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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I could go on rides at theme park?

113 replies

EightOfHearts · 28/10/2023 16:05

I'm on holiday with husband's family in the Netherlands and today we went to a theme park. We got on the first ride and the lap bar wouldn't fit and I'm asked to leave, absolutely mortified.

I was then careful to use the seat checkers when available and could not fit in any, other rides I just had to risk it. I found this very embarrassing particularly as it was infront of IL family who were very kind but I just could of cried all day. I would of gone home but as there were 8 of us and we'd car shared I couldn't as I didn't want to ruin anyone else's day.

The only rides I could go on were the log flume and rapids which didn't need any safety bars.

I'm size 20 and have only recently become this size - pre baby I was size 14/16 but the weight just piled on in pregnancy and ever since (baby now 9 months). I feel so stupid that I never even considered that this would be an issue. I know I'm overweight and it's become a problem but I just didn't think I was that big. AIBU or would others have thought someone size 20 couldn't go on most rides?

OP posts:
TheGoogleMum · 28/10/2023 17:00

In surprised size 20 wouldn't fit really, my bestie is about that and I'd expect her to fit? But I guess it's more to do with weight distribution and things than dress size perhaps?

QueenOfTheLabyrinth · 28/10/2023 17:01

I’m a size 14-16 and find a lot of rides extremely snug & just about fit; my cousin on the other hand is a size 18 but she’s absolutely fine. It’s just where you carry your weight unfortunately.

ElderMillenials · 28/10/2023 17:03

It varies from ride to ride and park to park. I'm a 20 and 5' 11", some rides im too tall rather than too wide, others are just uncomfortable.

I was in a European theme park this summer and there was only 1 ride that was a genuine struggle but was ok once I'd swapped to a seat with more leg room - the combination of legs squashed up and fat arse 😳

Don't feel embarrassed, it happens.

ididntthough · 28/10/2023 17:07

Sorry you had this experience OP. Different countries have different averages and norms i guess. It’s not relevant what the UK average size is. The Dutch are famously amongst the tallest in the world and on average I’m sure they are fitter and healthier.

While not everyone fits every ride in the US there is usually a sample seat to try and i can’t imagine you’d struggle at size 20 (like the Tron example quoted by a pp). it is also relevant when the rides were made; more recent ones will probably accommodate a wider range.

Ffsnotaconference · 28/10/2023 17:09

I was a size 22 at my biggest and in all honesty I would have assumed I couldn't go on most rides.

However, that doesn't change how upsetting it must have been if you didn't expect it.

ColdMornings · 28/10/2023 17:10

AIBU or would others have thought someone size 20 couldn't go on most rides?

I’m not surprised, size 20 is big. Don’t be embarrassed but I would try to lose weight for your health if I was you. 💐

TookTheBook · 28/10/2023 17:15

You must know that Size 20 is unusual and very overweight? You can't buy Size 20 at many high street stores surely? Personally I'm not surprised you couldn't fit. But there's no inherent shame in that. You're a Size 20 which is well over an average and rides aren't made for that.

ElFupacabra · 28/10/2023 17:22

TookTheBook · 28/10/2023 17:15

You must know that Size 20 is unusual and very overweight? You can't buy Size 20 at many high street stores surely? Personally I'm not surprised you couldn't fit. But there's no inherent shame in that. You're a Size 20 which is well over an average and rides aren't made for that.

What size was OP? You didn’t mention it….

Primark
River Island
New Look
Asda
Matalan
H&M
Dorothy Perkins
Monsoon
Debenhams
M&S

Just to name a few places.

EmptyYoghurtPot · 28/10/2023 17:26

Next have always carried a size 20. The supermarkets do as well - my Sainsbury’s playground duty coat is a 22 so I can wear layers underneath!
I’m not sure all the ‘size 20 is abnormal’ posts are helpful to the OP

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 28/10/2023 17:30

Most supermarkets go up to a 24! Some even a 26. Primark usually has a 22. Matalan had a range that went up to a 28, not sure they still do but definitely not unusual to get a size 20 easily there

"Don't be ashamed but also size 20 is unusual and huge" isn't really a sentence that belongs together

TookTheBook · 28/10/2023 17:32

I'm genuinely surprised at that list. Most of the places I shop consider an L a size 14 and it's quite hard to imagine where larger people buy clothes in that bubble. Clearly I don't get out much (to the high street).

Xmasbaby11 · 28/10/2023 17:33

I’m a size 20 Apple shaped so big round the middle, and never struggled with rides. And I’ve seen much bigger women on rides too at our local theme park.

DragonFly98 · 28/10/2023 17:35

EightOfHearts · 28/10/2023 16:24

Thanks for the replies. I just found today so upsetting/ shocking and I feel like maybe I'm kidding myself and I'm much bigger than I think I am.

No you are not much bigger it's just a safety feature of the rides. Please don't be hard on yourself you have not long had a baby.

PlantDoctor · 28/10/2023 17:35

💐Sorry, that must have felt horrible. Hope you enjoy the rest.of your holiday!

EvilElsa · 28/10/2023 17:38

Do you carry most of your weight around you stomach/waist area? I have seen people struggle with that build. My friend is a body builder and often can't ride attractions with pull down/over shoulder bars as they just won't lock as he is too big chest and shoulder wise. Don't be ashamed and beat yourself up over it -you certainly are not the only one this happens to (I've seen a few theme park vloggers struggle or be unable to fit on rides in Florida).

Dwappy · 28/10/2023 17:42

I think like others have said it's a safety issue. It would be impossible to create a seat that could safely fit a skinny 13 year old as well as a 20+ size adult. I know some places are making extra large seats on parts of rides. But then they would need to add in an extra queue area for that section. It's one of those situations where unfortunately one size really does need to fit all as much as possible. And if you don't fit you can't ride. In the same way a very small adult couldn't ride. Especially theme parks where most of the time their target audience is kids or teenagers who are normally on the smaller end.

MiddleParking · 28/10/2023 17:47

I think those seats are often designed for a size and shape of person who doesn’t actually exist. I’m small, skinny and flat chested and they usually nearly kill me.

Foxesandsquirrels · 28/10/2023 17:53

I'm sorry :( that is really upsetting. As hard as it is, it'll be for your safety and the safety of the other riders.

Mumofmarauders · 28/10/2023 17:58

I can't go in any rides at those places other than c-beebies land because they all make me travel sick, if it helps the day you had at Alton towers is the day I always have there! Not trying to minimise how awful it must have been that it was for that reason, just trying to make you feel like it was less weird that you weren't on the rides as there must be plenty of people like me. And re the weight thing if it's any comfort I'm sure because it's post pregnancy weight it'll be more likely to be concentrated around the tummy so would disproportionately affect those safety bars compared to how it looks on you, if you follow me.

TrishTrix · 28/10/2023 18:02

I'm a 20. Hourglass.

Never had a problem - Disney paris and US. Other UK theme parks too.
Not been to a mainland european one since I was a (slim) teen.

Hankunamatata · 28/10/2023 18:04

I'm an 18 and can just squeeze I to most rides in uk

Boomboom22 · 28/10/2023 18:08

Would you rather they were bigger so the 10+ children and teenagers who love these rides are endangered?
I was just at a theme park in the Netherlands and my pre teen boys loved it. I'd say it's very important the weight limits are stuck to too, they are very high anyway at 100kg.

PaperDoIIs · 28/10/2023 18:14

I'm an 18 most of the time, 16 when I'm being good. I don't just assume that I'll fit on a ride ,even uncomfortably. I know it must've felt awful, but it really is about safety.

I also think it's really easy to fall i to the "it's not that bad" trap when size 16 is the UK average.

Original poster
EightOfHearts · 28/10/2023 18:35

Boomboom22 · 28/10/2023 18:08

Would you rather they were bigger so the 10+ children and teenagers who love these rides are endangered?
I was just at a theme park in the Netherlands and my pre teen boys loved it. I'd say it's very important the weight limits are stuck to too, they are very high anyway at 100kg.

Hello sorry if my post was misleading, I'm not trying to say the seats should be made to fit my/ a bigger size. I totally understand there's an upper limit for safety reasons. My concern was to find myself on the other side of that limit; I know I'm overweight but I had just never considered myself an abnormally large person (I carry weight evenly). I'm worried maybe I'm a lot larger than I think I am and delusional about what being size 20 means.

OP posts:
DoAWheelie · 28/10/2023 18:36

I was always able to fit on rides as a size 26 - it might just be that one park. Is it an older place that hasn't been renovated for a long time?