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!
Hollywood Boulevard
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: I was able to access this ride. Step into the car sideways and you should be good to go. Guests using ECVs or other mobility devices can take their device through the queue, and then wait off to the side to board. It’s pretty fun but note that some of the visual effects can be overwhelming.
Echo Lake
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular: Seating at this show is set up with benches with backs on different levels, similar to a stadium. It shouldn’t pose an issue for folks with bigger bodies, but those who are tall may have some trouble with leg room. I’ll let you know how my wife does with it on our next trip.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: A family favorite of ours. I’ve ridden this one many times, but on our trip in 2016 I did run into an issue with the seatbelt. It wasn’t that it didn’t fit, it was that the angle required to buckle it wasn’t something I was able to get on my own, and my wife had to help me out. My best advice for this ride is to pull the seatbelt all the way out before you sit, keep it extended, and then buckle it as soon as you sit. And if you need help, there is zero shame in asking a member of your party to get the buckle clipped for you. Update 2023: The buckle is still awful for me. I wasn’t able to get it on my own, and even worse, I had trouble UNCLIPPING it. Guests were already starting to board the ride vehicle before I was able to get myself free from the restraint. It’s also a bit tight on the hips in general. Guests with mobility devices enter through the Lightning Lane here, and can take their device up to the ride car. Devices that fit to cross the ride vehicle can be walked in to the ride car and parked outside the exit doors, otherwise cast members will move your device for you to be waiting when you exit.
For the First Time in Forever: A “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebration: This is that auditorium seating that I struggle with. My kids absolutely LOVE this performance. I tend to ask if we can sit in the front row area for some extra space – they aren’t always able to honor this request though. Otherwise, I tend to try for an end seat. They pack you kind of tight into the shows with these seats (“move all the way down”, “fill in all gaps”, etc.). I’ve also heard that there may be a chance that there are seats that have a removable armrest here, if you ask, but I have no personal experience with that. What I can say, is that like the other shows with these types of seats, if you have big hips, sit on the edge and try to slide back with your hips under the armrests. And if, like me, you can’t do that or it causes a lot of pain, put a backpack or a balled up sweatshirt behind you for a little more back support. Guests with mobility devices can remain on their devices. I used my rollator at Hollywood Studios, and my family sat in the front row with me. I am much more comfortable with my rollator or an ECV seat than in the style of seats used for this show.
Grand Avenue
Muppet*Vision 3D: More of those auditorium seats, but these ones are even tighter than some of the others. Same advice for the other auditorium seats holds true here: sit on the edge and try to slide back. There is one bench seat available at the back of the theater, but don’t count on it not being taken when you get there.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: This was great! The seatbelt is roomy, and didn’t cause me any issues like the ones I have on some of the other belted rides. There’s a long queue with lots of standing, walking, and even a section where you take off on a ship (the set up is similar to a metro car or monorail without seats), but guests with mobility devices can take their device all the way through to the ride vehicle before transferring. Step in sideways. The guard here noticed one of my kids wearing their ear defenders (blockers) and let me know to expect lots of noise, flashing lights, darkness, fast turns and a few lifts and drops. This was super appreciated.
Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run: I was worried I wasn’t going to fit on this ride because of the seat belts, but I was more than fine here. Again, it’s another long walk to the ride vehicle but it was a good time, and I was able to take my rollator all the way to the doors of the Millenium Falcon’s cockpit.
Toy Story Land
Alien Swirling Saucers: I was able to ride this with my twelve and two year olds. Smallest kid goes in the middle here, and there’s a really long seatbelt. It spins fast. The motion feels kind of like “The Scrambler” ride at carnivals, but not quite the same. Step in sideways. I was able to take my rollator all the way up to the ride vehicle to board, and a cast member moved it for me.
Slinky Dog Dash: Slinky Dog went down for a rain storm when we were there, and didn’t come back up until just before the park closed, so we weren’t able to make it on this one. It’s on the top of my priority list for Hollywood Studios next trip though.
Toy Story Mania!: It’s been a while since I’ve ridden this one, but I was able to fit comfortably with my wife and our toddler in one of the seats. For this one, you’ll want to use the “step in sideways” trick. The restraint system comes down across your lap, but it didn’t cause me any pain or discomfort. (I was somewhere in the realm of 350-365 lbs the last time I rode this ride.)
Animation Courtyard
Walt Disney Presents: More of those auditorium seats. Same advice holds true here: sit on the edge and try to slide back.
Star Wars Launch Bay: No seating to worry about here, this is a walkthrough attraction with art and props from the movies. It’s pretty cool, and no size-related issues to report.
Disney Junior Play & Dance!: This is a socially-distanced version of the previous “Disney Junior Dance Party”. There’s open floor seating in the main area, and a few benches along the walls. The benches should work fine for most guests, regardless of size.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid: (note: this show has not opened since the pandemic-related closure in 2020. There has been lots of speculation that the show was quietly closed for good, however, until Disney confirms this I’m leaving this information up) This show uses those infamous auditorium seats. Same advice I’ve given before stands here: sit on the very edge, slide back as far as you can, and be prepared with a backpack or rolled up sweatshirt for extra back support just in case.
Sunset Boulevard
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith: I LOVE this ride. Seriously, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a huge favorite of mine, and I was pretty bummed that it was down for refurbishment when we were there last month. The trick to this ride is to sit in an odd-numbered row (the front seat in each car). This gives significantly more leg room, which in turn gives extra space for bigger bellies and thighs. The restraint system is the pull-down, over-the-shoulders type, and it’s never caused me any trouble.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy: This is a newer experience that I haven’t had the chance to try out yet, but based on pictures this shouldn’t pose any problems for me. It’s a theater with backless benches for seating.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: If I had to choose a favorite ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it is a HARD decision between Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. I used to be terrified of drop rides like this, but I finally got my courage up in 2015, and have ridden it at least twice ever time I’ve been to Hollywood Studios since. As I always recommend with seatbelt rides, pull that belt all the way out before you sit. There are handles that divide the seats up that may not be super comfortable on wider hips, but I’ve been able to do fine with it.
Fantasmic!: This show is pretty great. seating consists of stadium-like seating like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, except these are backless benches. It should be fine for most guests.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage: I haven’t personally had the chance to see this show yet, but the seating is similar to the seating for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – benches with backs, arranged on steps like a stadium, and shouldn’t pose a problem for most guests.
Check back tomorrow for more information on the rides and attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, in part 3! Or, if you want, you can skip back and read about the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
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