Question about a larger person riding rides?

[Tinkerbellerella84]

This is embarrassing but I figured I'd rather ask it here then getting embarrassed in front of my kids and people. I'm a larger girl....375 pounds with some booty lol (don't look it thank goodness but none the less lol). Is there any rides I need to steer away from or have someone else ride with my kiddo? Thanks in advance for the help! I truly appreciate it!

 

[Bete]

I can't really answer your question, but hopefully some others may have a response that will be more specific. I will say I would stay clear of rides that require seat belts or constraints. Also, I would avoid boat rides. It's tough getting in and out of those rides.

I do want to say that the average Disney World visitor walks at least 6 miles a day. You may want to consider renting a scooter. I much rather last longer at the parks and a scooter helps to do this for me.

 

[SirDuff]

There is a thread in the "Disney World Tips" forum called "The Everything Pooh Sized Thread" that would be very helpful. Most people seem to find that WDW is very friendly for the larger guest and that they can ride most rides (they have hints for making some easier/more comfortable).

 

[aaarcher86]

I second the Pooh Sized thread.

The only one that really cosmos gently gets bashed for being larger person friendly is 7DMT that I've seen. It really depends how you how your weight, but the seats are kind if fitted.

 

[SirDuff]

http://disboards.com/threads/the-everything-pooh-sized-thread.2424021/

Here's the thread.

 

[mamatohaleybug]

My DH is 6'1" and 330 and has no problems with any rides at WDW. But it just depends on how you carry your weight.

I'm much smaller but tall and find the teacups at Magic Kingdom hard to get in and out of. Same with the Speedway cars. Not sure why, just know climbing in and out feels awkward. So watch out for those.

Have fun!!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

The only rides I had a problem with (pain-wise) was 7DMT and ET (which is at US). But I carry my weight more or less in front of me.

There are quite a few rides which are a long way down (child-sized seating for example) such a IASW. If you can't bend your knees beyond 45° then you'll have trouble with these, but as long as you have no problem with your knees you should be find to physically haul yourself up out of them. Test Track and Space Mountain are two more examples. I find it very difficult getting in and out of TT because of my knees, and have to sit in the centre seat so I can stretch my legs out.

Oh, and I've just remembered - the Muppet Theatre seats are very narrow, so this could cause some discomfort if you're broad in the beam.

Incidentally (and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this), but I don't agree that someone who's very overweight but has no type of disability should hire a scooter automatically. It gives those of us who have arthritis etc a bad name if we're also overweight.

 

[Tinkerbellerella84]

That site is very helpful!! My husband is VERY talle 6'5 so it also helps with what he may have problems with. I can haul my bootie up and out of things, just worried about fitting in the seats themselves lol

Scooter wise....I don't plan on getting one just my mom who has COPD

 

[cmwade77]

I agree with others about the other thread, but here are a few from my experience:

Mine Train is a definite no go, unless they get it redesigned, as the CMs there are asking for.

The other fantasyland roller coaster may be a bit tight.

Here are some other tips, based on personal experience:
Winnie The Pooh - You should ride in the front row

Haunted Mansion - The lap bars on the wheelchair transfer vehicles provide a little more room, but be courteous and don't ask for them if you see wheelchairs waiting. Also a note about Haunted Mansion, if you have ANY issues with crowds in tight spaces, ask for the alternate entry. This is one attraction where I have found I cannot handle the entrance hall. You will still be in the stretching room with everyone, but then they will take you another way, so you don't have the crowded hallway afterwards.

Rockin' Roller Coaster & Big Thunder Mountain - Ask for any odd numbered row, they have a little more room.

Tower of Terror - position yourself so that you are at the end of the row closest to the middle of the vehicle.

Splash Mountain - Ask for your own row, particularly if you have any knee or other issues.

Star Tours - There is a transfer seat in each vehicle, they will usually try to sit you there, but if they don't and there are no wheelchairs on your vehicle, ask for it, as it will make getting in and out of the seat a lot easier.

Test Track - Ask for an empty seat next to you and ask them not to fill it with an single rider. It makes everyone, including yourself more comfortable.

Little Mermaid & Finding Nemo - Ask for your own vehicle, unless you are with someone really small.

 

[SMD]

Haunted Mansion - The lap bars on the wheelchair transfer vehicles provide a little more room, but be courteous and don't ask for them if you see wheelchairs waiting.

Star Tours - There is a transfer seat in each vehicle, they will usually try to sit you there, but if they don't and there are no wheelchairs on your vehicle, ask for it, as it will make getting in and out of the seat a lot easier.

Why can't a guest who needs the transfer seat use it if there is a guest in a wheelchair? The other guest needs it too and also waited for the seat. Shouldn't it go to the person who needs it who reaches the front of the line first? Where is it stated that transfer seats are for the exclusive use of guests in wheelchairs or that wheelchairs trump another guest who is also waiting?

 

[cmwade77]

Why can't a guest who needs the transfer seat use it if there is a guest in a wheelchair? The other guest needs it too and also waited for the seat. Shouldn't it go to the person who needs it who reaches the front of the line first? Where is it stated that transfer seats are for the exclusive use of guests in wheelchairs or that wheelchairs trump another guest who is also waiting?

They certainly can, I just try to be courteous, I don't want to take it away from someone else when I CAN use a non transfer vehicle, its just not as comfortable.

 

[I M Fearless]

Generally adaptions on rides are put in place to accommodate people who are disabled as opposed to overweight, so while an adaption may be helpful to someone who is overweight, there is no legal obligation to provide an adaption unless the condition is disabling. It would therefore make sense that the priority should be given to a person who has a disability, as the theme park has a legal obligation to make reasonable modifications for guests with disabilities. I suppose whether or not you wait, would come down to whether or not you considered yourself to be disabled, and therefore entitled to the modification in any case.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I used to weigh 308lbs and found Space Mountain very difficult to get in and out of, as well as Astro Orbiter's vehicle. Now weigh 250 and find I can manage Mine Train if I do not pull the bar completely down. Stilled locked in place, but not all the way down. Over in AK, the molded seats for Primeval Whirl are painful to sit it, as you are tossed about the little car. My butt hit the ridged edge of the seat too many times and the hard plastic doesn't give way at all.

 

[SMD]

Generally adaptions on rides are put in place to accommodate people who are disabled as opposed to overweight, so while an adaption may be helpful to someone who is overweight, there is no legal obligation to provide an adaption unless the condition is disabling. It would therefore make sense that the priority should be given to a person who has a disability, as the theme park has a legal obligation to make reasonable modifications for guests with disabilities. I suppose whether or not you wait, would come down to whether or not you considered yourself to be disabled, and therefore entitled to the modification in any case.

But if they're willing to wait in turn with the people waiting for that vehicle to come around, why should someone who shows up after them jump in front?

 

[I M Fearless]

Because the disabled are legally entitled to have a modification being made available where reasonably possible. Someone who is overweight, but not disabled would not have the same right to have a modification made under the ADA. The purpose of the modification is for the meeting of needs of disabled people. The fact that the modification may also benefit someone who is overweight is great, but it is not the true intent of making the modification. If the overweight person is also disabled then they too would be covered by the ADA, however not all overweight people consider themselves to be disabled and so many would not be covered by the ADA. It therefore seems fair to allow those who have a legal entitlement to use the modification before doing so yourself. If the Op is disabled she would be afforded that protection.

 

[SMD]

Because the disabled are legally entitled to have a modification being made available where reasonably possible. Someone who is overweight, but not disabled would not have the same right to have a modification made under the ADA. The purpose of the modification is for the meeting of needs of disabled people. The fact that the modification may also benefit someone who is overweight is great, but it is not the true intent of making the modification. If the overweight person is also disabled then they too would be covered by the ADA, however not all overweight people consider themselves to be disabled and so many would not be covered by the ADA. It therefore seems fair to allow those who have a legal entitlement to use the modification before doing so yourself. If the Op is disabled she would be afforded that protection.

So then if I want in line for an hour and the transfer seat is the only one available, should someone who just entered the line, if they're the only person in a wheelchair be allowed to go right to the front and use that seat? Should Disney just not use that seat until someone in a wheelchair makes it to the front of the line. Or should it be put to use until the person in the wheelchair reaches the front of the line?

It also seems like considering oneself disabled isn't something that would need to be accommodated. I suppose you could say that there are people who can't transfer who wouldn't "consider themselves" disabled and would therefore not ask for accommodations and just not ride. But there are people who consider things like flat feet and compressed discs disabled and want accommodations. Does this meet the ADA definition? I think if Disney chooses to allow guests who aren't in a wheelchair to use those seats, that's their business. I don't think we should tell people not to request them, it's up to Disney to say no.

 

[piccolopat]

I thought that obesity is now a recognized disability under the ADA. If someone cannot physically use the regular seat because of their weight, they are just as much entitled to take the seat as someone in a wheelchair. I would hope that only those whose weight really makes the regular seats difficult or impossible will use the transfer seat as those in wheelchairs have no other choice.

 

[lanejudy]

Wow, this argument is starting to sound strangely like who's allowed to use bathroom stalls. Let's get back to the OP's original question -- experience or useful suggestions for pooh-sized people and comfort/discomfort at various rides at WDW.

 

[SMD]

Wow, this argument is starting to sound strangely like who's allowed to use bathroom stalls. Let's get back to the OP's original question -- experience or useful suggestions for pooh-sized people and comfort/discomfort at various rides at WDW.

Isn't it relevant though? The OP is being told that these seats may be helpful, but at the same time not to use them under certain conditions. Then someone is saying that the ADA determines who can use those seats, but I'm pretty sure that this is just opinion as I can't find a reference saying any of this.

 

[lanejudy]

I believe CMs on the scene determine who may use an accessible ride vehicle, based on the CM's knowledge of the ride and it's vehicles as well as the current situation. Some accessible ride vehicles load at a different location so it may not be possible to honor such a request at the loading zone. Generally speaking, guests are likely to wait longer for accessible ride vehicles; I can't imagine someone would choose to do that if a standard ride vehicle is an option.

Any other experience or suggestions to share with OP?