Attractions and overweight guests at WDW

[MonorailMan]

I'm going to put this as nicely as I possibly can without trying to offend anyone....

I have a friend, whom I love dearly, who will be coming with me to WDW in a few months. He's a reeeeally big boy, and I was wondering if there were any rides that overweight guests should try to avoid. I don't want to get up to the boarding area and have a cast member turn him away. He's afraid to go on things like roller coasters because of his size. The only ride that immediately comes to my mind is Space Mountain, because if I recall, it's a pretty tight squeeze in those ships.

 

[ConcKahuna]

My DP is 6'6, 350lbs, and fits on Space Mountain just fine

He's never had any problem at a WDW attraction (although Everest was a bit tight for him just because he's so tall), although he cant get on any roller coasters at Universal at all. That's fine by him since he's not a fan of coasters anyways

 

[TinkerChelle]

I was 340 lbs. years ago and I had no problems with any rides except Astro Orbiter (spl?) and Space Mountain. While I could ride them, I had difficulty getting in and out of the seats. In fact, my DP actually had to pull me out of them. Thank Goodness that is a thing of the past.

Anyway, you shouldn't have any problem. Disney is very pooh-sized friendly!

 

[donald...really]

Years ago we were boarding the ride vehicle for Star Tours. As we were all buckling our seat-belts a large woman in the front row was having trouble. She wasn't able to fit in the seats and buckle the seat-belt so she had to leave and wait for her friends outside.

 

[merryweather20]

The only rides I've heard of difficulty are the more boring skippable rides (Dumbo, Astro Orbiter). No problems even with Star Tours, now I'm trying to think of how the seats are on that

Anyways the only advice he should need is to skip Dumbo and Astro, and for the rides with lap bars do not seat a small child in the same row (the lap bar will lock over your friend but be too loose for the kid).

 

[ericamcl]

one thing to watch out for is the turnstiles at some of the rides. I'm "pooh sized" and had some difficulty with them. you can always enter through the handicap entrance if need be.

 

[PudgetteD]

I'm 5'4" and right at 275 and have never had problems fitting on any of the rides. CMs have seat belt extenders available for the rides with seat belts. There is a "test car" in the Expedention Everest area that you can sit in and see if the bar will close before you get on the actual ride. As for Space Mountain...I have NEVER seen ANYONE (small or large ) exit that ride gracefully, everyone seems to struggle some to get out of it Don't worry, as a poster already stated, Disney is VERY Pooh-sized friendly. I've asked for a seat belt extender on both Star Tours and Soarin and was discretely handed one with no bother at all. A tip for seat belt rides...BEFORE you get in pull the seat belt all the way out and then sit down. Makes for easier fastening once you do sit.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The only ride I have seen a guest turned away from is Primeval Whirl. Because of the funky way the restraints come down the guy was too big to fit properly.

I think there is a section on AllEars called "WDW At Large" that gives tips for Pooh sized guests.

 

[MonorailMan]

I just wasn't too sure because this will be his first visit to the MK. He went to Epcot last year and didn't have much of a problem. (He's afraid of thrill rides anyway, so he's just going to have to wait for me while I get my fill of Mission: Space when we go to Epcot. ) He went on Soarin' last year, which kind of surprised me, but I was glad that he got to go on most of the rides he wanted to. At 6'3" 400lbs, it's a relief that Disney takes most sizes of their guests into consideration. Good for them.

 

[TammieLand]

I just wasn't too sure because this will be his first visit to the MK. He went to Epcot last year and didn't have much of a problem. (He's afraid of thrill rides anyway, so he's just going to have to wait for me while I get my fill of Mission: Space when we go to Epcot. ) He went on Soarin' last year, which kind of surprised me, but I was glad that he got to go on most of the rides he wanted to. At 6'3" 400lbs, it's a relief that Disney takes most sizes of their guests into consideration. Good for them.

You are a good friend MonorailMan!

 

[wallyb]

You are a good friend MonorailMan!

I second that!
How nice of you to try and prep this for him.
I can't think of a single snarky thing to say - odd for me

 

[MonorailMan]

I second that!
How nice of you to try and prep this for him.
I can't think of a single snarky thing to say - odd for me

Thanks you two.

Don't worry, Wally-I'm sure I'll be saying some things in the near future that will trigger the snark in you.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Hey, maybe DP and I should meet up with you guys!! That way me and you can go on the rides while the 2 girls gossip

 

[MonorailMan]

Hey, maybe DP and I should meet up with you guys!! That way me and you can go on the rides while the 2 girls gossip

Another thrill ride hater, eh?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Hey, maybe DP and I should meet up with you guys!! That way me and you can go on the rides while the 2 girls gossip

I've got T-Shirts from Cedar Point.

Mine says "I ride" and has a generic pic of a guy on a coaster.

Shrek's says "I watch" and has a pic of a guy on a bench eating popcorn!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Years ago we were boarding the ride vehicle for Star Tours. As we were all buckling our seat-belts a large woman in the front row was having trouble. She wasn't able to fit in the seats and buckle the seat-belt so she had to leave and wait for her friends outside.

That's so wrong! They have seat belt extenders. Why didn't the CM offer her one?!!?

 

[ConcKahuna]

I've got T-Shirts from Cedar Point.

Mine says "I ride" and has a generic pic of a guy on a coaster.

Shrek's says "I watch" and has a pic of a guy on a bench eating popcorn!

I'd say something, but I'd get points...

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I'd say something, but I'd get points...

Oh! I'm glad somebody else besides me, had a potty-mind moment about that...

My oldest son is about 6'9" and really whumped his knee getting into the little boats for It's a Small World. AND in-so-doing, smashed the crud outa my thumb as I was getting on in the seat in front of him. Funny thing about that ride -- he was sitting on the same side as my youngest son (no tiny person either) and the boat was riding pretty low in the water. woulda been pretty dang ugly if we'd had to wade out of IASW...

 

[OrlandoMike]

I'd say something, but I'd get points...

In a heartbeat!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'd say something, but I'd get points...

Even I can read into those phrases, and I usually don't think that way!

Our friends who travel with us on occasion are like that - one loves thrill rides, his partner has horrible motion sickness. I have a bad back, so I send DS on the rides with his "uncle" while the other "uncle" and I wait in the shop at the end. DH gets to pick and choose, because there is usually soembody going on the ride and somebody sitting it out.