Plus size friendly rides and shows?

[Iris1974]

Hi,

I need to know if the rides and shows are plus size (Pooh sized) friendly. They are in WDW, but I don't know about DL and DCA. I am 6 feet tall and I'm a 30-32 plus size women's clothing. I'm rather large, but am trying to loose weight. I'm limited to certain rides because of a neck injury and a bad knee. I can't ride roller coasters or rides with moving sidewalks that don't stop to let you off. I know I can do Splash Mountain, but I'm not sure about my size being too big. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[3Gsandme]

If you're chesty, you'll probably want to skip the bumper cars in Bugs Land. The way the restraints work aren't very friendly if you're really chesty. I'm trying to think of anything myself or dh had a problem with. I didn't ride Splash, but I don't think you'd have a problem as its a bench seat but someone will probably know for sure.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's just as size friendly as WDW. There are certain rides that are difficult or even impossible especially , given your bad knee.

The bumper cars mentioned were nearly impossible for me to get into even as a size 22W. And stepping into them with a bad knee might not work at all. Astro Orbiter...I wouldn't even try, personally.

If the knee is what's causing the issue with moving sidewalks, you should look into the DAS, which is a way Disney tries to help those with disabilities (even temporary ones). Since you can walk but can't use the moving sidewalks, they may have a way to help with that. (alternate entrance, perhaps) Stop by Guest Services and talk to them about what you can do (not the things you can't do because of your neck) but are prevented from doing b/c of the way you get onto the ride (like Haunted Mansion or Buzz Astro Blasters with their moving walkways).

With Splash it's not a bench seat at DL, but an individual seat and you have to step way down into it and way UP out of it. It might not be good for a bad knee. Not sure if a DAS would help with that one, but you could ask on the Disabilities board here and discuss it with Guest Services.

Just like at WDW, if you encounter a ride with a seatbelt, it's best to pull the belt ALL the way out, then sit, then buckle. There's some magic that makes it work better when you do it that way. All I can think of that's not a coaster or wouldn't mess up your neck is Soarin', but there might be others.

 

[Niltiac]

I've heard the seats on the swings in DCA aren't comfortable for plus sized people. I'm not sure I've heard anyone say they can't ride, but just that's it's not comfortable. But considering that ride isn't much different from a carnival ride at least you won't be missing much if you decide to skip it. As for rides with moving walkways, I'm assuming the issue is not having enough time to load and unload? If so I believe at least some of those rides can make accommodations. The one that comes to mind for me is Grizzly River Run (which you might not be riding because of your neck, but it's just an example). There's one raft that gets pulled off to the side and parked by a stationary loading area so that the riders can take their time loading and unloading. I think I've heard of something similar at Haunted Mansion. It wouldn't hurt to ask guest services.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Ariel in DCA has a moving sidewalk too.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I have bad knees and the one ride I never do because of it is Matterhorn because you sit so low down. DH rode it without a problem ... he has no knee issues but was 5'9" and 245 on this trip. I also have a hard time on Splash because of my knees. You have to step way down and then back up again to get out. But it doesn't keep me from riding it. There is one bench seat all the way in the back, but it's really difficult to get in and out of that one if you're large or have knee issues, so don't let them put you there. The seats on Soarin' seemed like they might be a little narrow for Pooh-sized people ... DH didn't have a problem; maybe someone else will chime in on those.

Haunted Mansion has moving sidewalks that don't stop as well.

 

[lorijohnhill]

As far as I know, all rides with moving walkways have the ability to slow them or stop them. You just need to let the CM know you need assistance. I would check with the CM at the entrance to the line in case you need to go to an alternate entrance.

 

[lorijohnhill]

The seats on Soarin' seemed like they might be a little narrow for Pooh-sized people ... DH didn't have a problem; maybe someone else will chime in on those.

I am quite large and I had no problem with the seats on Soarin'.

 

[lalasmama]

Here's a thread I started quite a while ago with the same (basic) question... http://disboards.com/threads/tough-rides-for-pooh-sized-people.2945979/#post-45243904

For what it's worth, at WDW, I believe Splash can be a 2-person-per-bench ride, correct? DL doesn't have logs like that. However, the back seat is a "seat and a half," so that would likely be your best bet. Sometimes they will put a parent and a small child back there, so it should be comfy enough. I'm a bit smaller (20W), and find it pretty darn snuggly to be in one of the other seats, and really prefer that back one! With the bad knees, the best tip I have for getting out of the log is to stand up, and then use the seat itself as a step so you aren't having to hike yourself up as high.

The swings are probably going to be tight as well. My BFF is my same weight, but carries it all in her hips/rear, and she's gotta really try to fit in those seats. For me, they are just a bit snug.

 

[bcla]

Pirates. If you're willing to do Splash then that should be no issue. Once I was riding with my kid, and we literally shared a boat with two other guys weighing at least 400 lbs each. There's ample room. However, the CMs have to size up total weight, so they're doing their best to keep the ride functioning without offending guests.

 

[Malcon10t]

Moving walkways - Just tell the loader and they can slow it down or stop.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Here's a thread I started quite a while ago with the same (basic) question... http://disboards.com/threads/tough-rides-for-pooh-sized-people.2945979/#post-45243904

However, the back seat is a "seat and a half," so that would likely be your best bet. Sometimes they will put a parent and a small child back there, so it should be comfy enough. I'm a bit smaller (20W), and find it pretty darn snuggly to be in one of the other seats, and really prefer that back one! With the bad knees, the best tip I have for getting out of the log is to stand up, and then use the seat itself as a step so you aren't having to hike yourself up as high.

You prefer the back seat on Splash? I hate that seat -- it's so awkward to get in and out of because there's no open space on the side, there's no leverage. I seriously didn't think I was going to be able to get out of it because of my knees, even though it's definitely a bigger seat. Interesting to know that not everyone feels that way! Last time I rode in the back it also felt really bumpy going down the big hill. I will say that DH was unable to fit his backpack in front of him on Splash on the regular seats, though, due to being somewhat Pooh-sized.

 

[lalasmama]

You prefer the back seat on Splash? I hate that seat -- it's so awkward to get in and out of because there's no open space on the side, there's no leverage. I seriously didn't think I was going to be able to get out of it because of my knees, even though it's definitely a bigger seat. Interesting to know that not everyone feels that way! Last time I rode in the back it also felt really bumpy going down the big hill. I will say that DH was unable to fit his backpack in front of him on Splash on the regular seats, though, due to being somewhat Pooh-sized.

I wait until everyone else is out of the log, then lean forward to use the seat backs to help pull myself up, then use the seats as steps to get up and out.

 

[Iris1974]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I've changed my mindset for a trip should I save enough money by next October.

I thought about what everyone said and then I thought about my neck and knee. I know everyone goes to Disney to ride the wonderful rides, but I think since I'm going to be doing a lot of walking and I want to see everything I can that's not a ride(including Characters) I'll just play it by ear and see how I feel if I feel it's too much for me to be climbing in and out of rides I won't go on them.

I want to get tickets to MHP and do a character breakfast. My cousin and her daughter age 11 will possibly be coming with me so I want them to experience that with me.

I may need to sit down a while and I can do that while they are on the rides.

I talked to my mom about this and she said that I'm getting older and priorities shift from one thing that we thought was so important when we were younger. Then we grow older and those things aren't as important. The rides aren't as important to me anymore.

The last time I was at anything Disney was when I was 20 years old and my mom, cousin and I went to WDW. That was 22 years ago. I wanted to try rides I hadn't tried before and I did that, but I was more in shape and my knee and neck weren't bothering me then. So I'm going to focus on looking around and seeing the stuff most people miss because they are rushing around.

I want to do some shopping for Christmas gifts for my niece, nephews and great nephew. I want to get my mom something also. If I have enough souvenir money I want to get something small for the adults in my family. I want to get something for me too. LOL So I'll be going in all the shops to see what they have.


I also, in moderation, want to try some of the food I have heard about. I've never had a churro or Mickey pretzel. I want to get dole whip again like I did in WDW. So Yummy. So I guess my main focus isn't going to be on the rides. I know my body and what type of exertion it can take and if I pull something I'll be miserable the whole trip and on the 5 hour flight home. I know I'll have fun because I've been wanting to do something Disney for years now.

Thanks so much for helping me figure this out. Dis'ers are the best.

Shauna in Massachusetts

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I've changed my mindset for a trip should I save enough money by next October.

I thought about what everyone said and then I thought about my neck and knee. I know everyone goes to Disney to ride the wonderful rides, but I think since I'm going to be doing a lot of walking and I want to see everything I can that's not a ride(including Characters) I'll just play it by ear and see how I feel if I feel it's too much for me to be climbing in and out of rides I won't go on them.

I want to get tickets to MHP and do a character breakfast. My cousin and her daughter age 11 will possibly be coming with me so I want them to experience that with me.

I may need to sit down a while and I can do that while they are on the rides.

I talked to my mom about this and she said that I'm getting older and priorities shift from one thing that we thought was so important when we were younger. Then we grow older and those things aren't as important. The rides aren't as important to me anymore.

The last time I was at anything Disney was when I was 20 years old and my mom, cousin and I went to WDW. That was 22 years ago. I wanted to try rides I hadn't tried before and I did that, but I was more in shape and my knee and neck weren't bothering me then. So I'm going to focus on looking around and seeing the stuff most people miss because they are rushing around.

I want to do some shopping for Christmas gifts for my niece, nephews and great nephew. I want to get my mom something also. If I have enough souvenir money I want to get something small for the adults in my family. I want to get something for me too. LOL So I'll be going in all the shops to see what they have.


I also, in moderation, want to try some of the food I have heard about. I've never had a churro or Mickey pretzel. I want to get dole whip again like I did in WDW. So Yummy. So I guess my main focus isn't going to be on the rides. I know my body and what type of exertion it can take and if I pull something I'll be miserable the whole trip and on the 5 our flight home. I know I'll have fun because I've been wanting to do something Disney for years now.

Thanks so much for helping me figure this out. Dis'ers are the best.

Shauna in Massachusetts

There is sooo much more to Disneyland than the rides! I love to just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy being in my happy place. I rent an ECV and take my time touring at the pace my body allows.

You will have a blast!