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!
World Celebration
Spaceship Earth: The most easily recognized attraction in EPCOT. A big update was planned for 2020, but Walt Disney World made the decision to pause the refurbishment and updates due to COVID-19. A new date has not been set for the closure, but guests can experience the current iteration of Spaceship Earth for the time being. I love this classic ride and fit fine in the ride vehicle with my wife and a small child. Be sure to step into the ride vehicle sideways, as the entry space is a little tight. Guests using mobility devices should enter the ride through the door marked with a wheelchair on the left side of the building. There is a space here (inside Project Tomorrow) that allows guests to park inside and enter through the ride exit. Otherwise, it is a LONG trek back to stroller parking to pick up your device.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment: Another ride I have zero issues with. The ride vehicles here are bench-seat style with no restraint system. To climb on board, I recommend using the “enter sideways” trick I talked about for Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom in the previous post in this series. Mobility devices go through the standard queue here, and can be taken right up to the ride vehicle.
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival: I haven’t tried this one out personally yet, but my assumption is it’s similar the the other auditorium-style seating attractions. There are armrests that may be tight on the hips. My recommendation for this situation 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. To make it more comfortable, I tend to keep a backpack or a rolled up sweatshirt behind me for extra back support.
World Discovery
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: This is SO much fun. The entry space to the ride car is a little tight, but the seat itself has a decent amount of room, width wise. The restraint pulls down similar to the one on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, but without being so tight on the knees. This is a really well-done ride system. ECVs and other mobility devices go through the regular queue here. The ride queue has a lot of twists and turns and there are some longer stops for video to play before you get to the ride. Guests using mobility devices can choose to park their device and stand in the line at the ride vehicle, or if you’d prefer to stay with your device until the ride is ready, that is also an option if you ride in the back car. The back car has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and the side can come off to make it easier to get into the car.
Mission: SPACE: There are two versions of this ride but both use the same ride vehicle system. The restraint comes down from above. No problems with me fitting here. You can take your mobility devices all the way up to just before you enter the room with the ride vehicles. They have you park them before you walk in. There is a small step up in to the vehicle and down at the end. It’s a tight space, so be prepared to walk through the ride vehicle sideways.
Test Track presented by Chevrolet: The tightest ride fit in Epcot. Still, I’ve been able to ride with my wife and oldest in the same row. Here’s my tips: First, there’s more leg room in the front row. When you go to board the ride let the Cast Member working row assignment know that you need the front row – they’re great about honoring this kind of request. Next try to make sure the smallest person in your party is in the middle of your row. It will give the other two a little extra room. The largest person should get on first, cross to the far side of the car, pull the belt all the way out, and then sit and buckle. Try to go quickly because the CMs try to load fast. I will say that I’ve had to ask my wife for help getting this buckled to click because I couldn’t see what I was doing. There’s no shame in this, do what you have to do.
World Nature
Awesome Planet: The dreaded auditorium seating strikes again. Same tip here: sit on the edge and slide back if you can. And be prepared with a backpack or rolled up sweatshirt for extra back support if you need it.
Soarin’ Around the World: Easily one of my favorite rides in all of EPCOT. The little dividers between seats aren’t super comfortable on my hips, but it’s doable, and in my opinion, totally worth it. My recommendation for this one is similar to Test Track (above) and Star Tours over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (more on that tomorrow!) Make sure you pull the entire seatbelt out before you sit down, and buckle immediately. And again, if you need help getting the buckle, there’s no shame. I’ve had to ask for help unbuckling this ride. For some reason the seat dividers just make it super difficult for me. Update 2023: This trip I had a lot more trouble getting the buckle to fit and panicked for a minute that I wasn’t going to be able to get it to click. I was able to get it eventually, but it was tough. I had my older kids with me, and my wife stayed with the toddler (baby swap) so where I normally would have her assist with the device this wasn’t an option. Like I said, I did get it, but I was definitely concerned that it was going to be an issue.
Living With the Land: Another favorite for me. This is a boat ride with bench seating. There are no seatbelts. It does have a step down to get in the boat, but it’s a pretty comfortable ride.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends Attraction: The ride vehicles here are the same clamshells I discussed over at the Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid ride in Magic Kingdom yesterday. I fit fine with my wife and toddler.
Turtle Talk with Crush: This is a super cute interactive Q&A with our favorite sea turtle from Finding Nemo! There are bench seats, and they’re plenty roomy. Guests using a mobility device are pulled aside to enter separately from other guests (allowing time to park without dealing with a crowd). Guests using wheelchairs and other mobility aids are seated are along the outside aisles of the benches.
World Showcase
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: I have no personal experience on this ride, but the boats look to be pretty similar to the boats on “it’s a small world”. A step down to get in, and up to get out. I recommend stepping onto the seat first and then stepping to the floor from the seat. Then you would reverse this process to get out. There are no restraints, leg room may be cramped.
Frozen Ever After: I’ve ridden this one. It’s not my favorite, because I’m not a big fan of wearing wet pants, and I’m not a fan of rain ponchos. I can ride the ride, though. I was in the front seat with my wife. Like Three Caballeros, the easiest way to get in and out is stepping onto the seat and then stepping to the floor from the seat. Unlike some of the other boat rides, I don’t think this one has any rows with any more spacious leg room.
Reflections of China: I haven’t done this show yet. There are no seats here, so if standing for long periods is a problem for you, be aware of that.
The American Adventure: More auditorium-seating here. Sit on the edge, slide back with your hips under the armrests, and have something you can put behind you for back support if you need it.
America Gardens Theatre: Seating at this concert venue consists of rows of benches with backs. I’ve had no problem enjoying a show here.
Palais du Cinema: – Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions de France: I have not been to this venue yet. There are auditorium seats though, so the earlier advice stands. Sit on the very edge, slide back as far as you can, and keep a backpack or sweatshirt on hand for back support.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: I’m so excited to try this one out on my next trip. It was down when we were in EPCOT this trip. From what I’ve heard from other plus-size guests, it should be fine, but I’m looking forward to giving an update with any tips and tricks soon!
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360: This is theater-in-the-round and set up the same was as Reflections of China. There are no seats here.
Check back tomorrow for more information on the rides and attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in part 3! Or, if you want, you can skip back and read about the Magic Kingdom.
To go back to Series Page, click here.
Access the Mouse 
4 thoughts on “Fat-Friendly Parks Part II: EPCOT”