Over the last twenty years, I’ve been in almost every dress size imaginable, and I’ve visited the Disney Parks at every stage of that weight gain and subsequent weight loss. It was a slow slog in both directions, filled with more complications than expected. Still, it has left me with a rather substantial wealth of first-hand knowledge on visiting Disney in various sizes.
One of my most overwhelming fears at my heaviest weight is whether I would fit into certain rides. My dreams would be plagued with nightmares of horrendously embarrassing scenarios that left me feeling exposed and afraid. Having come full circle, I thought it was about time to help others with the same concern in a new mini-series called ‘Will I Fit?,’ focusing on the Pooh-sized concerns in each of the US-based Disney Parks. Let’s get started with our first destination, Disneyland Park.
Are You Worried About Limited Mobility?
The good news is, if you are thinking about this park from a mobility standpoint, it’s pretty easy to get around. I was lucky in that even at my heaviest, I could still outlast everyone I knew when it came to walking through my Disney days. If you have other factors that are of concern, you won’t need to worry about hills and steep areas here. Aside from the slight decline and incline of the entrance to Mickey’s Toontown and a similar entrance structure to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, most of the park is really easy to maneuver.
Will I Fit on the Rides?
Ah, the nitty-gritty of why we are here. While I can’t give you specific information about your particular size and shape, I can say that for the vast majority of people reading this, the answer will be yes. Most Disneyland rides are incredibly generous in size, and while some might not be the most comfortable ride for everyone, it’s not always a size issue. Many Disney rides don’t have a fixed seat position, allowing Disney to load guests onto bench seating in a way that is more comfortable for pooh-sized guests. For instance, in rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and ‘it’s a small world’, you might find that this 4-person bench seating is only loaded two at a time to suit your party or to accommodate the comfort of guests. Jungle Cruise is another ride that has more space for guests.
What Rides Could be a Problem?
I’ve said that your more challenging rides for larger guests would be Space Mountain and Matterhorn Bobsleds, both of which have a lap strap, though the awkwardness of getting in and out can be more difficult. Even now, at my lowest adult weight, I struggle to get all my stuff in and sorted on Matterhorn; it’s tricky when your legs are in front of you rather than beneath you. Indiana Jones can be a bit stressful to get on, as you are rushed through this side-stepping movement to get into the further seats. I like to pull up the seatbelt before I sit down, even now, because I have trouble seeing where it goes in the dimly lit loading area. I do the same thing with Star Tours in Tomorrowland.
What Rides Might I Struggle With?
Look, I am biased on this one. Astro Orbiters has long been my most despised ride for getting on and off. No matter my weight, hoisting myself on and off that thing is never a good sight. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and the furthest thing from graceful there is. Definitely take note of how best to get in and out of it before you jump on. The other ride I would caution larger visitors on is the Mad Tea Party, the Alice in Wonderland Teacups, which are pretty snug if you want to have room to aggressively fling yourselves around using the optional turning wheel in the center. Getting in and out isn’t so tricky, although with the low center wheel, you might want to spin, legroom is minimal!
Disneyland Park offers a wide range of accessible options for guests of all sizes, and in my experience, it is the least restrictive park of all. If you have any questions, add them to the comments below and see if I or someone in our DIS Community can help.
