The Everything Pooh Sized Thread

[Nadjalu]

I dont have any specific rides in mind at this time. While I love roller coasters and such, we only have 4 days at disney and I want to fit in as much for my girls as possible so we will mainly focus on them. We will start getting together the list of rides that we are going to do though, after the new year is over with. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and for the link, so helpful!

Don't be afraid to ride anything. You will fit everything. WDW is very nice about accomidating everyone.
There are a couple things you may have to sit alone, but will still be fine. The coasters will all be fine. SM gives some issue to getting in and out, but it still is ok.
I would highly recommend riding the coasters at WDW. Being a larger person myself coasters aren't usually accomidating, so take advantage of the ones at WDW...they are.
Have fun and don't worry, you will be fine....honest.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Hi all! Super excited to find this thread! We just booked our first Disney vacation today! (DH and I went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot about ten years ago, but this will be our first family trip!) My DH and I are both 'pooh sized'---I'm a 24/26, and he's around 350 and 6'1. We are bringing our son (will be 5 when we go next year). I had a few questions about rides that I'm hoping all of you wonderful people could help me with!

Neither my husband and I are big thrill ride people, so I don't anticipate us going on anything that my son can't go on. For rides like Dumbo, though, will one (or both?) of us be able to ride with him? I know on things like Pirates and Small World it shouldn't be a problem, but wasn't sure about more of the 'kiddie' rides like Dumbo and Pooh.

Another question--any tips or tricks for all the walking in the park? I'm in pretty good shape for my size (exercise a few times a week), but my DH isn't. I'm hoping to start him on walking now, so we can build up before our vacation, but any other ideas would be welcome!

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[ambertides]

Neither my husband and I are big thrill ride people, so I don't anticipate us going on anything that my son can't go on. For rides like Dumbo, though, will one (or both?) of us be able to ride with him? I know on things like Pirates and Small World it shouldn't be a problem, but wasn't sure about more of the 'kiddie' rides like Dumbo and Pooh.

DH (sounds about the size of your DH) & I (size 22/24) squeeze in together on Pooh fine, but with not much extra space. We take separate elephants on Dumbo, but both would have room for a kid beside us, I just don't think we'd fit together.

 

[TeaForTulips]

I've read through quite a few pages, but I wanted to ask about rides. I have never been to disney, so I really don't know what to expect. I'm cool with not being able to ride stuff, I just don't want to look like a fool in front of everyone trying to fit into a ride and not be able to do so.

I'm 5'5 and around 300 pounds. I have a very large waist though, and I'm a size 26/28. I'm also fairly busty at 42I/J.

Can anyone tell me of rides that I won't be able to fit on? Is there anything special that I need to know? I thought I saw something about a seat belt extender, do I need that?

I am similar in size just taller, but carry all my weight in the belly. I have not had a problem riding anything in Disney hardly. I ride it all and do it all at Disney with no embarassment! The only thing I would mention is the seatbelts on some rides while are fine with me and fine with me and an average to small person- it would not go over me and another pooh sized person. Magic Carpet Rides, Rafts at AK, Dumbo... thats all i can think of... I would not try to squeeze into with another person my size.

Oh! I thought of one exception! I have not done Star Tours since the refurb but last time I rode it I was super embarassed as it took me FOREVER to squeeze into the seatbelt. Perhaps thats where they have seatbelt extenders? That would be great if they did! I have not ridden that in a few years and sadly have gained weight since then so I have not tried riding it recently.

Hi all! Super excited to find this thread! We just booked our first Disney vacation today! (DH and I went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot about ten years ago, but this will be our first family trip!) My DH and I are both 'pooh sized'---I'm a 24/26, and he's around 350 and 6'1. We are bringing our son (will be 5 when we go next year). I had a few questions about rides that I'm hoping all of you wonderful people could help me with!

Neither my husband and I are big thrill ride people, so I don't anticipate us going on anything that my son can't go on. For rides like Dumbo, though, will one (or both?) of us be able to ride with him? I know on things like Pirates and Small World it shouldn't be a problem, but wasn't sure about more of the 'kiddie' rides like Dumbo and Pooh.

Another question--any tips or tricks for all the walking in the park? I'm in pretty good shape for my size (exercise a few times a week), but my DH isn't. I'm hoping to start him on walking now, so we can build up before our vacation, but any other ideas would be welcome!

Thanks so much for the help!

For rides like Dumbo I recommend one adult and one child in one and the other adult in another. Magic Carpet has two rows I recommend the same- one child, one adult in one row and the other adult in the back. While you are not thrill riders- also remember that the lap bars on rides will only go down til it hits the largest person. Even when I ride with a smaller adult on some things they are uneasy because they have more room to come off the seat since the lap bar stopped on me. Does that make sense? Just be careful with the little ones!

Walking tips... Keep hydrated. Don't be afraid to take breaks. Be prepared. I promise your feet will hurt. I promise. They just will. Walking in advance helps though and having good shoes that aren't brand new. Bring mole skin with you and I dare say a safety pin if anyone is blister prone.

Have fun on your first Disney trip!

 

[scdak]

DH (sounds about the size of your DH) & I (size 22/24) squeeze in together on Pooh fine, but with not much extra space. We take separate elephants on Dumbo, but both would have room for a kid beside us, I just don't think we'd fit together.

My best friend and I were in the "World" 3 weeks ago, and we killed Dumbo! We told the CM that the 2 of us (24/26 size) couldn't fit in Dumbo together and he laughed and said "its very roomy", we did squeeze in that poor elephant, laughing about it. Then we were told to fasten the seat belt, which made us laugh even more.............but it must be a common problem, they immediately but discreetly handed us an extender. So the ride starts............and poor Dumbo couldn't get up in the air, by that point we were laughing and saying (loudly) that we had killed Dumbo, the CM's were laughing as we passed them each time. But Dumbo finally got a second wind and was able to raise in the air for a few turns...........so we got to see the construction and see what was going on, one of the reasons for riding in the first place. The best part of it all, much later that day we were at another ride and the CM recognized us from Dumbo, and said that he couldn't stop thinking about us "killing Dumbo".

But really , Disney is very doable for pooh sized people, have a great time!

 

[Family Fun Mom]

This thread was a big comfort to me for my recent trip. I am very short (four foot 10) but very round. Thanks to this thread I tried every ride I wanted to and fit in all of them with no trouble. I rode everything I wanted, including Space Mountain, Everest, Tower of Terror... everything! So if you are pooh sized and concerned, don't be! Go and have a great time!

 

[momofrrr]

I have a shoe suggestion. I love my Saucony running shoes. If you knew you you would know that I definatly am not a runner but these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I usually buy Men's Reeboks because they are a little wider but will never again. I bought them for Disney this time last year and wore them for the entire week. I also used them for 16 days in NYC this summer (in June during the heat wave). My son just bought a pair to run in because he has a terrible time with shin splints. I did not coach him on what to buy, he just came home with them. He has not had any trouble with his legs in two weeks.

 

[tink15823]

I am having a HUGE problem finding the right bag to take. I have been going with a back pack because it's just been easier to find that would fit. All of the messenger style cross body bags have been toooo small. Not enough strap. I'm a size 24 and substantial up top. Ant suggestions on what you all have found?

I found a bag for my husband and dad in the sporting goods department at Walmart.

 

[DisneyShannon]

Avenue has some wide-calf boots

I found some nice boots in lane bryant. They have just started having a shoe section. Not to bad prices.

 

[Nadjalu]

Have any of you Poohs used Spirit airlines to fly to Orlando?

I am wondering how this airline's seats are? I hear they are tighter than the others, but only by an inch...does it make that big a difference?

So if you flew Spirit what was your experience?

 

[Nadjalu]

Bump.....

 

[tink15823]

I've read through quite a few pages, but I wanted to ask about rides. I have never been to disney, so I really don't know what to expect. I'm cool with not being able to ride stuff, I just don't want to look like a fool in front of everyone trying to fit into a ride and not be able to do so.

I'm 5'5 and around 300 pounds. I have a very large waist though, and I'm a size 26/28. I'm also fairly busty at 42I/J.

Can anyone tell me of rides that I won't be able to fit on? Is there anything special that I need to know? I thought I saw something about a seat belt extender, do I need that?

I was around the same weight on our trip in 2005 I am 5'4 and had no trouble. I had more trouble with all the walking than the fitting on the rides. I am proud to say I am now a fluffy size 16. My dad is a big guy as is my brother both around 350 and they could fit on everything with no trouble . Enjoy .

 

[Lori S.]

About dumbo, my husband rode with our dd (then 2) and I rode in the dumbo in front of them and got great photos of them! Much better than if I'd been riding with her!

 

[ambertides]

I'm 5'5 and around 300 pounds. I have a very large waist though, and I'm a size 26/28. I'm also fairly busty at 42I/J.

Can anyone tell me of rides that I won't be able to fit on? Is there anything special that I need to know? I thought I saw something about a seat belt extender, do I need that?

I've been up to a size 36 at WDW and not had problems with anything but turnstiles, Star Tours, and Dinosaur for my hips. I think at 26/28 it was really just down to the turnstile for Haunted Mansion. I still do have issues there even at size 22/24, though that could be a combination of where I carry my weight and my (lack of) height.

For upper body issues, I'm not much help. I'm only a D in that area. I'm trying to think of the rides that have the shoulder harness - The Stitch "ride" in Tomorrowland, RnRC, and Mission: Space are it, I think? I'm not saying you won't be able to do those rides, but those are the only I could think would possibly be an issue.

 

[Chuckers]

This is a great thread and while I haven't read all of it, I wanted to add to it. I just posted this in a different thread and posted about walking in the tips thread, but they both fit here, so I'll repost the basics of them.

Turnstiles can be a problem for bigger people, however, just mention to a CM that you need to use the wheelchair entrance and they will let you in that way without blinking an eye. No comments or looks. This is especially helpful at The Haunted Mansion where we asked to use the handicapped entrance and went right in.

The other tip is for walking problems.

I am a big guy. Short and stocky and dense.. like a dwarf from Lord of The Rings Walking used to cause me several problems.. leg pain, knee pain, lower back pain. Plus, I ripped a tertiary muscle in my calf that didn't heal properly. After two hours of walking, the pain would start. I invested in a pair of Sketchers Shape Ups Sneakers. My "walking life" has never been better. (yes, they're expensive, but I liked them so much, I have bought 3 pairs) The Sketcher's make you have a more smoother and natural walk. There is no jarring when you put your heel down. I've spent all day walking through Disneyland with no problems.. and my calf muscle healed in short time. The have sneakers and open toe sandals if you want to go sockless in the summer time. They're a little weird, at first, as you have a rolling gait instead of a hard step, but once you get used to them, you should find them much more comfortable to walk in.

My sister is a big girl and she's had knee surgery. I finally convinced her to try them and now she loves them, too. They don't really make you lose weight, but they DO tone up and strengthen your legs. I can even last longer in regular shoes now. (Note: they are not meant for any activity but walking - do not try dancing in them!)

 

[lindsaykins]

Hello all!! I love this thread!! I am a size 28(3x-4x) evenly body shaped meaning big everywhere pretty much LOL woman. Would anyone care to share their flight experiences? I am sooooo scared I won't fit. I am flying with JetBlue on February for the first time. I have avoided flying because of my weight. This is our first trip to Disney. I am sitting in an aisle seat with my 3 year old daughter in the middle beside me. Thanks everyone!

 

[xbatman]

I don't have any experience with JetBlue, but I flew on AirTran in November and their seats are small too.

I'm a size 28 also and had the aisle seat with my 7 year old beside me and my 24 year old niece next to her (so we had the whole row). I had no trouble at all with us having enough room or with the space in the aisle at all.

I thought I'd need the seatbelt extender, but I was even okay there -didn't need it.

 

[lindsaykins]

I don't have any experience with JetBlue, but I flew on AirTran in November and their seats are small too.

I'm a size 28 also and had the aisle seat with my 7 year old beside me and my 24 year old niece next to her (so we had the whole row). I had no trouble at all with us having enough room or with the space in the aisle at all.

I thought I'd need the seatbelt extender, but I was even okay there -didn't need it.

Thanks so much!! You made me feel much less nervous

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Avenue has some wide-calf boots

Jessica London does too! I get compliments all the time!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

[

Another question--any tips or tricks for all the walking in the park? I'm in pretty good shape for my size (exercise a few times a week), but my DH isn't. I'm hoping to start him on walking now, so we can build up before our vacation, but any other ideas would be welcome!

Hi! Even though you are in good shape for your size, you WILL be sore! I am a pooh sized black belt, so I train frequently, and I was in terrible pain from walking! You have to have the right shoes, and you should probably get started on that walking! We pulled our treadmill in last night. As for shoes, I am taking several pairs of Crocs as I have plantar fascitis, and am looking into fit flops, Teva flip flops, and Sketchers shape ups (which I think are seriously ugly, but everyone swears by them.). Taking care of your feet at Disney is key. I was desperate for more changes of shoes in the park the first couple of days, so I started bringing more. I tried the Disney crocs on in the parks and was disappointed in the amount of support, so I didn't buy any. Good luck!