My Experience as a Plus-Sized Princess at Walt Disney World

Going to a theme park can be a scary experience for a plus-sized person. Your biggest fear….walking out of the ride in the “walk of shame”.

Don’t fear Disney World! Disney World is very plus-sized friendly!

I am plus-sized or as the Disney community likes to say “Pooh-sized”. I also love going to Disney and don’t let my size stop me. I want to share with other plus-sized princesses or pooh-sized friends my experience being Plus Sized at Walt Disney World.

My Experience as a Plus-Sized Princess at Walt Disney World

The first thing you should know is that Disney is very accommodating to those who have more to love. I am going to share with you my size. I am a size 26. I carry most of my weight in my stomach), though when you are my size the extra fat is pretty distributed. I am also very tall. I stand 5’11”, almost 6 feet with shoes.

My experience with rides is that I fit in most comfortably. There are a few exceptions.  I do not fit on 7 Dwarfs Mine Train Ride of the new Flight of Passage ride in Pandora. 

Now during the hottest times of the year me and my husband get separate ride cars at the Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Spaceship Earth. We like being close, but close can be gross when you are sweaty and sticky.

One thing to remember is to make yourself comfortable. Sometimes I can look at a ride and discreetly say to the Cast Member that I am riding alone (even if I am with a group) or that I prefer not to be seated directly next to someone else (in a theater for example). Most Cast Members are very happy to make your ride as magical as possible.

Exploring the Magic Kingdom as a Plus-Sized Princess

Philharmagic and Carousel of Progress have theater seats that are of decent size. Country Bear Jamboree, the Tiki Room, and the Jungle Cruise have bench seating.

7 Dwarfs Mine Train Ride – For the Mine Train, my bum fits in the seat with not much overage, but my thighs/knees couldn’t fit under the kneebar. I waited in the standby line for 45 minutes to discover I didn’t fit. I was heartbroken. The cast members were awesome though and gave me a free Fastpass for any ride. Now, that is not to say that you won’t fit. I have a friend the same size as me, but shorter and she is able to ride. My husband is a bigger man and 5′ 10″ and could fit, though it was tight.

Space Mountain – Single seats. They are really low so a little tough to get into if you have knee problems. I was able to use the seat ahead of me for leverage. Surprisingly, my legs were not cramped. I had lots of legroom and was not cramped in the ride.

Big Thunder Mountain – Bench seat that seats two. There is a lap bar but it adjusts to you. Comfortable legroom.

Dumbo & Aladdin’s Magic Carpets – Both have a bench seat that can fit 2 people. There is a large extendable seatbelt. I find being plus size, it is more comfy with just myself and/or a child or smaller adult.

Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid – This ride has a bench seat with a bar that comes down. I have never had a problem with this ride.

Mad Tea Party – The Teacups have a small door that I enter sideways. This ride is fine for Pooh-sized people. My tummy plops over the spinner a bit but it doesn’t hamper my ability to turn the teacup at super-fast speeds.

Tomorrowland Speedway – Small car with bench. Seat belt holds 2 guests.

Tron – Tron is available as an Single Lightning Lane purchase or by getting in through the virtual queue. There is a test seat outside of the ride. In this ride, you are seated as if on a motorcycle and your legs are secured. Many people have problems with their calves fitting comfortably.

While you *may* have trouble fitting on the bike seat. Disney does have a modified seat for people who don’t fit or need to transfer from a wheelchair. The modified seat is a regular seat with a bar that comes down. You may have to wait an additional 30 minutes or so as the modified seats are not plentiful.

Exploring Epcot as a Plus-Sized Princess

Test Track – (Currently closed for refurbishment) I can ride Test Track but needed my husband to help me with buckling my seatbelt especially since they load you quickly. People were giving me looks but, I paid Disney the same money they did, so they can just wait. There is a test seat located outside of the ride building.

Spaceship Earth – Bench type seat that seats 2. If you have longer legs ask for the back seat of the ride vehicle as there is more legroom.

Soarin’ – Single seat with seat belt. Pull the seatbelt out before seating and then buckle once seated.

Frozen Ever After – Bench seat, no lap bar. Legroom is decent, except in the first row.

Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a Plus-Sized Princess

Finding Nemo the Musical, Festival of the Lion King, Rivers of Light, and the Bug’s Life Show are all bench-seat shows.

Dinosaur – Nice size single seats that are in a row of 4. Extra-long seatbelt. Nice amount of leg room too!

Expedition Everest– They have a test seat outside of the ride. No problems fitting. Lap bar is similar to the Mine Train ride but wider.

Na’Vi River Ride – Bench seats with the most legroom of any Disney ride.

Avatar Flight of Passage – I did not fit on this ride. There is now a test vehicle outside of the ride for you to try.

Kali River Rapids – The seat belts aren’t huge. I had to buckle the seat belt around my thighs and then slide down for it to fit. They do not have seatbelt extenders on this ride.

Exploring Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a Plus-Sized Princess

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and the Indiana Jones Show both have bench seating. The Frozen Sing-Along, the theater at the Launch Bay,  and the Mermaid Show all have theater seats. Disney Cast Members will not make you sit right next to another person every though they may say please fill in every available seat.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – This ride is very comfortable for both plus-size and tall guests. Bench seat with a bar that lowers to the biggest person’s lap.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – This ride is VERY comfortable. Single seats with no armrests, huge seatbelts, and lots of legroom even if you are the pilot. The Dejarik game table is plus-size friendly too for your photo opp.

Star Tours – Single seats in a long row. Lots of legroom. Pull the seatbelt out before you sit down and buckle once seated.

Toy Story Mania – Bench seat that sits 2. The shooting console is the “lap bar” that closes shut. No problems whatsoever. Plenty of legroom too!

Tower of Terror – Nice size seats. There are dividers between each seat. This ride uses a seat belt. Like with other seat belt rides, pull out the seat belt before seating and then sit and buckle.

Slinky Dog Dash – Lots of room for plus-size guests. The lap bar comes down and rests on the top of your, no annoying bar all the way down the side like Mine Train.

Alien Swirling Saucers – Both I and my plus-size husband fit comfortably on this ride in one ride car. It has a seat belt that extends quite a bit.

Exploring Disney is a Lot of Walking- Train for Disney!

When it comes to walking, I would recommend “training” for Disney World if you are not used to walking long distances. I wear my Fitbit and always get anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 steps per day while at Disney. Remember to take breaks when you can.

I make sure to eat a banana each day to prevent muscle cramps and I stay hydrated. You also need to wear really comfortable walking shoes that are broken in and support your weight. I also recommend Oofos.

What to Wear to Disney World as a Plus-Sized Princess

I prevent chub rub/chaffing by wearing leggings or bicycle shorts under skirts and wearing comfortable shorts. Once home or at the hotel I apply some Gold Bond powder. I have heard people rave about Body Glide and tried it out during my 10k and it really helped. You can also use Vaseline or deodorant.

Disney doesn’t sell too many plus-size clothes, especially at the parks. If you do find something you love, be sure to find a cast member to see if it comes in your size. It never hurts to ask. They always have more inventory in the back or will have you try the World of Disney Store at Disney Springs.

Overall, my experience as a Princess that is Plus Sized at Walt Disney World is pretty good. I am a princess and every cast member has made me feel that way. Please don’t let your weight prevent you from trying rides, new experiences, and adventures.

You May Also Enjoy:

• My Plus-Size runDisney Princess 10K Race Report
• Ultimate Disney World Packing List – Free Printable!
• 99+ Walt Disney World Tips for 2024

If you are plus-sized what have you experienced during your Walt Disney World Vacation?

Thank You for Spreading the Pixie Dust!