Overweight/oversize in Disneyland Spring 2014 edition

[tomato]

I've been searching old threads to see what Pooh-sized people have been experiencing on rides as of late and I'm not seeing a whole lot of info that's based on the newest refurbs in the parks.

I can get the ball rolling with comments on a couple of things I experienced, although this is two years old now. What I'm really looking for are experiences newer than that, particularly Big Thunder since it's refurb.

One ride I never, ever see mentioned in people's lists is RSR. Because you have to sit in moulded plastic seats, I find that my hips are wider than the mould and I ended up with one hip up on the edge or having it dig into me at the least. As much as I hate to miss it, I'm considering skipping it this trip because I'm getting older and I don't want to hurt myself!

Unless anyone knows of any tips or tricks? Are there particular cars or seats that are wider? Surely I can't be the only one who has experienced this.

On our last trip I really hurt myself (on our first night!) on the Matterhorn. Again, because it's moulded now, the issue was not my overall size, but the fact that my SHOE wasn't fitting properly into the moulded foot area. I ended up twisting my knee on the ride. It was tight overall for my feet and lower legs. I'll definitely be skipping that one this time but I know I am not alone in that. I hear lots of people have given up on it.

I was in line for Goofy's Sky School when I noticed the weight limit sign and had to back out. I've read there is a weight limit for Soarin' but I've never had that confirmed (and also never had a problem riding it), so ... ???

Silly Symphony Swings also has a weight limit and I can tell by looking that my hips won't fit into those seats anyway.

What's the scoop on Indiana Jones? Anyone know? If I have to miss that one I may cancel my trip! Haha!

Any other experiences out there?

 

[cakegirl007]

I don't have any experiences to share as this will be my first trip in 30 years (when I was a skinny little kid) but I would like to know what the weight limits are on some of these rides so I can plan accordingly. Do you remember what the limits were? Or is there a site that shows the weight limits?

 

[jkolkemo]

I've been searching old threads to see what Pooh-sized people have been experiencing on rides as of late and I'm not seeing a whole lot of info that's based on the newest refurbs in the parks.

I can get the ball rolling with comments on a couple of things I experienced, although this is two years old now. What I'm really looking for are experiences newer than that, particularly Big Thunder since it's refurb.

One ride I never, ever see mentioned in people's lists is RSR. Because you have to sit in moulded plastic seats, I find that my hips are wider than the mould and I ended up with one hip up on the edge or having it dig into me at the least. As much as I hate to miss it, I'm considering skipping it this trip because I'm getting older and I don't want to hurt myself!

Unless anyone knows of any tips or tricks? Are there particular cars or seats that are wider? Surely I can't be the only one who has experienced this.

On our last trip I really hurt myself (on our first night!) on the Matterhorn. Again, because it's moulded now, the issue was not my overall size, but the fact that my SHOE wasn't fitting properly into the moulded foot area. I ended up twisting my knee on the ride. It was tight overall for my feet and lower legs. I'll definitely be skipping that one this time but I know I am not alone in that. I hear lots of people have given up on it.

I was in line for Goofy's Sky School when I noticed the weight limit sign and had to back out. I've read there is a weight limit for Soarin' but I've never had that confirmed (and also never had a problem riding it), so ... ???

Silly Symphony Swings also has a weight limit and I can tell by looking that my hips won't fit into those seats anyway.

What's the scoop on Indiana Jones? Anyone know? If I have to miss that one I may cancel my trip! Haha!

Any other experiences out there?

I haven't had a major problem, but I do find things that have seat belts I have to pull the belt before sitting so that I can get to it, especially if someone is already sitting in the spot next to it, IE: IJ, ST, RSR, etc. Matterhorn does have a small leg space, but I didn't have too much problem, the ride itself tends to hurt my back due to the jerkiness. I never do the swings so don't know on that one. I was more afraid of this problem at Six Flags last summer, but ended up with no problems, did the same thing with the belts, pulling them before sitting down.

 

[ILuv2travel2]

Here's my experience. My last trip to DL was 4 years ago, right before I started playing College Football. I was 6'6" tall and weighed in at 350 pounds. I had no problems with any of the rides including Soarin. Some rides were tight and snug but I managed. Fast forward to now and after 4 years of football I'm up to 380 solid pounds and also have some concern for our upcoming trip in July but I'm not losing sleep over it. DL seems to be very accommodating for us larger folk. Oh I've heard of some of my team mates who are bigger than I am (400 pounds +) go to DL and not have a problem on the majority of the rides.

 

[jory29]

I've been searching old threads to see what Pooh-sized people have been experiencing on rides as of late and I'm not seeing a whole lot of info that's based on the newest refurbs in the parks.

I can get the ball rolling with comments on a couple of things I experienced, although this is two years old now. What I'm really looking for are experiences newer than that, particularly Big Thunder since it's refurb.

One ride I never, ever see mentioned in people's lists is RSR. Because you have to sit in moulded plastic seats, I find that my hips are wider than the mould and I ended up with one hip up on the edge or having it dig into me at the least. As much as I hate to miss it, I'm considering skipping it this trip because I'm getting older and I don't want to hurt myself!

Unless anyone knows of any tips or tricks? Are there particular cars or seats that are wider? Surely I can't be the only one who has experienced this.

On our last trip I really hurt myself (on our first night!) on the Matterhorn. Again, because it's moulded now, the issue was not my overall size, but the fact that my SHOE wasn't fitting properly into the moulded foot area. I ended up twisting my knee on the ride. It was tight overall for my feet and lower legs. I'll definitely be skipping that one this time but I know I am not alone in that. I hear lots of people have given up on it.

I was in line for Goofy's Sky School when I noticed the weight limit sign and had to back out. I've read there is a weight limit for Soarin' but I've never had that confirmed (and also never had a problem riding it), so ... ???

Silly Symphony Swings also has a weight limit and I can tell by looking that my hips won't fit into those seats anyway.

What's the scoop on Indiana Jones? Anyone know? If I have to miss that one I may cancel my trip! Haha!

Any other experiences out there?

Weight limit sign for Goofy's Sky Skool?? What is the limit? Thanks! The canoes are VERY hard for me to get into and get out of, but still manageable, but that is one I think I could easily hurt myself on.

 

[Pastalady]

I was going to ask about this, so thanks! I am hoping to convince my parents and sister to come with us next year. MY sister is I am guessing 550? She will only be able to get around with a wheelchair. Are there any ride options for her? Getting out of the wheelchair to climb into a ride is a no go. I thought I saw people in wheelchairs strapped into smallworlld? She is happy to just be there and see some shows etc but would love to get her into. A ride or two.

 

[Malcon10t]

I was in line for Goofy's Sky School when I noticed the weight limit sign and had to back out. I've read there is a weight limit for Soarin' but I've never had that confirmed (and also never had a problem riding it), so ... ???

Silly Symphony Swings also has a weight limit and I can tell by looking that my hips won't fit into those seats anyway.

There is no weight limit on Swings, Soarin', or Goofy's. There was one on the swings when it first opened as the Orange Stinger, but the ride was modified and they took off the weight limitation.

That said, Goofy's is the one ride that is very uncomfortable for me as a larger rider. I don't ride Matterhorn because it hurts to ride. And RSR, I just learned to turn sideways to plug in the seatbelt, then I am fine.

What's the scoop on Indiana Jones? Anyone know? If I have to miss that one I may cancel my trip! Haha!

Indy is closed to May 8th.

 

[Malcon10t]

I was going to ask about this, so thanks! I am hoping to convince my parents and sister to come with us next year. MY sister is I am guessing 550? She will only be able to get around with a wheelchair. Are there any ride options for her? Getting out of the wheelchair to climb into a ride is a no go. I thought I saw people in wheelchairs strapped into smallworlld? She is happy to just be there and see some shows etc but would love to get her into. A ride or two.

IASW, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, Mark Twain, the train, the carousel, Toy STory, Little Mermaid, and probably a few more have, have vehicles that can handle a wheelchair.

 

[Zbugz]

IASW, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, Mark Twain, the train, the carousel, Toy STory, Little Mermaid, and probably a few more have, have vehicles that can handle a wheelchair.

Pooh, Monsters Inc., & Monorail, too

 

[Malcon10t]

Pooh, Monsters Inc., & Monorail, too

I was wondering about Monster's Inc, wasn't sure, forgot Pooh and Monorail.

 

[nikkislaght]

Was there a week ago with a plus sized friend.. she had no problems on Soaring or TSM..
She did have to pull seat belt out before sitting down .. as did I.
I am 5'10 and 180lbs and had trouble getting into the seat on the swings.. I have breeder hips. plus I use a cane so Im not moving as fast as others..
Small world and pirates my friend had no trouble with..
some of the rides with the bar, didn't come far enough for her 13 yr old to be safely in so she would ride with me or my son.

She doesn't do many of the rides due to sea sick.. so some of the rides I cant comment on..

 

[Geemo]

Disneyland is VERY friendly for larger people. We have never had a problem on ANY of the rides. It's nice to be able to ride anything we want to without being embarrassed.

At Knott's it was a whole different story.

Granted some rides are tight at Disneyland but they are do-able.

Geemo

 

[SusanMatt]

Thanks for starting this thread. It's so great that you termed it "Pooh sized." When I first met my husband, I said he looked just like Winnie the Pooh. So, I was going to ask the same questions.

How about the Storybook Canal Boats? That's one my husband was concerned about that I wanted to hit.

 

[Nintfamily]

I am Pooh sized. Yep. Last time we went we tried the Matterhorn. My dh and I were both beat up pretty badly. Seat belts were not fun (we both felt they were short) dh is 6'3" and his knees were bent and he said never that ride again. Goofy's Sky School for me was flat uncomfortable. Didn't see a weight sign. I did Story book canal without issue. The line up was a bit narrow, but at all unmanageable. I agree that the best strategy for RSR is to pull the belt out first. I had no problems with it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was in line for Goofy's Sky School when I noticed the weight limit sign and had to back out. I've read there is a weight limit for Soarin' but I've never had that confirmed (and also never had a problem riding it), so ... ???

There's a weight sign?


When it was Mulholland Madness, it was the one ride that still exists (sort of) that DH coudln't do. To fit the lap bar under his belly, he would have had to put his legs in between the lap bar "legs". And since he has big sumo legs, that couldn't happen. He had to get out very quickly. And while the CMs at Disney have never been anything but wonderful, apparently we were surrounded by complete jerks that day, and the reaction he got from our fellow guests hurt him deeply. It did NOT help anything that he was waiting for results about a pituitary tumor, which was creating a hormone that caused him to be horribly sensitive about everything (and was the reason he had gained a lot of the weight he was carrying). Awful, awful day. He'll never try Sky Skool because of that moment.

The other ride he was never able to do was Maliboomer, but that doesn't exist anymore. Same issue out at Universal Orlando, though, (and I assume Hollywood) because some restraints don't just come down over the shoulders but also have to clip into the bottom of the seat, and with his body type it just doesn't work. YET!



A weight limit for Soarin' wouldn't make sense since it's a big long bench with, what, 8 people on each one? That machine can hold a LOT of weight.


Pooh! DH experienced a more comfortable ride sitting not in the front seat, but in the middle or back. The front seems more spacious, but that hasn't been his experience. He is far more cramped in the front.


With any ride that has a seat belt...while standing, pull it out and ALL the way out, hold it out and THEN sit down and clip it. For some reason it's just easier. Indy, Star Tours, and TOT come to mind with lap belts.

 

[Gisele]

Maybe there should be some kind of gauging for a proper fit for a ride. Where you have minimum height restrictions, this would be for fitting accordingly for each ride. If you fit within certain parameters of a confined space, kind of like for determining size for carryon luggage at an airport, you know, if it fits in this box, your good to go, then you will fit comfortably in the ride. Better that, as opposed to being weighed. Although one could just step on a scale, but still....if your personage just does not fit well by whatever sizing methods are being used at the time, then it might be best to just step aside for the sake of comfort.




....................

The above statement is meant to be satirical.
After all, I wouldn't want to get anybody's knickers in a bunch.

 

[nannyz]

I am an average size woman so I have no weight issues, but I do have a problem getting out of some of the rides because you have to lift yourself up and out. If you have bad knees or weak legs, it can be an issue.
The worse ride for me is Splash. I always ride with my SIL and have him get out first and then hold my hand and help me get out.
The CMs will also help if they see you need a hand up.

 

[Malcon10t]

How about the Storybook Canal Boats? That's one my husband was concerned about that I wanted to hit.

No problem with STorybook Canal Boats. At the end of the ride, they will ask everyone to stand up together to keep the boat from tipping.

 

[tomato]

I wish I would have taken a photo of the sign at Sky School so I could show you the wording. It was something very "PC" for sure, something along the lines of, "Guests above 250 pounds may have difficulty" or something to that effect. I shouldn't have termed it a weight LIMIT, per se. Just a suggestion.

I have definitely made use of the tip to pull the seatbelt out from under you before you sit down. That helps. But I sometimes still need a family member beside me to get it clamped in, especially if I have to work quickly. (Doesn't help that I always have stuff to store in the bags in front when no one else does so I am slow to start with!)

No one else had trouble on RSR with the moulded seats? Hmm, maybe I'm wider than even I thought! Haha!

I am in total agreement that DL is very "size friendly." I've had other overweight friends ask me frankly about how much they could possibly get out of the experience and I answer them honestly I didn't miss a thing because of my weight. (The ones that I opted not to ride I didn't really want to anyway!!!)

On our last trip I ended up renting a scooter because of the injury to my knee I sustained on the first night on the Matterhorn. As a family we agree that having me on wheels actually enhanced the whole vacation for the whole family because even if I were on both feet, I'm so much slower than them it holds them back. Plus I didn't deal with utter exhausttion like I had in the past.

I have to concur that riding in a wheelchair or a scooter does not hold you back. I was treated like GOLD while I used that scooter -- so much so it embarrassed me! (One case in point was that the TSM ride stopped at my own "personal" exit so that I could get out without going up and down the stairs . . . even though I specifically told them it wasn't necessary. I could do it, but I was going to be slow. Nope. They stopped anyway. Every single CM said, "It's our pleasure," or "It's not a problem ..." That was the attitude the whole way. I felt guilty for all the extra attention when it was just a little twisted knee and nothing life threatening, you know??)

This year I am dealing with totally different health issues (lung infections and vertigo) so I will rent a scooter again and am actually looking forward to it. I can't ride any spinny rides anymore but there's still tons I CAN do. And heck, just being there with everyone else is treat enough for me.

But I digress from my original point ...

Would still love to hear from anyone of size who has been on Indiana Jones or Big Thunder since the newest refurbs. How is it??

 

[crystal1313]

I've read that the trains on BTMR are exactly the same as before the refurb. I hope that helps! Have a fantastic trip