Oversized family

[TJLG]

We visited WDW Jan1st-Jan5th 2014. My husband is 6'4 and 250 lbs. My daughters are 6'0 and 5'10. I am 5'10 and close to 200lbs. We were riding Small World and was assigned to the front bench. We were told to all sit on one bench. Have to be kidding no way we would fit. I stayed behind for the next boat at the displeasure of the ride operator. POTC same thing even though we told the operator we were a party of 2. We were all put together on the back seat. The boat had water coming over the back and side. TT was a nightmare. We were assigned 2 in front and 2 in the back and a single rider to each seat. We looked funny sitting in each others laps. This does not seem safe. We tried to split into 2 parties of 2 but were still put together. Please advise. We may can loose a few pounds but not any height.

 

[PrincessesX3]

Yes, we are a family of 5 with three kiddies. And we were told to fit into the first row. We all fit, but why do we have to be so cramped. we always ask for two rows. The wait is hardly a long one even during peak. I hate when I see people cramped into one row when half of the boat is empty.

 

[kapoof]

That is silly. And it seems like not a big deal for your family to have two seats.

 

[Lynne M]

Moving to the Theme Parks board.

 

[amberpi]

I think wdw is just simply trying to put the appropriate number of passengers per ride to maintain ride efficiency (the idea of which you pay for one admission you get one seat like the airlines do) however, if there are unfilled seats that's a totally different story and just silly. Why would they make the other guests uncomfortable for no reason?

That said, this is from a road warrior TIRED of having other passengers personage creep into my seat. It's not right or fair to have paid for a seat and only get to use 75% of it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Please advise . . .

1) Just say "No".
2) They cannot and will not force you.
3) If they they, ask for a manager.
4) That will make them change their mind.

5) Remember (and quote to them) the WDW mantra,
. . . "Make every guest's WDW vacation their BEST WDW vacation."

 

[2Tiggies]

I wonder if this also comes down to often having the younger CM's working the loading areas for the rides. Perhaps lack of experience (both life experience and experience at Disney World) and not being given the ability or taught to use discretion in these situations adds to it.

I can hardly see it being a big deal either, just to let your family have 2 rows and at least ride in the same boat (albeit the OP's decision to wait, it doesn't sound like she had much option).

 

[butterfly71076]

As someone who has long legs, DH is over 6', we feel you on leg room. IASW is the absolute worst! There is no leg room, anywhere you sit in the boat. We have taken to skipping it when possible (DS sometimes wants to go) because it is that uncomfortable.

 

[HM]

We had this happen in Norway and Pirates.

Our new method of dealing with this is to become two parties of two for rides that are 'supposed' to seat four.

 

[karenklo]

Same tall family here! The first time my DH rode Norway he just sat down and nearly took his kneecaps off! WE both have to sit with sideways legs on Norway! TT we need the front row. POTC seemed to be a little better, but still prefer the front row! We just tell them we need leg room when they send us to the loading area.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I wonder if this also comes down to often having the younger CM's working the loading areas for the rides. Perhaps lack of experience (both life experience and experience at Disney World) and not being given the ability or taught to use discretion in these situations adds to it.

I think this is it. The newer CMs haven't quite figured out that the rumpus kinda spreads out when you sit on it so people get wider when seated. I would simply say to the cm when they ask how many you are that you are "4, but two rows please."

 

[disnut8]

Don';t think it's because your family is larger. My husband is 5'6" and I'm barely 5 feet. Husband weights more than he should but not "obese" so he's comfortable with a little belly. Me? I barely weigh 105 after a hearty meal. That's just us.

We are often "paired" with a family of four on the Safari and in one row. The family is spread out and we have to cram ourselves into whatever space is leftover. The family does not notice us and doesn't try to give us more room. Not pleasant.

After several incidences, my husband and I ("small" and "short" are common comments) have decided that we will pass on the attraction all together if the Cast Member will not let us wait for the next vehicle.

 

[MichelleVW]

1) Just say "No".
2) They cannot and will not force you.
3) If they they, ask for a manager.
4) That will make them change their mind.

5) Remember (and quote to them) the WDW mantra,
. . . "Make every guest's WDW vacation their BEST WDW vacation."

We just say no. They tried to fit 6 of us in the People Mover....we said No, three of us got in one, and 3 got in the next one. There was something else they tried to do that with and we just said no and waited until the next one.

 

[ArwenMarie]

That stinks.

Yep you just have to say no. You can also act like you can't hear them or that you don't understand English.

 

[PrincessMama605]

Don';t think it's because your family is larger. My husband is 5'6" and I'm barely 5 feet. Husband weights more than he should but not "obese" so he's comfortable with a little belly. Me? I barely weigh 105 after a hearty meal. That's just us.

We are often "paired" with a family of four on the Safari and in one row. The family is spread out and we have to cram ourselves into whatever space is leftover. The family does not notice us and doesn't try to give us more room. Not pleasant.

After several incidences, my husband and I ("small" and "short" are common comments) have decided that we will pass on the attraction all together if the Cast Member will not let us wait for the next vehicle.

We have this problem too! Many times when it's just me and my dd on certain rides, CM's will cram us in with random people even when a ride isn't busy. And it's always uncomfortable and awkward for everyone. I really don't mind waiting for the next one so we can be comfortable on a ride. We are at the point now where there are certain rides we won't do (like the safari) unless we have others with us.

 

[estherhead]

We are just an average sized family but we are often a group of 11-13. So the CM is just doing the math and pointing to rows. We say "13" and they say, "Rows 3, 4, 5." Many a time we have had the wrong people end up together. One time on Splash we ended up with 3 full grown adults in one of those seats. I have never laughed so hard in all my life. We did NOT fit.

CM are trying to be fast and do math. They aren't really looking at you. My suggestion is to do the math yourself before you get to them and just tell them what you want. Other than ToT, most rides you can see once you get close and figure out how your family will fit.

 

[ucfknight]

My favorite was on Journey of the Little Mermaid last week when the cast member working the load area kept saying "up to 4 people per shell... 4 people per shell" loudly and repeatedly. If you've seen this ride, the shells could probably comfortably accommodate 2 adults and one small child at best.

My family of 4 split up into 2 shells as any sane person would do, but the family behind us with 2 adult and 2 teenage kids actually listened to the crazy cast member. I kept laughing through the whole ride watching the family with 3 people crammed on the seat with a 15 year old boy on their lap.

 

[MrsDuck]

We're a tall family - DH is 6', I'm 5'10", and my dad who usually travels with us is 6'3" and 320. My mom is "normal" - 5'5". We cannot typically fit in one bench; we can but it's uncomfy. You can always ask the CM if your party can be split up or ask not to ride with too many others in your row.

We've never had a problem! If a CM does give you a problem, I'd speak to a higher up.