Big girl's guide to the parks

[Pooh's Bear]

First of all, I would like to say a massive thanks to all the 'Pooh Sized' members of the forums who shared their ride experiences on here. Without their honest reviews, I would have never dared to attempt all the rides that I did with such confidence, knowing that all being well, I should fit. I've lost count of the number of times I haven't tried something because I would be afraid I'd be asked to get off, wouldn't fit, etc. Anyway, these posters gave me confidence, and hopefully I can do the same for others

Okay. I'm 5 foot 8", so pretty tall. I weigh 19 stone 10lbs (276lbs), I am at a Slimming Club and have lost 2 and a half stone so far (was 22 stone 4lbs when I started - 312lbs). So have lost 36lbs. I think even without this weight loss, I would have still fit on a lot of rides!

I'm currently a UK size 22/24.

So I went on Space Mountain and I sat down and found there was room to spare. The over the head restraints fitted with no problem at all and I was comfortable and able to get in & out of the ride quite easily. Buzz Lightyear's laser Blast & The Phantom Manor were easy, you sit in a carriage for 2, a bar comes down and that's it. Tons of space, no problem. We did Peter Pan's flight and this is a little ship that is suspended on a rail from the ceiling. Again, no problems whatsoever. I rode Indiana Jones & the Temple of Peril, Big Thunder Mountain, Star Tours and not only did I fit just fine in everything, there was room to spare. Could not believe it! I was so happy! So please - don't worry. I feel someone bigger than me could fit in there without any problems at all.

I was dreading It's a small world. I'd gone on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory at Alton Towers and as the boat came off the rail to float, it had tipped and dipped because I was at the back and some parents turned around to see what has caused it. I scooted to the middle and the boat balanced but I was mortified and bright red in the face and it really bothered me. I thought It's a small world might be similar. Nope! They put me & my husband in one row and if anything, the boat tipped a little down the other way! The boats are sturdy, safe and don't sink into the water too much.

We had so much fun and it continued the next day in Walt Disney Studios. I rode the Aerosmith Rock & Roll coaster, Twilight zone Tower Of Terror - all easily, all comfortable fits. You wear a seatbelt in the Tower of Terror and it fits without any problem. If anything, smaller people need to pull the yellow tab to bring the seatbelt in comfortably.

We were going to try Crush's coaster but I watched the ride come out and to be honest, even regular sized people seemed to be struggling in the seats, plus the queue time was 40 minutes so we gave that one a miss.

All in all - Disneyland Paris is bigger people friendly. Nothing is an issue really, just a few turn styles which I had to go through sideways - no biggie - I saw other people doing that too.

So if you are Pooh sized, go, have fun and don't look back or let anything hold you back!!!

Lisa
xxx

 

[disney_princess_85]

How nice of you to write this guide. I'm sure it will be really helpful to lots of people.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Well done on the weight loss. I do want to add just a couple of more points as a guy who is 6ft2, and at my worst was 25st (currently in losing mode at 21 st).

I do fit on Crush, but it is squeeze, same with Cars. I carry my weight all over, so I imagine someone that carried it up front would struggle. I have seen others turned away from these two. forget about trying RC Racer, even if I lost weight I am too tall and broad in the shoulders.

But I can ride everything else at DLP more comfortably (although there is not much leg room on Indy).

I can ride every single ride at Walt Disney World and almost everything at Disneyland in California (not the Silly Symphony Swings or what will be Goofy' Sky School).

But yes, Disney is the most inclusive of the parks, there are many things I cannot ride in other parks around the globe.

Glad you had a great time.

 

[Pooh's Bear]

How nice of you to write this guide. I'm sure it will be really helpful to lots of people.

I hope so, because reading other people's comments on here helped me so much!

 

[Pooh's Bear]

Well done on the weight loss. I do want to add just a couple of more points as a guy who is 6ft2, and at my worst was 25st (currently in losing mode at 21 st).

wow, well done on your weight loss - 4 stone is outstanding!!!

I do tend to carry my weight 'up front' and I didn't think that the bar that comes up on the Crush ride would be favourable to me....hey, I might be wrong but I didn't want to chance it. Crush & RC Racer are the only ones I heard might be problematic so I just stuck to the other rides and was pleased with everything and being able to get on them all. Took the stress & worry out of the whole day!

 

[Ware Bears]

How kind of you to write this and well done on the loss (and you too, Dave)

 

[gracieclaire]

Thank you for this post it has certainly helped me i asked the question very recently about larger people fitting in rides and dave reasured me then . so well done

 

[Pooh's Bear]

Thanks all

If I hadn't been reassured by so many people on here I don't think I would have attempted anything. In 2009 I went to Disney in Orlando and only dared do Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blast & The Haunted Mansion. That was it!

After reading on here that people my size and larger managed all the rides, I just thought right - I'm going to go for it. I was pleasantly surprised and had such a laugh and so much fun because of it.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was the stand out thrill ride for me. Great fun!

 

[davewasbaloo]

You will have a blast in California now!

 

[amyja89]

Thanks for this.

So what exactly is it about Crush's Coaster that makes it so 'pooh-sized' unfriendly? And RC Racer for that matter?

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks for this.

So what exactly is it about Crush's Coaster that makes it so 'pooh-sized' unfriendly? And RC Racer for that matter?

Crush Coaster has a bar that goes between your legs and clicks on your belly. It must have at least 2 clicks to be safe, and as there were 3 fatalities on similar coasters last year, it is something not to be toyed with. If the clicks do not go in place, they will not let you ride. And to make it safe enough for kids, sadly bigger people suffer.

RC Racer is just stupid. You have to be at least 1.2m to ride, but if you are too tall or fat, forget it. There is an over the shoulder system with a belt that comes between your leg to connect with the restraint.

 

[Pooh's Bear]

You will have a blast in California now!

I know!! And in a few months too!

When I lose more weight, I eventually do want to attempt Crush's coaster.

x

 

[tinkerbell1991]

I love that you tried more rides than usual, well done you !

When I went back in 2007, crushes coaster had just opened and I was about a size 14 then.
I'm now a 16/18 and trying to loose weight so hoping I MAY have the guts to try and get on it but I think I will be so humiliated if I'm too big.
I didn't feel like it was tight at all when I last went so hoping if I manage to get to a 16, it wont be too bad

 

[nightrider68]

RC Racer is just stupid. You have to be at least 1.2m to ride, but if you are too tall or fat, forget it. There is an over the shoulder system with a belt that comes between your leg to connect with the restraint.

At 6ft 3 and 19st, I tried RC Racer and had to remove my coat and still squash my shoulders down to get the overhead brace in place

This might seem fine riding RC Racer in a t-shirt but it was in December and the temperature was at 0c

 

[emanlu]

I am another big person (although not as big as I was the last time I was at DLP) and usually will give anything a go - crush has never been an option as I don't like the look of it and the kids arent keen - didnt give RC Racer a go the last time we were there but may try it when we go back (whenever that may be) - I have lost over 4 stone since Jan and have gone from a size 24 to a 16/18 - will be good to go back and be able to be comfortable on a plane seat as well!

 

[Pooh's Bear]

I love that you tried more rides than usual, well done you !

When I went back in 2007, crushes coaster had just opened and I was about a size 14 then.
I'm now a 16/18 and trying to loose weight so hoping I MAY have the guts to try and get on it but I think I will be so humiliated if I'm too big.
I didn't feel like it was tight at all when I last went so hoping if I manage to get to a 16, it wont be too bad

Thank you! I honestly would not have had the courage to try any rides if it wasn't for the advice of others on here!

I do think you will fit on Crush's coaster. The problem seems to be more if you are tall and well built, with long legs! I saw a guy with a really athletic build and it seemed like he had tried to fold himself into the ride, and had extra leg leftover that he couldn't fit any place! I think you would be fine!

 

[Pooh's Bear]

At 6ft 3 and 19st, I tried RC Racer and had to remove my coat and still squash my shoulders down to get the overhead brace in place

This might seem fine riding RC Racer in a t-shirt but it was in December and the temperature was at 0c

Jeez! You must have been freezing!

Was the ride worth it?

 

[Pooh's Bear]

I have lost over 4 stone since Jan and have gone from a size 24 to a 16/18 - will be good to go back and be able to be comfortable on a plane seat as well!

Wow, well done - that's a fantastic achievement!

 

[nightrider68]

Jeez! You must have been freezing!

Was the ride worth it?

Yes - it's a great ride and thankfully over quite quickly

 

[Pooh's Bear]

At least you can say you rode it, even if you were freezing cold!