by Andrew
(Gastonia, NC)
Hello,
I’m going to Walt Disney World Orlando for the first time in a few days and I have a question about . I’m 5’8 and weigh somewhere between 330-340lbs. I know I’m fat, that’s not my question.
Will I experience difficulties when trying to ride Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Slash Mountain, other Magic Kingdom rides, etc.? We have a local theme park called Carowinds in Charlotte, NC, and I can only fit on a few rides there. Will it be the same way at Walt Disney World?
Dad’s Pooh Sized Answer
If Pooh can ride so can we – Photo by Cliff Wang
Andrew,
I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you are Pooh (as in Winnie the Pooh) sized. Mrs. Mom and I are Pooh sized too. We are both undertall and could stand to loose a bunch of weight so we know what you are talking about.
Being overweight is a problem at Walt Disney World but not because of the rides. I can’t think if a single ride that would give you problems. A few of the roller coasters might be a bit uncomfortable, but there is no weight limit on any of the rides. There are a couple of rides that might be a problem if you ride with a skinny person. (Rides that have bars that serve as a restraint).
Let’s just go down the list. Let’s start at the Magic Kingdom.
Splash Mountain is a very wide ride that accommodates any size person. On Space Mountain the car is not real roomy, but big enough for wide bodies. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be the most uncomfortable, but you’ll be able to get on. PS. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is uncomfortable for most people.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one ride that can give big people problems. The seats are sculpted so if you have big bottom it’s uncomfortable. Also the lap restraint squeezes your legs together and frankly is uncomfortable for those of us with big thighs.
In EPCOT all the rides are friendly to Pooh Sized people. Test Track and Soarin’ have seat belts but both handle large bellies well.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is good too. Star Tours and Tower of Terror have seat belts, but again, no worries.
Also some some tall and large people and those with big calfs do experience some problems on Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom. Kali River Rapids may require a set belt extender.
A few of rides have the over the shoulder restraints. (Mission Space, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, etc.) The over the shoulder fit everyone. No problems at all.
Dad’s Bottom Line
Andrew, the biggest problem with being Pooh sized at Disney World is the same as it is anywhere you would walk miles and miles. It’s just hard work. But you should be able to ride most if not all the rides.
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Comments 8
I’m 6ft 360lbs I’m a power lifter and have very wide waist and shoulders, I went to silver dollar city last year and could only ride 1 ride(the wooden coaster). Are the rides at disney world similar in seat size to silver dollar city?
Author
Chase, the rides at Disney World (mostly) are very friendly to big (I call us, Pooh sized) people. There are a couple but for the most part you will be fine on every ride.
I just wanted to thank you for posting this. It gives us Pooh sized people a reason to live! If we need a vacation and haven’t quite lost the weight yet, we can still enjoy ourselves. For anxious people like me, this post was a life saver. Thank you!
I completely, 100%, second these sentiments. I too came here, worried, and after reading a few lines I started crying. I feel like there is so much understanding and compassion behind your words and reassurances.
Thank you times a million.
Hello! I am going to be going to Disney in July and I am worried about my size for buying shirts and riding rides. I am 5’4 and weigh 270+ pounds. Will I be able to do these things at Disney?
Author
You should have no problem with the rides. All of them are very friendly to Pooh sized people. The shirts on the other hand, aren’t as friendly. I wear a XXL and do have trouble finding that size in a lot of the gift shops.
An amendment to this is response might include the Tron ride. Currently in Shanghai, it will open in WDW in 2021. This video shows how the bike works for an overweight person:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-c1onCueQ
I rode this ride in Shanghai, and it was extremely uncomfortable. The way the bar sandwiches your knees/calves into the bike squeezed my calves terribly, and I had painful bruises for days after visiting the park. While it was physically possible to ride the ride, a cast member had to basically force the restraint closed (and they were in no way sympathetic or invested in attempting to find a way for it to be more comfortable.) Part of the problem was the humidity – I couldn’t slide my leg around to find a more comfortable way to east the bar into my knee (this is where a cast member could have been helpful, as you cannot see your leg once you are in the bike).
Thankfully, the speed of this ride distracts you from the pain, but I suspect that anyone much larger than me would not be able to ride this ride. (I am 5’1″, 230 lbs) There are test cars outside of the ride – anyone concerned should definitely use them.
Honestly, I was extremely disappointed in how exclusive this ride is. While I am considerably overweight, I have found Disney Parks to be accommodating of this reality. The fact that they did not come up with a better solution for this ride is, to me, an extreme oversight.
Author
Until the ride actually opens and we get a chance to see if Disney makes any modifications, we won’t comment about it.