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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:
Thehonestybox · 28/10/2023 21:58

I remember a woman size 20 falling out of a bungee ride when I was younger in my city. She was obviously severely injured.

I totally get why you'd be upset, but really just be relieved that they didn't let you ride just because it nearly fit and they were rushing! Glad you're ok that's the most important thing

Citrusandginger · 28/10/2023 21:58

When I had DC2, I got into baking during maternity leave and weighed more on my return to work than when I left at 38 weeks pregnantBlush. I absolutely get it.

But, I think you need to think of health and safety. Not for one day at a theme park, but your personal health for you and your child so that as a family, you enjoy a healthy, active life. Females should have a waist measurement of 80cm or less. Start working towards it a cm at a time and enjoy life with your toddler. Flowers

Bellabon · 28/10/2023 22:01

I'm a size 16 and I can definitely see that I look big when I look in the mirror, even more so if someone takes a photograph of me. I think as some PP's have said - if you're unhappy with your size then use this as the motivation to start addressing it. On the other hand if you don't feel you are big and if you feel healthy then that's fine too.

Schlurp · 28/10/2023 22:09

Wow. OP you've had a hard enough day without reading some of these replies on top.

I'm an 18/20 and having a SEN child who loves rollercoasters, I have been on a LOT in the last few years. Never been too fat for a single one or used a belt extender for anything. I wonder how many of the posters telling OP she is too fat have any experience of this, rather than just making assumptions.

OP I'd have been extremely surprised and upset too. But I shall continue to go on rollercoasters without worrying about it because so far, I have not come across a single problem. I think you've been unlucky.

Longma · 28/10/2023 22:17

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WiddlinDiddlin · 28/10/2023 22:17

Clothing sizes are a poor indication of whether you fit on a ride or not.

Clothes stretch, they conform, to a certain degree, to your shape and you can hoik things up/down etc.

Seats may have a fixed width, depth, height limit, there may be areas you can squidge in and areas you cannot.

I know at a 24 i only JUST fitted on the Big Dipper and the Pepsi Max Big One at Blackpool and it wasn't overly comfortable. (Good job i had no clue about my heart problem, I wouldn't dare now even if I did fit).

I am surprised a 20 doesn't fit most rides at a European park though, but there again I haven't ridden any modern coasters in a very long time so restraints and seat design has likely moved on a lot.

Longma · 28/10/2023 22:22

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LaLaLouella · 28/10/2023 22:27

I'm a size 20 and I've never not been able to fit on a ride and I've been to many parks across Europe and the US.

Either use it as a wake up call to lose some weight or shrug it off as a bad day

Escapetofrance · 28/10/2023 22:27

I wouldn’t have even thought about not being able to fit in a ride at that size. I’m sorry you’ve gone through that, it must have been horrible. I really doubt you’re alone though.

LaLaLouella · 28/10/2023 22:30

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.

And a slow hand clap to this poster suggesting the Op is actively wanting tiny teenagers to fly out of enormous seats to their deaths.... 👏

Maybe we could just have adjustable restraints so that a variety of shapes and sizes can enjoy rides safely, kind of how it is at the moment in most places....

Homesweethome23 · 28/10/2023 22:36

Think it definitely depends where you carry the weight. I am a 18 bottom 22/24 top.

Disneyland Paris I was fine except one ride where I asked for an extension belt. Not a problem at all as most of the adults needed one.

Legoland only 1 I couldn’t go on

Chessington/Alton towers about 50% I could go on.

TeaGinandFags · 28/10/2023 22:49

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.

It's easy for weight to creep up from behind when looking after a baby.

Could the issue be that instead of looking after everyone else, you need to look after number one? So many mothers don't.

Start by not beating yourself up.
Sending hugs x

TwinkleDinkleStarDar · 28/10/2023 23:36

EightOfHearts · 28/10/2023 18:35

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.

Show quote history

I'm worried maybe I'm a lot larger than I think I am and delusional about what being size 20 means

You probably are, I dont mean to sound unkind but being a size 20 isnt healthy at all. Set yourself a years goal to lose some weight and go back again in a year.

I went to Gullivers World a few months ago and they made a woman get off the ride as she was too big for it. I felt so bad for her.

It's so easy to gain weight especially after a pregnancy/baby,

You'll be okay, I lost 4 stone slowly over a period of 4 years and really do feel a lot better for it x

LonelyFlans · 28/10/2023 23:39

I'm sorry OP, that's a horrible feeling.

I don't know if it will help, but there's a Facebook group for people who want to ensure that they fit on rides at Merlin parks - it's a mixture of weight loss support and people sharing their experiences of the rides most/least accommodating.

But your baby isn't even a year old yet, so go easy on yourself.

Pleaseme · 29/10/2023 00:02

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At a 14 I’ve struggled with some of the rollercoasters at Alton towers. It’s very much a boob thing. I’m tall though and as a pp mentioned they are designed for male shapes. I’d highly recommend a minimiser / sports bra for the large of nork.

Pollynots · 29/10/2023 00:04

I was able to go on rides when I was a size 28. That was in Britain though. I'm guessing we have a lot of obese people here compared to on the continent.

maddening · 29/10/2023 00:04

margotrose · 28/10/2023 16:06

I would say that most rides in the UK and Europe wouldn't be able to accommodate that kind of size.

I suspect in countries like the US you may have more luck.

A size 20 woman would probably not be any bigger than a muscle bound 6"1 man

Dogrough · 29/10/2023 00:10

margotrose · 28/10/2023 16:17

I'm just going off my own experience. I very, very rarely see people over about a size 18-20 on rides in this country. I'm a 14 and some rides are uncomfortably right as it is!

Show quote history

At size 22 I’ve got on all the rides at:

DL paris
gullivers world
light water valley
camel creek
travelling fun fairs

TwoShades1 · 29/10/2023 00:14

I think it’s less about you being big compared with other adults and more that theme parks don’t have fully adjustable harnesses/safely measures. So the bar that keeps a small teen safe also needs to fit you. I think you possibly need to consider what the smallest person allowed on the ride looks like and how that compares to you. Weight distribution will also have an affect depending of the type of ride. Ie, if you are quite large in the chest and tummy but smaller in the hips/bum/legs it will be quite different to someone with a slimmer upper body and a lot of weight on their hips and thighs.

Pollynots · 29/10/2023 00:21

I would assume it would vary from country to country. I expect in Japan the weight limit is very strict as there are few overweight /obese people there. The Netherlands also seems to be a slim nation.

WednesdaysChild50 · 29/10/2023 00:26

Size 18-22 here I could fit on most (not all) rides at theme parks, the ones where the restraint comes down on your chest were the biggest problem and needed a good push due to boobs lol

DaisyDreaming · 29/10/2023 00:32

If you go on some groups or videos there’s advice on riding. It depends a lot on where you carry your weight and also how you sit. A friend for example carries her weight on her thighs and bum and on certain rides will cross her ankles as this helps. I found even a different bra made a big difference on the way a harness sat on my chest. I’m sorry you had such an upsetting day. Lots of size 20 people do manage to ride in theme parks but not all rides. Have a search on TikTok (someone did a guide for Thorpe park) for videos or groups like plus size at dlp although people at size 20 are normally fine.

Longma · 29/10/2023 09:13

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PastorCarrBonarra · 29/10/2023 09:32

I was overweight. It sounds to me as if this has been your wake up call, like I had a similar wake up call a few years ago on a skiing holiday just before covid.

There is a supportive thread entitled, “Embarrassed by weight gain” which may help you, OP. I’m not having a pop at you for now being a size 20 by the way, and I am aware that you weren’t asking for weight loss advice. I hope I haven’t offended you. I know how easy it is for weight to creep up, that’s all.

burnoutbabe · 29/10/2023 09:37

I think there are various threads and Facebook groups for (this is their term) Pooh shaped people.