Overweight at Disney

[WICKEDWILLINGWENCH]

jEN,

i'm 5'6" and weigh 270 also...i have no problems on any of the rides, etc.
and didn't when i weighed even 50 pounds more.

you'll be fine.

now stop worrying and enjoy yer planning!

 

[kimsuenew]

I am a plus size gal that was there in September. You will do fine! I had a serious knee injury when I was a teen and four adult surgeries on the same leg, plus osteoarthritus, so I have very limited mobility due to this. Not being able to get in/out because of my leg kept me from rides but my size did not. I still rode several rides, just not ones where my knees would have been up to my chest in a sitting position nor rides that sat low to get in/out (like Splash Mountain). WDW is very friendly, both to people with disabilities and to people that are not 120#'s! Before going, (and before finding the Disboards), I even punched questions into the Ask search engine like "Can overweight people ride rides at Walt Disney World" and found links to sites that talk about it. You are not the first to worry, nor will you be the first to be (pleasantly) surprised to find out that yes, you can and will, ride and have fun while at WDW!

 

[earthfaries]

I was 300 pounds last year when we went. I had no problems fitting in any of the rides. Here are a few things I did find out over the years though...

Dinosaur is uncomfortable on my hips because of my size. It actually hurts riding that ride when you get jostled around, but I still do it because I love the experience

I always request the front row on coasters, etc. they have more leg room.

Primevil Whirl is kind of uncomfortable because of my size but once again I still ride it

I even fit in the ride(I temporarily lost the name) in Tomorrowland the spaceships that you take the elevator to get to and they spin around really high. It was just extremely hard for me to get out of.

When riding a ride with a seat belt, I always pull out my seatbelt before sitting down and buckle or else it is hard to get to once I am seated.

I don't get on a horse on the carousel, I did that once and when the ride stopped my horse was way up in the air and... I still laugh just thinking about the sight...

I guess the greatest tip I can give you is to ask for the front rows, esp. in rides like SM and ToT and RnRC.

Check out allears.net WDW at large. It really helped me

 

[earthfaries]

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.

That is why I am not even going there until I finish losing weight. I figured I wouldn't fit into any rides there. We bought season passes to Dollywood this year and I couldn't fit in most of the rides. I love WDW

 

[Mickey's Neighbor]

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-

The Roller Coasters at Universal Islands and Kraken at SeaWorld and also at Busch gardens have specific rows on their coasters that accommodate heavier guests. That being said they still aren't as big person friendly as Disney. I've gone with friends that have been unable to ride some of these other coasters even in the rows that are suppose to be ok. SeaWorld is still a great park because most of the attractions are shows and I don't think there would be a problem at any of those. Wild Arctic might or might not be a problem on the ride but you can also enter through a walking entrance. Busch Gardens still has a lot to do even if you have to bypass some of the roller coasters. Disney is by far the most large friendly of all the parks.

 

[wdwpirates]

My DH and I have been visiting WDW for 10 years now. I am a size 26 and 5'4. For many of those years I avoided a number of rides because I feared that I would not fit. That is...until I found the DIS. There was a thread of this nature a few years ago which covered much of the same topic. From there on I vowed that I would try every ride that I had passed over before. I did and it was the right decision!! Most of the rides I had feared looking foolish trying to get on were totally fine!

I will say that the only one I have had a problem with is the Astro Orbiter. I could not ride in the same rocket as my DH who is 6'1 and 200. But thats ok because I also learned that ride makes me sick anyway!!! I have done the Tomorrowland Speedway and it was just fine (I think someone had questionned this). Oh and Snow White is a little snug getting in/out of the car but once you know how to maneuver(sp?) you w/b okay!

If anyone has questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[Elmo888]

Hi - I haven't read all of the replies, but I just wanted to recommend buying some good walking shoes (try New Balance) and walking for fitness from now until April. Overweight or not, it helps to be "walking fit" at WDW. One can be fit and overweight. There is just a lot of walking, and many people (overweight or not) that aren't fit have a difficult time with all of the walking. If you start now with short distances every day or even just 4 or 5 times per week and work your way to 2 or 3 miles by April, it will really help. I don't think that the benefit of walking for fitness before a trip to WDW can be stressed enough. I even walked for fitness with my 6 year old last year before our trip, and it really helped. She never needed a stroller (seems unusual for a 6 yo at WDW) and even outpaced DH.

Have a great trip!

 

[wdwpirates]

Well said ELMO888. I agree that it does help to get used to the walking. I always make it a point to start to do some extra walking at least a month before we head down. Even if it is laps at the mall!

 

[Princess Minnie5]

All of the responses here have been great. I just wanted to add something about the turnstiles. I'm short, 5'0" and I carry much of my weight in the stomach/butt part of my body. (Sorry, if my butt offends anyone. ) Anyways, guess where the bars hit my body. Yep, right on my stomach and butt. Sometimes I turn sideways while going through them. I have no idea why I do this as it really doesn't make a difference, but I do. Others have said that they go through the wheelchair gate.

Most rides have gotten rid of them, but they can still be found. Honestly, I wish they'd get rid of the bar altogether.

Good luck on the weight loss and relax. You're going to have a great time at The World.

 

[bouncy54]

TOT was the only ride I had issues with. We rode in the front of the seatings and there was nothing to hold on to, so I felt a little 'exposed'. I tried to hold on to the seat; if I had a bar or something to hold onto, I would have enjoyed it even more.

The first time I rode TOT at WDW, I didn't know there were handles on each side of your seat...neither did any of the rest of my family. You should see the look on our faces in the picture as we were holding on to each other for dear life....priceless!

 

[bouncy54]

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-

I'm size 24/26. At Universal and IOA, there are "try it & see if you fit" seats outside most of the coaster-type rides. At first I felt embarrassed but I told myself I'd rather be embarrassed here, then at the ride itself. To my amazement, I was able to ride Dueling Dragons, the Hulk, and the Mummy with no problem. If the "try it" seat works for you then just ask the person loading people for the seat for big people. (You probably don't have to ask, but I did anyway)

I think the harness itself is a little bigger and the belt that buckles into the seat is longer on the "special" harness type seats and the Mummy's safety bar is the kind that fits the individual. If you go to Sea World...Kracken has the the special seats too.

I had no problems anywhere at WDW.

 

[TKDisneylover]

Another vote here for large size people and WDW as being A #1 for seating and large sizes. This will be my 6th visit and unfortunately I've been on more weight since my last visit and it is nice to know that I will still be okay seating wize. I do agree with other posters about getting a good pair of tennis shoes, but also keep yourself hydrated well. A lot of times the aches and pains we feel are due to dehydration. So drink plenty of water with all of that walking around.

Have a great trip!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I skimmed through these posts and don't think this was mentioned. I agree with everyone that Disney is great for plus size people. But one thing people may not think of is dining issues. So if you make reservations at Sci Fi Diner, be sure to request a table with chairs. They have a few, most tables are booths which do not have much room at all. When we dine here, my mother always opts to dine elsewhere and meet us after due to these seating issues. Just something to keep in mind. Have a great trip, you will love it!

 

[danielrsmama]

Disney is Wonderfull for us "big" people!!! My dh (6'2" - 400lb) and I (5'0" - 250lb) were able to ride everything (yes, everything) when we went in June of this year. The only trouble that I had, was getting out of the Teacups and some of the turnstiles that others have mentioned. Let's just say that when we go back in three weeks, I will be getting a little more help from dh (lifting me up a tad) out of those suckers!!! Also, as others have said, be sure to drink plenty of water and try to condition yourself before you go for all the walking you will be doing. Don't worry about what others think!!! Just go and have a wonderfull time!!!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Disney is Wonderfull for us "big" people!!! My dh (6'2" - 400lb) and I (5'0" - 250lb) were able to ride everything (yes, everything) when we went in June of this year. The only trouble that I had, was getting out of the Teacups and some of the turnstiles that others have mentioned. Let's just say that when we go back in three weeks, I will be getting a little more help from dh (lifting me up a tad) out of those suckers!!! Also, as others have said, be sure to drink plenty of water and try to condition yourself before you go for all the walking you will be doing. Don't worry about what others think!!! Just go and have a wonderfull time!!!

Have a great trip and enjoy your first stay onsite @ POR ....

 

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

I do much better with them than athletic shoes. I'm 5'2 and was 240 last time I went. I've lost 21 but I'll still be in my Crocs Thursday at the MVMCP and so will DH. Neither of us wear anything else unless we have to.

 

[EZ Goer]

I have a question that kind of relates to this thread. What about flying? I am so paranoid that I will get on the plane and not be able to buckle the seatbelt because I heard airplane seats are small. I am 6' 0" and about 285 lbs. I wouldn't be worried about this because usually I don't have a problem with seatbelts, but about two years ago I couldn't get on a ride at a NJ resort because the lock bar wouldn't lock because of me. Now I stay away from rides and I am nervous about the airplane. I was humiliated then and if something like that happened on the plane, I would be humiliated again. I'm glad to hear a lot of the rides in Disney are "big people friendly."

 

[ess]

I find Jet Blue to have the most leg room and the seats are bigger. Delta is a bit cramped. Don't be embarrassed to ask the stewardess upon entering the airplane for a seat belt extender. We just flew back on Jet Blue and trust me your problem is nothing to worry about. There was a woman on the plane that suffered a seizure and lost all her bodly functions and almost died. There was a child that threw up during the whole flight. You have nothing to be humiliated over. Just go and enjoy yourself and stop worrying.

 

[Pumba's Dad]

As you board the plane, just ask the first flight attendent you see to get you. Or do like I do and give them the sign language for chubby man needs extra seat belt. I just point both index fingers together. They understand and are very discreet about it.

Just hope you don't fly southwest airlines. We watch that airline show and after watching, we'll never fly them. They embarrass everyone on there.

Have fun.

 

[whgrn]

Or do like I do and give them the sign language for chubby man needs extra seat belt. I just point both index fingers together. They understand and are very discreet about it.

That is TOOOOOO funny!!! I've never heard that one before, but I guarantee I'll never forget it!

Honesty, at 6' and 285, unless you are very "middle heavy", you should have no problem. I'm about the same and 8" shorter, and I rarely need an extender. It really does depend on the plane (not even just the airline--I usually fly Continental and don't need one, but once in a while I'll get a plane, maybe an older one, that just seems to have short seatbelts.

In any case, don't be embarrassed to ask for what you need! Have a great trip!

Wendy in NJ
Check out my trip report at www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1638072