Overweight at Disney

[Jenniww]

From one Weight Watcher to another, you are most welcome! (32.5 of 100 pounds gone!)

I big BRAVO to you! WEIGHT to go....

 

[daisy2]

My DH husband and I have been to WDW twice and are taking our third trip at the end of November. We both were quite big in recent times when we went to WDW. We have both recently lost quite a bit of weight doing weight watchers. My husband has lost 73 pounds since January of this year. Either way big or small we wouldn't let us being big and overweight stop us. We never had any problems with getting on rides. I am sure you will have a good time when you get there. The only problem I really had was the weather, wasn't use to it and that can affect anyone at any shape or size. Just drink a lot of water and you will have fun.

 

[LilyU]

Re: Tower of Terror....I believe there are some small handles on the side of each seat to grab onto, but heck, I just grabbed my husband's arm to the left and my son's leg to the right.....OK, well I ALMOST ripped off their arm and leg.....

Lily

 

[dburg30]

Yea, WDW is very pooh sized friendly. It's not your typical amusement park. ie: cedar point in ohio, I was squished in a number of the rides.. I fit the seats tightly, but the belts were too short and no extentions.. I did fit but was about 255 or so then, and that was about the max I could fit.

So I was concerned about WDW, but have been pleasantly suprised reading the plus sized friendliness

 

[JoJo's Mom]

Thanks for all your responses- but I am 5'2 and 270lbs-

I would imagine that I am significantly bigger than most of you- were there people my size walking around and enjoying Disney?

I just want to be mentally prepared

Jen

Hun, I am close to the same size as you. I had no problems. I also went with that same fear. Will I fit? Will I embarass myself and have to get off? I went on Mission Space, Space Mountain, several roller coasters , etc and all with NO problems. You will be just fine!!!!! Trust me! Have a great time when you go and don't worry!!!!!

 

[TIGGER1981]

this has pics of the seats:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/gal_ride.htm

 

[Todd&Copper]

This is not meant to sound insulting, but there are TONS of severly overweight people at WDW. DH and I saw a few people on lines and though "s/he will never fit" and lo and behold they did fit. You will not be the biggest one there by a longshot. I have never seen so many large people in one place in all of my life (except maybe a few extended family reunion in NJ) and I saw no one getting made fun of or getting laughed at behind their backs or the like. You'll have a great time.

 

[ess]

This is good to read because I was afraid of fitting myself I'm 5'3 195 (after losing 45 lbs since we planned this trip) which I carry in the hips. I quess my only problem will be getting in and out of the rides with my knees.

 

[Jana49]

This link will give you more info, such as what type seating is available, etc:
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm

Try this one, too, which is reports from bigger guests who've been there:

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

The reports are very encouraging.

 

[inaminute]

There will be many people your size and larger enjoying WDW!

I'm one of them and trust me, I have absolutely NO problem riding or enjoying any attractions at Disney. I'm pretty self-conscious about my weight, but at Disney, I ride everything that I want to.

I've not tried the race cars or the astro orbiter, just because I'm not really interested in those rides. The only places I find to be uncomfortable are the seats in the Muppet 4D theater and the Teacups. They're a little tight, but do-able.

I was worried about Expedition Everest when I went in June. I was surprised at how much room I had in those cars! That ride is a blast! You have to do it!

Stop worrying. You're going to have a great time!

 

[inaminute]

I have never seen so many large people in one place in all of my life

It's probably the reason I enjoy it so much. I feel like I "fit in."

One more tip: Please don't be embarrassed to wear summer clothing! My second trip was during the summertime (in July!) and I wore long jeans the entire trip. It was awful! I was never so uncomfortable in my life.

Since then, I've gotten over it. I wear shorts and tank tops most of the time. At the resort, I'll even don a bathing suit. I do try to go to the pool when it's least crowded, but the last time I did that, there were at least five women who were larger than me! Actually, there was one woman (about my size) who had on the best looking, best fitting bathing suit I ever saw on anyone--thin or chubby. It was perfect on her. I wish I'd asked where she got it.

 

[Diznejen1]

"Will I fit?" has been a question I have asked at many theme parks, and at WDW the answer is YES!! Disney is very accomadating when it come to plus sized guests.

I have heard the word "home" when people refer to Disney, but I feel like I belong when I am there. Mostly because people are not as judgemental as they are in the real world. They are busy having a great vacation themselves.

Have a great time. Jennifer

 

[mom to 3 angels]

Reading this thread makes me want to cry with shear happiness. We are a family of 5 planning our first trip to WDW! With the thought in mind "Will I fit?" I decided to lose weight as to fit in the rides with ease. Now I know that if I don't lose a lot of weight, I'll still have the time of my life! Thanks so much for this thread!!

 

[JenH1969]

I feel so much better about visiting Disney now-

But- wondering about Universal, Islands of Adventure, Seaworld, Busch Gardens and Wet N Wild-

Are they as roomy?

Jen the worrywart-

 

[Pumba's Dad]

We did this a few years ago and won't be returning there unless the genie makes us skinny. DW and I couldn't get into most of the seats. They were made for anorexic super models.

 

[dburg30]

Yea, being more of the thrill rides at those parks, they're gonna be much tighter / smaller seats. Dunno why, but there are probably reasons for them. Funny part is I can get into the seat on a lot of those rides, but since they dont have extenstions for the seat belts, I cant get them buckled, or if I do, it's rough..

 

[scrappystamper1]

I was self conscious the first year we went to Disney about wearing my swinsuit. Some brat kid even made fun of me at our resort pool. (my son took up for me, I was very proud.) Anyway, I just decided that hey..I'm not at home in front of the TV eating bon bons, I'm out enjoying life with my family, if you don't like the way I look, look the other way. Now I wear my swisuit at the water parks (it's a tasteful one piece) I enjoy myself.
Here is a tip for you:
When getting into a ride with a pull down bar, pull the bar down as you sit down, it will come in nice and snug! Likewise on test track, stretch the seatbelt all the way out then click and let it retract.
Those are my two best tips.
don't forget what the hoaky hallmark card says:
Dance like nobody's watching..
sing like nobody's listening..
scream on the rides like a little child..
okay so I embellished a little....


HAVE FUN!!!!

Janet

 

[Princess April]

Don't you worry about a thing!!!! DH and I are NOT small people by any sense of the word and we have a lot of fun all the time. Like some mentioned before... there are alot of every size, shape, color, age, etc. there. It is home to ALL!!!!! The only thing I can think of is to dress appropriately..... not that you can't wear tank tops and shorts with the best of 'em but to see plus sized "ladies" walking round looking like "hookers".... IE: larger than life tank tops falling off revealing a bikini top (that they had NO business wearing) or too tight or too short shorts. ( I have this opinion about "thin "ladies" as well) I would feel very uncomfortable walking around all day looking like this (not to mention the chafing ). My fave outfit of choice... cute capris and a "fitted" cotton blend top. Not only do I look nice (dh said I looked nicer than half the "thin" woman there) I felt great too... nice and cool. I would totally wear a 1 pc. bathimng suit to the pool... please, like any of those people are going to ever see you again!!!! * Remember this: this is YOUR vacation... you go and have the time of your life!!!!!

P.M. me if you have any other questions, I'm a local and we go quite alot!!!!

 

[kimis]

K Ladies- I am working at losing weight before we leave to go in April but I will still be severely overweight when we go-

I am just wondering if anyone else has encountered this dilemna and how you made out while there- what restrictions did you encounter?

I hate talking about this but - it is reality

Thanks, Jen

I am a woman who weighs more than 80 pounds than I did when I got married 33 years ago. We go to WDW every year and I never have any problems. However every year we go I always say I want to go back next year thinner and I never do!!!! I am going to really try for this next trip in Feb. I will start exercising today. Maybe we can keep each other encouraged. Good luck

 

[packetminnie]

I am 5' 3" and 230. I don't have any problems at Universal or IOA. I no longer ride Fire & Ice for other reasons but my DH 6' 290 does. He tries to sit in the 3rd or 6th row because they have the special 2 strap seats that have more room. I have never had a problem on any other ride. I have even ridden on the kiddie roller coaster with my kids without problem.

My best recommendation would be to start a walking regimen now. Before our first visit many years ago we started walking about 3 months before and we were so glad we had when we got there. Now we start walking a few weeks before because we know what to expect. There is a lot of walking at WDW. Not as much at US & IOA but still quite a bit.