Summer vacations, state fairs, and tourist regions are known for their fast food and their fast rides. This is a great time for those not weight challenged. Just the thought of going on such an adventure can cause kids to scream with excitement, while their fat friends and relatives scream in horror of the thought of being turned away from the ride. One time I remember getting in a ride car with one of those metal lap bars that comes down for the restraint and having the attendant ask to raise my arms, cross my legs and suck in my gut while he pushed and even sat on the bar until it locked into position. That was not fun, but at least I was able to go on the ride.
Everyone knows someone who was told they were too fat to go on a ride and most fat people can laugh about it as long as it’s not them. Having a pimply faced teenager send a fat person away would bring much sadness to a fat person. They would most likely eat an enormous amount of fried food to help with the pain because as we all know…food makes it all better.
There are two signs for fat folk to look for when hitting the amusement parks. They are weight limits, and waist limits. Sometimes it’s not the weight of the person but the size of the gut. Can the safety bar lock in place or does ones lard belly bumper prevent it from locking? When looking for the appropriate signage be sure that you can read through the lines. Amusement parks will try and make it politically correct by saying “guests of exceptional size.” This may confuse the uneducated fat person.
Here’s a sample from an amusement parks website:
“Guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, men who exceed 6’2″, or those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40″ waistline or 52″ chest or females who exceed 200 pounds or wear size 18 or larger. Each person has different body proportions so it is not possible to list exact size and weight.”
Really someone needs to make the ultimate Fat friendly amusement park, and just design the rides for the likes of baby elephants as this would ensure plenty of room for the fatty’s. I’m thinking more like reinforced inflatable rides for large adults. We can also replace the child’s ball pit with perhaps a large pool of barbequed ribs. Really who wants to go on thrill rides when you can eat yourself out of a pool of ribs?
Mmmm Ribs
One time a long time ago when I wore a size 12/14 I went to a local fair and got on the Zipper and I couldn’t believe it when the guy had to slam that bar on me three times before getting it shut. It really hurt too. I haven’ been on another ride since and this was 1991. It was so humiliating. I wanted to die.
This was really offensive. I mean, ribs? I hate ribs and I’m bigger than average. Why is it that everyone thinks they can make fun of fat people? They think they’re more powerful? (Again, ibs? EW!)
I do not feel that anything within our articles infers that we are more powerful. If anything we are exposing the vulnerability of those who are fat and as a matter of fact we are fat. I love Ribs… I would love to bathe in a pool of ribs. I’d like to eat a whole mess of them. They are sweet, savory and tender. I’m not sure what you are finding offensive. I’m only speaking from experience. Embrace your fatness and you will be much happier in life.
If you don’t like ribs insert a favorite food of your choice in place of ribs…like chocolate ice cream, peanut butter spoons, hostess cup cakes, cheese, bacon, ribs… oh wait… but really… who doesn’t like ribs with barbeque sauce and… well crap you made me hungry.
Gotta go… eat
This was really offensive. I mean, ribs? I hate ribs and I’m bigger than average. Why is it that everyone thinks they can make fun of fat people? They think they’re more powerful? (Again, ribs? EW!)
Chill Brandon, its meant to be satirical not offensive. People of all sizes love and hate ribs…..yummmm, ribs, now im hungry too.
I was at an amusement park and went on a thrill ride where a sign was posted reading “Due to the nature of the restraints large body indivuals may not be able to ride.” I was very relieved that the restraints closed yay!! Feeling pretty good about the park I went on a very popular ride with an hour wait. Although no sign was posted this time, the restraints wouldn’t close … very embrassing. Stupid park that has no real standard for which body types will fit on each ride.
I really enjoyed reading your site, it was quite funny not offensive at all if you keep in mind that its meant to be entertaining!
mmmmmmm ribs….. in line 4 the top thrill dragster last week im embarassed 2 say tht this happened 2 me…..
When Six Flags opened JazzLand Amusement park in New Orleans eight years ago, I was one of the first to plunk down $75 bucks for a season pass. On SEVERAL of the rides, I was turned away. Now I’m 6″1′ and I weigh 250. I consider myself healthy and I exercise regularly. (No diabetes, high blood pressure and my cholesterol is decent). You would think that in New Orleans, one of the fattest cities in America, they would have the foresight to accommodate larger people. No big surprise that the attendance started to drop after they ran that first season and eventually had to sell the park. According to the Times-Picayune: “Number one reason locals stopped going to the park: you guessed it – there were, on average two to three rides people were getting turned away from. Serves you right dumba**es.
Yeah, this has happened to me before too.
I was at Six Flags about three years ago with my family, and my mom and sisters and I went on Superman. And I didn’t fit at all hahah
My sister was next to me, and she was grabbing the seat belt trying to get me in, and my mom was like “just suck it in!!” hahah it was so bad!!
Then I kinda just freaked out and got off, hoping that any observers would think “she chickened out” not, “she is too fat”. Which I was, but they didn’t need to know that.
So yeah, I haven’t even tried to go on any rides since then. But I wouldn’t mind a pool of ….not ribs? Maybe icecream ^___^
Listening to all ya’ll’s stories makes me feel a little better. I am 5’2″ and 225 lbs. I went to our county fair tonight. First we rode something that just through our carts around in circles. I fit in it but it was snug in my gut. Then we rode what used to be called the super loop and when the operator pushed the restraint down it hurt, but I fit and rode it. However, my husband got very sick after it, and he said he would have to be done riding for the night. However, he said it was okay if continued to ride. So then, I went and got on this spider-looking ride. I got in the seat and it was a little tight on either side of my legs but I was ok. Then the operator came and at least I thought he latched the bar down, but then he came back and said, “No – it’s not gonna latch.” I was sooooo embarrassed. I jumped up and ran out the exit without looking up. My husband said, what is it? You didn’t fit? I said “No! And that was so humiliating!” I wanted to cry. Then he asked me if I wanted to go get a funnel cake! That was a part of the fair I was really looking foward to, but not right after that! I just said, “No, let’s just go!” But when I got home I ate a bowl of cereal, a breadstick left over from the olive garden, and a piece of pizza!
I went to Disney World this past summer. It was July which happens to be international tourist month, which consists of 500,000,000,000,000,000 (or so it seems) teenage Brazilians. I noticed the first day at Magic Kingdom, that some people were taking photos discreetly of me. I didn’t let it bother me. The next day we went to MGM studios (which is now something else less interestingly named) and I noticed a few people snapping photos incognito. I began to think “wtf is up?!” I looked around to see if there was something weird around me. Nothing. Third day we went to Epcot, when this chick with one of the Brazilian tour groups sat like a foot from me, then the chick in front of me like nodded her head to move closer then the girl moved closer to me. I then saw the camera come up over her shoulder and snap. The chick leaned even closer and the camera snapped again. I then realized that I had become an attraction at Disney. It amazed me that people would do that. I would have rather they openly snapped photos. The incognito was so RUDE. I then vowed that if anyone else did it, I was going to ask them for 10 dollars because I wasn’t included in the price of admission. It really pissed me off because there were WAY WAY WAY fatter people running around on the stupid little lazy scooters. Which I pride myself in not ever getting that lazy, but I didn’t see them being made a side show.
Americans are rude but these damn Brazilian teens were even more rude. My girlfriend tried to tell me that maybe they thought I was really wealthy because people in some countries believe that if you’re fat you have money. I didn’t buy it, them brats knew I was fat and amazed by it.
Screw Disney give me good ole Six Flags in the heart of the Midwest, where the only side show is a skinny, white trash woman in a halter top and daisy dukes with meth teeth.
Oh and I couldn’t ride the space ship earth because the counsel couldn’t close, so it was like the icing on the cake for a crappy day.
I have not yet been kicked off a ride but it is one of my biggest fears, I’m very Fat I am 5’5 and am 350. If I got kicked off a ride at Disney world I would cry so much. I know that I’m fat I know that everyone eles knows I’m fat I don’t need complete strangers to have a special occation to see me embarrassed.
Well i am pretty big too and i rode a ride at a local amusement park and i had to suck it in as the kid doing the ride had to push in on the bar to shut and open it and it was so embarrisning that i dont even try to get on the rides anymore to avaoid the embarrisment of trying and not being able to fit and have to get off the ride it would ruin my day.
can u get on rides easily?
hahahaha you fat people are funny!!
Honestly, MOST fat people offend me, due to the fact that you guys let yourselves get that way!!!! I mean I eat alot, but I workout a lot as well. I used to be about 30 pounds over-weight and i know how it feels to be fat, I decided i had to get my life in order! I lost all the weight and am down to 15% body fat am 5’9 and 150 pounds, now i am working on my abs!!!! I just think about how much fat people have to eat to get that way, and remember how much i ate, and it discusts me.
Sometimes it’s not that easy. Children need discipline in their lives and they need to learn how to eat properly and exercise regularly. I would love to be only thirty pounds overweight. I wish I knew then what I know now, and maybe I would have stepped in and taken control of my life and health habits at an earlier age.
Well some of us are on psych meds which are used off label at eating disorder clinics that they use on anorexics to get them to gain weight because it makes them eat as a side effect. If it makes anorexics gain weight – what do you think it would do to even normal weight people???
So take an overweight person (also I have a bunk thyroid)+ fat drugs for a year and a half = very obese person. The only reason I was on those drugs was because all the others in the class left me with an unbearable side effect – seriously you would want to die it is so bad…
Anyways on those drugs I gained 65lbs in total (I know people who have gained over 100lbs+) and now I cannot ride a lot of rides at Six Flags. I am 5’6 and a little over 300lbs,
I am looking into the Lapband so hope one day I will fit.. Now I am off the said offending medicine – and on something else that is brand spanking new which is why I wasn’t on it before – but It was sad because it was my son’s first time going to a major amusement park- he is 10 and I love those rides, I had no idea I wouldn’t fit – as I used to.. and then I find out.
This is too good…. “Damn pills, made me eat ANOTHER box of donuts!” “I eat like a bird and still gain weight!” Yeah… maybe a 400lb vulture from FATTYLAND! Your thyroid is “bunk”? I’ll bet your metabolism is ‘slow’ too! Why don’t you try something called EXERCISE and put the %$^in cookies down lard-@ss!
Some people have medical conditions that make it very difficult to lose weight, so just remember that the next time you think about how overweight people “discust” you.
You disgust me with your rude, uncalled for comments. Keep your snarky attitude to yourself. Some fat people don’t sit an shove their face full of candy, and we -do- work out. I think you’re angry because you miss sugar, why don’t you shove a pie in your hole and maybe you’ll be a little bit happier.
wow , honestly your ignorance and stupidity offend me .it makes me upset that you can let your self become that stupid.
You’re an idiot and you have no empathy, compassion or perspective. I hope Jesus Christ doesn’t judge your worthless life as harshly as you judge others. It’s great that you have it all figured out and are perfect. Hope you never get cancer or have any other life threatening disease.
A lot of it is medical conditions. I try hard to lose weight, and the thought of a lot of food mounded on a plate disgusts me. Yet here I am.
FAT POWER!!!!!!! I LOVE being fat. idk bout u… but cheesesteaks are real nice 🙂
(To Michelle) I feel bad for what you have to endure that past summer at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios)! It’s really tough on you to cope with people (especially the overzealous Brazilian tour groups) taking pictures of you as if you’re a new Disney Character!
Anyways, I’m not much of a fat person (like, 140ish pounds on an almost-5-foot-frame), because I eat sensibly and exercise. I’m able to fit into all the rides (with the exception of Rock and Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which has inversions). I recently got a Seasonal Pass not only as a Christmas gift, but as an incentive to exercise more. If I see you at the three aforementioned parks and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and some people take pictures of you as if you’re a new Disney Character about resort, I’ll report the problem to a Cast Member accordingly.
Again, I sympathize with what you have endured at Walt Disney World.
Ok.. Back when I was in 10th grade.. and like a size 16, my best friend and I went to the state fair. She was tiny. Well, after we both got into a cart to ride one of the silly rides, the guy came over and told us to trade seats. She said WHY? He got smart and yelled… cause SHE IS TOO FAT AND WILL SMASH YOU TO DEATH if you sit there. Man.. I think that was the last time I went to the fair lol. I’m about a size 26 today. No plans on going anytime soon! lol
I’m about 5′ 9″ and 140… Suck on that.
Okay, now I feel like a Jerkface Guy. I’m actually 210, and felt like being an asshole.
Tony is not fat he is obese hahahaha
“embrace your fatness”- quote of the year!
PEACE x
haha! This site is great. I am sitting here laughing my butt off. (Oh how I wish that were remotely possible!) The whole ribs issue is just hilarious. And embrace your fatness, haha!! Too funny. I’m actually going to be going to Magic Mountain in CA in a few weeks and I’m deathly afraid of not fitting. I went to Knott’s Berry Farm a few years back and had to get off a ride cause I wouldn’t fit. I was mortified. It was the first big family vacation with my husband’s family. ALL OF THEM!! So they all saw it. I ended up running (or whatever you call it when we fat people try to run) to the bathroom and balling my eyes out. Then when I was ok, I came out and my husband’s skinny sister tells me, “It’s ok, it’s just because you’re tall!.” Which is when I proceeded to say the F word in front of his entire family including his young nieces and nephews. I felt like a turd, but I as just so tired of people telling me I was tall and not fat when in reality, I was FAT! Anyway, I ended up putting on even more weight and avoided theme parks. Then I had the Gastric Bypass in January and have lost about 65 pounds so far and really want to go to Six Flags! But I’m scared. I am 6’2″ which already makes it a little hard to fit, but I’m still about 290, so I’m really nervous. I don’t want to cry and cuss at people! haha….this time I’m leaving the family at home!
ok, so what rides can I ride on? That is so depressing to ask. Someone should print a manual or guide book for fat friendly rides. I always look at people getting out of rides and ask my husband if I am fatter than them. Then I can guess if another fat person fit on the ride, I should fit too. When we go to six flags with friends, I always pretend to be afraid of roller coasters. Then I don’t even have to try.
I’m the same way every time I go to a state fair or something I always say I’m scared but I’m not it just the thought of being embarrassed by some many people I cant take it after in 2014 I went to the fair with my little sister and she really skinny and I’m really fat (260 & 5’5) my sister told me to ride the ride with her so I went in line to ride and before I even got on the stupid ride the guy tells me “your too fat for this ride ” LIKE REALLY??????? WOW okay I was sooo embarrassed 😦
Last summer…i remember the exact day.
Me and my best friend erica went to the fair together
and I got on this one fairis wheel ride that you can twirl your car upside down and so im looking at the ride and wondering “Will I fit this ride?” then we got to the front after waiting for about 30min to get on. I got in the furthest side to the left and could not fit after my friend got in behind me i was so embaressed i felt like screaming and the guy that was closing the doors said that i had to get off but instead i swiched sides with my friend because the furthest side had the bar in more and the outter side had the bar out more (please excuse my bad spelling and grammar) and I never thought about these things before
now that i wear a size 15 and am not the size 12/13 i was 2 years ago i have to be cautious on what I get on
Oh and another thing to Tony I HATE RIBS and I NEVER EAT TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!! but im fat because i think food is tasty+ im lazy= fat
Ha! I can feel for all of you but the being a size 18 and what not … I’m an 18-20 and the rides are so unforgiving and the people that man them are even worse. It’s actually more likely that you can fit into open rides rather than rides which are closed off but something simillar happened when the fair guy had to stretch the waist halter all the way out to accomidate me and a friends AND then slam the bar down then the guy said, “Ohh did I pinch your stomach ’cause it looks kinda big. I was embarrassed and I want to go to the other fair but I’m afraid of being totally mortified but I hope for the best … D:
Ok so im going 2 vegas in 17days and im afraid. Im going with my best friend but she like a size 7 and im like a 20/22 (oh so depressing). I have been working out like crazy cuz I want to ride the theme park rides….I don’t want 2 tell my friend I don’t want to go cuz she sounds so excited about the trip…I hate that I did this 2 myself but I want 2 know if anyone rode the big shot in Vegas and is it forgiving. I want 2 get down 2 at least a 16/18 in the next 3 weeks…I know crazy but I can’t handle the embarrassment.
Kris, I can tell you what rides are hard to fit into at SIX FLAGS GURNEE, GIANT DROP, IRON WOLF, AND BATMAN.
There are very helpful websites for doing DisneyWorld which I used to plan a family trip. Indispensible.
allearsnet.com
I haven’t been able to find anything similar on Six Flags. I want to take my kids to ‘over GA’ for Fright Fest but have no idea what I will be able to ride with them.
I wonder if the parks would just break down and put a sample seat at the entrance to every ride so that guests could check it out for bar/straps, comfort…and note if there are inversions or that the ride only travels clockwise (so Dad can sit on the outside and let the kids squash into him, rather than other way around.) Also, it’s nice to know if it’s a bench seat or bucket type (they changed this on the MindBender.) It’s also great to know if mismatching guests is an issue. Curvyred13 mentions this above. It can be unsafe for a small child to ride with an adult if there is just a bar.
I think the parks could do a lot more business if they retrofit everything so that folks could use a combination of harness, bar, or overhead clamp-in on different cars to accomodate passengers of different sizes. Or maybe a new pneumatic system that can adjust for nearly any need.
So I just went to the Puyallup Fair yesterday. I have put on some weight, but I feel that I am porportionate. Well, the first ride I went on was the spider one that I think one of the other posters was commenting on. I have ridden many times – however, this time the seat was AWFULLY tight. So then, the head harness thing came down and I was ready to go. Well, apparently not – the guy had to come over and push on it. Nope. So he had me switch places with my friends kid. They had to push and push and…finally! It snapped closed! So I rode the ride, and it hurt!! My stupid hip bones…and fat…were paining!
Then we went to go on the ride that spins really fast and turns sideways and because of gravity, you only need a small rope to hold you in…yeah, the rope wouldn’t fit around me. I was at least an inch away. I had to get off. I pretended I felt sick. But…well, folks saw. And my friend’s kid said “stand up straight and suck in” – I was.
I have never had this happen before and all in all – yeah it is funny! It’s ridiculous! As a nation, we are getting fatter. And I am actually surprised the rides aren’t accommodating more. However, that’s an easy place to put the blame. We shouldn’t be getting fatter! DAMN IT! Didn’t It’s A Small WOrld at Disneyland bottom out cause of our fat asses?
Anyways, so I vowed to only eat lettuce. But that lasted 10 minutes. But I am now commited to trying to lose about 100 lbs.
As for the turnstiles – well, I had to go through the stinking turnstile to get on the ride I could barely squeeze in! Seriously a double smack! LOL
All in all, I am tired of wearing billowy shirts (a chubs best friend) to cover my muffin top in my size 24 jeans. And I hate it when I put on a cute shirt that I used to fit into and it rolls up to under my boobs. Oh, or when I had to lift my chub – yes, lift – to see a scratch on my lower stomach. Or when I realize that I sweat a little and get butterflies when I see a good buffet or elephant ear. 🙂
Anyways, yes being fat sucks. As much as I DO embrace who I am and what I look like, I want to be able to fit into smaller clothing that cost less and not have to worry if my stomach fat is sticking out super far. I am a confident woman, but damn it I want to be able to pack for a weekend trip without filling a dufflebag because my clothes are so much bigger!
Oh well…as it’s been said – Inside me there is a thin person struggling to get out, but I can usually sedate her with four or five cupcakes!
Here are some tips that I picked up after years of family vacations to amusement parks
First – don’t get discouraged by not being able to fit into a ride. You’re there to have a fun, memorable time with family and friends – don’t worry about what anyone else thinks – if they didn’t pay for your ticket – to hell with them.
Second – if because of safety restraints you can’t get in to a certain ride – ask the ride attendant what rides they would recommend that you can ride. DO NOT act rude or embarrassed – just state it matter of factly. They have dealt with this scenerio many times. You’ll be surprised what you can get into. If you are truly fearful of being turned away at the ride – go to the guest services office – they will be able to give you advice on what rides to go to and what to avoid.
Third – if you are determined to get into a ride – let a close friend or family member close your safety bar. We were at Euro-Disney and even though I’m a size 26/28 with Double DDs – If I got into the seat first and then my sister pushed the shoulder/lap bar down on me before she got in – I was able to ride EVERYTHING – Same happened in Vegas this pass June – the roller coaster at NYNY – no problem.
This is a great post! Thank you!
I remember back when i was like 12-13, & a size 16, i went to the fair with my friends, and when we got on the swings-ride, i was like “wow these seats are small, they must be the kids sweats” so i went inwards to the “bigger” seats……and man, i just BARELY fit in them! and when it was time to get off, i stood up, and the seat STUCK TO ME! o_o
i had to work to get out of it! *so embarrassing*
I also remember, going on a few rides, and the conductors having to come over to me and make sure i was in extra tight…..and sit there and pushhhhhhhh down on the bar extra hard……and it would hold up everyone else for like 5 minutes O_O
MORTIFYINGGGGGGGGGG!
BUT! I thank my lucky stars, i was NEVER told i was too fat to get on…..because i think i would of DIED right on the spot if i was…
So yea, i’m so glad to have found this blog post and read the bit you posted from that amusement park website, because i was invited to go on a double date, at the NC state fair next week, and since i’m now a size 22-24, i wanted to see what kind of experience i might have there, so i totally typed in “fat people on state fair rides” into google, and BAM! found this…..and now i’m 100% confident, that i am NOT GOING to the damn state fair.
screw that. i refuse to be told i’m too fat to ride a ride……ESPECIALLY in front of a cute guy. -.- LOLS!!!
Sucks though…i really love amusement park rides…….i think this really might be a turning point for me. i need to lose weight….i spent so long shut away and embarrassed and single, and now i’m FINALLY trying to get out there more and because at my weight, i’m missing on dates with guys who are actually cute as hell and actually like ME!, and i’m missing out on things i like to do…….because of my weight. and it’s getting to me….
I don’t care or know, what i’m going to have to do, but next year, i’m going to the damn state fair!!! xD
And since i’ve made up my mind, i’ll never go as lon gas i’m above a size 16, i got some work to do!!
um, I found this site doing a search of “knotts berry farm fat person” under the 2nd or 3rd page of listings. The fact that I even have to do that pisses me off. What pisses me off even more is that I have to kind of act like I am but at the same time not interested in going to the halloween event.
I’m 5’10”, probably 300+ pounds. I haven’t weighed myself for some time but feel that I have gone past my heaviest which was 300. I have a thicker build then my skinny friends,broader shoulders and all that. I have worked out off and on, as well as having some physical jobs requiring a lot of lifting. So not am I just fat but theres a larger frame and muscle underneath. This comes into play later in this bit. When I sit down I am kind of a big block. If you were to draw a square where each side is 20″ long, I would fit into that, when sitting down, that should give you an idea about how much space I take up when in a ride.
My siblings and I were planning on going to another event but it costs 3 times more. The good thing about the other event is that it only has 1 ride,which i did fit into ….barely, that everyone agrees sucked. Oh, which by the way is “The mummy returns” at universal studios, in california. Its a small metal box that bangs you around, even my brother who lost a lot of weight and is “average” weight, now, complained about how it was a pain.
I ended up here looking to see what people had to say about the rides at knotts as I have not been there since I was little. I am kind of worried about going, waiting an hour only to get kicked off the rides. At least if I knew which rides were small, I could simply avoid them and the embarrassment that comes with it.
A few years ago I went to magic mountain, six flags in socal, and got on a few rides only to be kicked off. The problem was that the workers kind of cared to much, this means that I had 2 or so workers trying to help me out. That drew a lot of attention from other riders and the crowd just watching right there. They were nice about it and were trying to help me out , so I’m not complaing, I just hated how even if I did eventually get to ride that I felt everyone was just waiting for my fat ass at the end of the ride.
Some of the rides I couldn’t get on, that was after several tries, seat changes and other possible fixes. I think one of the problems were the over the shoulder metal bar harnesses that have a seatbelt clip at the end. Having a 4 inch piece of belt instead of a longer one that can be adjusted is absolutely stupid and completely unnecessary.
I was about 27 at the time and I have had my share of crap happen but getting kicked off of a ride was probably one of the lowest points of all time. Honestly, I didn’t want to even bother trying to get on other rides because I didn’t want to do the whole squeeze, try again, squeeze, bit only to get kicked off. What made it worse was my friend’s wife trying to make me feel better, it didn’t. My friend’s response of “F’it, lets try x ride” helped more as it didn’t put a bigger spotlight on things then I already felt. Its bad enough to be kicked off the ride, wait around at the exit and have everyone look as they get off the ride you were supposed to be on.
The stupid thing is that there are far bigger people then myself out there. Some I can understand not fitting but I am off by an inch or two. What really sucked is that I had been to the same park, the same rides just 5 years earlier. I probably weighed around the same but that was before I had ever gone to the gym or worked out on my own, or worked at some of the jobs that required non-stop lifting of boxes averagine 35 pounds for 11 hours a day. I could be around the same weight but I am now thicker because there is more muscle then before in addition to the weight! The last time i went on those rides I had got on with ease! Of course its an odd thing and who is going to believe it? Not that it would matter, its embarrassing either way.
As for me, I don’t eat that much. I have a skinny friend who can eat a bigger Del taco combo + a few extra tacos while I can barely eat 2 macho tacos before I feel sick. My problem isn’t that I am sitting here stuffing my face full of twinkies as most morons believe that everyone that is over weight does. Its just that daily life isn’t full of physical activity, hell even the last job I had took 5 months before any of the weight really started to get burned up.
I really think the rides that are a bad idea are the ones that have the metal over the shoulder harnesses. There is a ride at Disneyland’s california adventures park that has such a harness. It is called the “maliboomer”, basically it slingshots you up into the air and the ride bounces up and down once it hits the top. The seat is built to comfortable accomodate a crack whore’s skinny butt. It has one of those seat belt clips at the end of the harness that, surprise, has no slack. Of course I went this summer and I barely needed any help with it. The guy barely even pushed down to get it to clip, it was a snug fit but that beats the last time I went on when 2 workers were pushing it down to get it to barely lock in.
I have been busy with school and got sick so I haven’t had a chance to get back to working out like planned. That is why I am really hating the change to the plans. Of course I really don’t want to tell my brother why I am not that thrilled about the change in plans. I’m sure he would understand considering he used to be around the same size until a year ago, its just that I hate ….asking for help or anything along those lines.
Rides that my butt had trouble getting on, that I remember:
Disneyand,california adventure, “The maliboomer”
universal studios,california, the simpsons, the mummy returns (I would say the simpsons was the worst as it was tight and it throws you around so it can be painful, not to mention insult to injury due to the numerous fat jokes with homer simpson on the screen.)
SixFlags,magic mountain, california:
batman(stupid over the shoulder + no slack seatbelt clip)
….some other over the shoulder harness ride
Rights my butt has no trouble with:
Disneyland,california adventures: everything but maliboomer, though I haven’t gotten on the orange shaped swing ride. The roller coaster, though over the shoulder is fine for me.
universal studios,california, umm…the tram?:) Not much in the way of rides there.
Sixflags, magic mountain,cali, Goliath. The tallest F’in ride, no problem. Revolution. can’t remember the others..sorry.
Disneyland,california, all of the rides are fine in disneyland itself, including the matahorn and space mountain. I would suggest sitting towards the middle as much as possible on small world, it might have been my imagination but the boat did hit the side i was on a lot, then again we had most of the guys on that side and most of the chicks on the other side so that doesn’t help, it only happened as the boat was at the end of the ride.
guess if i go to knottss ill see if i can come back here and post more info.
seriously though theres some rides I wonder how even skinny people fit into.
oh and by the way, does anyone else have a skinny friend that eats every damn thing in sight? Also when you go to a resturant his skinny ass always sits on the side of the booth with the room that would be comfy for you, leaving the side that would be tight for him, then wonders why you are telling his b**** a*** to switch sides? Swear some people just asked to get hurt….
I actually just went to Hershey Park. Bad idea to go on rides when you are wearing 4 layers of clothing. I never had a problem before and have been on every single ride in at least 5 amusement parks. But this was the first time that I went to a park during the winter. Its bad enough being 5’10” and a size 18/20 but when Im wearing all this clothing, there will be issues. Ive never felt so bad in my life…with all those people watching me leave the ride. It was on the Claw where a holster comes over the shoulders and clicks. But Ive lost 20lbs since I realized this cant go on anymore and this incident only gave me more determination to continue. I know that Im fine on rides during the summer, but I refuse to stay away from amusement parks during the winter because I cant fit. Ive played a lot of sports and am getting back into them. Watch out parks…next winter Ill be there and Ill be unstoppable.
I think its crazy that people portray us as always eating I hate sweets cakes I just love pasta and don’t excercise like I should but I do overweight people don’t just sit around eating all day I’m very confident w my figure! And I think everybody should be happy w who they are! If your not happy change it but stop complaining
THIS ROCKS. It is kind of nice to hear other peoples pain.. wait, that is not what I meant. It is nice to hear that I am not the only one it pain. I am 5’5 at 330 and it straight up sucks.
I’m going to Six Flags St. Louis opening weekend this year. It’s gonna be my first time ever at an amusement park. I’ve never been on a roller coaster. Alas, I am a fat ass, I’m 5’8 and about 290. I didn’t even think about fitting in the rides until just recently. I dunno if I’ll have as much fun as I’d hoped. The very ride I wanted to get on (Batman) has been described as “not fat friendly.” DAMN!
I’m 5’3 at 275 and I’ve considered doing crack. Apparently not seriously, but sheesh. This weight thing is taking over my life. My life revolves around the depression over being in love with someone who would never be attracted to me, and the depression over never feeling good in what I wear, and never feeling good in my own skin. I don’t sit around eating all day, and I’m a busy girl. Sometimes I go without eating all together. I don’t know how to change myself.
hi megan, if you ever get this email me, redangel9271226@hotmail.com. Im in the same boat.
Size restrictions can be embarrassing for sure. I am 5’11” and weigh 280lbs, 46D chest. I went to ride The Kraken at Sea World that has an over the head restraint, with a seat buckle type closure in the crotch. It wouldn’t latch. The ride attendant had my husband and I stand to the side for the next set of cars as they apparently have a few seats with extended latches. I sat down and the seat had a double latch at the crotch and when the attendant pressed down HARD on the restraint, it latched. My boobs were CRUSHED, but I was able to go on the ride. I didn’t have any problem on the Manta, but I won’t ride it again because it was just far too intense.
At Busch Gardens in Tampa, I had a similar experience. I think it was the Kumba coaster. Had to step to the side for the lager restraint system. I was cinched in so tightly that it was hard to breathe, much less get enough air to scream. At the end of the ride it seemed to take forever to get back to the loading dock to get out; I came pretty close to having a claustrophobic panic attack. Again, The Girls were quite flat at the ride’s end. Ow.
Mission Space at Epcot was tight, but that’s part of the design. If you fear you won’t fit, just work Mission Control. Soarin’ was fine, just a long wait. Test Track was a little tight, mostly cause of my long legs being wedged in. Epcot is pretty good about having an alternate path is you cannot handle the ride for any reason, health, size or anything. More benches would be nice throughout the park, especially when you want to camp out for a good spot to watch fireworks.
Rockin’ Rollercoaster at Disney Studios was tight, but I fit, no issues on The Mummy (which was great!). Disney is pretty good about accomodating folks on their rides and their “Cast Members” are very discreet and friendly compared to other parks. I haven’t been on Space Mountain since it reopened, but it is on my list. Pirates, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion all pose no problems. I go thru the turnstile sideways if I have to but it’s not that big a deal for me. My blubber is pretty proportionate, don’t have a big bottom or hips compared to everything else.
It can be a downer when you think you are doing OK and feel alright about yourself and then WHAM you are longer fitting into regular society standards. You have to put on your Jolly Fat Person Face and laugh it off when you feel like crawling under a rock. Hang in there, folks!
I also find Disney world and Disneyland very accommodating to fatter people, never had any problems there except those durn turnstiles sometimes. I carry my weight in my hips and butt but everything is skinny lol so it’s hard sometimes.
I found this site while doing a search about size restrictions for ammusement park rides. I have found increased difficulty fitting into rides, but have never been turned away. I am often very uncomfortable in the restraints, though. Two years ago my fiancee was turned away from a ride for the first time. He was devasted and embarassed and doens’t want to go to parks anymore even though we love them. We have been to one park since with friends and he wouldn’t even use the test seats at the beginning of the ride because he thought that was humiliating. We are planning a honeymoon and many of the destinations I want to go to pose problems for this issue. I am specifically interested in hearing about rides at Disney World, Busch Gardens in Tampa and Universal Studies Island of Adventure in Orlando. I don’t want him to be miserable the entire time because he doesn’t know if he can fit on rides (and he will not attempt if there is any question in his mind). If anyone can list specific rides that they know a male of 270 lbs (5’7″) can or can’t go on please respond. All the park sites use their beat around the bush wording (e.i. “guests with physical disabilities which would prevent them from proper use of the restraint devices”) so I don’t know where there is a good indication. Someone had said that there should be a list of all rides and size limits so we know what we can and can’t do. It is sad that it has come to that, but it really would be helpful.
I’m 5 10 280 with a 44 DDD chest. I can’t ride the coasters with the bars that go over the shoulders and are supposed to lock shut. I had to get off one of the rides at six flags because it’s supposed to click 3 times and it would only click twice. It was quite embarassing. Now I tend to shy away from coasters even though I love them.
Alright, I found this in a google search and I know it was posted a while ago, but I’ll add my two cents. I’m 5’8″ size 18/20 about 230 and have an ample chest. I’m right on the borderline for most of the rides because they walk a fine line at that 18/20 size limit.
I’m trying not to embarrass myself if I go to Hershey Park this summer with a new beau. Do they have the test seats out in front of the ride?
I went to Busch Gardens in September 2009 and they have test seats. What a god send those are! I didn’t have to wait an hour in line to be turned away. I could ride every ride but the Alpengeist (wouldn’t fit over my chest and gut combined). The Griffon even had a few seats in the middle rows that accommodated larger guests.
I tell you what though, the idea of going back to an amusement park and trying to fit on rides makes me want to shuck a few pounds again.
i had to get off a ride once..will never go to amunesment park again..well until i know i can ride….luckily most rides make me ill anyways so i can go without
I can completely relate. My pants split on one of the rides at the fair. They were already pretty tight.
Another year, I went to Six Flags early in the summer and wasn’t able to ride the latest ride. It was their Superman. We always went several times in the summer. I lost weight that summer just to go back and fit on the seat. I did and it worked. I gained all back after riding the ride. It wasn’t worth it, and I’ll never do something so silly again.
I was so humiliated though, after spending hours in a line, to be turned away, that’s a sad day. )=
fun blog, though!
As a 6’2” tall female, I wear a size 12-14 and am 190 lbs, though I’m actually pretty skinny, most of my weight is because I have a large frame – more built like a football player with an oversized chest (38 DD). I recently went to 6 flags New England and on the “fits all” Blizzard River. The seatbelt comes up from the sides of the across the ‘hip/lap’ area. Even with the belt fully extended, I could not buckle the belt. I had about 2 inches to go, but I wasn’t going to embarass myself trying to force it (wide hips SUCK). Who the hell wants to go on a ride that they can barely fit into. Even though there was a lap bar as well as the belt, I was told if I could not force the belt to latch, I could not go on the ride. Fair enough. Humiliated, I scrambled off the ride, my boyfriend hot on my heels. As for rollercoasters and rides with the over the shoulder harness – With a long torso, the harness first presses into the shoulders. To accomadate most shoulder harnesses, I’m forced to slouch a bit jsut to get the harness to fit length wise. Its not very comfortable and actually quite painful. As for the chest area – no can do. The last time I went on a ride with a harness, I ended up with painful brusing because the harness was so tight on my chest; the attendant had to put all of his weight down on the harness jsut to fit it over my boobs. Another embarassing situation. Amusement park rides are build to accomadate the “average person”. I get that. I get the safety issues, but when it comes down to it, to stand in a line for 45 minutes plus to be turned away from a ride because you can’t fit because you’re too large for the ride, its not worth it at all.
Ok, I happen to be overweight..ok ok more like REALLY FAT!! Let’s come to terms with our ‘weight problems’..a park just for us fatties? REALLY!?? Stop whining and hopeing that the world will accomadate our fat asses! It’s time for us to put the fork down and excersize so we don’t have to be embarrassed or worry about fitting on rides~I know it’s not easy and won’t happen overnight but for my health I’m doing it. besides I plan on going to Hershey park next summer and I wanna go on every ride I did back when I was half the size I am now and then some! Come on my fat brothers and sisters..let’s DO THIS! 😉
My two cents…
Female, size 24, went to ValleyFair (Shakopee, MN) yesterday. Couldn’t get the seatbelt to latch on the new roller coaster Renegade (which sucks because I was really looking forward to trying it out.) However, the Wild Thing coaster fits me just fine, even with extra room! I guess you don’t really know until you try, which is terrible. A few of thier new rides have the test seats at the entrance (didn’t see one for Renegade, but I may have overlooked it,) I tried out the test seat in front of the Steel Venom coaster and I felt like I might have fit OK… But the thing I don’t get is how are you supposed to really be able to tell by those things because how do you know where the “click” is? There was no attendant there to ask. You might be able to sit in the seat OK and pull the harness over your head but you don’t really know if you fit because you don’t know how far down it needs to go. Also, just the act of having to “try out” the seat first… humiliating. Not as humiliating as having to leave Renegade though.
If you are excited about the Harry Potter Experience at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, cool your jets. The Forbidden Journey ride is turning away lots of folks that have been waiting an hour to ride it because they won’t fit in the seat. I have a thin husband but he is really tall, 6’6″ and he will not be able to ride because the harness system and effects for the ride max out for riders over 6’2″. Some women who are thin but really busty may have problems as well. There is a test seat out front but you must make the restraints click 3 times or it’s a no-go! We are going to wait until Fall/Winter when the crowds hopefully die down, but I have a feeling it will be a ride we end up having to skip.
Hey all I feel your pain!
I had been to many theme parks, been on loads of rides and although the thought had crossed my mind if I would fit it I never really thought I would of been turned away… but I was!! I have to say its been one of the most embaressing moments of my life!!
I was with work colleagues as well! The guy had to push the bar down twice and was about to keep going but I was ready to get out of there as people had started to notice!! I am 5″8 tall and size 22 .. I think I need to lose weight and go back and try again otherwise this will haunt me forever!
As you can see though from all these posts we are not alone, not that it makes it any better but we just have to stick at it and lose the lbs!! good luck all x
This happened to me once. It sucks. I have since lost 1oo lbs but I am way to scared to try again. I stick to rides that don’t have those restraints in place. I just get panicky at amusement parks anymore. I hope that I can one day hit the coasters again, love them so much, but I am just so scared of everyone laughing at me.
I just read this whole blog. i searched it bc a friend of mine asked me to the fair tomorrow. i already know i will not be able to fit on any rides besides the farris wheel. and that is even hard to get on and off on just because i am large. people all my life make me feel that i am not fat. they think i am invinsible but i am not i know what my limits are. and there are many many limits. i try to act like going to the beach dopesnt bother me but of course it does. i have been invited to go to six flags all summer but turn it down by saying im working. or even to my close friends i respond by saying no i cant im too fat and they say NO YOUR NOT. like helllo do u see this! yes i am. shut up. lol its so annoying hearing youre not fat when you know you are. i also have a boyfriend who is under 200lbs and i am over 300 lbs. it makes our relationship hard bc idk why he would want to be with someone like me. i know i wouldnt want to be. he has total confidence that we make a cute couple when me on the other hand and worriedd about how we look all the time. im also 5’11” and he is about 5’5” so that makes it even more difficult. i know i shouldnt care what we look like but hell i got to. i tell myslef every summer that this is the summer i will lose weight and be able to ride on anyu ride i want without wprrying. but it never works. iv been obese since i wa 12. i wish my parents had raised me differently and made me join sports. but i was a farm child. with parents who didnt get their children involved int much activities bc they didnt have time for it. BLAHHH all fat people way to many excuses! i probably have more excuses than anything. i work out 3 times a week but since iv joined the gym i have gained about 15 lbs just bc im not living a healthy life style i work late eat late sleep late and then do it all over again. i love healthy food but it is expensive and im a poor college student just trying to pay my rent. life sucks bottom line. i just wish one day i smarten the hell up and take control of my haoppiness and well being. and i disagree with the opinion that some people have that fat people are LAZY!!!! cause we are all NOT!
fuzz,
i agree with u. i am similar in many ways. been big all my life (except birth..6lbs lol) poor college student, work part time. im 26 and am bigger than ever..not sure exactly prob 300 or over. and i have been turned away on rides. will never go to park again. too much admission when i cant do anything in there. im not lazy. i work and go to school. i dont exercise, but its only because i have a heart condition i was born with and i get palpitations when i get too much stress on it. and i get short of breath etc. i wish i could change this, but i have a feeling somehting in my body is working against me. i do have pcos, which i know does, but its gotta be more than that. i dont overeat. i dont always make good choices, but as far as quantity, its normal or less. friends are often suprised that they eat more than me. all my relationships with men have failed. they have been few, but failed. im too fat to date. who would want me? i dont even want me. i wish u luck and stay strong. u can email me if u need to talk or whatever. slw2684@yahoo.com. take care, shannon
So i used to be the one who saw the fattys try to get on rides and thought it was kinda funny but you know whats funny KARMA i had 2 children with c-sections and had alot of complications. i was hospitalized for about 4 months so i gained so much weight! i know thats what i get right? well anywho since then i have become a plus size model for torrid and things are ok until my fiance for the first time bought tickets to six flags for this coming november but im terrified! hes really fit and hot and so are my friends so it will be so embarrasing if i get turned away ……….i have been thinking about it ever since he told me………….. and i know if i cant get on he wont just to make me feel better then im going to feel like a debbie downer! i feel like just saying i dont want to go….but i love theme parks and rides im such an adrenaline junkie but i dont know if the embarassments is worth it…..uh i dont even know what to do! i guess i learned my lesson……
This is great!! Everyone here knows exactly how I feel. I am 6’2 and 326 pounds and that is with me losing from 447. Being fat sucks. I got married to the man of my dreams this year. Single ladies, don’t give up. My husband is super gorgeous, 6′ and 180 lbs. He even has muscles and abs!!! Never in a million years did I think I would find my true love. We have been together going on 3 years and went to the state fair in the first year. We rode two rides and I had to squeeeeeeeze in both of them. Because of the responsibility of being parents, we haven’t been able to afford to go back, but we have decided we are going next year. I want to lose down to 225. I am tall and have a very large frame. I just hate that my wieght is in my bottom half. I have hips and thighs that go on forever. I walk, but that is the slowest way of seeing results. I have thought about weight loss surgery more than once, but I know I have lose weight so far and I can continue. I have just read to many horror stories of people post surgery. Wish me luck on my journey to the state fair next year. I have been heavy all my life and hadn’t rode rides for YEARS before this past time. I didn’t really go many places or do much when i was over 400lbs. I am slowly getting more confident with my looks, but it takes a really long time. No matter how good you look, if you were once fat, you will never see yourself as “hot” or I won’t anyway.
I am going to six flags, San Antonio taxes soon. I am so worried that i won’t be able to ride any of the rides. I wear a size 18, and I’m 5’6. I think my legs are too big to get on any of the rides. I usually fit on the rides at the fair, but i don’t think this is gonna be like a fair. I don’t wanna get on a ride and someone tell me i have to get off bc i am too large. That would really hurt. I am gonna try my best to loose some weight b4 then, but the most i would lose in a pound at the most. Has anyone here been to six flags that is a large person? If so, were you able to get on rides?
People who haven’t struggled with weight will never truly understand. The shame in attending events that most people look forward to….The false hope of every fad diet that ends up just causing the dieter to feel more worthless….The promise to start dieting tomorrow….The excuses and justifications so that people do not look at you like a disappointment to society. Maybe if weight was not such a TABOO in our world, it would be easier to just naturally eat right and move more. The way things are now, the shame and embarrassment compiled with the guilt and hopelessness, equal weight multiplying in exponential numbers. I am sick of the yo-you, sick of being made feel like a failure, and I am sick of people giving me a pity-party every time they see me because I lost weight and gained it back. I just want to live and enjoy life, instead of being made feel like I don’t even deserve to have fun. I am embarrassed to even visit my family because of the fear of being judged because of my diameter. In the overall happenings of our world, does it really matter what size people are? I understand it is a health issue, but so are many other things like tanning beds, so why is it that people feel like they have the right or obligation to “save” me from my obesity. I hate it. It sucks, and I know that only I can do something about it, but the depression added from people ridiculing me, or telling me things that I already know, just adds to the struggle and worthlessness I feel because of my size. Why can’t I be happy with the accomplishments I have made in life? I have a Master’s Degree….I am happily married….I’ve been blessed with a nice house….I do very well in my job, and was even voted “employee of the year,” but none of that seems to be what defines me as a person in this judgmental society. Sadly, what people use to judge me is my weight…..or at least I feel that they do. I just want to live and enjoy life without the worry of others being bothered by my size.
i read every comment on here! so sorry for you all who were turned away….and yes I am overweight and considered obese. im 5’6 and 275..and I go to state fairs and I don’t really have a problem….my hips are 53″..my waist is 41″,,,and my chest is 45″ (44DD). My hips do cause a problem but I have not been turned away. People always tell me that i can fit cuz they think I weigh 160. Nobody says that I look over 200 lbs, which is surprising. At Six Flags over Georgia, in 2006, I weighed 230 and was about 5’4 and I rode the Goliath with my friends and I fit. I was so worried about not fitting but I did! There is a family reunion at Six Flags Great America on the 9th and I am sooooo very concerned about not fitting cuz my hips are bigger and my gut(below my waist) is big! NOTE: RIDES MADE FROM B&M ARE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE BIGGER PEOPLE !!!
I’m not fat but my poor double ds won’t fit. Damn I hate having boobs.
I don’t think it’s just obese people. I am far from fat but I do have a relatively broad chest. Any ride that comes over head is impossible. Tried one and the guy did everything too get it latched. I felt like my chest was going to explode. I asked to get off. So just because a person can’t go on a ride doesn’t necessarily mean they are fat.