The Everything Pooh Sized Thread

[CathieArms]

I honestly don't know. I just remember it and would like to know if it locks at several different spots or if we should try to get it all the way down to lock. I don't care on the little rides but I do care on BTMR or Splash. I hate to rely on the CM to notice because I don't think they look at everybody's lap bar. I know the CMs are great and I don't mean to imply that they aren't but I would rather not have to rely on them, I would rather know ahead of time. If it stops at whatever point you are at and then locks then I am happy, but I just don't know. Does anyone know?

Sandy,
I'm really confused by what you're saying, so I need you to answer just one question: Did the bar lock at all, or was the bar free to move up and down?

My fairly limited experience is that the bars generally come down and "lock" where your body starts. If you're smaller, the bar is going to lock at a much further down spot. For larger people, it will obviously lock higher. If I sit next to my 6 year old and it's a single bar, the bar would stop where *I* begin, which would give the poor kid about 8 inches of room between himself and the bar. But I don't know if that's what we're talking about here.

I need you to answer whether the bar "locked" or whether the bar had free movement. If you can answer that, I think that'll answer all of the questions.

 

[Sandy61]

No the bar did not move up and down in my hands. Does that mean it was locked? I thought it had to be all the way down to really catch the lock mechanism. Maybe that's why the CM was unconcerned... he knew it was locked. So if what you all are saying is, if the bar goes down to whatever level you are at, then it is "locked" at that point. I guess I shouldn't be scared then when I ride something. I for sure know that I am no longer too small to slide through if it is locked!

 

[CathieArms]

No the bar did not move up and down in my hands. Does that mean it was locked? I thought it had to be all the way down to really catch the lock mechanism. Maybe that's why the CM was unconcerned... he knew it was locked. So if what you all are saying is, if the bar goes down to whatever level you are at, then it is "locked" at that point. I guess I shouldn't be scared then when I ride something. I for sure know that I am no longer too small to slide through if it is locked!

Without actually seeing it, I can say with pretty strong conviction that yes - it was locked and that's why the CM wasn't concerned. While I don't remember the details of that particular ride, it seems like the bar is more intended to discourage you from standing up than it is to keep you strapped in your seat. I don't recall it being a wild ride. So yes...I don't think it had anything to do with your girth at all. The bar came down where it was either SUPPOSED TO STOP for every guest, or it came down to where it NEEDED to stop for you in particular.

I feel so much better about your post. I was beginning to stress out that I might not fit on this ride, but it sounds like the bar did exactly as it was intended to do.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Sandy-are you aware that the lap bars on Splash Mnt are new? They really aren't there to keep you from falling out of the ride-they are there to keep you from trying to get out of the ride and hurting yourself.

The bars on rides like BTMRR, Space Mnt, Everest have many locking stops.

I think you'll be fine as long as you don't try to get out.

I'm 5'8" and about a size 20. The only ride I had any issues with was Sum of All Thrills-the new design your own roller coaster in Innoventions at Epcot.

 

[Sandy61]

Thank you everyone. I am feeling really great now that I don't fear losing my life on these "tame" rides. I find so much info on disboards!

 

[Starlight792000]

[

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!

I would reconsider getting at least the sketchers shape ups. I got a pair for my birthday 2 year ago and they really irratated my heel spur (plantar facitis). I had been away for a few years and these shoes brought it back. It took a good 6-9 months of not wearing them for it to go away again.

 

[Starlight792000]

Ok so I've read through most of the posts in this thread and feel slightyly reassured that I will fit on most of the rides. But what I'm worried about is rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and it's a small world - will I cause our boat to bottom out? I am freaked out that my whole boat will get stuck and we'll have to be evacuated or something. At least if I don't fit at the beginning of a ride I'll just have a walk of shame through the chicken exit but if I cause a whole ride to be tied up then...the embarrassment is unthinkable. If it helps I'm a size 28 and probably 340-350. Any kind words are appreciated

Last time we went to Disney in October 2008 I had just gotten down to about 335 and I had no problem with the boat bottomoing out. Now leg room on Small World is alway horrid but who can miss the singing dolls

You will be fine. That boat can accomadate about 10-12 people some of them will no doubt be kids weighing nothing. It all balances out.

As for pirates that is deeper water and also on a track it will be fine

 

[baloo's girl]

I would reconsider getting at least the sketchers shape ups. I got a pair for my birthday 2 year ago and they really irratated my heel spur (plantar facitis). I had been away for a few years and these shoes brought it back. It took a good 6-9 months of not wearing them for it to go away again.

I would highly recommend Fit Flops! When I wear these, my feet don't hurt at all. They do take a little bit of breaking in, so don't buy these and rush into the parks. I have 2 pair of the Disney Mickey head Fit Flops and wear nothing else most of the year.

I also agree that you should bring a couple different kinds of shoes with you to Disney. I also brought sneakers, which were ok (it was a very cold day in December when I put the sneakers on), but I still prefer FitFlops. And I tried to wear Crocs, but they made my feel "burn" and they hurt after wearing them for a few hours.

 

[katrina1122]

Last time we went to Disney in October 2008 I had just gotten down to about 335 and I had no problem with the boat bottomoing out. Now leg room on Small World is alway horrid but who can miss the singing dolls

You will be fine. That boat can accomadate about 10-12 people some of them will no doubt be kids weighing nothing. It all balances out.

As for pirates that is deeper water and also on a track it will be fine

My dad rode his VERY VERY heavy power wheelchair onto the accessbile ISMW boat and me, mom and friend, plus him are all heavy, plus the others on the boat and it floated just fine. No worries on bottoming out!

 

[katrina1122]

I would highly recommend Fit Flops! When I wear these, my feet don't hurt at all. They do take a little bit of breaking in, so don't buy these and rush into the parks. I have 2 pair of the Disney Mickey head Fit Flops and wear nothing else most of the year.

I also agree that you should bring a couple different kinds of shoes with you to Disney. I also brought sneakers, which were ok (it was a very cold day in December when I put the sneakers on), but I still prefer FitFlops. And I tried to wear Crocs, but they made my feel "burn" and they hurt after wearing them for a few hours.

Skechers shape ups, fit flops, any kind of shoe with that roller to help you 'shape up' are very BAD BAD BAD for bad feet.

I had full ankle reconstruction in '09. I have plantar fascitis, my arch is pretty much non existant, my foot rolls in. My tendon was damaged, he went in and cleaned it up and broke my heal since it's so narrow and widened it so that I don't roll in so much. My orthopedic surgeon told me to NEVER EVER buy those kind of shoes. They are dangerous to these types of foot conditions. They might feel comfy, but they are doing damage anyway. If you want sandals/flip flops buy orthaheels. They are designed by a podiatrist and have a built in arch support. If you want sneakers the only one he reccomends for flat feet, no arch, plantar etc are New Balance 927's. For orthotics get a script from you dr and have them specifically made to your feet.

Believe me I know foot pain. I'm still recovering from my surgery. It's a 14-18 month window under normal cirucumstances, but my heal rejected the screws he put in so they had to be removed which had another 6+months. The back of my heal hurts when I have a closed heal back on from all the nerve endings still recovering. I wear sneakers only to work out to stretch the foot and rebuild strenght. Otherwise I wear my orthaheels, I have 3 different designs. I even had to shower in the flip flops for 16 months post op because I couldn't stand barefoot.

Really re-think the shape up type shoes before buying them. Especially for us pooh sized people, they are proven not to do anything to tone you, and can only make arch problems worse.

 

[baloo's girl]

I wear the Fit Flops because they are comfortable. I doubt they are doing any toning, but that's not why I wear them. I don't have flat feet, fallen arches, etc. But I am Pooh sized, so that's why I recommended them on this thread.

FitFlops have also been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association - APMA.

You can learn more about them here:
http://www.fitflop.com/scat/howtheywork/

 

[spartankid34]

Any experiences with the new lap bars and being pooh sized? I'm heading down to WDW in August for my graduation, and was concerned about having a restraint on this ride. I'm a size 28 about 330. Any advice would be nice about this, or any other ride tips for being wayyy pooh sized

 

[Jenngoofys]

I think this is the best thread on DIS!! Thank you so much for all the information people have provided here. I am 5'6" and weigh in at 280. I have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight over the past year. I am currently 72 days away from my next WDW trip. I am walking every day to try and ease the shock on my body lol. I am so happy to have found this thread!!

 

[kylieh]

Quick question - I'm 5'10, size 22. Relatively small bust. Would you/do you go sleeveless? I'm not quite 40. But I thought it might be easier for packing and multiple changes, we're heading to DW end of September. I'm good with all sunscreen etc.

 

[KY*Figment]

Quick question - I'm 5'10, size 22. Relatively small bust. Would you/do you go sleeveless? I'm not quite 40. But I thought it might be easier for packing and multiple changes, we're heading to DW end of September. I'm good with all sunscreen etc.

You are my size except I have a large bust & I will turn 38 while at WDW in Oct. I have wore sleeveless in the past but this October I plan to wear mostly sleeveless. I see a lot of Pooh Size Women & Men wearing them.

 

[MacFam4]

Does anyone have experience flying Continental Express Jet? I'm flying with my mom in Nov and she is Pooh sized, about 5'3" and 275. I know the seats are small and she will probably need a seat belt extender. It's a short flight, about 40 mins, until we board the regular sized plane in Houston. I'm so nervous about the seat. I'm afraid it will be such a tight squeeze. I'm sitting next to her and don't mind being uncomfortable for such a short flight, but what if the arm rest won't go down? It's the first flight of the morning so maybe it won't be full. I haven't even talked to my mom yet about this. she's flown on the small planes before, but she's gained quite a bit of weight since then and probably hasn't even thought about the seat belt extender or being a tight fit in the seat. I'll have to talk to her about it soon though to avoid any possible embarrassment.

 

[billwendy]

Does anyone have experience flying Continental Express Jet? I'm flying with my mom in Nov and she is Pooh sized, about 5'3" and 275. I know the seats are small and she will probably need a seat belt extender. It's a short flight, about 40 mins, until we board the regular sized plane in Houston. I'm so nervous about the seat. I'm afraid it will be such a tight squeeze. I'm sitting next to her and don't mind being uncomfortable for such a short flight, but what if the arm rest won't go down? It's the first flight of the morning so maybe it won't be full. I haven't even talked to my mom yet about this. she's flown on the small planes before, but she's gained quite a bit of weight since then and probably hasn't even thought about the seat belt extender or being a tight fit in the seat. I'll have to talk to her about it soon though to avoid any possible embarrassment.

Flew them for a short flight last summer. We didnt find the seats any different than on the typical big planes. If the arm doesnt go down between you no big deal!!!

 

[kylieh]

You are my size except I have a large bust & I will turn 38 while at WDW in Oct. I have wore sleeveless in the past but this October I plan to wear mostly sleeveless. I see a lot of Pooh Size Women & Men wearing them.

Thank you

 

[merriwthr]

Quick question - I'm 5'10, size 22. Relatively small bust. Would you/do you go sleeveless? I'm not quite 40. But I thought it might be easier for packing and multiple changes, we're heading to DW end of September. I'm good with all sunscreen etc.

I'm also a size 20/22 and I wear mostly sleeveless shirts. I used to worry about it, but came to realize that I'd rather be sleeveless and comfortable then covered in sweat. Go sleeveless and be comfortable - it's your vacation!! Enjoy yourself!

 

[justgeorgi]

I SWEAR by the Shape Ups (or similar brand) sneaker for park walking!!!

I wore standard crocs for my trip last March and not only did I get blisters but they caused my feet to "burn" on the bottom. I thought they were comfortable but they did a number on my feet. I enjoy walking around home or to shop in but long term walking they just didn't work for me.

20 years ago I slipped on ice and tore a tendon in my ankle so walking long distances or for many hours just makes it ache! I stretched it the wrong way last July and spent the entire month of August in pain and worried about my early September trip with my 18 year old daughter. I really thought at one point I would need to rent a scooter. I bought a pair of Dr. Scholls brand shape up sneakers and OH MY GOODNESS....they were wonderful! It took a few days to get used to the "feeling" of walking in them and to break them in but WOW in the parks...incredible! Normally after a day in the parks (we are pretty much commando style and do a lot of walking) I am in agony...feet hurt, back hurts, bad ankle hurts. I HATE the feeling when you get off the bus at end of the day and OUCH you have to practically crawl to your room (in my case it seems to always be the last room in the last building lol!) Well tis time not only was I in NO PAIN but my feet actually felt like it was the beginning of the trip and the day, not the END! I was able to keep up with my 18 year old no problem! I can't wait till our January trip to do it again!