Please Help = too big for the rides ??? About This Page:

[gebsmom]

I am embarrassed to ask..but do most of the rides at WD accomodate people that are "larger" than some? I dont want to try to get on a ride or anything and be embarrassed that the strap or whatever doesnt go around me.. Can larger people still go and have a good time ?

[Nicole0128]

Visit http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm he gives an account of WDW from the viewpoint of someone "pooh-sized"

This link gives a photo album of the attraction seats so you can assess what you will be comfortable in and not
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/gal_ride.htm

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/rid_josh.htm

All of these are great articles to address your concerns.

[loobyoxlip]

I've never had a problem on any ride at Disney with the exception of Astro Orbitor and the latch sticking into my thigh which REALLY hurt!!

[MickeyMAC]

Yes!!! My oldest son is a very big and tall guy and he has had no trouble riding any ride. He does in other amusement parks (Six Flags) but not at Disney. Have fun and enjoy yourself.

[iamgrumpy]

One thing I absolutely love about WDW is that its pooh Size friendly. I am a big girl in the hips stomach and haven't had a problem at all on rides at Disney. I would read the articles that were posted earlier but I wouldn't worry. The cast members are very sensitive to people and differences.

Hope that Helps!

Amy

[graygables]

Please don't be embarrassed! We Pooh-sized people need to know these things!

That said, I've never had any problems riding anything as far as "fit" goes...*fear*, well that's another issue altogether! My oldest DD is on her college program there now and she, too, is Pooh-sized and has ridden *everything* several times, no problem.

Disney has really done an excellent job making rides accessible to everyone. Definitely check out Deb's site above; it has excellent information! Have fun and happy planning!

[PixiePrincess]

From a former "Pooh-sized" gal... (thanks to gastric bypass)
I never had a problem riding anything at the World... with the exception of the teacups... and I could ride in them but was pretty uncomfy.
Have fun... enjoy it... you will fit in perfectly

[Wendyismyname]

As you can tell from my signature photo, I'm a pooh-sized gal. I've not had any problem with any of the rides. Just be sure to ask to sit in the front on Space Mountain. It seems to have the most room.

[RocklandRVers]

I am big and tall. So far I have been able to ride anything I wanted. Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Dinosaur, Kali Rapids, El Rio Del Tiempo are among the rides that are hard for bigger folks. Of them all I must say Dinosaur gave me the most problem due to the seat belt, but the CM was very helpful. The secret is to pull out the belt all the way before sitting down and then buckling it in.

I am not a roller coaster person so I have never attempted anything like Big Thunder Mountain, Rock & Roll Rollercoast with Aerosmith or Space Mountain. I also have no desire to try Tower of Terror or Mission Space so I cannot share any specifics.

I have found WDW very accomodating everywhere and the CMs seemed to be well trained to handle folks like us with as little disruption or embarrassment as possible and I have always been shown respect.

[Luv4My4]

My father is a pretty pooh-sized man and he has had no problems with any of the rides in WDW and he has done all the rides including Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain & Test Track and most of them several times. I can't remember him ever really complaining about a ride being overly uncomfortable for him. He hasn't done Mission Space yet annd I don't think he will be able to but because he is pretty claustrophobic not due to his size. Disney is really is great about making things accessible for everyone!

[Caldercup]

Another Pooh-sized World traveler here! Here are my tips and "takes" on the rides.

The trick to all the "retractable" lapbelts at Disney is to pull them ALLLLLL the way out before you click them in. If you're going with someone else, you should sit down first and get them to help you click the belt. Then they sit and get themselves secure. The CMs are great about helping you out -- just mention to them that you're concerned when you board.

The turnstiles into the rides often give me more trouble than the ride itself -- especially on the older rides. I try to take the handicapped entrance whenever possible. Another trick is to stand on your tippy toes and slide through sideways. Usually, there's a cast member nearby that can help if you need another way through.

The "theatre seat" style seating is usually rather smallish. The trick here is to sit before the other people in your party. If you're "hippy" sit on the front edge of the seat and then push yourself back so that the arms of the chair go over your "stuffing"....

As for the individual rides:

Mission Space is one person per seat and has a shoulder bar harness -- no seatbelt. It comes down over your shoulder and stops when it hits your chest or, in my case, my pooh-like belly. It's not at all uncomfortable for me and I feel very secure in it. (I'm also claustrophobic and this ride doesn't bother me personally because they have lots of air blowing on your face.)

On Big Thunder Mountain Railway, it's a lap bar that comes down and is two-people per seat. Because my son is small, I was worried that the bar -- which stops as soon as it hits my belly -- wouldn't secure him in his seat. I just asked for us to be seated separately. Worked out fine.

Splash Mountain was no problem for my son and I to sit together on this two people per seat ride -- but if you're tall or have long legs, it's a tight squeeze getting in and out. (There's no bar or belt restraint -- just the shape of the overhang from the seat in front of you.)

Space Mountain is a one person per seat ride that has a t-bar that you pull back into place and it presses against your legs -- or belly -- to hold you in. I only found it uncomfortable because the ride is so jerky and the bar kept ramming into me.

Goofy's barnstormer is another two people per seat ride that I put my son in a separate seat so the lap bar would secure him in.

Test Track has a lap belt with three people per row in individually molded seats with individual belts. The front row has more leg room. Remember to pull the belt all the way out.

Star Tours - another lap belt - one person per seat with rows of seats like in a theatre. Same goes for Body Wars ...if it's open when you go.

Dinosaur is also an individual lap belt per seat with four or five molded seats per row. Ask the CM for help if you're concerned about getting secure. I'm pretty sure the ride won't move if anyone's who's seated isn't also "clicked" -- I think the seats have sensors -- if it senses weight, it also must have the belt fully clicked.

The links you got above are really helpful. I suggest reading them and checking out the ride vehicles. Remember, the CMs are well-trained to be sensitive to the guests' needs without causing any embarrassment. Also, you can get all the way to the vehicle and -- if you decide you won't fit -- take the "chicken" exit to get out.

You'll have a blast.
Eileen

[Jennifer2003]

Hello All!

I've made this a sticky topic, so it will always be at the top of the forum when you check in!

Great topic, lots of great information!!

Have fun!
Jennifer

[paradox]

My wife had a little trouble with Rockin RollerCoaster, but nothing else.

[EeyoreNeedsLoveToo]

I agree with Eileen, the most problems I have is with the turnstiles! I also agree that it is much easier if you pull out any lap belts before you sit down.

Don't be afraid to ask for a seperate seat if you are concerned about being "uncomfortable" We are both "pooh sized" and haven't had any troubles with the one exception of when we were sent up to share a car in Astro-Orbiter, and we both wouldn't fit in the same seat -- Since wasn't too hip on riding it anyway, I gracefully bowed out.

[TiggerTails]

If you ride the Pooh ride, and there is three of you in your party.................

Ask to sit two in the back and one in the front.

The CM to squished ALL of us into the back seat. UGHhh!