Flight of Passage + People of Size = Disappointing

[Roocatty]

I am 5'4 and somewhere between a 3x and 4x. I just barely fit. I required assistance (some direction and a couple pushes). It was the back restraint not the legs. After the ride finished my back restraint would not release without assistance.

I don't feel confident that I would fit every time...it was tight.

Can you offer any tips? I am similar I size and the same height. In July I didn't fit but the cast member have no tips on how to sit so I was leaning forward. I'm going back this fall.

 

[billsfan]

We are going to be at the Animal Kingdom on October 26th. I know I am not going to fit (6'1" 400 lbs.). Our whole party of 6 have fastpasses for this ride. Is it worth my while to experience the line getting into the attraction. Will they even let me do the line if they know I will not even fit on the ride?

Thanks

 

[whiporee]

That's a tough call, Steve. In truth there's not tons to experience in the FP line. But in my case, they did replace my FP and did give me additional ones for my kids, so that's something that could happen for you. Whether it's worth the trade off is up to you -- and there's no guarantee they'll be as generous to you as they were to me.

I feel your pain, man. it sucks. i know all the arguments and have had all the conversations and I've no interest in getting into another wide-ranging cause and effect, accusation throwing argument around here. We all know the realities of being overweight even if we disagree on the causes. But in the end, it still sucks.

 

[pitpat]

Did we get any closure on that other thread? Was she able to ride?

 

[LindaY]

I read others complaining about this on another board. Several of the larger former riders suggested not wearing sneakers. They said once once they put on flip flops or other flat shoes they fit. The higher shoe makes the largest part of your calves placed in the wrong places for the restraints. I've never been on it- just reporting the solution from another message board.

 

[fla4fun]

We had two in our party try the test seat and not fit. So we are working to move FP around for next week on the day we have FoP planned. We would like to do NRJ, but no FP left now and stand by will be too long when the others are doing FoP with FP. May just hang out at Nomad and chill instead.

 

[OhhBother]

It will be my turn to try next week, so we'll see how it goes. I hope I fit. If I don't, I know I will next trip. I'm having gastric bypass surgery next month, and there'll be less of me when we go back in December.

 

[KStash]

I'll also be there next week. I think I'm probably right on the cusp. I've lost 45 pounds, so I'm hoping I fit. I have a weird body shape, though, with super big hips and thighs, and a small upper body. I measured my calfs at 18.4 inches, but I'm worried about my big butt.

If I don't fit, I'm not going to be too down. It'll just keep me motivated to keep losing for my next vacation (which I think I'll book for April of the spring).

 

[Disneymomintx]

Going to Disney in November. Super nervous about FOP. Hoping people keep posting their experiences here! For reference, if any readers are similar in size, I'm 5'6, 279, 24 pants, 3x t-shirt.

 

[BigB0882]

So it sounds like the main problem is having larger legs/calves? My husband is a bigger guy, but I don't think he has overly large calves. He will be devastated if he can't ride, it is #1 on our to-do list. It isn't like you can lose weight in your calves when you only hold weight in your stomach/upperbody.

Has anyone had trouble with the seat because of having a large belly?

 

[OhhBother]

Well, today was our first Animal Kingdom day, and I had mixed results on FOP. We used a FP around 11:45, and I mentally prepared myself that I wouldn't fit. (I didn't even bother with the test seat -- there were kids climbing all over it.) Once in the ride, I sat down on the seat, making a point to scoot all the way forward, and I lifted my feet up on my toes. The back locked on its own -- the legs did not. But it only took the worker a second to get them to lock -- score! I got to ride!

We had lunch and did a couple of other things. Then we decided to ride FOP standby. The wait time was posted at 90, and TP showed an expected wait of 70. That seemed manageable. Well, of course, one of the theaters went down. So our wait turned into a 2.5-hour ordeal. This time, when I got on the seat, same position as before, the legs didn't lock again. The attendant gave it a half-hearted push or two and told me I'd have to leave. Annoying. So I exited the ride to wait on my husband.

The CM out there immediately gave me two anytime FPs (I didn't ask for them). Then, when she found out I had already successfully ridden once, she asked me if I wanted to try again. When my husband came out, the CM gave him two anytime FPs too. Then another CM escorted us backstage to the front of the line at the loading area. She made a point of telling the workers to send us to the D platform and not back to C, where we had been.

We went through the pre-show again, and I once again sat down on the seat. Same results -- legs didn't lock. This worker asked me if it was OK if she pushed. I told her of course. She gave it a shove, and I was locked in.

So, all in all, my husband rode three times and I rode twice. We could have ridden two more times each with the FPs (they were good for all rides including FOP), but we chose not to push our luck and used them to ride the river journey ride a couple of times.

Moral of the story -- the cast member makes all the difference. The two who worked with me enabled me to ride. The one who gave up sent me away. Other moral of the story -- my husband was the big winner today. He got to ride FOP three times and the river ride twice -- and only waited in standby one time.

I know it helps when people give measurements. I'm 5'6'', weigh 299 and carry my weight pretty evenly. I wear a size 20 pants and a 2X in shirts. I'm a competitive powerlifter, so I have more muscle than most women. I also have HUGE calves. I don't have exact measurements, but I know they're over 20''. And they almost kept me from riding today.

We have two more FPs later in the week for FOP, and I'm going to insist the cast member work to get the leg restraint locked.

 

[paradesintherain]

Well, today was our first Animal Kingdom day, and I had mixed results on FOP. We used a FP around 11:45, and I mentally prepared myself that I wouldn't fit. (I didn't even bother with the test seat -- there were kids climbing all over it.) Once in the ride, I sat down on the seat, making a point to scoot all the way forward, and I lifted my feet up on my toes. The back locked on its own -- the legs did not. But it only took the worker a second to get them to lock -- score! I got to ride!

We had lunch and did a couple of other things. Then we decided to ride FOP standby. The wait time was posted at 90, and TP showed an expected wait of 70. That seemed manageable. Well, of course, one of the theaters went down. So our wait turned into a 2.5-hour ordeal. This time, when I got on the seat, same position as before, the legs didn't lock again. The attendant gave it a half-hearted push or two and told me I'd have to leave. Annoying. So I exited the ride to wait on my husband.

The CM out there immediately gave me two anytime FPs (I didn't ask for them). Then, when she found out I had already successfully ridden once, she asked me if I wanted to try again. When my husband came out, the CM gave him two anytime FPs too. Then another CM escorted us backstage to the front of the line at the loading area. She made a point of telling the workers to send us to the D platform and not back to C, where we had been.

We went through the pre-show again, and I once again sat down on the seat. Same results -- legs didn't lock. This worker asked me if it was OK if she pushed. I told her of course. She gave it a shove, and I was locked in.

So, all in all, my husband rode three times and I rode twice. We could have ridden two more times each with the FPs (they were good for all rides including FOP), but we chose not to push our luck and used them to ride the river journey ride a couple of times.

Moral of the story -- the cast member makes all the difference. The two who worked with me enabled me to ride. The one who gave up sent me away. Other moral of the story -- my husband was the big winner today. He got to ride FOP three times and the river ride twice -- and only waited in standby one time.

I know it helps when people give measurements. I'm 5'6'', weigh 299 and carry my weight pretty evenly. I wear a size 20 pants and a 2X in shirts. I'm a competitive powerlifter, so I have more muscle than most women. I also have HUGE calves. I don't have exact measurements, but I know they're over 20''. And they almost kept me from riding today.

We have two more FPs later in the week for FOP, and I'm going to insist the cast member work to get the leg restraint locked.

That's great you lucked into such an attentive cast member at the end!

 

[Kindermouse]

Well, today was our first Animal Kingdom day, and I had mixed results on FOP. We used a FP around 11:45, and I mentally prepared myself that I wouldn't fit. (I didn't even bother with the test seat -- there were kids climbing all over it.) Once in the ride, I sat down on the seat, making a point to scoot all the way forward, and I lifted my feet up on my toes. The back locked on its own -- the legs did not. But it only took the worker a second to get them to lock -- score! I got to ride!

We had lunch and did a couple of other things. Then we decided to ride FOP standby. The wait time was posted at 90, and TP showed an expected wait of 70. That seemed manageable. Well, of course, one of the theaters went down. So our wait turned into a 2.5-hour ordeal. This time, when I got on the seat, same position as before, the legs didn't lock again. The attendant gave it a half-hearted push or two and told me I'd have to leave. Annoying. So I exited the ride to wait on my husband.

The CM out there immediately gave me two anytime FPs (I didn't ask for them). Then, when she found out I had already successfully ridden once, she asked me if I wanted to try again. When my husband came out, the CM gave him two anytime FPs too. Then another CM escorted us backstage to the front of the line at the loading area. She made a point of telling the workers to send us to the D platform and not back to C, where we had been.

We went through the pre-show again, and I once again sat down on the seat. Same results -- legs didn't lock. This worker asked me if it was OK if she pushed. I told her of course. She gave it a shove, and I was locked in.

So, all in all, my husband rode three times and I rode twice. We could have ridden two more times each with the FPs (they were good for all rides including FOP), but we chose not to push our luck and used them to ride the river journey ride a couple of times.

Moral of the story -- the cast member makes all the difference. The two who worked with me enabled me to ride. The one who gave up sent me away. Other moral of the story -- my husband was the big winner today. He got to ride FOP three times and the river ride twice -- and only waited in standby one time.

I know it helps when people give measurements. I'm 5'6'', weigh 299 and carry my weight pretty evenly. I wear a size 20 pants and a 2X in shirts. I'm a competitive powerlifter, so I have more muscle than most women. I also have HUGE calves. I don't have exact measurements, but I know they're over 20''. And they almost kept me from riding today.

We have two more FPs later in the week for FOP, and I'm going to insist the cast member work to get the leg restraint locked.

Please Please Please go to guest services and share this compliment and story of CM magic. Not only will it reward their kindness but it may also encourage others to show this kindness and patience for guests of all sizes becuase it will help all involved know that what the 2 kindly CM's did for you was noticed and it does matter.

Also...give you hubby a good sportsman hand shake like the kids do at the end of their baseball games. He definitely won the game today.

 

[michelle06]

Well, today was our first Animal Kingdom day, and I had mixed results on FOP. We used a FP around 11:45, and I mentally prepared myself that I wouldn't fit. (I didn't even bother with the test seat -- there were kids climbing all over it.) Once in the ride, I sat down on the seat, making a point to scoot all the way forward, and I lifted my feet up on my toes. The back locked on its own -- the legs did not. But it only took the worker a second to get them to lock -- score! I got to ride!

We had lunch and did a couple of other things. Then we decided to ride FOP standby. The wait time was posted at 90, and TP showed an expected wait of 70. That seemed manageable. Well, of course, one of the theaters went down. So our wait turned into a 2.5-hour ordeal. This time, when I got on the seat, same position as before, the legs didn't lock again. The attendant gave it a half-hearted push or two and told me I'd have to leave. Annoying. So I exited the ride to wait on my husband.

The CM out there immediately gave me two anytime FPs (I didn't ask for them). Then, when she found out I had already successfully ridden once, she asked me if I wanted to try again. When my husband came out, the CM gave him two anytime FPs too. Then another CM escorted us backstage to the front of the line at the loading area. She made a point of telling the workers to send us to the D platform and not back to C, where we had been.

How encouraging to hear your story. I am wondering though if D platform is more big person friendly? Was there a reason they sent you to D? If so, wondering if I should request it?

 

[Rich M]

How encouraging to hear your story. I am wondering though if D platform is more big person friendly? Was there a reason they sent you to D? If so, wondering if I should request it?

Guessing it was to make sure she didn't encounter the same cast member.

 

[michelle06]

Guessing it was to make sure she didn't encounter the same cast member.

That makes sense.

On another forum, someone said they didn't have leg restraints last week. A couple others responded they noticed it too. Can anyone here confirm that? Did they remove the leg restraints?

 

[KStash]

I fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ride was AMAZING! It made me cry a bit. It was so beautiful.

I tried the test seat and I was on the cusp. The very nice cast member said she thought I would fit, and that the CMs will work to get me on. When we were loading, I told the CM I was on the cusp with the test seat. I arched my back and the back closed no problem, I had a few inches to spare back there. The cast member pushed once on my legs and I was in, easy peasy!!!!!

I want to tell you if you are scared to try the test seat: just do it. That area is so busy, no one is really paying attention to you. The only people who saw me try the seat, were others who were trying to see if they fit.

Second: I am a big girl. I have hips the size of Montana. I'm a 26 on the bottom and a 20-22 on top (I'm super pear shaped). If I fit, with my weird body dimensions, I think most women will fit. I'm 5'6. I am glad I took off those 40 lbs, because I likely would not have fit (plus the walking would have been harder for me). Next trip, I plan to be down another 40 lbs.

 

[Dakota731]

I haven't tried this ride but am confused by all the talk of restraints. Isn't this a simulation ride, so could someone please explain before I try to get a fast pass.

 

[Cinderella94]

I haven't tried this ride but am confused by all the talk of restraints. Isn't this a simulation ride, so could someone please explain before I try to get a fast pass.

Yes, but the ride seat is comparable to riding a motorcycle. There is a restraint that comes up from the back of your seat to press on your lower back, and restraints that lock the back of your calves in as well. There are many pictures on the internet.
There are restraints because while it is a simulator, the room that you're in is also moving up and down along with the video and it would be very dangerous if you tried to get up.

 

[DisneyOma]

I read others complaining about this on another board. Several of the larger former riders suggested not wearing sneakers. They said once once they put on flip flops or other flat shoes they fit. The higher shoe makes the largest part of your calves placed in the wrong places for the restraints. I've never been on it- just reporting the solution from another message board.

That just sounds silly - sneakers are maybe half an inch thicker in the sole at the most than flip flops. That's got to be some extra cut calf muscle to make a difference in half an inch...