Question about weight restrictions

[Goofymum]

I’m a 27-year-old single mom from the Midwest. I have been overweight for a majority of my life. There has been diet after diet, but so far no great weight loss success. A couple of years ago, for my birthday, my sister decided to take me to a theme park. I was excited! I hadn’t been to one since I was in high school and the thought of my favorite roller coasters had my adrenaline pumping before I entered the park. As we neared one of the new coasters I wanted to try, it began to sink in that I had grown a bit since the last time I was there. My sister assured me that all was well. The closer we got in line, the more I was nervous about getting on the ride. Not so much about the ride itself, but wether or not I’d fit on it! It was finally my turn, I sat down in the small seat and pulled down the harness over my head. All seemed well. Then came the attendant. There was an extra safety latch she had to snap in before I was home free. After moments of trying, it just wouldn’t go, I was too big! She called to the control area to release my harness and asked me politely to exit the ride. As hundreds of awaiting riders looked on, I crawled out of the ride, grabbed my things from the basket and ran out mortified! That incident pretty much ruined my day. I refused to even try any other rides. After that I vowed to never go back to that park or allow myself to be publicly humiliated again .

I have been back to Disney World since then and refrained from trying some of the rides I normally would have. I was wondering if anyone else had any trouble on any of the rides and which ones would you suggest avoiding in the future?

 

[missyc]

My sister had the same thing happen to her at Busch Gardens and was humiliated beyond belief.
She is just over 300lbs & rode EVERYTHING at WDW and had no problems at all. She was worried about it all day, but we just joked about how embarassing it would be to happen again! She did ask one of the CMs at one of the rides if she would fit. I can't remember which ride it was, but the Cm was big too. That's why we felt ok asking her! I think it was Rockin Rollercoaster. Anyways, she was very nice and kept her voice down when talking about it!
I saw a website somewhere that talked about this problem. I can't remember what it was, but if I remember I'll come back and post it! It's the ONLY reason me and my sister felt ok trying all the rides!
Good luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I am very sorry that you had to have a terrible experience like this! I am not overweight, but can imagine how you must have felt. Everyone should be treated with dignity and you sure won't.

Hopefully you'll be able to go on all the rides that you want to at WDW.

T&B

 

[danny1649]

Seen anyone turned away from a Disney ride because of their weight.So I say don't worry you will be fine at WDW and can ride whatever you want.Just plan on having the most magical time of your life.

 

[Schmeck]

I thought that there was an old thread about someone "Pooh sized" not being able to ride Space Mountain? But I think that person was just not comfortable in the seat - no one told him to get off the ride.

 

[OzFan]

This is a site that helped ease my mind
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm
It is very informative! I have NEVER had a problem with anything at Disney. I am a BIG BONED girl myself
Don't worry at Disney "One size DOES fit all" This is why I LOVE it here! Have FUN!

 

[OzFan]

By the way.... HELLO NEIGHBOR! where are my manners!

I'll post a trip report when I gat back and let you know if I had any trouble and any tips I have!

 

[Goofymum]

Hidee Ho Neighbor! lol - Thank you for all of your support and information. I found the website really helpful. I didn't know there was one out there. I am a web designer and I was actually thinking about writing an e-book and dedicating a website to this issue. My family goes to WDW every year. Unfortunately I do not get to go every year, but I like to enjoy myself when I do go! I think anyone else who visits should be able to relax and enjoy themselves also.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

No worries! I am around 250 lbs and my DW is a big girl too. The only thing we/she have not ridden is Mission Space and that is not due to our size! All of WDW rides are designed for pooh-sized people.

BTW, we had a similar experience at Dollywood in Tennessee and have never forgotten or gone back. Have no fear of any ride at WDW!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I can speak for Rock n Roller- I mean no disrespect at all but Ive seen some rather large pooh sized people ride Coaster just fine (and they always wore yellow shirts buts thats another quandry)

If you are worried about Coaster there is a part of a car in the access hallways (connects load and unload) that is the handicapped access car- you can try it out to make sure you feel comfortable-

If you dont get assigned an odd row- ask and feel free to ask for row 3 (which is the handicapped row with more space) Often times youll get to ride by yourself in the row to be more comfortable

-em

 

[Disrookie0704]

I have been worried about the very same thing. I posted a thread a couple days ago "Watch out for the big girl".

It gave me so much happiness to find out that I won't have a problem. I have not had the desire to ride rides in such a long time and I just figured out why!

It's because I was too afraid of not fitting. Now that I know it won't be a problem, I am too excited. I want to ride everything!

I have heard that Space Mountain is doable, but a bit uncomfortable. Mission Space I have heard is a tight fit as well.

So have a great time as I know I will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

79 days to go for me!

 

[beglluvr]

Just a little follow-up to Disrookie0704's post.

My DH & I rode Mission: Space in August and had no problems fitting. We're both "Pooh-sized" (I love that phrase, who's cuter than Pooh?) We also rode Space Mountain and the only uncomfortable thing DH mentioned was that he didn't have enough leg-room. He didn't have any problems on Rockin' Roller Coaster either.

Don't worry about it and have a wonderful time in WDW!

 

[Chicago526]

My friend had the same problem at Six Flags! She used it as extra insentive to lose weight, and last time we went, she fit into everything!

I'm sorry for your experiance, but it IS a safety issue. If the ride attendant was rude, that shouldn't have happened, but they have no choice if the harness won't buckle. They can't make the seats bigger, either, or they could be too big for average people. That's why they have the height requirements, so there is no risk of kids that are too small falling out.

WDW is not a typical amusement park, 99% of the rides aren't thrill rides of the Six Flags nature, and don't require the kind of harness systems that the big coasters do. You'll do just fine!

Weight management is hard, I've watched my friend struggle for 10 years now. I did want to pass along that I joined Weight Watchers myself last November and have so far lost 27 pounds. It's a great way to lose weight and get healthy, unlike current diet fads you can eat anything you want, it's all about portion controll and not limiting foods. Anyway, you can send me a private message if you want more info.

Have a great time at WDW. I wish I was going...

 

[SnackyStacky]

There was actually a thread all about this.

Check it out here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=547345&goto=newpost

Don't worry about it. You WILL fit on all the rides, and have a fantastic time.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

The cars of space mountain (SM) hold 6 riders two groups of 3.
If you have longer legs as I do, Do not sit in the front seat of either car as they are for very short people. the other 4 seats are fine.


Jeff

 

[Disneyland_emily]

^^ Thats DLs Space- (May it get all better soon!)

WDWs space does it single seat with push down bar with 2 seats (front and back) per car- Im a bit above adverage but not quite pooh sized and I wasnt to fond of the WDWs seats (and Im not tall either) GO figure! -em

 

[Ahrizel]

I"m 5'9" around 350 and a size 28,and can ride just about everything. Space is fine in the back 2 seats, there's just no way to climb out gracefully! You may need to ride Kali in a seat by yourself. I"ve had problems with rollercoasters at regular parks-especially inverted coasters-but I ride everything at Disney. We're going back in June and Space is near the top of my agenda. Enjoy the Disney trip, no problems there.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

No Worries....
I was a large size 28 and never had a problem, when riding with large DFiance sometimes we fight "snuggly" but never uncomfortable. Rather the only person I know who has problems is my DSis who has long legs, she finds it easier to sit alone in smaller carts to give herself room to stretch out her legs. The ONLY ride we had problems with was the make a roller coaster thing I think CyberMountain in DQ, straps where way to tight and didn't want to close on DFiance so we opted out. Otherwise Hakuna Matata, no worries!