Asking A Sensitive Rides Question

[bytheblood]

Sweetie have a good time on your trip. I am not Pooh-sized, but I am offended by the comments above. I am amazed at the asinine things people say.


I have noticed that the rides were really designed for people of all shapes and sizes. I feel certain that you will find the rides to be quite Pooh-friendly. I will have to agree about the turnstiles, however. Use the handicap entrance.

 

[Pooh1219]

I'm no longer Pooh-sized - well, maybe still a little bit of Pooh left in me - but I sure remember what it was like to have lived almost my whole life looking like a large Pooh bear! I've traveled to Disney as my former self and my newer self, and never had a problem, with one exception. Getting out of that darn seat on Space Mountain was quite a chore, but it still is as I'm a long-legged 5'10", so I might advise you to consider skipping SM. The turnstiles never bothered me because I'm so tall.

Losing over 100 pounds and keeping it off was the accomplishment of my life, but it took me years to get to the point where I was really ready to make the committment. No amount of "motivation" by others is really all that helpful. When you are ready, you will do it. Don't despair, it may take many tries, and even if you don't lose it all, which I didn't, whatever you accomplish will be a wonderful achievement. Myself, I can't get the last 25 off, but that's okay, I'm happy with me and what I've done, and I don't give a rat's you-know-what as to what anybody else thinks. Best of luck to you!

 

[damom2daboyz]

...Love you all...I truly know what it's like being stared at and laughed at. I have been at my current weight of 180 pounds for only 1 1/2 years after living 12 years at my highest weight of 326 pounds. Most other individuals are understanding but being obese is one of the last things society seems to condone ridiculing. I am truly horrified at this.

For those who don't have weight issues be thankful for I'm sure there are other areas of your life that you wished you could change. But for these same individuals, I pity you; we are on a Disney board where the philosphy is be kind to others, love others, and band together in unity because when we get right down to it, we are all we have in this world. Disney (and our mindset hopefully) is to accept everyone for who we are individually.

I hope every Pooh size individual enjoys their magical vacation.

 

[Ride Junkie]

damom2daboyz - Just wanted to say that your post cracked me up - not what happened to you, but the way you responded to it. I love people with your sense of humor! And I love how everyone around here uses the term "pooh sized". That is just too cute! Just had to jump in & say "hooray" for the huggables.

 

[loles]

Thanks to the OP for bringing up this issue, and alleviating fears of many other larger folks with concerns like this. All the support is a totally Disney kind of element!

 

[trene]

I am pooh sized also, and I had no problems at WDW at all!! Universal...that's a whole other story! Go have a blast and don't worry about what others think. Have a wonderful time and make some precious memories!!

 

[mommaU4]

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

I don't like to be mean to anyone and if you were truly trying to be motivational than I guess we should appreciate that. Maybe it was the way you said it with the comment about saving money on food and all. It just seemed to come across wrong and that's what upset everyone. If you really want to be motivational more appropriate comments would be "Don't give up", "Drink lots of water and exercise a little each day", "Set small goals and go for those", etc. Maybe for the future those would work better.

It was pointed out that you only have a few posts to your name and I don't want you to feel picked on any more than you hopefully didn't mean to upset the OP.

 

[marj70]

Take a look at the people around you, and think about your trips to WDW. Think about not being around for them. Maybe it will be incentive to lose a few pounds, and avoid these issues (plus save some money on food).

 

[marj70]

Deleted

 

[PrincessJasmine]

Take a look at the people around you, and think about your trips to WDW. Think about not being around for them. Maybe it will be incentive to lose a few pounds, and avoid these issues (plus save some money on food).

That was very insulting. I'm not Pooh-sized, but I still took offense. Who are you to judge, and who are you to say Pooh-sized people are the way they are because they eat too much? Has it ever occured to you that a health probem could be causing the weight gain?

 

[RaySharpton]

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

I am glad that you did not mean to be mean or insensitive, but that is why I suggested that you buy the book, PassPorter's Walt Disney World for your Special Needs: The take-along travel guide and planner!.

There have been several articles in the newspaper and TV shows lately talking about how rude people have become today in society.

You probably don't know that you are being rude and insensitive and mean when you answer because it is probably just the way you think and talk all the time.

Please check out Deb's book. You may not have a special need listed, but it may help you relate to others that do, and maybe you won't have to worry about saying mean things.

(plus save some money on food).

You could buy the book with the money that you might be saving, too, from you previous quote.

Ray

 

[damom2daboyz]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed that. Over the years I've had to learn to handle the weight issue many different ways, this just seems to be one of them.

 

[Paisleyjane]

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

You obviously don't deal with this problem and it was insensitive.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

To bring this topic back to what the OP was asking for...

I have gone to DH with an Aunt and my DH who are both Pooh Sized. They both commented on how they were MUCH more comfortable at Disney than any other amusement park they have been at.

Here are my only suggestions:
-Kali River Rapids at AK, you will probably need to sit by yourself and pull the belt all the way across. As the CM is seating people, just briefly say that you will need to sit by yourself and they won't sit anyone next to you.
-We ate at the Sci-Fi on both trips. Ask for a car "table" and not a booth. There are tables shaped like cars that are much easier to sit at. The booths are tiny!
-Don't be afraid to have fun at the water parks. Disney is not like Spring Break on the beach, it's full of middle-aged Moms and Dads who don't have perfect bodies. My DH and Aunt felt very comfortable at BB and TL because they were not the only Pooh-sized people there (and were having so much fun that they didn't care anyway!)

Sci-fi car "table":

 

[SueM in MN]

The Passporter Book WDW for your Special Needs is very complete as far as size is concerned. It has pictures of the different types of ride cars and descriptions of each ride from a standpoint of what someone Pooh sized might have some difficulty with.
One thing I know is not in the book, but I have seen Pooh size people have a little difficulty with is the boats at Small World, The Pirates, Maelstrom in Norway and the boat ride in Mexico. They are a large step down to the seat of the boat and a second step down from the seat to the floor of the boat. Getting off is the same (except, obviously going up).

You will encounter turnstiles at MK; there are some, but fewer at Epcot and there are none that I can think of at the Studio or AK. The newer parks/attractions have more accessible entrances.

 

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

You'll have a lot of fun. It doesn't matter what size you are. Anytime I start to feel self conscience I just remind myself that I'm very far from home, and no one has any idea who I am. LOL LOL
Disney is wonderful they've thought about everything for every person. Special needs are no problem. Have fun and make a lot of memories.

 

[cara76]

I'm pooh sized too and can ride all the rides with DS. Disney is very pooh friendly in that respect. Even DH can ride the rides and he's even more pooh sized LOL . The one thing we do on alot of rides is spilt up into two cars so we all aren't squished.

 

[jonestavern]

Hello, bdklein. I don't know IGottaGoToDisney, bdklein, but this person has asked a simple question of people who have had the same experiences visiting Walt Disney World. I would hope that in your heart that your answer was given in the same caring spirit.
I don't know you either, bdklein, but I see as of this particular post, that this is only your tenth post on the DIS under your name bdklein.
Your response seems simple.
Your words and sentences seem simple.
But it is amazing how words can sometimes mean different things to different people.
If you had lost someone due to being overweight, I am so sorry.
I presume that you mean my family and friends.
You mean if I am no longer alive.
I appreciate you concern for me, and maybe for the others.
If you are sincere bdklein, then this book could definitely help enlighten you and your family and friends. That is why I think Deb Wills new book, PassPorter's Walt Disney World for your Special Needs: The Take-Along Travel Guide and Planners for everyone. Not just me, bdklein, but for you too. I think it will help give you a better understanding of why everyone deserves the right to visit and enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World.
Ray

You are sweet, Ray. So well said. Thank you!

I found PotC turnstyles uncomfortable. I am just 5'2' & carry my weight in the stomach, so perhaps taller folks won't have this trouble. I found the Teacups a little trying, but not embarassingly so-
I missed out on so much when DSthen8 went to WDW! I so wanted to ride Dumbo with him! I have lost 60+ lbs, so maybe by our Oct '06 trip Dumbo will be possible, of course, I'll have to convince DSwhowillbe17 of that!
You are going to go & ride the rides & have so much fun & sweet memories!
thanks for the additional info Dallas_Lady!

Jean

 

[rabidstoat]

Digging up an old thread to add a few new thoughts.

I just got back from 3 days at the parks. I'm pretty big, it's a tight fit on a coach airplane seat and I need a seatbelt extender. Size 28 woman, with a lot of it on my bottom half.

Here's a brief, whirlwind synopsis of my trip:

MGM Studios was fine for turnstyles. Sounds Dangerous seats were small, but you can slouch on the front edge comfortably (it makes sense if you're there). Muppets was a bit tight. Seatbelt in Tower of Terror was huge, and I sat on the aisle. Star Tours seats were okay, didn't use the belt (I went on just the movie, not the motion simulator aspect, I get motion sick). Other rides I went on were all fine with the seats: One Man's Dream, Millionaire, Backlot Tour, Beauty and the Beast, Great Movie Ride, Indiana Jones, Lights Motors Action, and Mermaid.

Magic Kingdom was fine for what I went on but the turnstyles were a squeeze in most places. I navigated them okay (if not a bit gracelessly) except for coming out of Small World. There, I took the adjacent handicap exit, as I could tell just starting to edge in that it wasn't going to work. Seats for PhilHarmagic were fine, they were pretty comfy, like a normal theatre seat. Other rides I went on were Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Transit Authority, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pooh, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Except for the turnstyles being snug, the rides were fine.

EPCOT I only went on a couple of things. France movie seats were fine, Malestrom was fine, Spaceship Earth was fine, and Soarin' was fine! Since I couldn't find Soarin' information on WDW At Large, I was worried about it. I'll quote what I submitted to the Allsears site about it below (possibly slightly misremembered, based on what I see in the picture, I guess there wasn't a cushion but a more 'seat proper' part of the seat):

Soarin' was one I was scared to go on, just because I was unfamiliar with it from the reports. I decided to give it a go, and it was NO problem whatsoever! There's little metal handrails between the seats, but not arms, they just raise a couple of inches. The seat has a certain width, the cushiony part, and then it extends a couple inches more on either side with just plastic, and then there's the rail. It's hard to explain. Anyway, I fit just fine there, the seat next door was occupied by a kid, but even a full-sized adult wouldn't have been a problem, I don't think. The seat belt wasn't hugely oversized like other places, but was definitely big enough. I did have a little problem buckling and releasing it, but I think it was because I was nervous. I stood up a slight bit, snapped it in place, and sat down all the way. Fine and comfortable (and a great ride).

 

[PrincessKitty]

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

Perhaps the responses to your insensitive, tacky, and mean comment will be motivational to YOU. Instead of trying to change other people, perhaps you need to change yourself??