Problems with fitting?

[maccalovah]

This might be a weird question- I'm going to Disney with my boyfriend in about a month, and I have a tendency to over-worry about things, but maybe someone here can help me out. My boyfriend is a pretty large guy (5'10", 290ish, with most of his excess weight in his stomach area), and this never really crossed my mind until yesterday, when we were out to lunch at this little hole-in-the-wall place with really small booths, and he really had an uncomfortable time fitting at the table. Are there any rides that anyone here has had an issue with 'fitting' in? I'm not sure if that's the most polite way to ask that question, and I apologize for that- I just sort of want to be prepared, because this is supposed to be a fun vacation, I love him , and I wouldn't want him to feel bad/embarrassed/disappointed in any way, KWIM? Thanks for any insights.

Oh, and I did see that allears.net has a special 'WDW at Large' section, so that's definitely eased my mind, but I wanted to possibly get some input here, too. Thanks!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My DH is 6'2 and 290lbs. He doesn't have a huge problem on most rides at Disney. We can't put a third person in a teacup (unless they're really tiny), but I can't think of anything else we rode that was a problem. He did have some problems at Universal (anything with over-the-shoulder restraints that has to clip in at your waist doesn't work)

Have a great trip!

Jen

 

[CastMemberDWA]

I know that at EE at DAK they have a ride vehicle for "disability" practice loading/unloading and for those questioning the "fit". It is in an area near the gift shop I believe.....in a discreet area. Some other rides may offer this option of "trying it on". Be sure to check with Guest services if you have concerns.

 

[mickeymom55]

Check out www.allearsnet.com - they have a section called WDW at Large - basically it describes rides, shows, etc. and how well they accomodate the (as referred to as) "pooh sized" guests. It should be able to answer questions regarding specific rides. Please tell him not to stress. Most of the rides seem quite generous for space. Hope you have a wonderful time!!!
Sorry - didn't read the post to the end! I guess that's what I get. Glad that Allearsnet helped make you feel better.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you can do a search for "Pooh-sized", you will probably find a lot of reassurance. Even though you might think it is a sort of weird question, you are not the first one to ask it, so you will find lots of information.

On the allearsnet.com site, besides the WDW at large section, they also have a gallery of ride car photos that might help you.

 

[Robo]

I know that at EE at DAK they have a ride vehicle for "disability" practice loading/unloading and for those questioning the "fit". It is in an area near the gift shop I believe.....in a discreet area. Some other rides may offer this option of "trying it on". Be sure to check with Guest services if you have concerns.

Yes, this is true of EE.

But no other attraction has one of these because until EE, no other attraction has NEEDED one.

During the DVC/AP Preview Weekend early this year,
some guests found that the lap-bar on EE was very difficult to "lock" if they were a bit "thick in the middle".

Since then , there have been several threads on this board regarding this "situation" on EE and some posters have said Disney and the coaster design firm have made some new "adjustments" in how the bar "locked" to accomodate larger guests.

I hope this is the case, because...

Up to the advent of EE, virtually every attraction at WDW would accomodate nearly ANY sized guest.

 

[anewvance]

I can definately see EE having issues with pooh sized people. I'm pooh sized, 215lbs and 5 foot 9 inches.... I didn't have trouble fitting in but I can see where if I were my old weight of 268lbs i'd of had issues.

I've never had problems at any of the rides in Disney, I get nervous when I get to the rides like Dumbo and the Flying Carpets where you clip yourself and your child in one belt, always thinking i'm gonna have to ask for an extender but always have plenty of room, they make those things quite large.

 

[dbenlee]

I am 6'4" and 375 lbs and had little to no trouble on any of the rides at Disney that I wanted to ride. Some of the seats are a little narrower but the lap belts were made with us Pooh sized folks in mind. Reccomend that he pull out the seat belt on most rides before he sits down, that way it will be much easier to operate after seating. Don't worry and have a great time!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Yes, this is true of EE.

But no other attraction has one of these because until EE, no other attraction has NEEDED one.

Both Test Track and Rock n Roller Coaster also have test seats available.

 

[Robo]

Both Test Track and Rock n Roller Coaster also have test seats available.

RnRC never used to have one
(the lack of one was discussed on the AllEarsNet "WDW at Large")
so I don't know when it was added (or where it is).

Ditto for Test Track.

Where are these?

BTW, here's a link to see the ride vehicles and the "test" vehicle for EE.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/ak_ee5.htm

 

[MyZoeJane]

I can definately see EE having issues with pooh sized people. I'm pooh sized, 215lbs and 5 foot 9 inches.... I didn't have trouble fitting in but I can see where if I were my old weight of 268lbs i'd of had issues.

I've never had problems at any of the rides in Disney, I get nervous when I get to the rides like Dumbo and the Flying Carpets where you clip yourself and your child in one belt, always thinking i'm gonna have to ask for an extender but always have plenty of room, they make those things quite large.

I got really worried when I put my 2.5 year old daughter in the seat next to me on the Aladdin's Carpet ride. The bar came down to my lap but it was nowhere near hers. I *hate* those bars that cover two people. One person gets a snug fit, the other is not secure.... I found myself clutching her down to the seat while we were riding. Scary!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

There is a picture of our family (bottom pic) back in '97 when we rode Tower of Terror.
Middle row, left side. It was when I was almost 300 lbs (before gastric bypass). Look at the lap bar that they had then. Most of the lap bars at WDW fit me about the same. Of course our kids were real little then and got plenty of 'airtime'. (BTW, I'm only 5'4")
The only problem we had to worry about this time, was my DH. He is 6'5" and now weighs more than then, about 300lbs, now. I was afraid that RNR might be too tight for him with the shoulder harness. However, he had no problems with it. Though he still doesn't think Space Mountain has enough leg room in their cars. But, since he doesn't like riding it anyway, no more problem there.
I wouldn't worry too much about most of the rides. Just make sure when you sit down, have a good idea of where the seatbelts are to make grabbing them easier. I still have that problem! I hate fumbling for those dratted things.
Kim

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/9601/mgm2.html

 

[Robo]

I got really worried when I put my 2.5 year old daughter in the seat next to me on the Aladdin's Carpet ride. The bar came down to my lap but it was nowhere near hers. I *hate* those bars that cover two people. One person gets a snug fit, the other is not secure.... I found myself clutching her down to the seat while we were riding. Scary!

You might be thinking of a different attraction.

As I recall, Aladdin's Magic Carpets ride has long seat-belts that you attach to a little hook.

But on the rides that do have a bar that must be "shared" I agree that mismatched sizes of people can be "unsettling".

 

[maccalovah]

Thanks for all the responses! They're really helping to ease my mind....I think I'll be really surprised if my boyfriend has any problems on any of the rides- it's so hard to know though, since everyone is built differently. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

 

[Daydreamer64]

R'n'R's test car is through the chicken exit-

you stand in line right up to the attendant inside who asks "how many?" there is a door there- just pop through it - you don't have to ask or tell why- just enter and the test seat is there in the hallway - you open the door right before you get to the numbered seating lines to sit on the coaster- the seat is in a long hallway- very private and if you want to ride then you just turn around and step back into line where you got out- all very quite and private- very reassuring! We found it by accident when our youngest wouldn't ride the rides- we like to stay together so we que together until the chicken exit door appears and then we meet at the exit of the ride-

HTH from a pooh sized gal and her Baloo ( big and tall ) sized DH

 

[emma'smom]

Where is the the discussion of the pooh-sized issue? I've read the "WDW at Large" section many times, but don't see a related message board?

Thanks!

 

[trampslady]

I'm also worried a bit about EE for hubby and I. We've never had a problem before with any Disney ride, but I've read of some having trouble with Everest. I'm 5'9" and about a size 26, and hubby is 6'1" and about 300. I'm usually the one with more concern as his weight is more evenly proportioned.

Other than EE, I can positively affirm that boyfriend will have no trouble at all. I will report back in May after our first venture on EE.

 

[Robo]

Where is the the discussion of the pooh-sized issue? I've read the "WDW at Large" section many times, but don't see a related message board?

When we mentioned the "Pooh-Sized" discussion threads, we meant HERE on this forum.

I beleive that the "WDW at Large" posts quotes from readers who email their experiences to that site.

 

[mushumadness]

I ws 266lb when I went in december, the only things that troubled me were,

the bar on rnrc as I have shall we say large er assets (oh thats embarrassing)

the seat on gwazi at busch gardens was awfull and I hurt alot when I got off, will never ride this again.

everything else was fine, I was very worried trying the seats outside the rides thinking people were laughing at me, bbf just said theyre not that I was just concious. I tried the seats and used the bigger ones where possible, as I said some over head bars hurt my chest so the bigger the better.

I am hoping to have lost more weight this time round but realise the chest issue wont go away and will still have to use pooh sized.

Dont let it bother you the way it did me

 

[Elysiannn]

It's so reassuring having these forums. I echo what all have said here - he should be fine. Go and totally enjoy yourselves.

And for everyone who has posted here - if you are going in the next few months and ride EE - please post your size-fitting review. It's the only thing I'm worrying about.

My worry is how to try and gracefully fit under the bar once your pull/push it down. I'm hoping that Disney has retooled it a bit. Too bad they didn't have a pooh-sized engineering on staff to try out the rides. As much as we all need to lose weight - amusement park rides should consider the entire range of fits of it's population.

Thanks! Ely