Flight of Passage + People of Size = Disappointing

[OhhBother]

I had gastric bypass surgery in October and can now fit on the ride comfortably. But it was close before -- the issue was always my calves. My best advice, which I've shared previously, is to change from tennis shoes to flip flops for the ride. You can bend the flip flops over and get them out of the way, which allows you to get your feet and calves more "in" to the space and allows the restraints to close. There was a time I wouldn't have been able to ride without flip flops. Good luck to all!

 

[shortster]

Just sharing my stats in case it helps anyone. I’m super short (hence my handle!), barely 5 ft 2 inches. Weigh 230 and carry my weight in my middle. Very apple shaped. Wear a size 22. I fit just fine, without any CM assistance. And I was nervous, but I slid forward, sat up straight and everything clicked.

FWIW...I was also nervous about 7DMT but I was more than fine on that ride.

Good luck fellow Poohs!

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you very much, slpybeartx. Your explanations are very helpful. Even if I am to big to fit the seat, at least I have the great tips to succeed where maybe other people that did not have this info may not succeed.
Ray

Hello Ray, the pics do a great job showing you the seat. Let me try and answer a couple of your questions with how I boarded...

Pulling yourself into seat? Slide onto the seat first, then use the handles on the front to pull yourself INTO the seat as far as possible.
Putting your legs in? There are molded spaces that your knees "nest" into. Once you are seated pull your knees up into the molded areas.
Posture for closing the guards? Using the handles on the front of the ride, pull with your arms and try and move your "seat" as far forward into the ride seat as possible. Don't "hunch" down, sit up straight as possible. At the same time, push your knees up "into" the knee rests. I tried not to stand on my "tippy toes" as that will flex your calf muscles and make them a bit larger.

It sounds and reads more complicated than it really is. I would suggest trying the seat outside to get comfortable.

Enjoy! It's a great ride.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I'm starting to worry about my fiance fitting... Any men here can chime in if they've had luck..

He is 5'11" wears a 3x shirt & 44/46 in pants....

 

[buckeyeguy1]

I'm starting to worry about my fiance fitting... Any men here can chime in if they've had luck..

He is 5'11" wears a 3x shirt & 44/46 in pants....

Im 6', same-ish sizes (long shirts, I'm all torso and short legs 29" inseam). Size 13 shoe. I'm a pretty big dude.

I sat on the test vehicle out front on three separate trips. Trip one was a no go. Trip two was a go, but I didn't make a FP due to the first trip's test. Third trip which I had a FP, I decided to give it a try on the test vehicle before wasting my time going through... no go. Wore same shoes on all three. No change in body size through any of the trips.

All three times the issue was not the back, it was the legs that wouldn't work for me. I don't have very thick calfs for my size either, but I do have larger feet. I've thought about trying with flip flops before, but to be honest, if it's a just fits situation, I would rather not ride than deal with leg cramps the rest of the day.

 

[hertamaniac]

I'm 6' about 230 lbs. and fit with no issues. Size 11.5 shoe.

 

[MamaJessie]

I'm starting to worry about my fiance fitting... Any men here can chime in if they've had luck..

He is 5'11" wears a 3x shirt & 44/46 in pants....

DH wears the same sizes, he's just a little taller. He did not fit in the test seat.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I was there last January. I am about 5'8", 270 lbs., around 47 for pant size, inseam about 25.5", and size 12 shoe. My calves I would characterize as on the big side. Somehow I had no real problems. I rode twice (the second time because I somehow got a same-day FP and hoofed it over from MK). Strangely, only the second ride was a close fit and I think I was about as close to getting kicked off as could be, without actually getting kicked off. But there was nothing in the way of leg irritation or any other unpleasant after-effect following the ride.

I'd also note that I did not pay any attention to test seats. My thinking is that I did not come 1200 miles to "fail" a test seat. I'm either getting on or I'm not, but either way I am seeing the inside of the ride building.

 

[Ben E N]

I'm 6'1", 260 pounds. 2x shirt and 38 inch waist. I was nervous but fit with absolutely no problem. I have heard it is large, fluffy, calves that have been the main issue in getting to fit.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

A 38 inch waste is fine...

 

[LMO429]

I love FOP, I’m 5 4 and I weigh 13o pounds so fit in the seat no problem and I hate the leg restraints. I ride the ride but I legit get claustrophobic from being confined to the seat. The leg restraints are not even cushioned it’s metal against my leg and I don’t like the feeling at all. I’m hoping they do away with the leg restraint part I can deal with it and suck it up since the ride is awesome but it would be far more comfortable if the leg restraint was not there.

 

[pigletto]

I love FOP, I’m 5 4 and I weigh 13o pounds so fit in the seat no problem and I hate the leg restraints. I ride the ride but I legit get claustrophobic from being confined to the seat. The leg restraints are not even cushioned it’s metal against my leg and I don’t like the feeling at all. I’m hoping they do away with the leg restraint part I can deal with it and suck it up since the ride is awesome but it would be far more comfortable if the leg restraint was not there.

I understand this completely and this is my issue as well. It’s not necessarily claustrophobia but I definitely have a full blown phobia of being trapped and had to skip this ride last time we were there. There are meds I can take that I rarely ever use. I debated it for the ride, but then I would be a little drowsy the rest of the day, and that isn’t much fun either. I would love it if they would do away with the leg restraints.

 

[Ben E N]

I understand this completely and this is my issue as well. It’s not necessarily claustrophobia but I definitely have a full blown phobia of being trapped and had to skip this ride last time we were there. There are meds I can take that I rarely ever use. I debated it for the ride, but then I would be a little drowsy the rest of the day, and that isn’t much fun either. I would love it if they would do away with the leg restraints.

I'm sure they don't include them just for fun, though. They are needed to prevent people from slipping off and potentially being crushed by the dragons. The only potential fix I see is if they include one 'larger people / people who cannot be strapped in' spot per ride where it is just a bench you sit on and watch the ride. Similar to the benches found on the carousel. Seems like a silly solution to me, though, when there are so many other rides in the park.

 

[Ashley Marie]

I’m returning in about a month and attempting to ride again. I have been eating a keto diet and successfully losing weight.

I think my calves are still around the same size, but I have lost some inches in my waist and hips, so maybe being able to push forward slightly more than before will help? In December, the back restraint worked but the leg restraint would not click. I don’t want to get my hopes up but I will try it out.

I am a 5’4” female with 20-inch calves. I was, I am estimating, at least 315 when I tried to ride in December and am 290 now. Hoping to be 275 by the trip.

We’ll see how it goes. I’ll report back.

 

[Ben E N]

I’m returning in about a month and attempting to ride again. I have been eating a keto diet and successfully losing weight.

I think my calves are still around the same size, but I have lost some inches in my waist and hips, so maybe being able to push forward slightly more than before will help? In December, the back restraint worked but the leg restraint would not click. I don’t want to get my hopes up but I will try it out.

I am a 5’4” female with 20-inch calves. I was, I am estimating, at least 315 when I tried to ride in December and am 290 now. Hoping to be 275 by the trip.

We’ll see how it goes. I’ll report back.

Hopefully you can do it early in the day, and earlier into the trip. I know walking around a lot makes the calves swell up more.

 

[Ashley Marie]

Hopefully you can do it early in the day, and earlier into the trip. I know walking around a lot makes the calves swell up more.

Unfortunately it’s at night because we booked late and it was the only FP we could get, but we will be relaxing at the resort the rest of the day.

 

[Ben E N]

Unfortunately it’s at night because we booked late and it was the only FP we could get, but we will be relaxing at the resort the rest of the day.

Good call and good luck!

 

[Sunelis]

Just to help others decide. I'm 5'6" 250 pounds. 44/46 waist. I rode FoP 6 times last fall. 5 out 6 times rode no problem. 1 time the CM had to adjust something but I rode fine.

 

[mekay1012]

I have not read the entire thread, but is there a limit on how big calves can be before they don't fit?

 

[Ben E N]

I have not read the entire thread, but is there a limit on how big calves can be before they don't fit?

After looking into this a bunch, I have seen no specific circumference. I think it is a combination of factors that affect fit. A large tummy will not allow you to push into the seat as much as they want, which then changes the angle on your calves, making the fit harder to do.
My wife's uncle's calves are smaller than mine at their widest point, but his stomach circumference is probably double mine. I fit with no problem, but he could not get the calf restraints to fit. I think it is unique depending on unique body types.