The parks at Walt Disney World are the most fat-friendly, plus-size or “Pooh-Size” welcoming theme parks in existence. As a self-identified fat person who wears between a 3-5X, I’ve done “the walk” from several rides at other parks when I can’t get the restraints to close… and with very few exceptions, I have been able to comfortably ride or experience anything I’ve wanted to at Walt Disney World. In this series, we’re going to look at what rides and attractions I’ve been able to ride or do, which were a no-go, and which I could experience with special considerations.
For the sake of making it easier to compare my size to your own if you have concerns about fitting on a ride, I’m 5’6″ tall, and have weighed somewhere in the realm of 385-420 lbs for most of what I’m sharing in this series (any exceptions will be noted in the ride description). I also carry most of my weight in my lower body, especially in my hips and butt, however I’m not “small” anywhere on any scale.
Let’s Get Started!
Main Street, U.S.A.
Walt Disney World Railroad: The Railroad circles Magic Kingdom and stops on Main Street, U.S.A., and in Frontierland and Fantasyland. When it’s running, it’s a great way to hop from the park entrance to the back areas of the park that may otherwise take a lot of walking. The trains have roomy bench seats with backs. Strollers have to be folded. The only problem I’ve had with the train involved accessing the Main Street, U.S.A. station (which is up a flight of stairs – you cross under the platform when entering and exiting the park).
Adventureland
Swiss Family Treehouse: This is a walking attraction in Adventureland, not a ride. There are a lot of steps. I have not been able to access this attraction, not for size reasons, but for disability reasons.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: This was one of my oldest kids’ favorite rides when she was little. Located in Adventureland, the Magic Carpets are similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant. There are two rows on each ride vehicle, that can sit an adult and child. One row controls the height of the ride vehicle, and the other controls the tilt. I have not had any problems riding this ride sitting in my own row, with my wife and oldest child in the other. I could probably have fit a small child in the seat next to me depending on their size.
Jungle Cruise: The Jungle Cruise is an Adventureland staple. The ride has bench seats, with a step down to get onto the boat. This one is totally accessible for my body.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: The Enchanted Tiki Room is not a ride. It’s an audio-animatronic show in Adventureland with backless bench seats. It’s a good place to cool off, but it’s -LOUD- in there (an issue I’ll get to in another post about sensory stuff). In terms of size issues, I was absolutely fine.
Pirates of the Carribean: One of the most well-known Adventureland rides, Pirates of the Carribean is loads of fun and Disney history. The boats are similar to those for “it’s a small world” or “Frozen Ever After”. You need to be able to step down into the boat and back up to the platform at the end of the ride. There is one “big” drop in the ride and you may get a little wet. I have been able to ride in the front row with my wife and two small children, and in the back with my nine-year-old. I recommend asking for the front row for anyone who may need extra room for legs or bellies – Cast Members are usually great about honoring this kind of request. ECV’s cannot go through this queue due to tight corners. There are standard wheelchairs available for guests using ECV’s to transfer to for the queue, however Disney wheelchairs only hold up to 300 lbs, so if you are over that and need a mobility device, I’d recommend having your own available to use. I just parked the ECV and walked the queue without my rollator because I am okay for short distances without stairs. There are no steps in the queue.
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: This Frontierland roller coaster is one that I haven’t had the chance to ride. For some reason, BTMR has been down for refurbishment almost every single time my family has been to the parks! I also haven’t heard much about how fat-friendly this one is, but I’ll be giving it a shot next time I go. Stay tuned for an update!
Tom Sawyer Island: Guests take a log raft across the river from Frontierland to Tom Sawyer Island, which really is an island with caves and places to explore. I haven’t been there myself, but I see no reason for there to be any size-related hurdles to jump.
Country Bear Jamboree: This Frontierland show has bench seats with backs. They should be fine for most guests.
Liberty Square
The Hall of Presidents: This show uses auditorium-style seating, which may be tight on the hips of larger guests. My best tip for this is to sit on the very edge of the seat and slide back if you can. If you have really wide hips (like me) you may be stuck on the edge of your seat. In this situation, I typically find it more comfortable to keep a backpack behind me so I have some kind of back support.
Liberty Square Riverboat: This is a paddle wheel boat ride with limited seating and lots of standing room. I have not experienced this one, but as long as you are able to stand for the length of the ride, you shouldn’t run into any size-related issues.
Haunted Mansion: This Liberty Square attraction is one of my favorites in the Magic Kingdom. I have ridden with a small child and an adult and we all fit fine. The doom buggy’s bar comes down automatically and has not caused me any pain or discomfort. Guests using mobility devices are taken off to the side here and have the option to enter a doom buggy that is stopped or slowed down. I thought we would be okay here entering on a slowed-down walkway with my wife handing me the toddler once we got into the doombuggy, but we ended up having an issue and the ride had to stop. I will ask for the stopped ride vehicle in the future.
Fantasyland
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: This carousel is located directly behind Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland. I haven’t ridden a horse on the carousel but I’ve stood with a toddler on a horse. Another member of my traveling party who weighed near 280 lbs. has ridden a horse on the ride before, and I’ve heard reports of guests up to 400 lb having ridden before as well. There is a separate entrance off the the side for guests using wheelchairs to access the ride.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic: Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a really neat 3D musical adventure located near Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland. My oldest loves it – my sensory kiddo not so much. The seats are uncomfortable on the hips for me. The best tips I have for this are, like Hall of Presidents, to sit all the way on the front of your seat and try to slide back. If your hips are too wide to scoot back (mine are) you could try keeping a small backpack or a sweater behind you for some lower back support. I also recommend asking a Cast Member to let you sit on the end of a row – you may have some extra leg room that way (which is helpful if you have to sit forward on the seat) (Note: I was somewhere in the realm of 350-385 when I experience this show using the seats) This trip I chose to remain on the ECV I was using, and I was much more comfortable. ECVs park along the back of the theatre in wheelchair seating. Most guests with mobility devices are able to sit with their parties back here, and cast members will lead you to a specific spot to sit. In this seating area, you may miss out on some elements of the show – I didn’t get sprayed with water (personally, I’m grateful for that) and I wasn’t able to see Donald Duck’s feet sticking out of the wall at the end.
Peter Pan’s Flight: This is a super-popular (read: long wait time) Fantasyland ride that takes you over the skies of London and Neverland in a flying pirate ship. I am able to ride this with my wife and a toddler in the same ride vehicle.
“it’s a small world”: A Disney classic. Located across from Peter Pan’s flight, this is a boat ride with a catchy little tune… I’ve ridden in most of the rows here with no issues. My taller-than-average wife has some issues with leg room. You do have to be able to step down into the seat, and back onto the platform at the end. Guests using mobility devices should enter through the exit of this ride.
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid: The “Little Mermaid Ride” as my kids call it uses the same kind of clamshell ride car system as The Seas with Nemo & Friends. I’ve had no problems with this ride.
The Barnstormer: Barnstormer is the last remaining attraction from Mickey’s Toontown Fair, rethemed to fit Storybook Circus. I’ve ridden it up to 400 lbs. Since the rows share a restraint bar, I’ve always chosen to ride in a separate row from my smaller kids for my personal peace of mind. Kids under 7 must ride with an adult, so the littlest one rides with my wife.
Dumbo The Flying Elephant: Potentially the most iconic Fantasyland ride out there. Typically I have one kid with me on this ride, but I have, at least once, ridden with another plus-size adult AND a toddler at the same time. There is a seatbelt extender for this ride – if you think you may need one, ask the Cast Member when you’re boarding.
Mad Tea Party: There’s a trick here if you’re “hippy” like me. Leg room can be an issue on this ride, so send the kids in and across first. To get on, turn your body sideways and slide through the door hip first into the seat. I’ve ridden this with my wife and two small kids before.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: For this Fantasyland ride, you and your party board a Hunny Pot with two rows. I fit on this one easily.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: Oof. Okay, so this one is a little tough. It is a TIGHT squeeze but not nearly as bad on the hips as it is on the knees. I have ridden with my oldest when she was about 6. Each side of the seat is their own restraint system, which is a bar that pulls down over the legs. If you have big legs, long legs, or any issues with your knees you may be better off avoiding this one. I *can* ride it but it can be painful.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland Speedway: There’s not much legroom here according to my wife. I have not ridden the Tomorrowland Speedway, but my kids have ridden with other adults. I know the seat is made to hold an adult and a child, but unfortunately I’m not able to speak to how a person with a belly would fit behind the wheel.
Space Mountain: A Magic Kingdom must-do for me! For bigger bodies, the front row offers more leg room, which also means more room for those of us with bigger bellies. The step into and up out of the ride can be a bit difficult for some riders.
Astro Orbiter: This is the only Tomorrowland ride I have not been on. I have heard it can be a troublesome one for people in larger bodies, and from videos I’ve seen it looks a bit tight, but I have no personal experience. It’s on the list for me to test out on my next trip.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover: My favorite take-a-break ride in Magic Kingdom! I’ve ridden with my whole family (minus the toddler, due to medical situation on our last day at Magic Kingdom, our last chance to ride the PeopleMover was in 2017). No problems fitting here.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: The seating for this Tomorrowland attraction is auditorium-style. Ask for an end-of-the-row seat, and sit on the front edge of the seat. If you can, slide back, but if not, a backpack or sweatshirt behind your back may help to make the seat more comfortable.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: This is a fun arcade style ride in Tomorrowland. I’ve ridden with my wife and a toddler in the same seat with no problems.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor: I haven’t had the chance to check out this show in Tomorrowland. However, I do know that it has bench seats with backs, and shouldn’t pose much of an issue for most guests.
TRON: Lightcycle Run: I was able to ride this ride in the traditional rollercoaster seats at the back of the train. There are test seats available in front of the entrance to the inside portion of the queue. Calf size seems to be a determining factor for whether you will fit on the Lightcycles, and I’ve heard of several guests being bruised by the calf restraints here, or fining the lower back restraint uncomfortable. The traditional seat was roomy and caused no pain or discomfort. ECVs cannot go through this queue, and must be parked outside. Wheelchairs are available for transfer to use inside the queue, but Disney wheelchairs only hold up to 300 lbs. If you are impacted by this weight limit and need a mobility device, I recommend bringing your own if possible. I was able to walk the queue without my rollator, but my back was tight by the end of the walk to the ride vehicle.
Upcoming Attractions
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: I’m SO looking forward to this ride coming in 2024. Tiana was my oldest kid’s favorite princess when she was tiny, and the concept art looks fantastic. That said, I don’t know what the seating situation will be like when it opens, but I’ll update when there’s more information available!
Check back tomorrow for more information on the rides and attractions at EPCOT!
To go back to Series Page, click here.
Access the Mouse 
4 thoughts on “Fat-Friendly Parks Part I: Magic Kingdom”