Tall people's height problems on rides (big boy syndrome)

[SRUAlmn]

Before we left for our trip in September, I remember reading a post about how a person's height would affect their fit on rides. I was wondering the same thing because my boyfriend and I are both really tall. I wanted to post what we came across for others who may be wondering the same thing. I ended up not having many problems at all (I am 5'9") my boyfriend, on the other hand, had problems on quite a few rides. He is 6' 5" and about 245 pounds. We are both all leg and, therefore, have very 'tall' knees when we sit. I searched for the other post and couldn't find it, so here are the results that we found during our trip.

Space Mountain (MK)- the bar wouldn't fully close over his legs and he actually had bruises on the insides of his thighs for the whole next couple days from the CM smashing it down on him. The bar never fully clicked and the CM said he would be fine. He was scared to death it wasn't going to hold him in I didn't attempt SM so I'm not sure how it would have been for someone my height.

Teacups (MK)- we both had to turn in sideways and slide around and sit sideways so that our legs wouls fit under the middle panel.

Cyber Space Mountain (Disney Quest)- virtual reality makes me so sick, so we decided that I would create the roller coaster and then he would ride it. We waited in line for over 35 minutes (and missed our dinner plans,) only to find out that he didn't fit in the simulator. Again, his knees were too high, and the bar wouldn't click over his legs.

Indy cars (MK)- We both fit in one car together, but barely. He was on the side with the steering wheel, and his knees were actually doing the driving for us So I had to be in charge of the gas pedal.

A lot of the boat/tram rides with bench seats-Ex: Mexico boat, MGM backstage tour, great movie ride, many Fantasyland rides, Norway ride, etc... His knees would butt up against the seat in front of us and he would have to sit slightly sideways at an angle. He was actually publically embarrassed on the backstage tour at MGM by a CM who ridiculed him for not sitting properly which would allow for 5 adults to sit side by side. Because he had to turn slightly sideways, we were only able to fit 4.

Splash Mountain/Big Thunder Mountain- he had trouble getting the bar to close over his legs without sitting sideways, which then left me with very little room. We were in the back seat on Splash Mountain which is a little smaller than the seats in the front so that might have made a difference.

That's all we can remember for right now. Is there anyone else who has had similar issues?


P.S. He wanted me to put the '(big boy syndrome)' in the post title because we had so many other issues with his height other than fitting on rides during our trip. It became our little joke

 

[zakatak]

My dh is 6' 6.5" tall and hasn't had any real problems except on Space Mtn. He just always feels like his head is going to be chopped off so he doesn't ride it anymore.

Other than that, he fits fine on everything else.

 

[tjmw2727]

Sorry about the embarassement on the backlot tour - that was unnecessary. FWIW at 5'3" I usually sit sideways on teacups!

I don't recall a lap/restraint bar on Splash Mountain is this new? I think the first car in each set of two has more legroom than the second on BTMR. My dh is tall so I appreciate the information, thanks, I will pass it on to dh for our Feb trip.

TJ

 

[Sandyincanada]

DH has trouble too. He is only 6'2" but he is a real big guy..ie, huge shoulders. Universal/IOA has some "big boy" seats which has made it abit easier for him on the rides but its still a bit embarrassing to be singled out to use them. I can't recall specifics but I do recall a few CM's commenting on his size and trying to squeeze him in. I don't recall WDW having "big boy" seats but if not, its about time they get them as the kids growing up now are getting taller and taller.

 

[Aimeedyan]

DH is 6'5 as well, and I just asked him if he remembers any problems, and he said he fit in everything fine - and was even able to ride his own rollercoaster at Disney Quest.

So sorry he had such issues!! That always puts a damper on things - but I hope your exp will help any others that are unusually tall or larger =)

 

[Sarahsal]

My dh is 6'5"-he never has trouble getting into the rides or with the safety bars-what he does complain about is his knees hitting the back of the seat in front of him during the ride, and he has trouble getting OUT of the ride-he kind of unfolds, sometimes with rather amusing results.

 

[metivier]

I'm 6'0" and the only ride I have had trouble on is Space Mountain. (Actually getting out of the ride is a pain after being "squished" for the ride, too!)

 

[oogieboogie]

My DH is 6'3" and when we go on teacups with the kids, we always have to split 2 and 2 since there's no way 2 adults and 2 kids can fit in those cups!

I think the only other one he has problems with is Goofy's Barnstormer. Since they meant the ride for kids, they sure made the seats small.

Sometimes it nice being short (5'2")

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I'm 5' 9" and never considered that very tall. I've never had a problem anywhere. My sister is 6' and only had a problem on the plane on our way home.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I'm also 5'9" and I've never had a problem. But my DH2B is 6'4" and he has some trouble every now and then. Although, he is ALL torso, his legs aren't very long at all. Also, we've only been to DL/DCA, never to WDW, so our experiences are a bit different. He hates to go on Indiana Jones, which sucks because I really love this ride. He says it's just too harsh on his knees, so I'm afraid that he won't like Dinosaur at AKL when we finally go. But we'll see . I think he also has some trouble on Space Mountain, but he can usually work through that. Everything at DCA is great though. I think because the rides are newer, they built the seats a bit larger.

 

[luvtoall]

We can relate to the op, dh 6'4", I am ony 5'9" (but over weight!!!). I do fine on the rides. Not so over weight, but large dh has commented several times those rides are not made for him!!
He suffers on all airplanes, except first class!!!!
I was always shocked when people commented out loud on the size of my famliy!!
I do notice that now that I am chubby, we get NO COMMENTS ANYMORE!!

 

[Schmeck]

Having to fit my 5'3" adult body into places made for kindergarteners (I'm a special education tutor - I go everywhere with my students) I've learned a neat trick.

When trying to fit legs too long for a given space, try crossing them at the ankles, getting into an almost-crossed leg position. That's helped me fit into spaces designed for kids 4' and under...

I realize this position isn't going to work on all the rides, and if you do it all day your hips may be sore (mine were, but I have bad hips to begin with) but it might help sometimes.

 

[FanofG00fy]

Being from a large family (Pooh size and all ) I can understand. My brother is 6'5" and has had problem getting off of rides, but not really into them. I am 5'10.5" and have never had any problem with my height except getting off of Space Mountain.

I'm sorry he had so much problems. Hopefully next time, he will figure out how to get on and off the rides easier for him.

If anyone has a great way of getting out of space mountain's cars easier (and don't say loose weight, cause I already am, and I really don't feel like chopping my legs (38 inseam) off...kinda bloody.) but if anyone does know of a easeir way of climbing up and out, please share with us!

Chris

 

[SRUAlmn]

Having to fit my 5'3" adult body into places made for kindergarteners (I'm a special education tutor - I go everywhere with my students) I've learned a neat trick.

I also have worked most of my life with this age group and younger. Since I am 5' 9" I have become very good at sitting in those little preschool chairs, which is probably why I didn't seem to have much of a problem, I am also a dancer and very flexible. I agree with your tip, the only problem is that my boyfriend's shoe size is a 13 1/2 so when he does his 'pretzel legs' there usually isn't anywhere for his feet to go because they are huge too Thanks for the tip though!


Also, I don't want people to think that in my OP I was complaining at all. I just remembered someone asking before we left for our trip and no one really could help them and I wanted to try to help. Being 6' 5" or 5' 9" isn't always the same. As you can see in our picture, neither one of us is a skinny minnie and we both have VERY long legs. So this is probably why we had a different experience than some others of our same height have had.

 

[reedycreek]

i'm 6'3" and had a lot of trouble getting in and out of certain ride vehicles--space mountain, thunder mountain, splash mountain, etc. getting out was definitely harder since you are so low to the ground. and i am only 27!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Looks like you are built similarly to my BF (only a little more slender ) He had trouble with the whole getting out thing too. Let's just say that the people waiting to get in next were usually not very patient with him either

 

[reedycreek]

SRU ALUM, i totally know the feeling. i felt like an old man getting out of some of those rides...just cant move like i used to!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Seems as overall size is more important than height when it comes to having problems on rides. At 6'5", 245.......that's a big boy. Linebacker big. Someone that solid occupies a lot of space .

I'm 6'4", and thanks to the metabolism passed on to me from my mother I have a hard time getting my weight above 175. I've never had any problems on rides at WDW. Sure, sometimes the knees are a little bit sideways or some shoulder restraints get a bit tight (RnRollerCoaster), but I always fit.

Disneyland Paris? Well, that's another story. The Indiana Jones ride there was definitely not built for tall people. Not only was there no room for the knees, but I couldn't keep my head back against the headrest (as recommended on this backwards coaster). Talk about your whiplash!! Thankfully, my neck was only sore for a coulle of hours.

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm 6', which is tall for a woman, and I'm also "all legs." I have to turn completely sideways in the teacups and put my feet up on the seat when I ride with my brother (also 6'). One time the castmember told me I had to put my legs down, then relented when he saw it was physically impossible.

I had problems with Space Mountain, too. The bar wouldn't come down all the way and the castmember asked me to stretch my legs out more but I couldn't!!!

 

[tc]

My husband is 6'4" and finds the best place to ride Space Mountain is the front car. There is much more room to stretch up there. Also easier to get out of. RnR is uncomfortable for him too. Not leg room, but how the shoulder harness fits. It can be really painfull sometimes.