Whether you consider yourself tall, generally larger, Pooh-sized, or simply weight-conscious, planning a theme park vacation as a bigger person can be filled with fear and self-doubt. While some guests may need to consider certain restraints, the vast majority of guests have no trouble at all in the Disney Parks. This article mini-series, called ‘Will I Fit?,’ I’m hoping to put a few minds at ease with some of the more in-depth details that others don’t talk about, coming from someone who has been just about every size possible at both ends of the scale. Last time we met, we looked at the inner workings of Disneyland Park, analyzing which could be problematic for specific shapes or sizes. Today, we are moving across the walkway to Disney California Adventure Park to answer some of your most pressing questions.
Are You Worried About Limited Mobility?
The California Adventure Park is smoother sailing for mobility than many other theme parks. Most of the walkways and areas are wide, providing ample space for guests, including those with mobility scooters. I’ve noticed that there are fewer bottleneck areas in this park than in Disneyland, which is clearly designed for more modern crowd levels than the original park. Most areas are reasonably flat, except for the walking track around Grizzly Peak, which features ramps, narrower pathways, and some steps. Some rides, like Radiator Springs Racers, are a little harder to transfer down into if you have limited mobility or an injury.
Will I Fit on the Rides?
Most of them, yes! And that’s without even taking another thought. Of course, it comes down to the specifics of your frame, but many of the rides in this park are accommodating for all sizes. Even some of the best rides have customizable restraints like the adjustable lap strap on Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, where a bench seat can fit 1 – 3 people, securing over the top of their laps. Other attractions like Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Webslingers in Avengers Campus have a more generalized seating system without the need for individual straps. More of a safety barrier than a restraint.
What Rides Could be a Problem?
There is only one attraction that can be routinely troublesome for larger guests in this park: Goofy’s Sky School. Even though it’s a simple roller coaster with a lower height requirement, there is a restrictive lap bar that can be tricky for guests who are larger in their mid-lower section, or even taller guests who may struggle to get their legs into place. One ride that may be too uncomfortable to bother with is the Silly Symphony Swings (Swinging Chairs), which most people can get into, but the force while in the air is often said to be uncomfortable for larger guests.
What Rides Might I Struggle With?
While they often won’t stop you from riding, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout and the Incredicoaster are two attractions that might need a little fenangling to feel comfortable. When riding GotG, before you sit down, try pulling the seatbelt out first, to save you digging around the person next to you to find your belt restraint. Even at my normal-range weight now, I still do this every single time; it’s just easier and works on Radiator Springs Racers as well. Over in Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster can be more difficult for female guests with larger chests as it can leave your restraint sitting unfortably far from your body regardless of the size of the rest of your body. Be ready for it, and I always lift my ribcage a bit as I bring the restraint down, allowing the bottom of it to sit closer to my body, as I’m not quite tall enough to sit higher in that frame.
Disney California Adventure Park offers a wide range of accessible options for guests of all sizes. In my experience, it is better laid out to cope with large crowds and mobility scooters than its neighboring Disneyland. If you have any questions, add them to the comments below and see if I or someone in our DIS Community can help.
