Pooh sized lap belt questions

[KorbensMomma]

if the lap belt for Soarin was too small what other rides will be a problem. When we went 2 yrs ago my friend was too big for Soarin and after that she wouldn't try any other rides. Any ideas what to avoid on our next trip so she doesn't get scared off again. Will the belts on test track fit?

 

[ammag]

Hope this helps! http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/0...-vehicles-seating-faq-part-one-magic-kingdom/

 

[lomillerin]

Is Soarin known to be difficult to fit on?

 

[Klayfish]

If she wasn't able to fit on Soarin', then I suspect there would be issues fitting on almost any ride that you're in a "car" type environment. Not at all trying to be offensive, but Soarin' isn't the most constricting ride, many others are worse. Pooh, Peter Pan, Buzz Space Ranger, Space Mountain, Mission Space, BTMRR, Test Track, EE, TSMM, on and on. Like I said, not trying to be harsh whatsoever, but if Soarin' was an issue, I'd be concerned about being able to get on many of the rides.

 

[KorbensMomma]

Soarin is very open. Just a lap belt but my friend is a large pear shaped woman and the belt was too short and they don't use belt extensions.

She was able to ride the clam shell style cars and the bench seat boats. I was worried after the Soarin incident that she wouldn't want to go back but she seems ready again.

I just didn't know if all belts were the se lenght.

 

[stormer]

Is Soarin known to be difficult to fit on? I am going with someone that is concerned about this also.

My DH needs a seat belt extender when we fly and doesn't fit on Forbidden Journey in Universal, but fits fine on Soarin'.

 

[Klayfish]

Right, the clam shells like Nemo and bench boats like PoC don't have any restraints. I don't know how long the Soarin' belt is exactly, but I think it's pretty long. Many of the other rides that have restraints are even less flexible because they're hard metal bars. I'd be concerned she may have issues on all of those rides.

 

[3Gsandme]

if the lap belt for Soarin was too small what other rides will be a problem. When we went 2 yrs ago my friend was too big for Soarin and after that she wouldn't try any other rides. Any ideas what to avoid on our next trip so she doesn't get scared off again. Will the belts on test track fit?

I'm pooh sized and wear a size 24 on the bottom. I don't recall Soarin' being an issue for me, but Test Track, while it fit, was a close one. I would think if she couldn't fit Soarin' that Test Track would probably be out. I'm trying to remember if I had any other issues, because I do carry my weight around my middle/hips but that's the only one I can think of. Like, pooh was snuggly when I was riding with my husband, but he's a big dude, too. I have not tried Mission Space or Rock N Roller coaster, so I can't comment on them.

 

[Nhebron]

Just watched this YouTube video. Too fat for Disney. Good watch with tips. I'm extra pooh sized and can't remember any issues other than mine train feeling cramped.

 

[fla4fun]

OP - did your friend pull the belt all the way out and hold it that way until it was fastened? We have some very Pooh size people in our friends and family group (one wears 30-32 pants and is also pear shaped) and none of them have had issues getting the belt fastened, but they do pull it ALL the way out before sitting down, and use the left hand to hold it so it doesn't retract until after fastening. Also, is she putting the belt across the lap (thighs) or abdomen? If the answer is abdomen, have her try across the thighs if possible.

The pear shaped people in our group don't usually have belt issues, but they do pull the belt all the way out any time there is one (TT comes to mind in addition to Soarin).

 

[bumbershoot]

OP - did your friend pull the belt all the way out and hold it that way until it was fastened?

...they do pull it ALL the way out before sitting down, and use the left hand to hold it so it doesn't retract until after fastening.

Also, is she putting the belt across the lap (thighs) or abdomen? If the answer is abdomen, have her try across the thighs if possible.

These things exactly.

Star Tours, Test Track...is it a lap belt on Dinosaur? (it is on Indy at Disneyland, and since they are pretty much the same ride, I wonder) Pull the belt ALL the way out, hold it out, click it in, then let it settle. It's a weird bit of magic that really seems to work.

 

[RedIs4Heart]

I am a more Baymax sized man and I carry most of my weight in my lower half. Last December I had a great experience at WDW. I was good with Soarin. I pulled the belt all the way and put it more across my legs than my waist. I chickened out on test track ans space mountain and did not try 7dmt because I heard it was cramped. BTM and Everest were fine. Everything else was plenty comfortable for me.

 

[FanofG00fy]

I was a 30/32 at one point in my life and had no problems riding Soarin'. I did have a hard time riding Space Mtn, but that was due to getting out of the seat. Thankfully I have gotten myself down to a 22/24 leaning more toward the 22 than the 24. I'm looking forward to riding everything without worry. I carry it all in my stomach and rear. If I fit then I know I will fit now. I'm going to Universal and am looking forward to trying the ride seats at Harry to see if I can ride there. I've been watching videos of people trying the seats and I think I'll be okay. Knowing how your friend feels I hope that all goes well.

 

[goofyernmost]

Yes, I was going to say that it is more the process then the fact that the seat belts are not big enough. The way it was described by pulling it all the way out and holding it there while you click it in place, requires a couple of trial and error tries, but, once mastered it is simple. And as far as I can tell with any Disney seat belt if you cannot get the belt to go around you, you are not pooh sized, you are truck sized. I, however, have never seen anyone that is able to get around that those belts will not fit with the proper finesse. As an added help... while holding the seat belt out, sit forward, slightly facing the area where the seat belt connects (buckles). Snap it in place and then straighten up and then sit back properly in the seat. Once in place then let go of the belt and let it settle around you. Saves a lot of embarrassment, and stress. Nothing worse then not being able to get the belt buckled.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thankfully I have gotten myself down to a 22/24 leaning more toward the 22 than the 24. I'm looking forward to riding everything without worry. I carry it all in my stomach and rear. If I fit then I know I will fit now. I'm going to Universal and am looking forward to trying the ride seats at Harry to see if I can ride there. I've been watching videos of people trying the seats and I think I'll be okay. Knowing how your friend feels I hope that all goes well.

I was a 22 and my shorts were tight, 2x top, and I fit at Universal.

If you're worried, wear slippery clothes NOT tight clothes. This isn't the time for squeezing into clothes because it might squeeze you were you don't need it, and push things into the wrong spots. Think comfy yoga pants or loose nylon exercise shorts, not spanx.

 

[hiroMYhero]

These things exactly.

Star Tours, Test Track...is it a lap belt on Dinosaur? (it is on Indy at Disneyland, and since they are pretty much the same ride, I wonder) Pull the belt ALL the way out, hold it out, click it in, then let it settle. It's a weird bit of magic that really seems to work.

Yes, there's also a lap belt on Dinosaur as well as ToT.

In the OP's other thread, she describes her friend as weighing 425 lbs. and being pear-shaped.

I believe the lap belts on Soarin' extend as far as the lap belts on the rides ^^ listed in this thread.

 

[Liberator]

Will she go back to WDW with you one day? I mean is a trip planned?
I can understand that she is a little scared off now, maybe she is also a little ashamed and does not want to happen this again.

Maybe you could motivate her with some goal to reach until the next trip. Something like "lose XX pounds until the 201X trip". A few pounds can already make a difference in this case.

I think when someone does not fit into a ride it is time for a change, most of Disney's rides are somewhat generously built to fit in many different body shapes. In her position I would not ask myself "do I fit in other rides?", I would rather think "what can I do to fit in ALL rides?"


I went with some friends some time ago to a local theme park and one of my mates had to exit a free fall tower ride because the shoulders retraint's position was not what it was supposed to be due to his size. He lost more than a lot of weight since then and he never encoutered the same problem again and is somewhat happy for that incident because this changed his perspective on his weight and his body.

So: motivate her!

I hope nobody is offended by this post!

 

[UCFGrad01]

Will she go back to WDW with you one day? I mean is a trip planned?
I can understand that she is a little scared off now, maybe she is also a little ashamed and does not want to happen this again.

Maybe you could motivate her with some goal to reach until the next trip. Something like "lose XX pounds until the 201X trip". A few pounds can already make a difference in this case.

I think when someone does not fit into a ride it is time for a change, most of Disney's rides are somewhat generously built to fit in many different body shapes. In her position I would not ask myself "do I fit in other rides?", I would rather think "what can I do to fit in ALL rides?"


I went with some friends some time ago to a local theme park and one of my mates had to exit a free fall tower ride because the shoulders retraint's position was not what it was supposed to be due to his size. He lost more than a lot of weight since then and he never encoutered the same problem again and is somewhat happy for that incident because this changed his perspective on his weight and his body.

So: motivate her!

I hope nobody is offended by this post!

I'm very sure you're coming from a place of love and concern. But if one of my friends ever said something like this to me, I'd be utterly mortified. I used to be very overweight, and there were rides I didn't fit on. Thankfully none of my friends ever said anything about it, and never set me a weight loss goal before we could travel again. Trust me, she's aware of her size and what limitations it imposes. Until she decides she wants to motivate the change within herself, someone else's influence probably isn't going to help and may feel a lot more like judgement to her. I'm not trying to be harsh or criticize you, but instead provide some perspective from the other side of the fence. The line between motivation and criticism can be very fine and hard to navigate.

OP, it really just depends on how she carries her weight. Definitely have her try pulling the seatbelt all the way out before sitting down, that may help. If not, just understand there may be limitations for certain rides, and you guys can discuss how to proceed. I didn't have any problem sitting and people watching for a bit while people went on rides I didn't (whether it was a size issue or a preference just not to ride that particular attraction), and sometimes my friends would take me up on that and sometimes they just decided they didn't care enough to wait in whatever line it was. I had more difficulty personally with narrow entrances to ride vehicles (Spaceship Earth, Pooh, and Figment come to mind as quick references) and small turnstiles (Carousel of Progress) - I could do it but it took some creating positioning. I learned on some vehicles like Haunted Mansion, I needed to stand up just a little as the bar was coming down, so it landed more at my pelvis/across the hips rather than in the middle of my stomach. Sometimes it's just trial and error. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

Will she go back to WDW with you one day? I mean is a trip planned?
I can understand that she is a little scared off now, maybe she is also a little ashamed and does not want to happen this again.

Maybe you could motivate her with some goal to reach until the next trip. Something like "lose XX pounds until the 201X trip". A few pounds can already make a difference in this case.

I think when someone does not fit into a ride it is time for a change, most of Disney's rides are somewhat generously built to fit in many different body shapes. In her position I would not ask myself "do I fit in other rides?", I would rather think "what can I do to fit in ALL rides?"


I went with some friends some time ago to a local theme park and one of my mates had to exit a free fall tower ride because the shoulders retraint's position was not what it was supposed to be due to his size. He lost more than a lot of weight since then and he never encoutered the same problem again and is somewhat happy for that incident because this changed his perspective on his weight and his body.

So: motivate her!

I hope nobody is offended by this post!

It's a lovely idea, but weight loss motivation comes from inside. She has to want it and be ready.

Her body also has to cooperate.

My husband has been working to lose weight since 2012 (and before, but more half heartedly), I know what he eats and he should not be the size he is.

He has been shamed countless times though his life both from the outside (his mother who put him on a diet at 3 and her horrible words have never stopped, strangers at Disneyland, etc) and the inside (he wants to ride the big rides at universal!!! and riding Goodys Sky School at DCA might be fun too). None of it had worked. He has a pituitary tumor that he's been treating since 2009 and it makes it so hard. Doctors had ignored him for years, just telling him to diet, to exercise, etc, while all the while this tumor was growing.

This next endocrinologist visit he's going to ask for another in depth panel to be done and see if there's something else hiding.

He's willing but it's not working.


The OP hadn't mentioned her friend's weight in this thread so most of us I think figured pulling out the lap belt would help. Alas her size is such that even the belt trick might not work.

I have seen what it does to a person emotionally to not be able to fit, and I feel so much empathy for her.

 

[goofyernmost]

Weight loss is one frustrating thing. About 4 years ago I was at 335#. I decided I was going to lose weight. I decided to do it slowly so that it had a chance of staying off. I cut back on my intake and started exercising more. I increased the exercise as I could, which wasn't anything more then just walking. I went that route because of my age and a problem with my right leg (not weight created, but, due to an accident) Over the next four years with very little effort other then a slow and easy increase in daily walking distance I got my weight down to 260#. Last October I went on a trip to Europe which involved massive amounts of walking daily, up hills and over dales. I didn't have a scale with me, but, I could feel that I was losing some weight due to just a huge increase in activity. Then my last 15 days were spent on a Trans-Atlantic Cruise. Anyone on a cruise will know that food is everywhere and I partook in it to the best of my ability. I got home dreading to step on a scale, but, when I did I weighed in at 255#. Five pounds lighter then when I left. SCORE!

That marked the end of the happy story. Since my return, one cataract surgery and two Kidney Stone surgeries I have managed to put 15# back on. I have cut back on my eating and doubled my walking and it just isn't moving down anymore. Very frustrating and I don't know if I'm willing at 68 to deprive myself of stuff that I really enjoy just to lose weight. I'm running out of time to enjoy the fruits of my life's labors. I can't count on being able to enjoy that stuff in my next life.