Weight Challenged Friendly rides and attractions

[TnkrBelPixiDust]

DispatchInhibit

That's nice and convient of the cast member's to do that.. show's that they care about the guest's safety

 

[cherrynegra]

Weird how I got negative feedback for sharing that an overweight individual may use the wheelchair entrance so that they will not be hindered by a turnstile.

To whomever you may be, since you were not brave enough to leave your name, giving advice and letting others know helpful information on this forum is not cause to leave negative feedback.

This is what "No name" left as a comment for me...
Quote:
"Just because Americans are stupid and overweight does not mean Disney- or anyone else should encourage or support it. I think it's obscene how large people are and then get mad they are fat. Take responsibility for your own life!"

Well, whoever you are, I think it's obvious what you are:zipit: . I would like to encourage you to be tolerant of others whether you agree with their lifestyle or not. There are many different people in the world that have special needs. In America we are free to live our lives the way we choose (Don't be jealous:animwink: ) and because we have those choices, we also have the drive to protect that choice even if it means creating longer lap belts for larger people so that they too can enjoy rides in the most magical place on earth.

And just because you are ignorant, I'll let you in on a little secret...not all obese people are obese due to lifestyle choice. When I was younger, my next door neighbor was diagnosed with arthritis. She was 8. Her medication made her swell and she was always in pain therefore basic exercise was not an option. By 11 years old she weighed 300 pounds and she was around 5 ft. tall. Her weight gain wasn't a choice. Should we have denied her a trip to Disney World? Should we have hid her from public view? Or was she just some stupid American kid?

By the way, I didn't read one post on this thread where someone stated that they were angry because they are fat. They don't blame you for making them this way so back off and enjoy the forums. They are for entertainment and knowledge not for your scrutiny.

Gave you some points to make up for the senseless negative ones. Hope they help!! :wave: Or at least I tried. I shall remember to hit you again with some positive feedback.

Oh, by the way, one bonus to becoming a Premium Member is that you know who leaves you positive and negative points. Something to consider.

 

[stitchlvr]

As a "woman of size" I really didn't find too much trouble. I was able to ride Space Mtn, with a little difficulty getting in and out, but nothing that left me feeling embarrassed. I asked a CM at RnR which seat had the most room, and I don't remember if it was odd or even rows, but she was very helpful and didn't leave me feeling the least bit embarrassed with that either. I didn't have any problem with RnR. M:S was a bit uncomfortable, but doable. As mentioned, teacups were difficult. I also felt self conscious about boat rides and made every attempt to sit in the middle whenever possible, to keep things balanced (Jungle Cruise, El Rio, even Splash Mtn, I scooched to the center as much as I could.)

I found the info in Deb's website to be very helpful, and I would definately recommend that your friend reads it before going! It sure made me feel at ease and know where I might have problems, and be prepared for it.

WDW compared to any other theme park I've been to...no comparison. WDW is much more accomodating to the plus sized!

 

[HauntedSquirrel]

I'm overweight as well. around 6'3" and in the upper 300s towards 400 (don't keep any scales in the house. heh) and the last time i went to WDW i really only had tough time in two areas. One was space mountain, but it wasn't really my weight but my height that caused the problem, but sitting in the back helps a lot. And i had a bit of trouble with test track as well, with their seatbelts, but the CMs helped me.

as for boat rides, i don't really find myself cautious about them, in fact i love to ride in the front of the splash mountain logs because i loved to be splashed.

The only thing i would not recommend would be the virtual space mountain at disney quest. I tried to get into it but i wouldn't fit and it really bummed me out.

 

[DisneyMemories]

Few people here and on the link Erica was kind enough to add mentioned Splash mountian,having not rode it myself l was wondering how tuff would it be to get in and out? What seats should you try and ask for? l got a gut l need to lose myself,so it got me wondering too,lol. So you know i'm kinda husky myself

 

[barnum42]

Few people here and on the link Erica was kind enough to add mentioned Splash mountian,having not rode it myself l was wondering how tuff would it be to get in and out? What seats should you try and ask for? l got a gut l need to lose myself,so it got me wondering too,lol. So you know i'm kinda husky myself

Getting out is the trick, you are sat on the floor with no handles to help you up. I do a psedo press up action on the sides of the vehicle that lets me curl up my legs so I can then stand.

 

[Erika]

Weird how I got negative feedback for sharing that an overweight individual may use the wheelchair entrance so that they will not be hindered by a turnstile.

To whomever you may be, since you were not brave enough to leave your name, giving advice and letting others know helpful information on this forum is not cause to leave negative feedback.

This is what "No name" left as a comment for me...
Quote:
"Just because Americans are stupid and overweight does not mean Disney- or anyone else should encourage or support it. I think it's obscene how large people are and then get mad they are fat. Take responsibility for your own life!"

Well, whoever you are, I think it's obvious what you are:zipit: . I would like to encourage you to be tolerant of others whether you agree with their lifestyle or not. There are many different people in the world that have special needs. In America we are free to live our lives the way we choose (Don't be jealous:animwink: ) and because we have those choices, we also have the drive to protect that choice even if it means creating longer lap belts for larger people so that they too can enjoy rides in the most magical place on earth.

And just because you are ignorant, I'll let you in on a little secret...not all obese people are obese due to lifestyle choice. When I was younger, my next door neighbor was diagnosed with arthritis. She was 8. Her medication made her swell and she was always in pain therefore basic exercise was not an option. By 11 years old she weighed 300 pounds and she was around 5 ft. tall. Her weight gain wasn't a choice. Should we have denied her a trip to Disney World? Should we have hid her from public view? Or was she just some stupid American kid?

By the way, I didn't read one post on this thread where someone stated that they were angry because they are fat. They don't blame you for making them this way so back off and enjoy the forums. They are for entertainment and knowledge not for your scrutiny.

Well stated!! :sohappy: I tried to give you some positive feedback but it seems that I've given you some not too long ago and it won't let me do it again. But bravo!

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

With my experiences from both sides of the fence on this issue (was once 240 lbs. @ 15 years old), I truly sympathize with folks who struggle with keeping their weight down. Bravo to all those who seem to continuously struggle with sincere efforts to keep the pounds off. Keep it up. On the flip-side, I can't stand to hear folks who seem to complain about the size of airplane seats, turnstiles, theatre seats, ect., while stuffing their faces with fast foods and candy bars. Unless you have a medical condition, don't blame anyone else for your obesity.

*Gets off soapbox*

If your friend has extremely bad knees or back, I would avoid Space Mountain even if he may be able to fit. The climb in and out sometimes requires yoga and hurts tremendously if he has these conditions. I still have them even though I've dropped some considerable weight. I've also seen large folks struggle getting into boat rides (Small World, Pirates of the Carrib., Jungle Cruise) for this same reason.

 

[BeachClubVillas]

Don't do Space Mountain if you have a weight challanged person in your party! A normal-size person has trouble getting in & out of them!

I'm not so sure about that. My dad is 6'3" and 280 lbs and my brother is 6'7 and 250 lbs and they both ride Space Mountain. My brother usually ends up with bruised knees and they're a little slower getting in and out of the cars but they enjoy it anyway. My dad was afraid to ride it for a long time and now he loves it. It's different for every person though.

 

[tammycooley]

The turnstiles at POC are horrible!!!! The ones at Haunted Mansion are not much better. And the seats at Muppet Vision over at The Studios are very small as well. Other than those, I didnt have a problem with anything. But yes, I wish they would do away with the turnstiles!!!!! This will be my 15th trip--tell your friend to go and have a good time... :wave:

 

[Hakunamatata]

I am 6'2", 325. Here would be my recomendations (attraction vehicle wise):

Friendly:
* Haunted Masion
* Pirates
* Big Thunder ( I think )
* TTA Wedway People Mover (one of my fav)
* Tiki Room
* Jungle Cruise
* Hall of Presidents
* Peter Pan ( I think )
* Snow White
* Buzz Lightyear
* Carrosel of Progress
* IASW ( Will still be closed, but I think the front or rear seat. The middle seats do not have enough leg room)
* Tower of Terror ( I think. The seat belt receiver may be a problem).
* Back lot tour
* Wildlife tour at Animal Kingdom
* Spaceship Earth
* Journey into Your Imagination w/Figment
* Maelstrom in Norway
* Boat ride in Mexico ( may still be down for rehab)
* Off Kilter in Canada ( stage presentation)


Not So Friendly:
* Space Mountain
* Splash Mountain ( I think leg room issue )
* Stitch ( IF the seats are the same as AE, I beleive they are very narrow)
* Mission to Mars
* Test Track

These are some suggestions, and could be different experience for your friend. If your friend has problems with movie theatre type seats, he may have problems at "theatre" type attractions. Reguardless, he should go and have fun. More times than not, line delays are due to people not paying attention to what they are doing and not people with handicaps or physical challenges.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Mission: SPACE would DEFINITELY be a problem...I think those cabins have about 5 square feet of room! Animal Kingdom seems to be the most friendly park.

 

[egionet]

Like I said before, I have extremely long legs, and I've never had a problem on Splash Mountain. Getting out is a little big difficult, but that's only because it's like being in a car with bucket seats. As for RNRC, the odd number rows have more room. It's the front of the car. If I don't sit in the odd number row, I wack my knees really bad.

 

[mrtoad]

I am 5' 10.5" and about 235. I am fit on all the rides though that does not mean I am comfortable. Some seats are narrow which I don't get as though I am overweight, I am not that big so you would think they should be bigger.

One thing that was not mentioned, is the water mice that you can take out in the 7 Seas Lagoon are only rated to 300 lbs I think which I think sounds rather small. I mean two "normal" (what we are told is normal ) adults might be too heavy to ride in them. That does not seem right. That might have changed as they have new boats but when we did the last version in 2000 it was a 300 lb weight limit.

Hope this helps.

 

[MonoRon]

Im a pretty big guy myself, I have been on all of the popular rides without a problem. The only problem is the turnstyles, my friend is 6'7" and he has a hard time riding. The leg room is really small on most of the rides. Turnstyles are the worst!

 

[mikeymouse]

More exercise, and less visits to MC Donalds. I do agree that maybe they need to put some warnings on certain atractions for large folks, or maybe one of the vehicles in the line somewhere to test it out so they dont waste there time.

I don't go to McDonalds and I do Taebo every day. I'm not saying you can't fit on the rides, its just tight.

 

[tigger248]

I have some overweight family members and most of their trouble spots have already been mentioned. One that I don't think has, though is JIYI. My grandmother is pretty large (though I don't know specifics) and almost couldn't get in. Their seems to be enough room inside the car itself, but the door is quite narrow.

It's kinda funny because once we rode splash and our boat was quite low (and sorta leaning more on one side). I always joke and say we almost tipped the boat (though I know it was nowhere near tipping, in reality). My mom and I were in the front, my aunt was in the second row, my other aunt was in the third row, and my cousin and her friend were in back. Both of my aunts are kinda big, my mom is slightly overweight, my cousin and I are average (I think), and my cousin's friend is scrawny. My mom and aunts were on the same side of the boat and I was practically on my mom's lap (it was after the big drop when the log stops next to that waterfall. On flight home day in mid-November, none of us wanted the extra waterfall water on us). We couldn't tell if the scrawny friend was purposely on my cousin's lap or if she slid, but the boat was definately leaning! We found it kinda funny.

 

[DDuckFan130]

Wow I never found M:S to be trouble. Well, I don't think I'm as big as others here, but like I mentioned I have had problems with SM and Splash, mainly because getting out is a pain, not so much because I don't fit. But with M:S I fit perfectly. You know what did bother me though? Primeval Whirl. Those can be problematic in more ways than one. I sat by myself in one of the double seats and my brother and sister sat in the other one. I was thrown around that seat and since the individual seats are narrow so my thigh kept hitting the little bar or whatever that separates the individual seats. That really hurt :lol:. I would scream "WOO" and "OW" at the same time :hammer:. Did that make sense?

 

[Ringo8n24]

I think it is really cool somebody posted this thread for everyone to read, not just people who are obese. Not being obese, I still appreciate the fact that someone was willing to put this out there and that there are so many on these boards willing to help give info about it. It reminded me of the "Biggest Loser" the other night where the winner just wanted to go to an amusement park to ride things he previously could not when he was heavy and had to let his family ride without him. That is sad, but I know it happens.

 

[miles1]

Rides aside, your friend will have to consider the incredible amount of walking he will be doing in the parks. I'm about 5'7" and weighed about 180 on our last visit (lost 20 lbs since then). My desk job doesn't give me a lot of time on my feet. After 2 days in the parks, my feet looked and felt like two pounds of ground beef, with broken blisters, hot spots, etc. And the heat can take a tremendous toll on you if you're not used to it.

He should get to a doctor before the trip to make sure he can handle this kind of activity. It will be much more strenuous for him because of his size, and he will be prone to bone spurs, knee problems etc., just from the walking. Make sure he has comfortable, well fitting shoes, even if they're expensive. Make sure the Doctor checks his blood glucose levels. If he's developing diabetes, the strenuous activity could just push him over the edge.

Sorry to sound like a party pooper, but my clinical training leaves me worried for him.

If the doctor gives approval, he should go and enjoy himself, and to heck with what other people think.


As for me, FIVE WEEKS AND COUNTING!!!