Living large at Disney

[Dreamin' of Disney]

Looking for previous thread and info for taller/larger adults visiting Disney World. Don't want to be embarassed about rides/attractions seating. Any advise on how to handle?

 

[madaboutpooh]

Sorry I do not have any advice. Both DH and myself are large and would also like some advice on this subject.

 

[Kenswing]

Sorry I do not have any advice. Both DH and myself are large and would also like some advice on this subject.

Try this link. It has some useful info http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm

 

[MomofKatie]

I am a "Pooh-size" adult, and I didn't have any problems with any ride vehicles. Occasionally, turnstiles could be a bit of a tight squeeze, but nothing that caused me embarrassment- and I embarrass easily. Probably the tightest fit was Dumbo ( legroom) or Space Mtn (also legroom).

Don't be worried- guests of every size are accomodated atWDW!

 

[GrumpyC.Hook]

I am very pooh sized especially in my rear and my hips and stomach i didn't have any issues fitting on anything as far as the Mountains, Rockin Rollarcoaster, Tower of Terror, Mission Space or Test Track. With rides that have seatbelts such as Test Track and Dinosaur i had to pull the seatbelt all the way out and then belted it, that worked best.

HTH

Any questions specifically please feel free to ask

Amy

 

[Unofficial Fan]

Another large sized person here. I've been able to ride all the rides at Disney but I did want to mention something regarding Thunder Mountain Railroad in particular. The restraint system is a lap bar that comes down. There is no problem with the bar coming down, but it hit my Pooh stomach and then stopped. Thus, there was a LOT LOT LOT LOT of space between the bar and my very tiny youngster (3? 4? She's tall for her age and was able to ride it fairly early on). I was scared to death that she was going to fly out of the car because there was plenty of room for her to slip through. Now that she's older it is not as much of a concern, but I held on to her for dear life that first time.

This was also an issue on Tower of Terror, now that I think about it. It was a bit of an embarrassment when the other riders in my row (strangers) were asking "Why doesn't this bar come down farther" and "Are we going to fall out?"

Others to note: Tea Cups is a bit of a squeeze but easily manageable. Dumbo is best with me in my own elephant and my child in another. If you get in first you'll easily see if there's enough room for your child too. Thankfully the belt is plenty big.

I'm going in 2 weeks - I'll try to post any others that come up

 

[mom2rb]

My step-dad is 6'5 and he had no problems on any rides that I know of.

 

[ktglads]

This was also an issue on Tower of Terror, now that I think about it. It was a bit of an embarrassment when the other riders in my row (strangers) were asking "Why doesn't this bar come down farther" and "Are we going to fall out?"

This is one of the great things about the seatbelts on the ride now. Everyone gets an equal restraint. Its tough for the people to get their laps smushed because someone else wanted the lap bar to be tight to them. Plus, I find there is much more air time available.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I'm relatively normal-sized (6'0", 215), and I've found that I have a bit of a leg space problem riding in the back seat of Test Track, or in the front seat on Space Mtn. Just ask the person at the load spot, and they'll make sure to put you in either the front of TT, or in one of the back 2 rows on Space. I haven't had any other problems. (although, squeezing 3 full-size adults in one doom buggy was a bit of a tight squeeze)

 

[FallDisney]

DH and I are Pooh Sized and rode anything we wanted with no embarassment or discomfort. You might also check out this link:

http://allearsnet.com/tp/rid_trip.htm

Have a great time!!!!!

 

[Unofficial Fan]

Hey, thanks for the info on TOT ktglads! I was going to skip it this trip - so glad to find out about this!

 

[mickeysaver]

Very Pooh-sized individual here.....
No problems on anything, except the turnstiles. Sometimes, those are a real otherwise, I ride everything that I like. I am 5'6" and 350+ lbs. Maggie

 

[Blueberry]

I am POOH SIZEd buy downsizing now.and I had no trouble on any rides at WDW due to my size. Space mtn is hard for me as I have arthritis and getting my fluff size self up and down out of those cars was kinda embarrassing, but with the aid of my DH I can pull it off..

One thing I think is very hard for us larger size folks are some of the turnstiles, PoC, HM are the worst as far as size goes in my opinion. However..I have a way that helps larger size folks fit through these with less embarrassment and avoiding getting stuck.

Best thing to do is keep moving once you get to the turnstile, do not stop, that causes less chance of getting stuck in there. Secondly go through it sideways, much easier than head on, but keep yourself in motion..that is a big key to it.

Hope this helps someone who was worried about those pesty turnstiles..

 

[Dreamin' of Disney]

Thanks so much for all this info! Website link great! Feeling much more relief about the seating now and am getting real excited about our family trip to WDW next week!

 

[simba2]

HM and CoP have the smallest turnstiles that I've encountered there. At CoP you can unchain the entrance that has no turnstile and enter. You can't do this at HM. You could, if needed, enter through the wheel chair entrance which is off to the right of the mansion as you start down under the canopy toward the front door. The rides however are very generous in size. Even the kiddie ones. I have not been on the tea cups in many years so can't comment on that one (one poster said they weren't that big).

 

[Eskie_Lover]

I promised myself I would post to this thread when I returned since I found it and http://allearsnet.com/tp/rid_trip.htm really put my mind at rest before my trip.

Overall I didn't have any major issues with my size at Disney (6ft, 330lbs). Here are my thoughts from what I can remember:

Circque Du Soleil - I was very worried about this - I heard that the seats are very small and very uncomfortable, but I had no problems - I had lots of leg room, and lots of bum space.

Magic Kingdom:

PotC - would have been okay, but the CM put myself, my hubby (also "Pooh" sized), and another couple who were a little on the heavier side in one row, so it was very tight - would have been fine with just 3 people.

Thunder Mountain - remember this one being hard to get in and out of when I was a kid, but hubby & I fit just fine, and had no problems getting in or out.

Haunted Mansion - no problems. I can see the turnstiles would be a problem for someone shorter, but luckily for me my legs are so long that the majority of my bulk is up higher...

Buzz Lightyear - no problems - lots of room for my legs

Epcot:

Mission Space - no problems at all - I could see if you were shorter the restraint could be a problem, but my long legs & arms saved me.

Test Track - unpleasant! We were in the back seat. Seating is for 3, but luckily they only put the two of us in it. I didn't have enough leg room, so my knees were jammed, and the seat itself was very tight - had to have hubby buckle up my seat belt & unbuckle it for me at the end. There was loads of room in the seat belt - actually too much - I couldn't cynch it up once it was buckled, so I had a good extra foot of belt around my waist.

Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids - only place I was embarrased the whole trip - found the one CM to be very rude. First the people in our raft didn't want to move over to make room (first group in was a group of 3, and the seats are in groupings of two), but the CM kept insisting my husband and I go on - so we end up splitting up two women who were together, and I sat with one of them (she was a little on the chubby side, though not as over weight as I was). The seat belt did not fit around us. I called out to the CM, and he just ignored me - I had to ask 3 times, and he still ignored me - by this point I was PISSED, so I just got up and got out of the raft - at this point the CM finally realized something was going on and directed us to another raft. He told the CM at that raft to allow my husband and I each to have our own seat... The ride was fun, but if I ever go on it again I will know to speak up for myself from the start...

MGM
Drew Carey Sound Stage - very very small seats - smallest I found the whole trip.

 

[SammieG]

I would agree that CoP turnstyles are really small. I think it might be partly their height in relation to my widest bit! But they are the only turnstyles I have problems with - I get through ok, i just wonder if i will sometimes!

The other thing I will NEVER do again is Astro Orbitors.. I was v uncomfortable in that ride and was worried I wouldnt be able to get out!! (of course I did just fine, but some people less mobile than me would have issues with that ride I think!)

 

[bonkos6]

If you enter through the handicap chained area is there any problem with meeting up with the rest of your party?

 

[Hensandchickens]

Does anyone have any information on Pooh size friendly rides at Sea World?

 

[Mykelogan]

If you enter through the handicap chained area is there any problem with meeting up with the rest of your party?

At most of the attractions, the chain or gate is right next to the turnstile. I find that the CM at the turnstile usually opens the gate before I even mention it. (Of course that could be some kind of pre-programmed response to a man of my size approaching... but that's just paranoia right? hehehehehe)

Mike