back but I can still fit in but I do rub a bit on the center wheel.

5. If you ride Splash Mountian and don't want to get too wet try to sit in the back seat of the log. Everytime we sit in the front seat of the log and go down the 5 story drop the front of the log digs into the water and creates a massive tidal wave that soakes everyone in the log. It's always seams that the castmembers want to put us in the front of the log because they know whats going to happen. Most of the time we take the front because we usually ride it right before we leave the park. It's always great to look back after the drop and see the strangers that are behind us in shock as to how wet they get.:rolleyes1

6. Pull out all seatbelts to their fullest before you sit down.

7. Everytime I sit in the Carousel of Progress seats I think they are going to collapse but they never have.

8. Try to sit in the front row of Test Track. I can barely fit my knees in the back row.

9. We have ridden Kali River Rapids once and I believe I had to sit in the double seat myself because I think DFi could not fit next to me.

10. I have ridden Primeval Whirl once and I had to sit by myself also. (This is the only WDW world ride I will not ride again. I was so uncomfortable for the whole ride duration. There was something digging into my back and I felt so crammed in.:sad1:)

11. The only thing that I could not ride at WDW was in Disney Quest and was CyberSpace Mountian. There was no way for me to fit in the ride vehicle and then put the shoulder restraint down.

12. Totally unrelated to WDW but at DCA I could not ride the Maliboomer because the shoulder harness could not come down far enough.

[ireland_nicole]

I am happy you got answers that eased your mind! I hope you and your friend have a magical vacation!! :)

I did want to mention something that a PP brought up. I know a lot of larger women won't wear a bathing suit but I don't want anyone being shocked at POP in two weeks when you all see me in one! :) I am going to Disney World and I am going to have fun! Part of that is swimming with my kids (and its awesome for my joints after a day at the park, I have RA). So, if anyone reading this is a "pooh-sized" woman, don't worry, I'll be wearing my suit too, so wear yours and ENJOY THE POOL! :)
:thumbsup2 Me too!

That's always my attitude, too. I never think twice about going to the pool in a bathing suit/shirtless. I'm there to have fun. If someone's taking the time to take note of my size or what I'm wearing, that's their issue, not mine.
ummm, if it's ok with you, I'd rather that none of the girls (me included) went shirtless. I don't think getting arrested for indecent exposure is on any of our iteneraries:rotfl2:
I have been so heartened to read all your posts i am probably a little more than Pooh Sized and i am so worried as I love rides and really want to do the the bigger faster rides but had resigned myself to sitting out as i didn't think i could take the embarrasment of being turned away. will a short 350lb person fit in the rides?????

thanks

the only other think you might have an issue depending on your fitness level is space mountain. Getting in isn't too bad... getting back out, well, let's just say it requires some dexterity and a good sense of humor.;)

[jm-mom]

I'm a big gal and have never had an issue with any ride at WDW. I will say that it's tight for me and my husband to both fit into the mine cars on Big Thunder so we just ask for one each, no problem. The worst ride I found was the racecars in Tomorrowland. The issue wasn't getting down into it but getting back out of it. ONce I was in I fit fine but my knees are weak and I needed help getting back out.

As for bathing suits, put one on and have some fun! You will be amazed at how many "odd" looking people there are at the pool. Size is just one issue, believe me. I put mine on and climb into the pool with my kids and we have a blast. I will be the first to admit I look terrible in a bathing suit but I'm on vacation, I'll never see these people again, what does it matter.

I also second whoever wrote to be aware of the amount of walking. A large person is going to tire out and have sore feet, knees, etc. after a day or two regardless of their pre-trip fitness. I doubt the scooters at disney can handle a person over about 250 so you may want to consider renting one offsite or at least bring along some names and numbers should you need one a few days into the trip. I've done Six Flags and the zoo, places like that without a problem but the sheer vastness of all that Disney World has to offer adds up to many more miles of walking than you might initially expect.

Have fun on your trip. We're 35 days and counting and then I too will be at Pop wearing a bathing suit so hide your eyes if you don't want to see!

[TimandTanya]

I am 6' 1" 300lbs. Most of it in my chest and shoulders, I wear a 56-58 jacket, and I have never had a problem riding any of the rides in any park in WDW. There are some rollercoasters at Sea World, Universal, etc that I cannot ride, the shoulder harnesses won't go over my shoulders and chest. Tell him that a fellow walking wall:rotfl2: will be there having fun, and he should too.

[robandniki]

Thanks everyone i feel much better now 7 days and counting!!

Should i get wedged anywhere, once i have been prised out i shall report back

Happy vaction!!!:wizard:

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks everyone i feel much better now 7 days and counting!!

Should i get wedged anywhere, once i have been prised out i shall report back

Happy vaction!!!:wizard:

When you get back be sure to give us a report of how it went :thumbsup2
I'm sure you'll have a blast! :goodvibes

[CLR4321]

My boyfriend is 6'6 and 340lbs. The only 2 rides he had trouble fitting into were Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter. He was able to fit, but was kind of squished in, but not to the point that he wouldn't ride them again.
Your friend should be fine. :goodvibes

[BirdLegsRed]

I just had to chime in, regarding wearing bathing suits to the pools, I am sensitive about that too. But my best friend, who is also pooh sized, says her philosophy to people who stare or make comments is "If you don't like it, don't look!" :rotfl:

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

we are flying a southwest. and now we are scared about the very public Pooh size problem with the seats where they refused to let a large person on without even checking the lap restraints first. I will die if they turn my husband away he is right at the extender size and he will be sitting next to my 4 year old who won't mind if daady is taking up her personal space cross your fingers for us Pooh kind unite. we are bringing a tape measure to prove his width just in case though.Off topic, but I need to share this.

To be honest, that news story has me very concerned, too. We're not flying on Southwest for our next trip, and my roommate is the same way -- it's not an issue for him if the armrest is up and I take some of his seat.

On the professional side, I have a business trip coming up next week that will cause me to fly from Virginia to California. I was self-conscience about making others uncomfortable, and about the possibility that I'd be stopped from boarding, and miss an important meeting. I asked my travel office about it, and they said they'd book me the extra seats. That actually took a lot of anxiety off me. I really wasn't looking forward to those flights. Unlike your husband, I don't really fit between the armrests that well on some planes. I can get them down, but it’s very uncomfortable.

Well, I just got my itinerary. They were true to their word. They booked me the extra seats on each flight. For one of my flights out there, I'm in seats 37B and 34E. On one of the flights, I'm in seats 9C and 7A. I don't think someone understood. :confused3 Either that, or they think I have great skills as a contortionist.

[PrincessTrisha]

I have been so heartened to read all your posts i am probably a little more than Pooh Sized and i am so worried as I love rides and really want to do the the bigger faster rides but had resigned myself to sitting out as i didn't think i could take the embarrasment of being turned away. will a short 350lb person fit in the rides?????

thanks

You'll be fine since you seem like me - the biggest issue you are going to have is turnstyles in the MK. Because you're short (as am I - I'm 5 feet tall, 5"1 on a good day), the turnstyles hit me right at most of my weight and I'm not tall enough to push my tummy up over it - it has to go straight through.

Another thing - on the "molded plastic seat rides" like snow white, imagination, spaceship earth - sit in the front - the opening is easier to get in to (same issue as the turnstyles - not tall enough to lift my girth up over the opening, it has to go through).

[robandniki]

thank you for teh advice :goodvibes

[SpectroMan71]

Well, we're back from the trip and I'm happy to report that he didn't miss any rides due to his size. A few of them were hard on the knees, but that's more to do with his height than his weight. Sometimes when sitting in rows of molded seats, he did spread over into my space but that was the worst of it. Flights on Continental and Southwest didn't seem to pose much of a size problem other than his own discomfort at being squeezed in a little tighter than most. It was great to know that he could ride virtually anything at WDW. Thanks to all for your comments!

[blondie219]

So a size 26-28 woman should be able to ride most anything? I have been freaked out over this, even thought of postponing for a year....but that wouldn't be fair to my kids.

[christymarie]

LOL, I'm a 28/32 woman myself and I had no trouble. I will admit I didn't go on the big roller coasters (RNR, EE, or ToT) but everything else was fine. The only issue I did have was rides where there was one bar that came down for the whole seat stopped at my legs but my 6yo who was sitting next to me had way too much room. We just made sure that rides where he needed to be more secure he rode with hubby.

HTH, have a great time!

[Debbie Jean]

So a size 26-28 woman should be able to ride most anything? I have been freaked out over this, even thought of postponing for a year....but that wouldn't be fair to my kids.

I speak from experience... that's a definite yes! :thumbsup2 Relax and enjoy :hug: you'll have a wonderful time pixiedust:

[Kramberry]

Hi Everyone. I love this thread, it's always a comfort to know these things ahead of time! My question - I know this is the "Dis" board, but this year we were planning to try out Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure for the first time. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the suitability of the rides there for the larger population?

Thanks for any advice you can give!