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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:
IsThereABarUpThere · 29/10/2023 10:06

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.

I really don't think most adults need an extension belt on the rides at DLP.

Not my experience anyway.

Oigetoffmylawn · 29/10/2023 11:35

Dogrough · 29/10/2023 00:10

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

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

Show quote history

It depends on how you carry your weight. As a pear shaped 18 I really struggled with some at Gulliver's world (caterpillar, kids race cars and a couple of others) and the formula 1 ride was an absolute no no. But this year as a 14-16 I was absolutely fine.

Dogrough · 29/10/2023 12:08

Oigetoffmylawn · 29/10/2023 11:35

It depends on how you carry your weight. As a pear shaped 18 I really struggled with some at Gulliver's world (caterpillar, kids race cars and a couple of others) and the formula 1 ride was an absolute no no. But this year as a 14-16 I was absolutely fine.

Show quote history

I’m an hourglass shape so I would have thought my arse and my breasts would have been an issue… it also helps that my son who was on the rides with me is very very skinny so I had more space on the shared rides!

Figmentof · 29/10/2023 12:17

I have been a size 20 in the past and I would definitely have anticipated a risk of not fitting onto some theme park rides. It is something I would have (and did) done my research on in advance. I have found that Disney rides accommodate for larger body sizes more than most. I think you have to chalk this down to experience.

Beezknees · 29/10/2023 12:23

zurala · 28/10/2023 16:57

Size 20 is really big. Honestly, there might be a lot of people that size now but it's not biologically normal or healthy. To say otherwise is to delude yourself.

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This. I'm a size 14 and I'm almost in the clinically obese category with my weight. Most people will be obese at size 20.

Valerianandfoxglovesoup · 29/10/2023 12:25

A year after my gastric sleeve, I made up the weight loss out of books and weights on the scales. That weight was what my body and poor heart were lugging around day after day, it is scary when you see what 40kg actually looks like and I wasn't that bug, just over 100kg. It's only afterwards you realise how truly much more weight and space you consume, at the time you just think in words like big or larger. I agree there has to be a cut off, we ca t normalise everyone for everything and whatever it us, its upsetting but if it is too much for a ride, think of what your heart is going through, not to mention your knees.

Oigetoffmylawn · 29/10/2023 12:26

Beezknees · 29/10/2023 12:23

This. I'm a size 14 and I'm almost in the clinically obese category with my weight. Most people will be obese at size 20.

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I was only just obese at a 20. At a 16 I'm bordering on a healthy weight (BMI 25.3). It does very much depend on your shape. My friend is a 20 due to enormous boobs and she's a BMI 27 (we're on a weightloss journey together!).

Homesweethome23 · 29/10/2023 13:09

If you read what I wrote I said it was one certain ride, not all rides at dlp.

Homesweethome23 · 29/10/2023 13:10

My above reply was to@IsThereABarUpThere

Morph22010 · 29/10/2023 13:24

CesareBorgia · 28/10/2023 16:56

The rides will be designed with men in mind (like so many things, see recent seatbelt thread on here).

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I think it depends on the ride, I would say most are designed to cover as many people as possible. Some , like swarm at Thorpe park have a maximum height and I’ve only ever seen men be taken off that and not allowed to ride

Dogrough · 29/10/2023 14:57

Oigetoffmylawn · 29/10/2023 12:26

I was only just obese at a 20. At a 16 I'm bordering on a healthy weight (BMI 25.3). It does very much depend on your shape. My friend is a 20 due to enormous boobs and she's a BMI 27 (we're on a weightloss journey together!).

Show quote history

Size/bmi is an odd thing. I guess you are tall?

Im a size 16 and my bmi is 36.5

Dogrough · 29/10/2023 15:00

lechatnoir · 28/10/2023 18:51

As someone who has been a size 20 and had to deal with airplane extension belts, not fitting in cinema seats, public toilets, the shame of shopping on the high street etc, I'm really sorry you had to deal with this but not surprised. I wouldn't have even tried a ride when I was a size 20 and it's only now I've lost some weight that I've realised/admitted to myself quite how big I was.

Anyone telling you size 20 isn't big or you can be healthy and a picture of good health at a size 20 is kidding you, themselves or most likely both. It took a similar shock to give me a kick up the arse and start being in the right frame of mind to actually lose the weight so hopefully it will be the same for you too.

Don't be hard on yourself but do be honest. Feel free to pm me I honestly not saying this to shame you but I've been there and managed to make changes

I didn’t have any issue fitting into any seat/other space when I was a size 22. Cinema seats are massive! I only flew with easyjet but I didn’t need a seatbelt extender.

Twizzled · 29/10/2023 15:00

Size 20 is very large, the experience should maybe used as a wake up call to lose some weight

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