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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for overweight experiences at alton towers

140 replies

Justanothernamechange2 · 01/10/2018 09:48

Supposed to be going to A.T next week but im worried im too fat.

Im aware of the "chest restrictions" noted on the website - im not worried about those, im not exactly top heavy.

My issues are my thighs and tum. I wear a 18 top and a 22jeans. I worry about the bars coming down and my thighs being too chunky for them to close.

Does anyone have any experience to put my mind at rest, or even stories that will make me stay home instead

OP posts:
DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 01/10/2018 10:23

Hi, most of the popular rides have an example seat before the queue entrance so you can sit in it and check you fit okay before actually getting on the ride, so I wouldn’t worry. I’ll be honest, last time I was there we were near the front of the queue and one chap couldn’t get out of his seat at the end of the ride (it was Air which I think has been rebranded to a VR space thing now). He was stuck as everyone else got off and they called for assistance over the tannoy. Because of that I’d definitely make sure you can fit in the seat comfortably - although if you’re a size 18-22 I’m sure you’ll be absolutely fine. Hope you have a great time!

R0sesandTulips · 01/10/2018 10:29

I went to Alton Towers a couple of years ago now, I was the same sort of size as you are now OP I was quite chunky in my thighs. There was actually one ride I couldn’t get a bar down on (I can’t remeber it now) but the boy operating the ride was lovely about it and gave me a pass to queue jump for another ride, and no one made a fuss about it at all or was horrible. But the rest of the rides I got on fine. My advice will be to go, check in the tester seats first, and have a lovely time Flowers

AnguaUberwaldIronfoundersson · 01/10/2018 10:31

I was about 19stone/size 22 when I last went and the only ride I had an issue on was Air (had to do the walk of shame!)

Like you, I carry it all on the thighs and hips. You'll be OK on a lot of rides and you can always try out the chairs at the start of the ride.

DancingOnMyOwn · 01/10/2018 10:34

I think you will be fine. I went to Alton towers for the first time a few months ago, and I was worried like you because I am a size 18-20 (all over)
I had no problems on any of the rides and they're were lots of people way bigger than us OP.
I might be going again tomorrow and will enjoy it more knowing I don't need to worry about fitting in the rides!
Have a great time Smile

R0sesandTulips · 01/10/2018 10:38

Air! It was Air had a problem with too. Everything else was fine!

StormTreader · 01/10/2018 10:57

I was there 2 days ago - I'm a 18/20 and had a friend who is larger than me. Air was a no-go for her but they are pretty good at knowing all the tricks - they got her to sit cross-legged and slouch down for Wicker Man and just about got the bar down.

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:01

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MrsCar · 01/10/2018 11:04

Yeah, because she'll shed stones in a week Hmm

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:06

@MrsCar - Exacly the kind of negative attitude I've come to expect from mumsnet.

ItWentDownMyHeartHole · 01/10/2018 11:06

SmallState what a mean response. Not called for.

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:09

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poppyrock · 01/10/2018 11:11

No advice (except yes, they have test seats at the entrances to rides) but I just wanted to say good on you for going. Please don’t feel worried or embarrassed - if you do happen to have a problem no one will think anything of it and even if they did, you won’t see any of them again.

Have the best time, I love Alton Towers!

ItWentDownMyHeartHole · 01/10/2018 11:12

The OP wanted to check that she wouldn’t be humiliated in public. Turns out the response is that in real life she’ll be fine so you then step straight up to dish it out online instead. If you can’t be kind be quiet.

jerrysbellyhangslikejelly · 01/10/2018 11:13

@SmallState, the OP asked if she would fit on the rides, not how could she fit on them. Perhaps keep your unsolicited advice to yourself?

BumDisease · 01/10/2018 11:14

"You could try losing the weight op."

Brilliant idea! Amazing! I bet the OP had never thought of that! Now, since you are obviously such a radical genius, can you tell us how they can lose "the weight" in the next seven days?

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:14

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LagunaBubbles · 01/10/2018 11:16

You could try losing the weight op

Of course that's mean, don't be obtuse! It's nasty and uncalled for. For a start I'm sure the OP knows "she could try to lose weight.", bet she never thought of that one before eh. But no some smart arse thought they would point it out. Hmm

missperegrinespeculiar · 01/10/2018 11:17

SmallState

yeah, because the option of losing weight would not have occurred to the OP ever, I mean, I am sure she is sitting there open-mouthed going: "Oh my God losing the weight?! why did I never think of that? thanks SO much for enlightening me"

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:18

@missperegrinespeculiar - precisely the kind of negative attitude that holds people back in life

missperegrinespeculiar · 01/10/2018 11:18

yes, it's freedom of speech, that's why you are copping it for being a patronising idiot, works both ways, hun, deal with it snowflake!

missperegrinespeculiar · 01/10/2018 11:19

precisely the kind of unking, humiliating, patronising attitude that makes it so hard for people to deal with their weight issues

KM99 · 01/10/2018 11:20

Ah the old "freedom of speech" defense. Not capable of formulating a reasonable response to the questions about their motivation behind the comment so they go with freedom of speech and an insult.

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:20

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BumDisease · 01/10/2018 11:20

"It's called freedom of speech, get used to it snowflakes."

Freedom of speech does not equal freedom from the consequences of that speech, such as being called out for being a prick.

SmallState · 01/10/2018 11:22

precisely the kind of unking, humiliating, patronising attitude that makes it so hard for people to deal with their weight issues

I'm saying this as a (hopefully soon to be former) fatty myself, I'm halfway to my goal weight and a bit of real talk did me no harm.