Greetings, Linda, from a fellow Illinoisian! Thank you for trusting planDisney with your questions about attractions at the Walt Disney World resort.
I have visited a lot of theme parks in my life. Like, a LOT. I love thrill rides, and roller coasters, and anything where I don’t get wet. As a fellow "Pooh-sized" person, the absolute worst thing that can happen to us in a theme park is to have to do the “walk of shame” off a ride that we didn’t fit onto. (Yes, I have shed tears in this situation. No, it didn’t happen at WDW).
Good news! The attractions (and most other things) at Walt Disney World are very plus-size friendly! So many of the attractions have bench seats and adjustable lap bars to accommodate people of all sizes, whether large or small. I do find, sometimes, that it is preferable for someone who is a little fluffier to ride alone (example
Haunted Mansion or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). If you find yourself wanting a little more room, simply tell the cast member loading that you are riding alone. I have found this to never be an issue.
Depending on how you carry your weight will also determine what attractions you can ride. While it makes no difference for a boat ride with a bench seat (
"it’s a small world" or Pirates of the Caribbean), it is important for a seat that must fasten (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). There are a few attractions that have “test seats” outside so that you can try them out before waiting in the line. Some attractions definitely have some size restrictions, such as
Avatar Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest.
If you are concerned about the style of seating on an attraction, find the cast member at the beginning of the queue and ask them.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how many attractions that you will be able to enjoy! Don’t miss Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! These are a couple of my favorites.
I hope you have a wonderful visit to the Walt Disney World Resort. Please come back and ask us other questions that you may have as you continue planning.
Happy Traveling (and riding),
Tracy