Editor's Notes: 1. The information provided in this article was compiled by Stef Jones in her online FAQ about Physical Resources for Big Folk in answer to the question "What theme parks are comfortable for larger bodies?"
2. If you are considering a trip to Walt Disney World we highly recommend PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs: The Take-Along Travel Guide and Planner! It is an up-to-date review of the Disney World facilities with lots of useful info on size-friendly rides, facilities and restaurants.

Consensus here is that theme parks should place samples of the cars they use for the rides where you queue up for the rides. Then anyone who wasn't sure they would fit in the car could sit in the sample car, and see if it would work. Alas, theme parks do not do this yet. (So suggest it to them when you go to visit.)

In the meantime, here's what some big folks found when they visited various theme parks. You're probably not shaped exactly the same as the people whose opinions are gathered here. And, depending on how your weight is distributed and how the ride is set up, you may fit on rides that people who weigh less than you don't fit on. So don't take any of this as gospel.

THEME PARKS

A ride called the Rainbow featured slides of different colors and heights. "About 2/3 of the way up the narrow stair, a sign was posted with a weight limit. By the time one is in a position to see the sign, one has already climbed a large part of the way up, and the people in line behind one have also acsended, blocking the stairway. There is no escape stair. I didn't want to inconvenience all the people in line behind me -- and I wanted to ride the big slide. So I said to my husband "I'm sure it will be fine" and continued up. There had to be some leeway in the weight limit, right? I mean, lots of men don't evem know their weight.

Anyway, you'll be happy to hear that the slide didn't break under my weight - no one was injured or even embarrassed. BUT my weight meant that I got quite a great deal of MOMENTUM going on the way down the slide. It would have been much better, more responsible policy to post the weight restrictions at the entrance to the ride itself. The park has been renovated and expanded since our visit - the rainbow slide may not even be there any more. But I did learn that weight limits are posted for a reason."

One person was asked to get off a roller coaster in front of everybody because the bar would not go down. Another person (5'3, and around 300 lbs) tried to ride the Big Dipper rollercoaster, was asked to get off the ride, and was refused a refund.

Of the three coasters, Big Bad Wolf is probably the roomiest, followed by the Loch Ness Monster, and then the Drachen Fire. The Drachen Fire is not very friendly to people over 5'6" tall. The Alpengeist has a maximum girth of 48", the Apollo's Chariot has a maximum girth of 52". They have a sample car sitting at the entrance of the Alpengeist so that you can see if you will fit before you get into line. The operators are helpful and do not rush you.

People over 6'5" or having over a 50 inch waist or a very large bust or chest may have problems with the Raptor. People with over a 50 inch waist may have problems with the Mean Streak, the Corkscrew, and the Magnum 200XL. People with over a 60 inch waist may have problems with the Iron Dragon, the Blue Streak, and the Gemini. All the water rides and standard rides should accommodate folks with less than a 60" waist.

A size 28-30W woman fit on all the rides without any problem. One 28-30W person found the inner tube rides (other than the Lazy River) a bit difficult -- the inner tube kept sinking down into the water, and she found herself scraping the bottom a lot -- she still found it fun. They have scuba jackets for the Shark Reef in sizes up to 28-30W. Star Tours and Body Wars were a little snug. Clothes in gift shops go up to size 4X.
For much more about Walt Disney World theme parks, see below.

300+, 410lb, 310lb, and 3X people fit through all the turnstiles and fit on every single ride without problems. One woman complained that the rocket jets were uncomfortable and some of the gates were smallish, and recommended not sitting in the front car of Space Mountain. Disney did not complain that she needed to take a whole seat meant for two.

Many of the rides are accessible for much larger folks as well (i.e., Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mount, Jungle Boat, and Matterhorn). Star Tours may not be entirely comfortable; it has theater-type seats. One person needed a seatbelt extender for Star Tours and they provided it without a fuss.

And on Main St., the Clothier store, the Disney Emporium, and Tomorrowland all have large-size clothing (some up to 8X).

The seats in MGM Studios were somewhat uncomfortable for one person. One person couldn't fit through the turnstiles and ended up lifting himself over them.

Disneyland is very accommodating to people with physical limitations and will assist people in getting on and off the rides. They have wheelchairs available for a small deposit.
For more about Walt Disney theme parks, see below.

One woman didn't fit on one of the rides, and they gave her and her partner passes to go to the head of the line on any other ride (to make up for the fact that she waited all that time for the first ride). A 5'4" 220-lb size 18-24 woman fit on all the rides, but just barely on the wooden rollercoaster. A 5'7" 340 lb. person could not fit on anything, except one rollercoaster (not the wooden one, presumably).

One reader was humiliated by the ride staff.

A supersized woman had no problem on any of the rides she went on.

Another person warns that many of the rides, with the exception of the log flume and the California River Country Raft Ride, are not size friendly, including the three major roller coasters. One of the roller coasters (Montezuma's Revenge?) may be bad for people with back or neck problems. ("starts on a short section of track, catapults you forward, through a loop to a near vertical incline at which you fall and reverse the process passing through the start station and going to another near vertical incline and you then fall back forward and stop in the station") The fried chicken dinner at the restaurant is recommended.

One person had a bad experience with a roller coaster -- the bar went down but the person was pinned very uncomfortably and had a hard time getting the bar to release.

A size 28W-30W woman had problems fitting in the safety devices of some rides, but always fit and was able to ride without too much discomfort.

A size 28W-30W woman had problems fitting in the safety devices of some rides, but always fit and was able to ride without too much discomfort.

Two people reported bad experiences. One concerned the roller coaster. Nothing was posted about a size limit, but the safety bar would not lock and the person was asked to leave the ride. One person commented that the amusement park is very hilly. One 300 lb. person fit onto the Batman and Superman rides.

Two mid-sized people had trouble getting into the Texas Giant ride. However, one person who is approximately 280 lbs and 58" girth did not have a problem here except for "occasionally a tight fit."

Roller coaster is reported to be a very tight fit.

WATER THEME PARKS

Large folks tend to do well at water theme parks. The more surface area you have, the better you can dam water up behind you, the faster you can go. And often there are people with a wide range of body types at water theme parks.

WALT DISNEY WORLD

One poster reported that at 6'7" and 400 lbs, height was more of a problem than weight and recommended the second row of most rides as having more leg room. "On the water rides be sure to seat in the middle (left and right), we had a boat full of couples all seating on one side, and started to take on water."

The following description of Disney parks is contributed by barb@nebula.ispace.com (Note: this email address no longer works):

Because of the questions regarding rides at Walt Disney World, I called and spoke with a great woman who helped me go through each of the parks and "size up" (so to speak!) the rides at all three Disney Parks. Below is the compilation of what I can offer as far as info re: descriptions of rides and shows goes. Know, too, that *your* judgement is the ultimate guide. I merely offer suggestions.

All shows have handicapped access and all ts and bs locations (except those designated "nws"... no wheelchair spaces) have wheelchair spaces, never having to leave the wheelchair, and a place for companion as well. More info on wheelchairs below.

MAGIC KINGDOM

EPCOT CENTER

MGM

There is ample wheelchair parking outside each park. In MGM you need to show a wheelchair sticker, otherwise it is the honor system. Trams, monorails, and boats are completely accessible, their being used to get you from the parking area to the parks.

Wheelchairs, both standard and electric, can be rented each day, but must stay in the park they were rented in, even with multi-park passes. The wheelchair rental areas are directly inside each parks' gates (Magic Kingdom's is towards the middle, EPCOT's is to the far left, and MGM's is also to the far left). Standard wheelchairs are $6 a day, no deposit. The electric ones are $30 a day and $20 refundable deposit when you return the chair. (The electric ones are *well* worth the money! Especially in EPCOT where there are hills in several places.) A new policy! Wheelchairs are *first come, first served"! They no longer take reservations. We always rent a stroller as well for the walking person to push, allowing us to dump all the purses, bags, etc. in. First come, first served, they are $6 a day, with $1 refund when you return it.

One never needs to go through turnstiles... from the front entrance to any ride. There are gates that swing open, simply ask the attendant (or make yourself at home and open it yourself, like I do!).

All types of modified diets are honored at Walt Disney World... in parks (see below), restaurants, and hotels... from Kosher, vegan, and low-fat to diabetic, ovo-lacto vegetarian, and kids' meals.

In the Magic Kingdom, there is a vegetarian fast food restaurant in Tomorrowland. The fast food places are eat what is on the menu, but sit down places (with backstage chefs) can cook anything to match your dietary needs... simply ask your server.

In EPCOT, there are wonderful places to eat. Canada has a cafeteria. The Living Seas has the most expensive food, but most spectacular dining room, set under the aquarium, dinner swimming all around as you eat! Most restaurants have several choices of meals that fit in with varying diet plans. If not, ask the server for what you need.

In MGM, there are fast food and dining rooms, including a cafeteria (that is eat what is there). The dining rooms can cater to your needs.

The majority of wheelchairs at the Disney parks are the regular sized, but they *do* have several of the larger sized ones. The electric wheelchairs have arms that rise on one side.

Also, the chairs in every restaurant that I can think of have no arms. I am sure if there are arms on chairs, there are also chairs without arms handy.

The restrooms all have handicapped stalls, of course... and I have been able to fit in most stalls at 330 pounds.

If you ever have a problem when gently asking for your needs, ask to speak to a supervisor, and they can help... either by getting you what you need, or directing you to a place where your needs can be met.

For further questions you can call Walt Disney World at 407-824-4321.

Copyright by Stef Jones (stef@bayarea.net).
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