Doing Disney overweight

[AutumnKlassic]

I'm a size 16 and I find some of the turnstiles are akward...I always dread going through them...and I have to turn sideways. This year we had the stroller so alot of times I got to bypass them. Yippee!!

My husband and I both rode Astro Orbitor together once and we literally got STUCK in that ride. Two adults should not ride one car reguardless if you re pooh size or not. That was super uncomfortable and luckily I think we were the only two that knew we were stuck.

I am a size 18 and mom is 16 and Astro Orbitor was a nightmare. I set in the back and each time she pushed the spaceship up my right leg got crushed and each time we went down my left leg was crushed. Do not ride this ride with two adults ever, unless you are supermodel skinny.

 

[AuntieM03]

I too am about a 24 and I had a horrible experience at Six Flags where I got on this ride with my son and friends and you all sit in a row and this bar closes. Well the bar wouldnt close because of me and all of the people on the ride had to wait while they tried to close it, plus all of the people standing in line waiting there turn. I ended up having to GET OFF. It ruined my whole day! ANyway, I worried when I went to Disney in 2003 and to my delight, I was able to ride EVERYTHING with no problems. GO and enjoy yourself!!
Marie

Six Flags is definitely not friendly for the overweight. I took my niece and nephew last year. I am about an 18/20 and I went on Colossus. I was okay on the ride but to get off you have to push the bar down to disengage it. The bar did not want to go down far enough. They had to push down really hard to get it to finally release. Of course I was embarrassed and I didn't even attempt to get on another ride the whole day. I just waited off for them.

I have never had an issue at WDW or Disneyland (other than some of the turnstiles).

 

[Oldironsides]

Avoid the front seat, which is the smallest.

 

[tomshortridge]

My last WDW trip, i was about 350lbs (54 waist). I had no problems riding anything.

After gastric bypass in 2005, I am now about 230 (36-38 waist) and look forward to having an even better time this year!

While I could fit into the rides before, the walking killed me at that weight.

I agree about six flags. We are annual passholders here in California and even now have to squeeze into a few rides.

One of the worst experiences of being over weight was trying to get into a simulator ride at the San Diego Wild Animal park with my son. After fighting with the belt and seat, I had to give up and get off the ride. That sucked and was a big inspiration for having weight loss surgery.

 

[Tanya90210]

As the other.. I to am "pooh-sized" and had no problems on any ride in the last 2 years we have gone... I will always be loyal to the mouse for that... I can't ride 1/2 the rides at our local 6 flags for fear of comfort problems... and plus the dining... tables don't squish my tummy like most restaurants... Disney makes it really easy for anyone to have a wonderful time.

Gotta love that mouse!!

Tanya

 

[LilyWDW]

While I could fit into the rides before, the walking killed me at that weight.

This is what worries me the most. I am a size 16 and am happy to hear that people don't have many issues with the rides, but I am worried about all the walking especially at Epcot. I have bad knees (from years of playing soccer and two pretty sever knee injuries. I did not gain weight until AFTER I had to stop playing due to the knee issues) and I am terrified I won't have the stamina! Recently I started a healthier diet and am exercising a bit (doing a TON of walking on campus) so hopefully that will help.

 

[Redriva]

I have a related questions here ..

about pooh sized people ( love that one! lol) fitting ok in ecomomy plane seats (32") .... I am a UK size 26/28 (thats US size 24/26) and am starting to have nightmares about fitting ok in these seats .... anyone done this and lived to tell the tale? lol

thanks!

 

[Hope73]

The only trouble I had was big thunder. My daughter was only 5 and rode with me so she really bounced around in her seat since we shared a bar

 

[bksab]

Hi! I am pooh sized also (26-28) and had no problems on my last flight. I was afraid I was going to have to ask for a belt extender, but I did not. I am greatly relieved to hear I will not have trouble on the rides!! That was a major concern for me as well.

Kara

 

[CinRell]

at size 18/20 I had no problem with astro orbitor... my ex and I rode one in front of the other though.. not 2 in a seat.. this could be why.

Turnstyles weren't a big issue either.. you just do a little diagonal entry... I was never embaressed at disney.

I refuse to even TRY some rides at cedar point, though.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

At my largest I was a size 24, sometimes 26 and weighed almost 280. I never had a tough time with my knees but my feet absolutely KILLED me every night, to the point where I was in tears. That was when I thought, "that's enough." Still struggling, but I'm down to 200 and the difference 80 pounds made is huge. My feet are sore at night, but normal people sore. Even a little weight loss will help.

I can't wait to do WDW at 150!!!

 

[barbarabee]

You might want to pick up a copy of the Passporter Guide to WDW for special needs. It has a lot of great information for people with all sorts of needs, including people who are concerned about their size. Here is a link:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710188.aspx

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

This is what worries me the most. I am a size 16 and am happy to hear that people don't have many issues with the rides, but I am worried about all the walking especially at Epcot. I have bad knees (from years of playing soccer and two pretty sever knee injuries. I did not gain weight until AFTER I had to stop playing due to the knee issues) and I am terrified I won't have the stamina! Recently I started a healthier diet and am exercising a bit (doing a TON of walking on campus) so hopefully that will help.

It sounds to me like you're doing the right things to get yourself ready for the trip. I'm sorry about all your injuries.

My one suggestion is to invest in a good pair of sneakers/walking shoes...for me they can make all the difference.

 

[tomshortridge]

Sorry about the knee issues.

Probably the biggest thing your will have to realize is that you may not be able to "tour" at a rapid pace as directed by Tour Guide Mike and others.

Just take your time and enjoy it all and take breaks.

Watching the shows and parades will also give your feet and knees a break too!

Tom

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

Glad to know that at 300lbs I can fit in the rides... was weighing heavily( some pun intended lol) on my mind.. I love the rides but was kinda scared to go in line to find out Iwouldnt be able to fit.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Walking and standing is the real issue, although you won't see my trying to get in the teacups!

Being Pooh sized myself, (last trip size 26), I have found many tricks to help with the walking.

Wear well broken in athletic shoes
Wear Thorlo socks or 2 pairs of socks at the same time.
Take an aspirin before you leave the hotel in the mornings.
Drink plenty of water ! ! !
Put your feet up at night. I may find a way to lean both legs up the side of a wall at night.
Take time to rest.

Many sporting goods stores will have the Thorlo socks. They are a bit pricey but well worth the money. They run $8 to $12 per pair. They have walking, running, and hiking socks. The hiking socks are the thickest. I'm leaning toward these for our April trip.

On our trip in 2002, my feet were hurting by 11:00 a.m. on the 1st day, and complete agony by day 3. In 2005, with the Thorlo socks, I had no foot issues until the 3rd day. I think I may have had issues then because I had only bought 2 pairs of Thorlo socks and was trying to alternate by wearing 2 pairs of regular socks, washing the special ones out in the room, etc.

Good Luck!

 

[pearlieq]

I agree that being Pooh-sized, being on your feet all day is the big issue, not fitting into rides.

Losing weight, even a little bit, really helps. I couldn't believe the difference just 30 pounds made!

Crocs also work wonders. My feet have never been so comfortable as in a new pair of Crocs (with socks) at WDW.

Get to the parks early and tour smart to avoid standing in line for a long time. It's actually the standing that's worse than the walking. Take any and every opportunity to sit and schedule your most physically demanding day first before the soreness sets in.

Make liberal use of the pool and hot tub at your hotel and put your feet up at night. I've also used the wall trick mentioned by a PP. Carry some Advil or Aleve (not Tylenol or Asprin) to help with pain.

 

[shakebear]

although I myself am not overweight, it is so great to hear that Disney is doing this, just another reason to prove how incredibly amazing Disney truly is. There is absolutly no place that will ever top it, especially no theme park (although I dont like calling WDW that- it just sounds too .. hmm .. well , someone probably knows what I mean... )

 

[amykathleen2005]

I agree that being Pooh-sized, being on your feet all day is the big issue, not fitting into rides.

Losing weight, even a little bit, really helps. I couldn't believe the difference just 30 pounds made!

Crocs also work wonders. My feet have never been so comfortable as in a new pair of Crocs (with socks) at WDW.

Get to the parks early and tour smart to avoid standing in line for a long time. It's actually the standing that's worse than the walking. Take any and every opportunity to sit and schedule your most physically demanding day first before the soreness sets in.

Make liberal use of the pool and hot tub at your hotel and put your feet up at night. I've also used the wall trick mentioned by a PP. Carry some Advil or Aleve (not Tylenol or Asprin) to help with pain.

Just 30lbs!!! That is a huge accomplishment, congrats!!

 

[dohgusgus]

At my largest I was a size 24, sometimes 26 and weighed almost 280. I never had a tough time with my knees but my feet absolutely KILLED me every night, to the point where I was in tears. That was when I thought, "that's enough." Still struggling, but I'm down to 200 and the difference 80 pounds made is huge. My feet are sore at night, but normal people sore. Even a little weight loss will help.

I can't wait to do WDW at 150!!!

How did you lose the weight?! I weigh around 240 and I want to lose alot of weight before my next trip in january. Please pm the details :]