Are the WDW theme parks morbid obesity friendly?

[Mirax]

Fortunately you have months before you leave for Disney. I would sit down with your entire group and let them know how much walking is involved. I always plan group hikes before we leave for Disney so we can find a walking pace that works for our group. I call it, Training for Disney. Our last trip we picked when we wanted to stay together (dinner and group pictures) and when we would split up(when not everybody could was not interested in a particular ride.)

 

[Anonomom]

As someone of similar size to your sis, I'd say it'll be fine. I fit on every ride at WDW (though the Mine Train is uncomfortable), and have made it through several summer trips just fine. Yes, my feet hurt at the end of the day, but I assume it'd be that way if I weren't fat, too.

I would absolutely NOT sit her down for a talk about her "health." It is none of your business. She is likely well aware of what she weighs and what, if any, limitations her hip problems impose. She's an adult, she will handle it.

There's nothing wrong with pointing out to a total newbie (of any size) how much walking there is. But to take it beyond that -- to suggest that she cannot keep up, to discourage her from coming or to in any way suggest that she needs to lose weight in advance of the trip, would be out of bounds.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I really don't think you should mention her weight at all. I agree with others that her hip and the heat are the much bigger issues. I'm not that heavy, but I'm obese and I can handle the walking just fine. I get crap about my weight because that is what people see but I really don't have problem walking 10 miles or more per day at home, and so I do fine on vacations that involve lots of walking. But I've had foot injuries at Disney and I've been in the summer, and I can tell you that those two things have a much more serious impact. If you mention anything at all, emphasize the need to drink water and take breaks. And that is not limited to "pooh sized".

I don't even see the point in "Disney training" lol. Each person can walk as much as they are willing to walk and then split off to ride more or sit on a bench or someplace with A/C that serves beer. It's a vacation not a fitness test.

 

[ClemmyIndyBambi]

It sounds like you're more concerned about her bad hip being agitated by rides than walking around correct? Almost every ride at WDW has been filmed and you can watch it on YouTube. You might consider sitting down with her and watching the rides of any that you think might be uncomfortable for her. Watch the people get onto the ride and see if she thinks that is doable ( the step up, the step down, the speed at which the ride vehicle is moving, etc), and have her look at the shape and design of the ride vehicle to see if it is doable (the size of the seat, what it's made of, etc). She's really the only person who knows her limits. As for her size, as others have mentioned I think she'll be just fine. My best friend is a pooh sized and she's gone with me 3 or 4 times now. I can't think of a single ride she couldn't fit on.

Also, just a suggestion from experience, be ready for her to get upset if she starts to be in pain. My mom is really tough, like she fell on the ice in a blizzard broke her leg, ribs, collar bone and crawled about 100 yards for help. She's a rural farm girl and can cut her finger to the bone and not shed a tear. At Disney when she starts to experience pain (she has injuries from a car accident years ago that still cause her pain) she becomes a small child pouting and crying. There's something about the Happiest Place on Earth that when things aren't going the way you want you can implode easily. I think it's because you feel your limit, but you want so desperately to push past it.

 

[Babsy]

We're all nervous about going to WDW in the summer because of the heat. But we've been told June isn't nearly as bad as July and August. We'll manage. I hope......

If you are concerned about the heat, I assume that you have considered going earlier in the spring or after September. If June is the only month that will work for you, then you can manage, I am sure. WDW makes it as easy as possible for everyone to enjoy a visit to Disney at all times of the year. But it is a good idea to plan for any issues with heat by always allowing time for rests and drinks for hydrating. It will likely be hot in June, but, as you said, not as hot as July or August.

FWIW, I am plus sized as well and have been for most of my life. When I was younger I was able to handle a trip to WDW in September with lots of rest and water. Now, I only go to WDW in the late fall - early winter (Nov - Feb) because the heat is too much for me at other times of the year.

PP er's have made good suggestions such as watching rides onYou Tube and discussing just how much walking is involved.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disney_traveler]

I would also add that you can never be 100% sure how people will fit and fare until you are actually THERE. I read these boards and reports prior to riding Forbidden Journey at Universal. I am 5'10" and around 280 (I would guess, haven't been on a scale since doctor 4 years ago); broad shoulders, big thighs and legs....let's just say nothing is small. Anyways by all accounts read, personal stories, etc, I was not going to be able to fit at all. Get there, friends wanted to ride, I was skeptically staring at test seat and a worker asks timidly "do.....you....want to...try?" I said sure but it won't work. Worker said, "I think it won't be a problem" I thought they were just being polite. Nope fit just fine. In following years, I'm not even randomly pulled because they think I'm too big. Same situation with mine train. With my bum and legs, it wasn't going to work and if it did I definitely wouldn't have room to store my bag by my legs (sling bag pretty stuffed) again I fit just fine and had plenty on room. Now those cheap traveling carnival rides is a whole different story.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I'm 250 lbs and can ride pretty much everything comfortably. 7D mine train is a little tight but i still ride it.
I would definately recommend renting a scooter with any type of hip or knee problems.
Don't rent from Disney at the parks, they are crazy expensive over $50 a day + deposit...
Rent from a local company that delivers them to resorts and hotels.
There are good companies...applescooter.com, buenavistascooters.com are a few.

 

[Mirax]

I don't even see the point in "Disney training" lol. Each person can walk as much as they are willing to walk and then split off to ride more or sit on a bench or someplace with A/C that serves beer. It's a vacation not a fitness test.[/QUOTE]


Have you ever been to Disney with an Alpha Commando type personality? Have you ever been to Disney with young children who don't ride in the stroller? Have you ever been to Disney with someone who has a disability? I have with all three. Learned early on if you go with a group you need to learn to work as a team. Commando dude will need to learn that the wheel chair/scooter only goes so fast and doesn't work well in crowds. Little ones need to learn how to pick up their feet so they don't get tripped on. Knowing how to work as a group before a trip makes pixie dust all that more magical. Disney training is just preparing for your trip. You learn the speed at which your group can walk. It is a time to make sure the shoes you have are broken in. Are you willing to carry the backpack from one end of the park to the next. When planning fast passes you know that planning all 3 passes in 3 different lands in 2 hours before dinner reservations is possible, or not.

Disney Training = Going to the parks prepared = Lots of natural Pixie Dust.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I don't even see the point in "Disney training" lol. Each person can walk as much as they are willing to walk and then split off to ride more or sit on a bench or someplace with A/C that serves beer. It's a vacation not a fitness test.

Have you ever been to Disney with an Alpha Commando type personality? Have you ever been to Disney with young children who don't ride in the stroller? Have you ever been to Disney with someone who has a disability? I have with all three. Learned early on if you go with a group you need to learn to work as a team. Commando dude will need to learn that the wheel chair/scooter only goes so fast and doesn't work well in crowds. Little ones need to learn how to pick up their feet so they don't get tripped on. Knowing how to work as a group before a trip makes pixie dust all that more magical. Disney training is just preparing for your trip. You learn the speed at which your group can walk. It is a time to make sure the shoes you have are broken in. Are you willing to carry the backpack from one end of the park to the next. When planning fast passes you know that planning all 3 passes in 3 different lands in 2 hours before dinner reservations is possible, or not.

Disney Training = Going to the parks prepared = Lots of natural Pixie Dust.[/QUOTE]

No, yes, and yes. I guess in the case of the second two, I know that from doing stuff around town or traveling elsewhere. I don't go with commando relatives or friends on trips, unless it's agreed upon ahead of time that we can split up for part of the time- mostly because I am not a rope drop or hike at dawn kind of person.

My approach is more like- if we have time to use those fast passes, great, if not, reschedule. If we have time to make that ADR, great, if we don't feel up to it, CS is also good. I really have no problem splitting up, either. But I realize not everyone travels like that.

But I also think you're talking about something different. You're talking about planning and knowing the speed you can move at as a group. The gist of the message I was commenting on is that the OP should get everyone to increase their endurance- get them to walk miles at home on a regular basis. Or at least that's how I read it. That's what I was referring to as training and I think that's ridiculous. If you're tired in the parks, take a break. It's vacation, not a marathon that one must train for. Just because I can get up at 5 am for work and then run a mile after work does not mean I want to get up that early to get everyone ready for rope drop and then run that mile on the hotel treadmill at night.

 

[mmouse1239]

Have you ever been to Disney with an Alpha Commando type personality? Have you ever been to Disney with young children who don't ride in the stroller? Have you ever been to Disney with someone who has a disability? I have with all three. Learned early on if you go with a group you need to learn to work as a team. Commando dude will need to learn that the wheel chair/scooter only goes so fast and doesn't work well in crowds. Little ones need to learn how to pick up their feet so they don't get tripped on. Knowing how to work as a group before a trip makes pixie dust all that more magical. Disney training is just preparing for your trip. You learn the speed at which your group can walk. It is a time to make sure the shoes you have are broken in. Are you willing to carry the backpack from one end of the park to the next. When planning fast passes you know that planning all 3 passes in 3 different lands in 2 hours before dinner reservations is possible, or not.

Disney Training = Going to the parks prepared = Lots of natural Pixie Dust.

No, yes, and yes. I guess in the case of the second two, I know that from doing stuff around town or traveling elsewhere. I don't go with commando relatives or friends on trips, unless it's agreed upon ahead of time that we can split up for part of the time- mostly because I am not a rope drop or hike at dawn kind of person.

My approach is more like- if we have time to use those fast passes, great, if not, reschedule. If we have time to make that ADR, great, if we don't feel up to it, CS is also good. I really have no problem splitting up, either. But I realize not everyone travels like that.

But I also think you're talking about something different. You're talking about planning and knowing the speed you can move at as a group. The gist of the message I was commenting on is that the OP should get everyone to increase their endurance- get them to walk miles at home on a regular basis. Or at least that's how I read it. That's what I was referring to as training and I think that's ridiculous. If you're tired in the parks, take a break. It's vacation, not a marathon that one must train for. Just because I can get up at 5 am for work and then run a mile after work does not mean I want to get up that early to get everyone ready for rope drop and then run that mile on the hotel treadmill at night.[/QUOTE]


Don't you get charged if you fail to show up for a dining reservation? I thought that you did....kind of off topic, but just asking.

 

[Westcoastwild]

No, yes, and yes. I guess in the case of the second two, I know that from doing stuff around town or traveling elsewhere. I don't go with commando relatives or friends on trips, unless it's agreed upon ahead of time that we can split up for part of the time- mostly because I am not a rope drop or hike at dawn kind of person.

My approach is more like- if we have time to use those fast passes, great, if not, reschedule. If we have time to make that ADR, great, if we don't feel up to it, CS is also good. I really have no problem splitting up, either. But I realize not everyone travels like that.

But I also think you're talking about something different. You're talking about planning and knowing the speed you can move at as a group. The gist of the message I was commenting on is that the OP should get everyone to increase their endurance- get them to walk miles at home on a regular basis. Or at least that's how I read it. That's what I was referring to as training and I think that's ridiculous. If you're tired in the parks, take a break. It's vacation, not a marathon that one must train for. Just because I can get up at 5 am for work and then run a mile after work does not mean I want to get up that early to get everyone ready for rope drop and then run that mile on the hotel treadmill at night.

Don't you get charged if you fail to show up for a dining reservation? I thought that you did....kind of off topic, but just asking.[/QUOTE]


It's 10 dollars, or something along those lines. I figure I'd rather pay that (have twice) than pay a lot more money for a meal someone has truly decided they don't want to sit through- due to a melt down, or health issue, or whatever.

But it's only happened twice- I generally assume the worse and double my estimated commute or walking time when booking fast passes or getting in line. The times it has happened- once was because no one was hungry because they'd been snacking, and once was because we were too tired to eat. No point in letting them order something they'll just pick at.

 

[Mirax]

Cancellation fee is $10.00 per person.

So you don't like the term Training for Disney or Disney Training that's fine. And the original poster did ask about rides only and not the walking feature. However she did bring up the bad hip in a later post. I don't care what size you are if you have a bad hip you are not going to be able to walk 7 miles a day for 5 days in a row. The original poster did imply she was going with a group. I just know that when I go with a group, it is best to understand what everybody's expectations and limits are before you arrive at your destination. Otherwise somebody, and this is important is going to be left out and not have a Magical Time. I think that is why the OP started this thread, she didn't want a member of her group to be left out.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Cancellation fee is $10.00 per person.

So you don't like the term Training for Disney or Disney Training that's fine. And the original poster did ask about rides only and not the walking feature. However she did bring up the bad hip in a later post. I don't care what size you are if you have a bad hip you are not going to be able to walk 7 miles a day for 5 days in a row. The original poster did imply she was going with a group. I just know that when I go with a group, it is best to understand what everybody's expectations and limits are before you arrive at your destination. Otherwise somebody, and this is important is going to be left out and not have a Magical Time. I think that is why the OP started this thread, she didn't want a member of her group to be left out.

But the OP knows her SIL has a bad hip. Her SIL knows she has a bad hip. So the choices are: tell the SIL she shouldn't come along, or the SIL decides not to go along or they all just deal with the situation while on the trip. I'm assuming the first two just won't happen so that leaves the third. I guess what I don't understand is how "training" is going to change the situation. It is what it is. You change your pace. You make allowances. You enjoy the trip whether or not everyone can ride the rides (or you don't enjoy it) but that's a choice you make.

 

[whiporee]

I know this is off topic and not what OP asked, but stay away from Universal. While it's a fun park, it's not friendly to extremely overweight people. Even when you think you might be okay, there's a chance you won't be.

Have a good time. I think it's fair to let her know there's a lot of walking, but also be prepared for her to bail if she gets worn out and have plans in place if that happens.

 

[Lynne M]

Here's what I'd do:

Hop over to the disABILITIES! board and get some recommendations for scooter and wheelchair rental companies, and find out pricing/terms/etc.

Talk to SIL about the amount of walking required, and the distances involved in just getting from your resort room to transportation, and from transportation drop-offs into the park. Tell her that you're concerned the bad hip will flare up and she'll be in pain and not enjoy her vacation, and tell her about the option of scooter or wheelchair rentals. Ask if she'd like to rent one to have at the ready just in case she has trouble.

If she says no, she'll be fine, just tuck the rental information into your travel bag, so you'll have it if she changes her mind once you're there. Which she probably will.

That's really all you can do. She's an adult, and it's her call. She knows her size and the condition of her hip better than anyone, and she's as capable of using google and figuring out what she can and can't do as anyone else is. If she wings it and gets into trouble, there's not much you can do about that, other than being prepared to get her a scooter or wheelchair. Worst case, she ends up spending the trip resting her hip at the resort.

 

[Sixty-something]

Scooter sounds like a good idea. Me and my travel companion are, to put it bluntly, fat. We are in the 250 to 350 lb range, relatively short, and totally out of shape. We rode everything we wanted to ride. Biggest obstacle was getting over what people would think about the way we look. First time for both of us that we broke down and wore shorts. And tried walking too far, too fast. Learned to take it slow and easy, found places to sit to catch my breath. I've heard Space Mountain can be hard to get on and off, but that wasn't something that interested us so I couldn't give first hand experience. I was concerned that the pull-down restraint on Mission Space would be a problem, but it fit just fine. We rode Big Thunder Mountain and didn't enjoy the ride, but we fit. Peter Pan, Pooh, fit just fine. Dumbo, fit fine. I'm not young or limber, so a few things I'd get a helping hand from my companion to help pull me up the big step out of the ride, things like It's a Small World.

 

[Klayfish]

Here's what I'd do:

Hop over to the disABILITIES! board and get some recommendations for scooter and wheelchair rental companies, and find out pricing/terms/etc.

Talk to SIL about the amount of walking required, and the distances involved in just getting from your resort room to transportation, and from transportation drop-offs into the park. Tell her that you're concerned the bad hip will flare up and she'll be in pain and not enjoy her vacation, and tell her about the option of scooter or wheelchair rentals. Ask if she'd like to rent one to have at the ready just in case she has trouble.

If she says no, she'll be fine, just tuck the rental information into your travel bag, so you'll have it if she changes her mind once you're there. Which she probably will.

That's really all you can do. She's an adult, and it's her call. She knows her size and the condition of her hip better than anyone, and she's as capable of using google and figuring out what she can and can't do as anyone else is. If she wings it and gets into trouble, there's not much you can do about that, other than being prepared to get her a scooter or wheelchair. Worst case, she ends up spending the trip resting her hip at the resort.

Totally agree with this. Regardless of the need to talk to the SIL about her weight issue, or the family dynamics of having an Alpha commando in the group (which is a family dynamics issue, not a WDW issue), or "Disney Training", this is more about simply letting her know the physical activity that can be required at WDW and then letting her make her own decision. Having a "bad hip" can vary person to person, both in medical terms, pain tolerance, etc... I have a bad hip, as well as two bad knees (I've had all three operated on), but the walking is no problem for me. But my situation is different than the next person. Fortunately, I don't have much weight to carry around.

My $.02 is the same as what Lynne posted. Inform her, give her options, and let her decide.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I would also think through what your plans might be if she discovers that she is a lot more limited than she thinks that she will be. Went on a trip like this with my in laws one year. FiL has really bad knees, but didn't want to hear about mobile options. He would do his best and try not to slow anyone down. What a mess. We love him, so wanted to spend the time with him, but he just couldn't do it and still refused to ride anywhere, scooter or wheelchair.

In the end, we ended up splitting up for the whole trip. Part of the family would spend time with him while the rest did something else. We all took turns and the trip turned out fine, but it was no where near an optimal WDW vacation for any of us. We got together for meals, but had to bag some of our ADRs because they were simply too far away for him to walk there in pain.

So, be prepared to split up or do less (or both).

 

[lanejudy]

Here's a link to the Everything Pooh Sized Thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-everything-pooh-sized-thread.2424021/
I agree with those who suggest giving sis the info and letting her decide. Then the best you can do is carry contact info for the wheelchair/scooter vendors in case she decides that will help.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[kj2mom]

You have gotten some great tips/responses so I won't repeat but I did want to share that leading up to every Disney trip we definitely do Disney training walks. I call them that as well. The first time my children were 4 (going to turn 5 mid trip) and we walked every morning. We were hoping to avoid the stroller (of course we would get one if we needed to) and I also wanted to have them practice walking closely to me, staying within reach and also for their little legs to get used to walking. They did fabulous, not one complaint about the walking/standing, no stroller needed and no issues with running too far ahead etc. The next time we went my children were 13. We again did Disney training walks beginning 4 months prior to our trip. We tried to walk as many nights a week as we could and while our schedule would typically only allow for 5 mile walks each night it definitely helped if for nothing else than to help figure out which shoes felt the best. I had some that I wear every day and thought were soo comfortable but when walking for miles definitely not soo much! Again, this trip we had no walking issues. While I can't say exactly how much our Disney training walks helped, I can say for sure they certainly didn't hurt. They also turned out to be some great family bonding times (some interesting conversations can be had while walking an hour every day) and we also found some neighbors jumping in to join us which was pretty cool.