Asking A Sensitive Rides Question

[jann1033]

mommau4, ita, it amazes me how many complain about wheelchairs/scooters and insinuate or blatantly say people use them due to being overweight...i am overweight NOW but was not before i developed a chronic disabling illness that not only causes weight gain due to endocrine problems but also makes it impossible to exercise. I really should use an ecv at wdw but up till now haven't because of the rude "fat people" comments( i presently have 3 different chronic disabling illnesses but the commenters would only see my weight which is defintey notthe reason why i would use an ecv). it's too bad it's deemed ok to be abusive to overweight people...and just for the record anorexic people are unhealthy also , they just have more acceptable body types for this off kilter world..now that i got that off my chest

i never have had a problem with size at wdw which i have to say i applaud disney for. most parks are not that accomadating

 

[bubba73]

You are talking about most of my family when you talk about being plus-sized so this is something that I have experienced. My family has never had an issue with any ride that they wanted to ride. Now, they are not daredevils like I am and don't ride any of the coasters. The fastest thing they do is Test Track. Disney really did a good job looking out for all possibilities in their designing. The only thing that I have ever seen that didn't work was when I was in line for Space Mountain and was about to get on the ride. They were having problems getting one person on the ride because of how tall he was. He just wouldn't fit. It took me a moment but I then realized that they were dealing with Shaq!

 

[mitros]

I think "vertically challenged" folks like myself, {6'7", 265lbs} have more of a problem with some of the rides. Width and girth do not seem to be a problem on most rides, although I heard people say that they have a little bit of a problem with harnesses if they are larger.

 

[dbenlee]

The only problems I experienced being tall (6'4") and very Pooh sized really had nothing to do with WDW. I have a serious issue with those airplane seats they try to cram me in. A lap belt that is 2 inches shy of connecting without an extension and my knee's pushed up around my ears because of a lack of leg room. I have always really hated flying (a control issue on my part), but my wife refuses to make the 2 day drive again.

WDW on the other hand was very Pooh size friendly. Everything I wanted to ride, I was able to. The list would include all the mountains in MK, Soarin', Test Track, Mission Space, Rockin' Rollercoaster just to name a few. A few of the rides are a little rough on the knee's (if you suffer with the height problem) and you have to make sure to pull out the lap belts before sitting down on a few rides.

 

[mitros]

I was going to suggest booking the exit row on your next flight, but I see that you have a young child, and I know that they do not allow young folks to sit in those seats, as you are expected to help open the door in emergenceys. At my 6'7" height, it is literally impossible for me to sit in a regular seat. I always have to take an exit row.

 

[iliketoby]

My cousin is 5'4" and weighs almost 300 pounds. She got stuck in the turnstile and the railroad station in MK tore her shorts getting out. Was uncomfortable with her legs bent on Space Mountain, feet fell asleep. Could not fit into the teacups. She skipped the turnstile at Pirates, opting for the wheelchair gate. I think she was uncomfortable in Mickey's Philharmagic, but am not sure.

Epcot - big problem getting the seatbelt on at Test Track, but finally managed. No other problems there I remember.

AK - Had a tough time getting situated on Kali River Rapids, don't remember why, but it was "Pooh-sized" related. She was uncomfortable on Kilimanjaro Safaris, and said it was because of her fat, but I wasn't all that comfortable, so...I think those benches are the culprits there.

MGM -- Don't remember any problems there except that we couldn't eat in the cars at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, because the tables are bolted to the floor and she didn't fit.

After ripping her shorts in the MK she took the wheelchair entrance/exit anytime it was offered.

Also, she was sweating profusely. She knows that fat insulates, but thinks not eating is the solution to the sweating. Refused to drink lots of water for days. Pooh-sized people need as much, if not more water that Rabbit-sized people! Drink as much water as you can possible swallow! I think that's good advice for everyone in the hot Florida sun.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!

 

[DisnyMama]

I carry all my weight in my hips and thighs and have sat out of most rides because I have been afraid of getting stuck in the turnstiles. Especially at the MK they now have that rubber around the bars which makes it even worse so you stick to the bars and can't slide through them (not that I ever did and I managed to hurt my hips in the meantime if I did not get stuck). I have been afraid to use the wheelchair/handicap entrance because I was told that you have to have a special pass to use use that entrance for you and your party. It's just me and my 14 year old DS and I am tired of sitting out. I can go on the rides just fine. Is it perfectly acceptable for me and Ds to just walk through the wheelchair/handicap entrance to avoid the turnstyle? Also, what is the difference between that and the other gate that has been mentioned and how do I know what rides have it? We leave in a month and a half and I really want to enjoy this trip for a change instead of sitting on the side lines.

I sure appreciate any help, Thanks!
Shannon

 

[GarrettJD]

Shannon, don't worry about the turnstile thing. Most rides have a CM at the front gate. Just ask them to let you use the wheelchair gate. Most of the time they are right next to the turnstile, so it's simply a matter of taking one step to the side. I don't think you need a special pass or anything. Just ask the Cast Members for help. It's been my experience that they will be very, very helpful. Fortunately for us larger folks it seems that Disney has gotten rid of most of the tiny turnstiles. The only place they seem to persist is at the Magic Kingdom. When I was at my heaviest (5'11", 370 lbs with a 58" waist) I found it MUCH easier to make it through the turnstiles if I turned sideways. Just don't, don't, don't sit out worring about your size and miss the fun!

And I've fit fine on every ride I've tried.at Disney, and I've done all the big ones multiple times. Even rides like Rock 'n Roller Coaster (ridden it at least 15 times), Mission: Space, Soarin', Dinoasur, Primeval Whirl, Space Mountain etc etc etc.., The tightest fit for me was Space Mountain, but I made it.

Everyone, just go and have a good time, and don't worry about your size. I try not to worry.. but ask my GF Nikkie. She got sick and tired of hearing me fretting before our last trip about how I wouldn't fit. Even her logic that I fit fine before and was smaller now didn't help me. Of course, she wears a size 2 petite dress, so what does she know? (See picture for reference-- I'm not Pooh sized-- I'm BIGGER than Pooh. )

 

[Brumeiser]

After reading these posts I don't feel so bad after all. I have been trying and trying to lose weight. I think I have done well so far I have gone from 268 to 242 pounds. It is not easy trying to lose weight. I am sure I speak for some people when I say this. I have joined a club with my wife and we are both trying to lose weight together. Yes Disney is for Pooh sized people. I really like this term, lot's better than being fat or obese. We had no problems when we went to Disney this past September. Wish I had known about using the handicap entrance then trying to get through those turnstiles. Some of those were hard on both of us. Thanks everyone for the encouragement, this was a nice post to read.

 

[PamNC]

My DH isn't overweight by any means, but he's 6'4 and sometimes he does have trouble fitting down in some of the rides, but not to the point where it's a major problem. For instance, on Space Mountain, he has to sit in the back or his legs are all cramped up in his face and he feels like he is going to come out of the rocket. So, being "large" isn't the only problem, being tall can cause some problems as well.

PamNC

 

[SueM in MN]

Shannon, don't worry about the turnstile thing. Most rides have a CM at the front gate. Just ask them to let you use the wheelchair gate. Most of the time they are right next to the turnstile, so it's simply a matter of taking one step to the side. I don't think you need a special pass or anything. Just ask the Cast Members for help. It's been my experience that they will be very, very helpful. Fortunately for us larger folks it seems that Disney has gotten rid of most of the tiny turnstiles. The only place they seem to persist is at the Magic Kingdom.

Asking the CM at the ride entrance whether there are any turnstiles is a good idea. You won't be the first to ask, so don't be concerned.
If you want to check out a book that has information about it, the Passporter WDW for your Special Needs Book has pretty complete info.

Most of the attractions with narrow turnstiles are at MK. The turning of the turnstile actually "counts" people as you go in. The newer parks have newer ways to count - mostly 2 upright posts with some type of light beam that counts you as you pass by it. Some have turnstiles, but they are usually wider ones than at MK.
For most attractions with a turnstile, there is a wheelchair gate or a chained area nearby. For some attractions -like Pirates, it is right next to the turnstile. Those gates lead tight into the same area that the turnstile does; you just avoid going thru the turnstile to get into that area. You don't need any special 'pass' or permission to use those gates that are right next to the turnstiles.
Often, they have a CM standing right there. It's usually more to open the chain and "count" the people going thru that area than to prevent people from going. The CM probably opens that chain many times a day to let Pooh sized people go thru (so don't worry, you are not the first person without a wheelchair to use it). They will probably ask the other members of your party to go thru the turnstiles in order to be counted (they do this for wheelchair parties too in the attractions where they turnstile and gate lead to the same place).

There are a very few older attractions like Haunted Mansion that don't have a wheelchair gate next to the turnstiles because wheelchair users don't board the ride at the same place as people not using wheelchairs. For those attractions, there is a wheelchair gate, but it's not right by the turnstiles. Wait at the gate until the CM comes from inside the ride to get you. Some attractions that have wheelchair gates don't have turnstiles, so don't assume you should use the wheelchair gate every time you see one. Often it leads to a different boarding area that you won't need to use (not a shorter wait, just a different place to wait or to board).

 

[kfeuer]

We went to Disney in February with 2 plus-sized people (and I've been plus-sized myself in the past). My BIL is 6'2" and about 400 pounds, and the only thing he couldn't ride was the roller coaster simulator in Disney Quest. It has restraints that come down over your head and it just wouldn't snap into place. The CM's were extremely nice about it, and gave him a special "back-door no waiting" ticket for the Pirate ride. The only ride I ever had trouble with is the Astro Orbiters at MK--they're tiny!

 

[DrmWvr1299]

The only place I had a problem with was getting through the turnstiles at MK. Most of my weight is in my middle. As I was turning to go through the turnstile I lifted up on my toes, the back leg of my shorts got stuck on one of the arms of the turnstile and I was hooked . I was so embarrassed but the woman behind me laughed and unhooked them for me and looked at the CM and asked, " Can't Disney find a better way to keep people here than hooking them?" We all laughed and moved on.

 

[jann1033]

I carry all my weight in my hips and thighs and have sat out of most rides because I have been afraid of getting stuck in the turnstiles. Especially at the MK they now have that rubber around the bars which makes it even worse so you stick to the bars and can't slide through them (not that I ever did and I managed to hurt my hips in the meantime if I did not get stuck). I have been afraid to use the wheelchair/handicap entrance because I was told that you have to have a special pass to use use that entrance for you and your party. It's just me and my 14 year old DS and I am tired of sitting out. I can go on the rides just fine. Is it perfectly acceptable for me and Ds to just walk through the wheelchair/handicap entrance to avoid the turnstyle? Also, what is the difference between that and the other gate that has been mentioned and how do I know what rides have it? We leave in a month and a half and I really want to enjoy this trip for a change instead of sitting on the side lines.

I sure appreciate any help, Thanks!

Shannon

Shannon
this makes me so sad!! you deserve to have fun at WDW!!!
maybe it's cause we go off season but sometimes the wc gates are open and it is more a matter of what you choose to go through. don't sit it out due to fear of getting stuck...it is embarrassing to get stuck or have to get off a ride ( had to get off a ride at cedar point once as most of my chub is in my mid section and the restraint wouldn't close which was mortifiying...family just thought i was chicken ) but i really have never had any problems at wdw. come to think of it i remember pausing once at a gate and the cm told me just come through here and opened the what i now know is the wc gate and until now it never even dawned on me he might have thought i thought i wouldn't fit that's how smooth the cms are with it ( duh for me)

 

[mitros]

Has anyone also noticed that most of the seats/chairs/ride vehicles at WDW are not the most comfortable places to park your carcass as it is. That darn hard plastic is a killer. DW says it discourages people from staying on a ride to "go around" again! You need to get up and give your butt a rest and allow feeling to return to the caboose.

 

[ShannonRT]

I am also Pooh-sized and have taken many trips to WDW and Universal and haven't had the first problem with the rides. I did have to use the special seats on the roller coasters at Universal, though. The regular ones won't fit over my "bosom."

DD and I recently visited Six Flags Over Georgia and I was MORTIFIED because I couldn't fit on hardly anything! It's understandable that some of the roller coasters are very old and were built a long time ago and would not accomodate people of size. But even some of the newer ones, like Batman, did not have the special seats equipped with the larger harness. DD ended up riding some things alone. Some things I didn't even try to get on after holding up the Great American Scream Machine trying to get that darn lap bar down over my belly.

I was SO embarassed and worried she was ashamed of me. And I felt so sorry for her because she didn't get to ride some things she really wanted to. (The lines were really long too, so it was mostly her choice not to ride.) I was even crying a little bit, but she's such a great kid, she just smiled and said, "It's ok, Mom. Don't worry about it." God love her.

I, too, am working on my weight problem, as always. Another poster mentioned that is something we think about EVERY DAY and this is very true. But I came home from that trip with a renewed devotion so hopefully this will never happen again!!

God bless you wonderful people and the Imagineers at Disney. They make it possible for everyone to have a wonderful Disney experience, no matter their size or ability.

 

[Razor Roman]

I am definately above-average sized, but not quite big enough for the big and tall shop (52/54 Men's Jacket, 42" waist)... and I have no problems with anything in WDW (though my wife might not enjoy riding Primeval Whirl with me!) ... Six Flags Great Adventure on the other hand - I didn't fit right in anything. My BIL wanted me to take him on Batman, and I faked chickening out because I know how tight that one is...

Gotta hit that bowflex!

 

[tlbwriter]

It was not meant to be insensitive or tacky or mean. It was meant to be motivational. Oh well.

Snarky comments about "maybe you'd save money on food" are neither motivational nor kind. Also, there is apparently some bizarre myth going about that overweight people need "motivation" from a total stranger to lose weight. You're talking to people who have chronic health problems, who have trouble buying clothes and fitting comfortably into their surroundings, who are reminded by medical professionals on a regular basis that they would be much healthier if they lost weight. And yet you think the one thing that will inspire them to lose weight is a passing comment from a total stranger? That it never occured to them that it might be a good idea to lose weight until someone like you suggested it?

 

[ShannonRT]

Snarky comments about "maybe you'd save money on food" are neither motivational nor kind. Also, there is apparently some bizarre myth going about that overweight people need "motivation" from a total stranger to lose weight. You're talking to people who have chronic health problems, who have trouble buying clothes and fitting comfortably into their surroundings, who are reminded by medical professionals on a regular basis that they would be much healthier if they lost weight. And yet you think the one thing that will inspire them to lose weight is a passing comment from a total stranger? That it never occured to them that it might be a good idea to lose weight until someone like you suggested it?

Amen, sister!

 

[dbenlee]

Snarky comments about "maybe you'd save money on food" are neither motivational nor kind. Also, there is apparently some bizarre myth going about that overweight people need "motivation" from a total stranger to lose weight. You're talking to people who have chronic health problems, who have trouble buying clothes and fitting comfortably into their surroundings, who are reminded by medical professionals on a regular basis that they would be much healthier if they lost weight. And yet you think the one thing that will inspire them to lose weight is a passing comment from a total stranger? That it never occured to them that it might be a good idea to lose weight until someone like you suggested it?

Thanks tlbwriter. Not only am I Pooh sized, but I work in the medical field and I know and see first hand how bad this excess weight is for me. That being said, its amazing how many total strangers feel that they have to try and "motivate" Pooh sized people to lose weight. If thats all it took I wqould probably be pencil thin!!!