Flight of Passage + People of Size = Disappointing

[BigB0882]

I will report back when my husband gets a chance to go. He's 6'2", about 280-290 and a size 13 shoe.

Pls do, my husband is very similar to your husbands size. I am worried about him fitting but he doesn't have particular big calves. I haven't said much to him because I don't want him to worry about it or feel offended.

 

[ctipp79]

I just wanted to share my FoP experience I just had 30 minutes ago. This is a ride I have been looking forward to since the trip was planned. I’m a big girl so I had some reservations about fitting. I wear size 50 pants (men), 28 women’s pants, 52 chest, am approximately 5’10 and 330. I took all the advice I read on here and was able to barely fit. But darn it I fit! I sat up straight and took a deep breath then let it all out until she clicked the restraint in. If not for the CM I would not have been able to ride but thankfully I had one willing to try.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I just wanted to share my FoP experience I just had 30 minutes ago. This is a ride I have been looking forward to since the trip was planned. I’m a big girl so I had some reservations about fitting. I wear size 50 pants (men), 28 women’s pants, 52 chest, am approximately 5’10 and 330. I took all the advice I read on here and was able to barely fit. But darn it I fit! I sat up straight and took a deep breath then let it all out until she clicked the restraint in. If not for the CM I would not have been able to ride but thankfully I had one willing to try.

The struggle IS real! I’m happy you got to do it!

 

[modelar7]

So, we went on FoP on a FP+ on Tuesday, and my BF had problems fitting his legs into the bike. The cast member got the restraint in on his back, but then really had to push to get the restraint to click closed on his calves. BF said the bike was uncomfortable and he was worried he would injure his back, which had been hurting him, but I told him to just relax forward, and he was fine.

We loved the ride and wanted to try a second time during EMH, since the line time went down. We waited over an hour, and when it was our turn, the cast member who fitted the restraints couldn't fit the calves and gave up more easily than the former cast member, and turned BF away. We were crushed. They didn't even offer him a FP to make up for it.

I don't know how much he weighs (300 lbs maybe?), but the main problem was actually his tall legs and big calves. He's never not been able to ride a ride before.

So much work and intricate planning went into every detail of this land, from the forced perspective, to the crazy flora, to hand-weaving, hand-painted murals, all the cool "scientific" technical gack on the FoP line, how the walls feel when people lean on them or touch them on the line of Navi River Journey, to the detail of feeling the banshee "breathe" on FoP. I am pretty shocked that they overlooked such a big detail such as making it possible for many different body types to ride this ride. I mean, the restraints aren't really all that necessary as far as I can see. You tilt way forward at times and you tilt to the side at times. It's largely VR. They can't make the seats more adjustable, or at least make bigger bikes or seats for bigger people? This is a huge gaffe, and really unfair.

Also, I noticed they put a bike outside of the ride "to try", but it wouldn't prevent you waiting on the long line for nothing, because there is no indication of the restraints. My BF fit fine on the bike.

disney has never thought about the exception other than the norm. Prime example. They didn't think of people in wheel chairs using the monorail platform without an elevator. There was 1 escalator from third floor to platform.
I watched a man carry his mother on his back to get her up the escalator. The elevators haven't been in the contemporary for a long time.

 

[gillep]

I was a little worried (especially initially when the ride opened) about my husband fitting, as although he isn't a large guy, he has size 13 shoes, and large calves from doing rowing and triathlons (18.5"+), we were willing to sacrifice toes if necessary, but he was able to fit just fine, and the ride was well worth it!

 

[MIChessGuy]

I am a little surprised to hear about the shoe-removal gambit. Disney has cameras all over the place, so wouldn't the CMs see the person doing this? Make no mistake, I am right on the line myself and fully sympathize with any reasonable tactic for squeezing the feet as far in as possible -- just didn't think it would "fly" (so to speak).

 

[cdmurphy727]

I am a little surprised to hear about the shoe-removal gambit. Disney has cameras all over the place, so wouldn't the CMs see the person doing this? Make no mistake, I am right on the line myself and fully sympathize with any reasonable tactic for squeezing the feet as far in as possible -- just didn't think it would "fly" (so to speak).

I think people are changing into flip flops before getting on the ride. Not kicking shoes off as they strap in.

 

[bluecruiser]

Not sure why Disney would care what type of footwear you wear on this attraction, as long as the leg restraints are able to close.

 

[OhhBother]

I think people are changing into flip flops before getting on the ride. Not kicking shoes off as they strap in.

I changed into flip flops while Dr. Stephens was droning on. LOL

 

[Punkrockbebop]

I changed into flip flops while Dr. Stephens was droning on. LOL

Lol that intro needs some cutting down.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I read this entire thread, and was very apprehensive about fitting on FoP. I’m bigger than the guy in the video that removed his sneakers, and he only just fit. I’m 6’2”, 350 lbs, with 20” calves. I’m pretty much equally big everywhere.

I went to AK today for the first time since Pandora opened. I tried the tester seat first. The CM said I was just on the wrong side of the border, but that the actual ride seats were usually a bit more forgiving. She said there was a good chance I would fit, but not to be upset with her if I didn’t.

I ended up being assigned to seat 1 in my theater. I was very happy about this, as it meant I was all the way on the end, where it would be very difficult for anybody else to see what was going on. My wife was in seat 2.

For some reason I didn’t seem to fit as well as I did in the tester seat. It felt like it took forever for the CM to come out. She did come out and first asked me to put my legs forward, then to sit up straight. She pushed on both the leg and back supports. Neither locked in place. She then asked if she could really push hard. I said yes please!

She pushed on the leg supports and this time they locked in! Then she pushed on the back support, and then pushed even harder. I could barely breathe, but it locked in! I was very grateful to the CM for her willingness to help me fit the ride.

I think if I was any bigger in either area, I wouldn’t have fit. I’m basically the upper limit for the ride.

The ride was amazing. But I don’t think I’ll ride it again until I lose 20-30 pounds.

P.S. I don’t know if it’s because of how hard she had to push the supports to get them to lock in, but when the ride ended my supports stayed locked in place. Everyone exited the ride and walked past me, still stuck in flight position. It was pretty embarrassing to be honest. My wife had to go get a CM to manually release my restraints. I guarantee some of the people that walked past me thought I was too fat and was stuck, and would need Crisco or something like that to get out.

It put a bit of a damper on the experience, but I’m still glad I got to ride it.

If I had seen that, I would never had thought you were stuck. Some people get off rides slowly, even Soarin'. If the ride has involves cars/boats (Test Track, IASW, POTC) or individual vehicles (FOP) some people are just slower. I would have thought you were just taking your time (unless of course, you were struggling against the vehicle as if Godzilla had you in his grasp).

 

[jcvalenti]

I will report back when my husband gets a chance to go. He's 6'2", about 280-290 and a size 13 shoe.

Ditto - interested to hear. Those are just about my ht/wt. I snagged Fast Passes for November and fitting on the ride is the only I'm worried about ... even though I have had lots of assurances it shouldn't be a problem. I still have nightmares from the time (when I was somewhat more svelt) when I talked my 7 year old son into going on a super scary roller coaster at Cedar Point and then couldn't fit in the ride seat next to him ... poor kid toughed it out and road a monster coaster in a row by himself with his Aunt behind him - had a blast though !

 

[dolphinz510]

So I was one of those who struggled to get a FP for this ride, and once they extended AK hours I was finally able to snag one for my party this past Monday afternoon. I was stoked! Unfortunately, I was escorted off the ride because I couldn't fit.. it was extremely upsetting. I'm a big girl, no doubt, but it turned out it was my calves that couldn't fit. The CM said I was about an inch away, but no matter how I positioned my legs, she couldn't get the restraints to lock in place.

I didn't think my calves were that big.. I thought for sure, if anything, it would be my gut that was the issue. I don't know if she just didn't push hard enough to try to latch it, or if I really just am that big.. doesn't really matter, I guess.

I asked if I could take off my shoes, and she said she couldn't allow me to do that. Plus, she said between all the germs from everyone riding it before me, and from people throwing up on the ride, I wouldn't want to do that. After hearing that, I happily got off the ride lol.

After I walked out to where you hand in the glasses, the CM offered me and my party 2 FP for anywhere in the park that day, so we used them to go on the boat ride there (which was really beautifully done, I might add). Shortly after, my DH was escorted out with the same problem I had. At least my sister was able to ride it, and she loved it, so at least one of us got to enjoy it.

While it was difficult enough being escorted out (I can be a bit sensitive about my whole pooh-size topic), the hardest part was hearing from other guests in the park and some CMs insisting that I go on that ride and how amazing it is after hearing that I didn't go on it, that I went on the River ride instead. That part was just heartbreaking.

 

[OhhBother]

So I was one of those who struggled to get a FP for this ride, and once they extended AK hours I was finally able to snag one for my party this past Monday afternoon. I was stoked! Unfortunately, I was escorted off the ride because I couldn't fit.. it was extremely upsetting. I'm a big girl, no doubt, but it turned out it was my calves that couldn't fit. The CM said I was about an inch away, but no matter how I positioned my legs, she couldn't get the restraints to lock in place.

I didn't think my calves were that big.. I thought for sure, if anything, it would be my gut that was the issue. I don't know if she just didn't push hard enough to try to latch it, or if I really just am that big.. doesn't really matter, I guess.

I asked if I could take off my shoes, and she said she couldn't allow me to do that. Plus, she said between all the germs from everyone riding it before me, and from people throwing up on the ride, I wouldn't want to do that. After hearing that, I happily got off the ride lol.

After I walked out to where you hand in the glasses, the CM offered me and my party 2 FP for anywhere in the park that day, so we used them to go on the boat ride there (which was really beautifully done, I might add). Shortly after, my DH was escorted out with the same problem I had. At least my sister was able to ride it, and she loved it, so at least one of us got to enjoy it.

While it was difficult enough being escorted out (I can be a bit sensitive about my whole pooh-size topic), the hardest part was hearing from other guests in the park and some CMs insisting that I go on that ride and how amazing it is after hearing that I didn't go on it, that I went on the River ride instead. That part was just heartbreaking.

I'm so sorry. I also have huge calves and just barely fit two out of three attempts. One time I didn't fit.

My best advise is to try again. If I hadn't fit the first time, I would have never tried again. Which would have been a shame since I fit two out of three times. Some suggestions: Try early in the morning before your legs swell. Try with flip flops on -- that made a huge difference for me.

I have no idea why Disney didn't design the foot well differently. Another inch of space there would have given lots more people the chance to ride.

 

[lucyddr]

I'm 5'7" and 290. I wear a women's size 24 shorts and a 3xl t-shirt comfortably (2XL Men's Columbia shirt that day). My calves are super large. Here is my general build...my ankles always swell a ton at Disney thus the flip flops this evening. I wore size 9 Brooks Dyads on FOP for reference.

I knew there was a strong chance I wouldn't be able to ride on September 21, but I wanted to give it a try. We had a FP and had to do Rider Swap due to children who were too short to ride. That caused me to be a solo rider, which gave me the confidence to give it a try! I figured if I had to leave, then no problem!

I sat down, squeezed my body forward and elevated my heels slightly. The cast member came behind me and told me he would have to push one click on my back. He did and I honestly barely felt it (and trust me...I was expecting failure). I was in and good to go! If anything, the "tight" issue for me was my calves but even they were fine once we started the ride.

It's really a phenomenal ride and I'm so glad I didn't chicken out! I agree with others that the glasses are a royal pain! I tried not wearing my eye glasses, but realized early on that I couldn't see as well. So...I rode most of the ride holding on to my glasses with one hand!

And for those with similar stats, I also rode SDMT at least 6 times. I did get bruises on the outside of my thighs though. If riding it, I highly recommend wearing thin pants or leggings that cover the end of the thighs. I think less skin-to-rubber friction would be far more comfortable! It wasn't comfortable, but we rode and that's what mattered most! I wouldn't trade these memories for anything!

 

[MIChessGuy]

Getting back to the flip-flops idea: You just change into those and then put your 'regular' shoes in the storage compartment? And there is no issue with having sufficient time to do this, or with the amount of space in the storage thing?

 

[DisneyOma]

disney has never thought about the exception other than the norm. Prime example. They didn't think of people in wheel chairs using the monorail platform without an elevator. There was 1 escalator from third floor to platform.
I watched a man carry his mother on his back to get her up the escalator. The elevators haven't been in the contemporary for a long time.

The 'norm' - so are you saying that Disney should make the seats bigger on FoP, thus increasing the height restriction/size restriction for smaller people? because that's what would happen - the seats would be too big for smaller people to ride safely.

The monorail and Contemp were built before ADA. Lots of places were not accessible back then, including government buildings, schools, stores etc.

I'm so sorry. I also have huge calves and just barely fit two out of three attempts. One time I didn't fit.

My best advise is to try again. If I hadn't fit the first time, I would have never tried again. Which would have been a shame since I fit two out of three times. Some suggestions: Try early in the morning before your legs swell. Try with flip flops on -- that made a huge difference for me.

I have no idea why Disney didn't design the foot well differently. Another inch of space there would have given lots more people the chance to ride.

First reasonable solution I've heard! Although my guess is changing that area may also increase the height restriction?

 

[Kindermouse]

I rode it twice last week I am 5'2 and 260 . On Monday the CM came up behind me and without a word pushed the back piece a tiny bit so it would click-I think I was over arching back. I have a big bum and when I over arched my back it brought my bum up and into the way of the back piece. Yesterday when I rode I sat tall but didnt super arch my back and it clicked in without any help needed so be careful not to over arch you back. Also be careful when you here people say that they barely fit so anyone larger likely wouldn't fit. dont neccessarily take this as Gospel that since you are bigger you wont fit. The ride restrains fit snug on everyone regardless of size. My sons who is 130 pounds 5'7 and very slim said to me on the ride, mom this ride is tight on me so it must be squeezing you to death. Nope it was equally snug on both of us even thought there was big size difference between us. Everyone is going to feel like the ride restrains are tight.

I am a little surprised to hear about the shoe-removal gambit. Disney has cameras all over the place, so wouldn't the CMs see the person doing this? Make no mistake, I am right on the line myself and fully sympathize with any reasonable tactic for squeezing the feet as far in as possible -- just didn't think it would "fly" (so to speak).

When I rode on Monday there was a bigger guy in my group but in the same ride room as me (1-8 maybe are in one room and 9-16 are in another it is the same theater but there is a a wall separating you so you cant see the other half of your group) It seemed like it took a while for the CM to come into the second room to lock our restraints. I was wondering if the bigger guy didnt fit. Then when we were exiting the ride the bigger guy was still there so he must have ridden the ride but he was sitting down by the cubbies putting his shoes back on. The CM must have let him take his shoes off and clearly knew about it since he had his sneakers on when he went into the ride vehicle room and was sitting right there putting his shoes back on after the ride.

This is us:

 

[OfCourseTheresAlwaysMyWay]

I am 6’4”, 300 lbs., 44-inch waist, and giant calves and I had zero problems fitting.

I did notice that the restraints were much easier and more comfortable on my second ride than my first. Not sure why.

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

If a fat person walks up & cannot fit into the seat, why would anyone care? They didn't appear thin when they walked up and were then suddenly revealed as a fat person. You appear the same size to everyone both before and after. If someone hassles you for being fat, they're a jerk, and who cares about their opinion anyway?

I'm guessing you're not fat because, let me tell you, people are bothered by fat peoplen all the time. I am overweight, and no, I don't appear thin when I'm walking around. But you say that like walking around fat isn't also sometimes embarassing for fat people. And it's entirely different for people to see you struggle to fit into something that most other people have no problem with. If I'm walking around in the world I'm not it's not like I have to squeeze myself into it. Do you seriously not understand that fat people are judged and ridiculed all the time? Yes, those people are jerks, but that doesn't mean it's easy to ignore and not be bothered by it.