Too Big?

[Buffy6409]

(I've posted a similar thing on another forum but still, I wanted just a bit of guidance for Universal)
So I have put on a little weight since I last went 6 years ago and my mother (who had to do a walk of shame last time) asked if I would fit on everything - now we're going in like two weeks, so I am panicking because what if I don't? I was fine before but my stomach is bigger and my chest has developed more, the joys of coming completely out of teen years!

My main worries for IoA are Forbidden Journey, Hulk and Kong. I should be fine with Hulk, I'm sure my mother fit on there before (and she is a bigger lady than I am), but they did rehaul it I believe, so I am a little nervous. Universal Studios, again my worry is Harry Potter, Rip Ride Rockit (this was her walk of shame last time), and maybe Fast and Furious - I don't know much about that one.

I'm just looking for a bit of guidance on what to prepare mentally to not fit on, if anything, so any help would be amazing. I will more than likely report back as soon as I've been on them too, my measurements are;
- 5’4
- 255lbs
- Chest: 46”-47”/44D (not squished at all)
- Size 20 (US)/ 24(UK) on bottom
- Waist (smallest part under my stomach): 46”
- Belly: fluctuates, but 50”-52 ish (sucking in or sitting upright, which I would do on the rides, it's mostly at the 50 mark but I'm aware that I have issues handling my weight so the extra is a safe room)
- Hips: 50”-51”
- Thighs: 28” each at largest point

 

[skylock]

What walk of shame?

If you don't fit, you don't fit. Some of the seats are tight and you already know that. Trust me, I weigh 100 less than you and even I can tell some of the seats will be tight for a larger person.

You can try the test seats out in front of the ride.

You can tell if a ride has tight seats because they will have the test seats out front.

Go and enjoy the parks. If you are turned away, that is a pity, but nobody cares. Nothing I can see to be panicking about. If you don't fit, go find something you do fit.

There are so many variables with peoples body make up, I don't think anyone can give you assurances you personally are going to fit or not. My son is not overly large, he is 6'1" but has big shoulders and the rides with the harness can be tight. If they tell him they can't lock him in, he just waits outside for us, no big deal. He has tried again sometimes and he gets to ride. Maybe he sits a different way. Who knows.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

No worries at all about Kong. Not even a lap bar for it.

The rest, give them a try - worst case, you don't ride. And if you don't try, you definitely don't ride, which would be a shame if you could have gone. At least try the test seats, and if you're even close give the actual ride seats a try too. Sometimes the test seats are a little less generous.

Also I have heard to wear looser clothes that allow your body to mold into the seats better.

 

[imprint]

Try the test seats outside the rides that have them. My understating is that if you can get a yellow light, then you still have a chance. Ask for the modified seat or row (absolutely no reason to worry about asking the TM for modified when they assign rows - trust me on that), and so long as you didn't get a red light in the test seat, you have a great chance of riding. As previous posters said, though, don't let any one ride ruin your day if there is a disappointment. There's still plenty to enjoy!

 

[bumbershoot]

What walk of shame?

For many people it's embarrassing to leave. My ex had major issues with it, some of which I'm really only seeing now.

Also I have heard to wear looser clothes that allow your body to mold into the seats better.

Yes. I was going to write YES but then I saw your username and stopped myself. (and just now did it anyway LOL)


OP I was 5'3" and 220 and I fit on everything. Not sure what my measurements were, though. So I can't tell where you're bigger than I was. And I wasn't wearing loose clothing.

 

[heidijanesmith]

On FJ, ask the attendant for an outside seat. They are modified for bigger people. It is worth a try!

The only ride I do not like to ride is Dudley's log ride. The lap bar is so tight for me and so awkward to get in and out of.

 

[Buffy6409]

OP I was 5'3" and 220 and I fit on everything. Not sure what my measurements were, though. So I can't tell where you're bigger than I was. And I wasn't wearing loose clothing.

I know in theory I should be alright, I'm just panicking because it is a week away now you did help ease my worry again though!

I must say, I love the fact that so many of you wouldn't be upset or embarrassed about being turned away. I want to say I could shrug it off but I've always been fairly 'sensitive' emotionally from what my family says so it might put a damper on things but I know things would turn around. The only one I'm really considering missing is Rip Ride Rockit, and that's just because it's the one my mother had issues on. I might sneak away and try the test seats when everyone else is either riding or doing other things though, just so I know for the next time we visit the park

 

[SG131]

If you could post an update after your trip that would be great. I’m a similar size and have a solo trip coming up and I’ve been nervous about this too.

 

[Buffy6409]

If you could post an update after your trip that would be great. I’m a similar size and have a solo trip coming up and I’ve been nervous about this too.

I'm planning it! I'm thinking that Universal and IOA will be two weeks away now, whereas Seaworld and Buschgardens will be just over a week (we're going for three weeks and have two week passes for each set of parks)

 

[Buffy6409]

A partial update because my notes on my phone are getting a little long now. This is mainly about Seaworld and that side of it all, but there is a bit of Universal in it too.

Aquatica, I didn’t do much but the lazy river and the rapid one as well as the wave pool, but that’s the type of stuff I like to do at water parks, if I can’t swim properly I’ll laze and stick by my mother. It was still a bit of a work out though, which was fun.

SeaWorld was the more interesting one. I did ride everything.
We started with Manta, which I was a little worried about and I still am to be fair. There was a moment when I didn’t think it would click but I shifted a little and it all clicked into place. I didn’t quite feel safe when it swung us around so we were laid flat, I kept imagining it breaking and me just falling but I fit and I could do it again without the worry.

Next up was Kraken the shoulder harness clicked but I couldn’t put the seatbelt in on my own, I ended up waiting for the man to push it down for me a little. If there was just another centimeter or two I would have had it on my own. The guy was nice and pushed on the harness a bit and when I was all clicked in and he let go it went right back to where it was so it was just that bit of embarrassment. I was sat in the front row, so it wasn’t a huge ‘crap I’m too fat’ moment as it could have been if I was in the big boy seats. I did half expect to be kicked off. Now I will say that I did wedge myself into the seat. I think if I was sat in the middle by the box I could have sat in a little better since I’m small and I had to almost jump back into the seat, so I’ll try sitting by the box for a step up next time and let you know. (Update; after Busch Gardens I do not think that is the case, as you'll read).

That day, I did avoid mako. We had eaten and I was still a little upset about Kraken if I’m honest. That didn’t help when my dad and brother went on and came back with a “I’m not being mean but you might not fit on, they kicked three people off before us”. I didn’t want to sit in the test seat but the next time we went a few days later, they did get me to try the test seat. It clicked but hearing through sites we needed three clicks I was still a little hesitant. I did give it a go though, I got it to click, it wouldn’t move, my dad asked if I wanted it clicking again, because I was fidgeting and trying to push it down more. I said yes and he managed to pull it down again from next to me already. I think next time I won’t have him pull it down again, and let you know if it’s still all fine. Mako was a fun ride though, I felt like I would fly out of the seat but it was a load of fun.

I had no issues with Journey to Atlantis or Wild Arctic (also infinity falls!). Journey to Atlantis has a lapbar, but again, no issue at all. Wild Arctic and Infinity Falls have a seat belt. Wild Arctic's is an actual pull out seatbelt like a car in a way, which my mother fit on as well, and she is bigger than me, I don't know how much though. Infinity Falls, you share a seat belt with another person, myself and another adults (granted a thin one) did fit on together, so I don't think this is too much of an issue either, especially if you're sat next to a child or even on your own.

Busch gardens now, I typed this up on my phone as I went around the park. So far, I have done SHEIKRA, and kumba. Real talk, the overhead harness is a b**ch and I want to give up on it all. I did want to try the bigger seat but it didn’t work out and my brother wasn’t willing to wait for the next car to come around. So I had the humiliation of asking them to help me again. The first time we did Kumba I managed to get the seatbelt clicked with my brother helping me pull the harness down tighter with him already buckled in. But the harness itself didn’t click, so the man had to come by and push it down to click. The second ride, I tried to get the bigger seat but the line just pushed me out of place, I was sat next to it, so I can't really comment if it would have helped at all. I managed to get the harness to click but not the seatbelt, so the lady helped push the restraint down this time, "You're all clicked, we just need the belt now, let's do this", they've all been wonderful so far from what I've seen.

SHEIKRA was a better story, my brother helped me click the belt in and the harness locked on its own. Again, still the standard seat though. I do want to try the double belted ones but it’s a horrible feeling trying to explain that to the family. I’m half tempted to swear off the rollercoasters and stay by my mother but I am fully aware that I’m in a dreadful mood, I almost cried on kumba both times around just because I’m fat. I think it’s partly because it’s just me and my brother doing things today, my whole group was in a bad mood and it was just going around and making the day feel pointless and not worth it. I am more than willing to try it all again the next time we go though, so that shouldn't be too bad.

Basically, my size is just at the edge of it all from the looks of it, at a push I can do the standard seats, which is good but it still hurts to know I need to wait for a ride attendant to help me lock in. They’re all nice though, making sure I’m alright and helping to push on the seat a little. I will let you know about all of the Universal ones.

Quick Note about Universal! We did do that yesterday, but I mostly stayed off the rides, so not a huge note just yet, that'll be next time I think. We did do Shrek, the Jimmy Fallon ride, and the Hogwarts express, no issues there, which isn't surprising. On a sadder note, whilst my dad and brother went on the Gringotts ride, I did manage to sneak away from my mother and try the test seat. No go, from the looks of it. I didn't really try and force it down, or move my stomach out of the way a but, but I did expect to not be able to ride, so it's not that shocking. Sucks a little, I did see a lot of people try the seat and walk away shaking their head a little, so I guess it was similar stories for them. I think I'll try it again next time, maybe do a walk through too and see if they pull me out. I do slightly regret not trying Kong, because from the looks of it you're just sat in a truck, and that shouldn't be an issue. Next time though!

I think we're going off to Volcano Bay today, which should be fun, I've not been there before, so it'll be a nice experience and it does look rather impressive from the walk up to City Walk, the small bit we've seen that is.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Kong is no issue at all. There isn't even a lap bar, just a bench seat in the truck.

 

[Buffy6409]

LAST UPDATE;

Well, I am just about to pack to head home tomorrow, and I have really enjoyed myself. The biggest news, I rode Gringotts! I am still shocked. It was open for the Horror Nights and my dad convinced me to try the seat out, and he even sat down with me, which is very nice and very unlike him. It turned green so we went for it, we both were asked to try and push it down a little more on the ride (which my dad huffed about because he had ridden it before) but off we went, not a bad ride - not the greatest but the whole set design of Gringotts is beautiful. They do great work.

Now the more in-depth everything else, we did the walk up to universal each day, which having moved out of school (and walking to and from school) to having a stay at home job where I only really walked the dog and nothing else, it was a struggle. I did spend a lot of time sat down nursing my aching feet and ankles whilst my brother went on rides with a huge grin. I will say this though, the wait times are really long, I remember just walking onto everything the last time we went (6 years ago), except Harry Potter FJ, a lot of things I just didn't deem worth standing for an hour waiting on my already sore feet for.

The rides at Universal Studios I did do - other than ones already mentioned in the above update; ET - Not a single issue, there is a lap bar but there were people bigger than me getting on too. Simpsons - again, no issues. Men in Black - no issues. Simpsons - no issue. Transformers - no issue.

I didn't get around to Despicable Me (it was a constant 45+ minute wait and we have done it before, my mother had no issues and she was bigger than I am at the moment, so should be more than fine). Fast & Furious was another I didn't do, my brother only did it during the horror nights due to the queue times - I cannot comment on it at all. Rip Ride Rockit was another I didn't do this time around, and frankly, that is the one that I was most concerned about, but again pretty much always a 45+ minute wait, and I did do it when I was smaller. Revenge of the mummy is the same story,​

Island of Adventure Rides; Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls - Originally my dad and I both pulled the lap bar too tight so they released it and we did it again, it was still tight but not as bad. I did have a moment where I didn't think I would get out of it though, it is a pain but again, I did manage it! Jurassic Park River Adventure, no problem, it is a row lap bar rather than individual, which might be a little embarrassing. I have had my younger brother complain a little because the bars are always so far away from him, but it isn't a harsh comment, the row lap bars tend to not be as intense as the individual ones are. Popeye Barges - I LOVE THIS RIDE! No matter where you sit, you will get wet. It is an aeroplane seatbelt style ride, so fair warning, if you need an extension for a flight, you might need one here too (I'm not sure if they do extensions for this, Busch Garden's rapid ride certainly does). Spiderman - no issues, there is a lap bar for the row again, but there are bigger people getting on that ride too. Cat in the Hat, lovely bit of nostalgia, no issues, again a lap bar and it is a kid ride (although they didn't even bat an eyelash and me and my late teen brother walking on alone).

I didn't do; Doctor Doom's fearfall, we did it in the past and none of us really enjoyed it enough to do it again. It is an overhead harness though, so maybe a few issues. Flight of the Hippogriff wasn't one we did either, it is more for the younger ones, but there are adults on there, it's a standard cart lap bar, so you shouldn't have an issue but it is a fairly tame ride. Forbidden Journey is something I would like to have done but by the time we had reached it I was almost dying, so that was my relax moment, again the wait times are a little crazy for this one - which is expected. Pteranodon Flyers, my brother did it, but he was on his own, I can't really comment, I just worry about being on a skyline type of thing just in case things go wrong. Skull Island Reign of Kong, I wanted to do this one and Capslock says there's no harness or belt, so you'll be fine, the wait times were just too long for me. Hulk, I didn't do this one either, and I could have. There's not even a good excuse for it, just the fact that I struggled with the overhead harness' before.​

I did enjoy the holiday, now I'm going to be a little harsh and say I didn't enjoy Universal as much as I have in the past. This year, Seaworld and Busch Gardens took that mantle, we all even agreed that Aquatica was worth more of a trip than Volcano Bay, but we had a lot of issues with the wristbands and wait times there. My brother signed up for a few rides and each one cancelled before he managed to get back and ride the ride, but then this is on his word that he hadn't done anything and it only gave him something like 10 minutes to get back to the riding point.

I am a little frustrated with myself for not trying the big boy seats, but my holiday wasn't ruined by not riding some of the bigger rides. We had a good time and it was more for my brother to get a chance at them all. I do think that this is going to be the kick that I needed to truly push myself into getting in shape, I struggle so much with it due to health issues but it was a horrible feeling that day in Busch Gardens where I had to be helped into the seat. It's down to everyone else's attitudes but I think that will stick with me a little and give me that reason to really commit and stick with a plan.

If you could post an update after your trip that would be great. I’m a similar size and have a solo trip coming up and I’ve been nervous about this too.

SG131, I really hope this eases a few your fears. I know they won't go until you get there and experience it yourself, but if you're a smaller size then I doubt you'll really have any issues. I was about 95kgs the time before this and I didn't have to worry at all, I got on everything and it was all without a second guess. I have put on 20kgs through maturing fully and health issues popping up, but as I said earlier, the overhead harnesses are a very tight squeeze in the standard seat, I think the bigger ones would have been fine since I was so close to being able to buckle it up myself. As horrible as it sounds, you have nothing to lose by trying. Sure there might be a bit of embarrassment, but I would hope you're with people that would support you and don't be afraid to cry a little! I did at one point just from the humiliation of it all and I wasn't even kicked off! A solo trip might be a little harder, although I think I would have prefered that at some points. At least then it's just strangers and who cares! That's a lie, I would care but you wouldn't see them again and they probably would have a moment of "oh no, they're leaving, I wonder why" or a "oh no, they didn't fit" (we had that at Gringott's, my dad pointed the man out, probably to make me feel a little better after the attendant asked us to pull the lap bar down more, but it was a passing "that does suck for him, I hope he's alright" rather than a want to ridicule him).

However, the point I'm trying to make; I felt a little better slinking around without my family knowing to try out the seats. It was more; if I didn't fit, then they didn't have to know, I could just be the one holding bags. There is a lot you can still do if you don't manage the bigger rides, so try not to worry too much, enjoy yourself! It's always a better experience with a happier mindset.

Although if you do want to cry and rant, I am more than willing to listen - this has been my outlet for the whole trip about my anxiety. I fuelled it into a 'hey this is an update on what I managed'.

 

[SG131]

LAST UPDATE;

Well, I am just about to pack to head home tomorrow, and I have really enjoyed myself. The biggest news, I rode Gringotts! I am still shocked. It was open for the Horror Nights and my dad convinced me to try the seat out, and he even sat down with me, which is very nice and very unlike him. It turned green so we went for it, we both were asked to try and push it down a little more on the ride (which my dad huffed about because he had ridden it before) but off we went, not a bad ride - not the greatest but the whole set design of Gringotts is beautiful. They do great work.

Now the more in-depth everything else, we did the walk up to universal each day, which having moved out of school (and walking to and from school) to having a stay at home job where I only really walked the dog and nothing else, it was a struggle. I did spend a lot of time sat down nursing my aching feet and ankles whilst my brother went on rides with a huge grin. I will say this though, the wait times are really long, I remember just walking onto everything the last time we went (6 years ago), except Harry Potter FJ, a lot of things I just didn't deem worth standing for an hour waiting on my already sore feet for.

The rides at Universal Studios I did do - other than ones already mentioned in the above update; ET - Not a single issue, there is a lap bar but there were people bigger than me getting on too. Simpsons - again, no issues. Men in Black - no issues. Simpsons - no issue. Transformers - no issue.

I didn't get around to Despicable Me (it was a constant 45+ minute wait and we have done it before, my mother had no issues and she was bigger than I am at the moment, so should be more than fine). Fast & Furious was another I didn't do, my brother only did it during the horror nights due to the queue times - I cannot comment on it at all. Rip Ride Rockit was another I didn't do this time around, and frankly, that is the one that I was most concerned about, but again pretty much always a 45+ minute wait, and I did do it when I was smaller. Revenge of the mummy is the same story,​

Island of Adventure Rides; Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls - Originally my dad and I both pulled the lap bar too tight so they released it and we did it again, it was still tight but not as bad. I did have a moment where I didn't think I would get out of it though, it is a pain but again, I did manage it! Jurassic Park River Adventure, no problem, it is a row lap bar rather than individual, which might be a little embarrassing. I have had my younger brother complain a little because the bars are always so far away from him, but it isn't a harsh comment, the row lap bars tend to not be as intense as the individual ones are. Popeye Barges - I LOVE THIS RIDE! No matter where you sit, you will get wet. It is an aeroplane seatbelt style ride, so fair warning, if you need an extension for a flight, you might need one here too (I'm not sure if they do extensions for this, Busch Garden's rapid ride certainly does). Spiderman - no issues, there is a lap bar for the row again, but there are bigger people getting on that ride too. Cat in the Hat, lovely bit of nostalgia, no issues, again a lap bar and it is a kid ride (although they didn't even bat an eyelash and me and my late teen brother walking on alone).

I didn't do; Doctor Doom's fearfall, we did it in the past and none of us really enjoyed it enough to do it again. It is an overhead harness though, so maybe a few issues. Flight of the Hippogriff wasn't one we did either, it is more for the younger ones, but there are adults on there, it's a standard cart lap bar, so you shouldn't have an issue but it is a fairly tame ride. Forbidden Journey is something I would like to have done but by the time we had reached it I was almost dying, so that was my relax moment, again the wait times are a little crazy for this one - which is expected. Pteranodon Flyers, my brother did it, but he was on his own, I can't really comment, I just worry about being on a skyline type of thing just in case things go wrong. Skull Island Reign of Kong, I wanted to do this one and Capslock says there's no harness or belt, so you'll be fine, the wait times were just too long for me. Hulk, I didn't do this one either, and I could have. There's not even a good excuse for it, just the fact that I struggled with the overhead harness' before.​

I did enjoy the holiday, now I'm going to be a little harsh and say I didn't enjoy Universal as much as I have in the past. This year, Seaworld and Busch Gardens took that mantle, we all even agreed that Aquatica was worth more of a trip than Volcano Bay, but we had a lot of issues with the wristbands and wait times there. My brother signed up for a few rides and each one cancelled before he managed to get back and ride the ride, but then this is on his word that he hadn't done anything and it only gave him something like 10 minutes to get back to the riding point.

I am a little frustrated with myself for not trying the big boy seats, but my holiday wasn't ruined by not riding some of the bigger rides. We had a good time and it was more for my brother to get a chance at them all. I do think that this is going to be the kick that I needed to truly push myself into getting in shape, I struggle so much with it due to health issues but it was a horrible feeling that day in Busch Gardens where I had to be helped into the seat. It's down to everyone else's attitudes but I think that will stick with me a little and give me that reason to really commit and stick with a plan.



SG131, I really hope this eases a few your fears. I know they won't go until you get there and experience it yourself, but if you're a smaller size then I doubt you'll really have any issues. I was about 95kgs the time before this and I didn't have to worry at all, I got on everything and it was all without a second guess. I have put on 20kgs through maturing fully and health issues popping up, but as I said earlier, the overhead harnesses are a very tight squeeze in the standard seat, I think the bigger ones would have been fine since I was so close to being able to buckle it up myself. As horrible as it sounds, you have nothing to lose by trying. Sure there might be a bit of embarrassment, but I would hope you're with people that would support you and don't be afraid to cry a little! I did at one point just from the humiliation of it all and I wasn't even kicked off! A solo trip might be a little harder, although I think I would have prefered that at some points. At least then it's just strangers and who cares! That's a lie, I would care but you wouldn't see them again and they probably would have a moment of "oh no, they're leaving, I wonder why" or a "oh no, they didn't fit" (we had that at Gringott's, my dad pointed the man out, probably to make me feel a little better after the attendant asked us to pull the lap bar down more, but it was a passing "that does suck for him, I hope he's alright" rather than a want to ridicule him).

However, the point I'm trying to make; I felt a little better slinking around without my family knowing to try out the seats. It was more; if I didn't fit, then they didn't have to know, I could just be the one holding bags. There is a lot you can still do if you don't manage the bigger rides, so try not to worry too much, enjoy yourself! It's always a better experience with a happier mindset.

Although if you do want to cry and rant, I am more than willing to listen - this has been my outlet for the whole trip about my anxiety. I fuelled it into a 'hey this is an update on what I managed'.

Thanks see much for all the great info! Gringotts is actually the one I care most about so that’s great news. I was there about 6 years ago when size wasn’t a worry and a lot of the others so I’d be less upset to miss those. I did rip rocket enough times with my little cousin to listen to ever song except country. So that ride I may be set for life with!

Life has had its fair share of bumps the past few years so with that I’ve seen a steady increase in size and now I have to worry about things like this. Luckily Disney is super accommodating. I was a little hesitant to add universal to my trip in case I had issues with rides but it sounds like it shouldn’t be too bad. This definitely helps me relax more and just focus on enjoying the trip!