A plus-sized guide for Disney World attractions: Magic Kingdom

As a fat person, I am a sucker for a good plus-sized guide for traveling. And with Disney celebrating its 50th year, it seems like everyone has been making plans to visit the “happiest place on earth,” my family included. So last month, we ventured to Florida and spent two weeks in the sun, hanging with Mickey Mouse. 

This trip had been a year in the making, and if you’ve previously gone to Disney or you’re going in the future, you know that taking a trip to Disney World takes a lot of planning. Being a plus-sized woman, one of the things I wanted to be able to plan was what attractions I could and couldn’t ride. 

I watched a few YouTube videos of various other people’s experiences and guides on the rides. Still, with everyone’s visit and body being different, I wanted to put together my own plus-sized guide to help my fellow fat friends who will be visiting soon and have similar body measurements as my own!

Being an anxious person who lives in a world that isn’t always inclusive for fat people, having someone else’s perspective and thoughts helped me during my trip, and I hope this guide helps you as well!

So you can all gauge how the attractions fit me and how your experience will compare, here are my body details:

As you can imagine, there is SO MUCH to do at Disney World, and it’s tough to do everything. This guide is mainly for attractions, but we didn’t ride every single attraction or watch every show because time is limited. However, I included all the attractions in this guide, but the ones I didn’t personally ride during my trip have an asterisk (*), so you know that the thoughts and experiences I share are not my own. I also color coded each ride for easy scanning!

Green is for plus-size friendly attractions
Yellow is for tighter attractions
Red is for attractions that aren’t size-inclusive

Now that we’ve gotten all the details out of the way, friends, let’s jump into the plus-sized guide to the Magic Kingdom!

quick navigation

Fantasyland

Rides

• It’s a Small World: This boat ride is a classic, and like many of the other slow-paced rides at Disney, fitting on this ride won’t be a problem. The boats are wide and have no lap bars or belts, leaving ample room for you to sit and be comfortable.

• Seven Dwarves Mine Train: The ride was tight as the lap bar had two metal bars on each side, connecting it to the vehicle. These bars created a snug fit for me in the cart; not super uncomfortable, but I definitely didn’t have any wiggle room. I initially took my backpack on the ride and tried to place it between my legs.
  
  It pushed my legs too far apart, and I couldn’t pull the lap bar down far enough. I put the backpack at my daughter’s feet and had no problem pulling the lap bar down after removing my bag. So, if you plan on going on this ride, don’t take your backpack on or put it at the feet of a smaller person as I did, so you have ample leg room.

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Like many other rides in fantasyland, this Winnie the pooh ride wasn’t difficult to get in and out of, and the lap bar wasn’t uncomfortable. Each seat can fit 2-3 people in it, and that whole row shares a lap bar, so if you’ve got a bigger belly like me, be aware of any smaller passengers that accompany you as they won’t be utterly snug in the vehicle. Because of this, I like to wrap my arm around my kiddos to give them a little extra security on the ride!

• Peter Pan’s Flight: Like the Winnie the Pooh attraction, Peter Pan’s Flight is the exact in-vehicle fit. Each vehicle fits around 2-3 people, and everyone shares one lap bar. The ride is super cute, and even with a bigger belly, I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. This ride has a shared lap bar so if you have a bigger belly, be aware of any smaller passengers that accompany you as they won’t be utterly snug in the vehicle.

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid: This attraction is like the Finding Nemo one in Epcot. You sit in a vehicle shaped like a seashell, and each car has one lap bar. Getting on was easy, and the opening was big enough for me to slide in without any trouble.
  
  Just be aware of lifting up anything in your arms (bags, backpacks, etc.), so they don’t get caught when you’re getting into your vehicle for the ride. This ride has a shared lap bar so if you have a bigger belly, be aware of any smaller passengers that accompany you as they won’t be completely snug in the vehicle.

• Mad Tea Party: the tea cups are a classic Disney ride that everyone should enjoy, but you can tell that the layout and design of the cups haven’t been updated in a while. Getting in and out of the cup was challenging and stressful. I felt a bit rushed trying to get in and out, so I wasn’t holding up the ride.
  
  The opening of each teacup is tiny, and trying to get in and out ended up pushing my belly so much it hurt for several minutes after. I would recommend stepping on the bottom of the door and lifting yourself on your toes as much as possible while getting in, so you don’t have to squash your stomach trying to get in.
  
  Sitting in the tea cup wasn’t bad, although it is very cramped for people with long legs or big bellies. If you’re like me and have a bigger belly, prepare for the turning wheel in the cup to rub up against your stomach. Thankfully the ride only lasts a bit over a minute, so that you shouldn’t be uncomfortable for too long.

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant*: I didn’t personally ride this attraction as my kiddos wanted to move on to bigger and more exciting rides, but because this ride is a classic, I have been on it in the past, and I can confidently confirm that this ride is very plus-size friendly. Each vehicle has a shared seatbelt that can be adjusted based on your size and is very easy to get in and out of. If you have little ones, this ride is a winner!

• The Barnstormer*: Another ride that I didn’t get a chance on, but according to Pammie Plus Parks video review, the vehicles can comfortably fit one plus-size person and a child or two straight-sized people. This ride has a shared lap bar so if you have a bigger belly, be aware of any smaller passengers that accompany you as they won’t be completely snug in the vehicle.

• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel*: I didn’t go on this ride myself, but I did watch my kiddos go on it, so that’s gotta count for something, right? The ride only had the option to ride via a horse; there were no stationary seating areas. Each horse has a step attached to it with three different height levels. I suggest grabbing onto the gold bar attached to your horse, putting your foot on the step, and hoisting yourself up and over the horse. I tried to look into weight limits for the ride, but unfortunately, I came up empty.   

Shows

• Mickey’s PhilharMagic*: Personally, we didn’t do too many shows, but according to All Ears, this show has padded theater-style seats with arms. If you tend to carry your weight in your hips as I do, the fit might be a bit tight. However, if you have your heart set on this show, give it a try and do the sliding technique that All Ears talks about in their WDW at Large post. 

Liberty Square

Rides

• Haunted Mansion: another classic of all the Disney parks, the Haunted Mansion is one of my favorites. This is another slow-moving ride where 2-3 people get their own vehicle and share a single lap bar. Getting on the ride was easy, and the ride vehicle was perfectly comfortable, with the lap bar laying slightly over my belly.
  
  I will note that I rode this attraction a few times during our visit, and every single time I had no problem except the very last ride. Once I got on into the ride vehicle, and the lap bar had come down, a cast member came over and told me to sit back as far as possible.
  
  I told them I already was, and he then proceeded to push down on the lap bar more, and it ended up pinching my stomach badly. The ride was fine, but I was slightly uncomfortable, and my stomach was very sore the whole day. I still have no idea what this dude was doing, but be aware when you ride this yourself.

• Liberty Square Riverboat*: I think I’ve only ever gone on this attraction once or twice in my life when I was a kid. While we didn’t do this boat ride during our trip, there don’t seem to be any seating issues, and it appears that this riverboat is very size-inclusive with its bench seating. The only problem I could potentially see is that the amount of bench seating is pretty low, so most people choose to stand on the boat, which is a bummer if your feet are hurting.

Shows

• The Hall of Presidents*: The last time I attended this show was back when I was in middle school, and I remember this show being so dull, and the only reason you went in to watch was that you wanted cool air and shade. And funnily enough, most people still tend to see this show for the same reason because when we went to go in, it was jam-packed with people!
  
  While we didn’t get to attend the show, according to All Ears, this show has theater seating with armrests and could be tight for people with wider hips and thighs. If you find it a tight squeeze, try and do the sliding technique All Ears talks about in their WDW at Large post. 

Frontierland

Rides

• Splash Mountain: This little gem of a ride is one of my absolute favorites, and I can confidently say that it’s a perfectly comfortable ride for all my plus-sized buddies. The ride vehicle is a log flume with four rows, fitting two people per row. The car doesn’t have a lap bar or seatbelt, so it’s very comfortable and spacious in the belly and hip area. We rode this multiple times during our trip, and each time was excellent, with no issues at all. This attraction is a winner on the list!

• Big Thunder Mountain: Another favorite of mine, this roller coaster makes the list of size-inclusive attractions that are comfortable for plus-sized people. Each train has several vehicles attached to it where 2 people can sit together. Each car shares a single lap bar so if you have a more giant belly, be aware of any smaller passengers that accompany you as they won’t be utterly snug in the vehicle. I rode it with all my kiddos, and despite the size of my belly, we had no issue depending together and felt completely safe and comfortable during the entire ride. This attraction is an A+ in my book!

Shows

• Country Bear Jamboree*: I haven’t seen this show in forever, but according to All Ears, this show has theater bench seating. While we didn’t watch this show, we did do the Enchanted Tiki Room, and that attraction also has theater bench seating. I can confirm that the bench seating in the front is spacious and comfortable. There was no issue, and I’m optimistic you’ll be relaxed and have a great time at this classic attraction!

Adventureland

Rides

• Jungle Cruise: I remember when I was a kid, this ride was so dull and I always dreaded going on it. Over the past few years, Disney has worked hard to make it more entertaining and interactive, and I am totally here for it. The ride itself was very comfortable; the boat has bench seating that is wide enough to be comfortable for my large booty.
  
  The only tricky part of this attraction was stepping into the boat. The boat tends to rock in the water and can make you feel slightly off-balance. Thankfully, cast members are always there to help lend you a hand if you need it. 

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Another slower boat ride that gets a high rating in my book. This ride has the same setup as “it’s a small world,” where each boat is wide and doesn’t have a lap bar or seatbelt, so everyone has ample room to sit and be comfortable. While not necessary, I found that sitting in the middle of the row made me feel more comfortable as a fat person because I could evenly distribute my weight. Overall, super fun and comfortable for everyone!

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin*: This ride is exactly like “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” and is very plus-size friendly. Each magic carpet vehicle fits 2-3 people, has a shared seatbelt that can be adjusted based on your size, and is very easy to get in and out of. A simple and fun ride for all sizes and ages!

• Swiss Family Treehouse*: This was another attraction that we didn’t have enough time to hit up. Unfortunately, after all my research online, I couldn’t find too much information on whether or not this attraction is size-inclusive. There seems to be so little information about this attraction for plus-sized people.
  
  I can only assume that it is easy and doesn’t have any glaring issues for heavier or wider people. Because this attraction is all walking, I personally don’t have any concerns about how plus-sized individuals will feel going on it.

Shows

• Enchanted Tiki Room: We didn’t do too many shows during our trip, but while waiting for lightning lane time, we could get into this show in just a few minutes. The show was great, a total classic that I was happy my kiddos got to experience.
  
  The seating in the front is theater bench seating and was super comfortable. Most of the show is above you, so finding a good seat wasn’t tricky. If you’ve got the time, definitely check out this classic show!

Tomorrowland

Rides

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: this one was super fun and comfortable to ride. Like many other rides at Disney, this ride is constantly moving, and when you go to get on the ride, there is a conveyer belt that moves as you walk to get into your vehicle.
  
  Getting in and out was simple; the opening was big enough for me to walk right on with no problems. Once you’re seated in your vehicle, the front part moves towards you, and it has a laser gun for you to shoot and earn points.
  
  It’s a cute classic arcade-style ride, and I can confirm that sitting on the ride was comfortable as we ended up being stuck on it for around 20 minutes and were able to max out our score to 999,999 points.

• Space Mountain: I love a good rollercoaster, and I am happy to share that Space Mountain was not only fun but very inclusive to bigger bodies. Each coaster has two vehicles attached, and each car has three seats. Everyone has their own seat, and each seat was spacious.
  
  The seats are slightly reclined, making the lap bar comfortably snug without feeling like you’re getting crushed. Getting on and off this ride is the only real challenging part, as bending your legs and lowering or lifting yourself isn’t always easy. I recommend utilizing the seats where you can, grab onto them, and use them as support to help guide you up or down.
  
  And if you want to use the small bag on your left to put your hat or sunglasses in, do that BEFORE you pull the lap bar down. Because the seats are slightly reclined, trying to lean forward is hard once the lap bar is in place.

• Astro Orbiter*: Even though this attraction has been at the park since its opening, I have never been on it. Crazy, right?! However, according to various sources online, each vehicle is very narrow and can be a tight squeeze for people with wider hips and thighs.
  
  I also read a few experiences that the seatbelt within each car can be limited, so I recommend that you try to ride by yourself, so you have all the seatbelt space to yourself!

• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover*: Not the most exciting attraction, but it’s a classic and perfect for people who want to view the park and maybe give their body and feet a quick rest. This ride is very size-inclusive with no lap bar or seatbelt.
  
  Each vehicle can fit up to 4 people and have two benches for people to sit on, one facing forward and one facing backward. The only area for mild concern would be the entrance to get into each vehicle. It seems like it could be slightly narrow, so I would step up at an angle, so you don’t hit your hips on the way in.

• Tomorrowland Speedway*: This is another classic ride that I have never gone on! According to various sources, the cars for this attraction are narrow, making this attraction pretty tight for plus-size riders. I might skip this ride as there are so many other great attractions at Magic Kingdom that are size-inclusive.
  
  However, if you have your heart set on it, I recommend sitting with someone small or by yourself, so you are as comfortable as you can get on such a snug ride.

Shows

• Monster INC. Laugh Floor*: Another show utilizes the classic theater bench seating! We love to see it. Unfortunately, we didn’t attend this show, but according to All Ears, the theater bench seating looks similar to the other various shows that have this same type of seating. So, if Monsters Inc. is your jam, I’m confident that you will have a fun and comfortable experience at this attraction!

• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress*: Last but not least is this rotating theater show. I’ll be honest, I had no idea this was even an attraction when we visited. I didn’t know this show was an attraction until I started putting this post together. So, it’s safe to say that we didn’t attend this show.
  
  According to Pammie Plus Parks, this show has basic theater seating with chairs that have armrests, making it a tight fit for my plus-size folks. The ride also has turnstiles that you have to go through before entering the show, and those are a tight squeeze. If you have your heart set on this show, I would ask for accessible seating like Pammie Plus Parks did in her YouTube video!

And there you have it, friends, my little personal guide to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park attractions. Once again, I hope this guide was informative and helped you with your trip planning. If you’d like to see any visuals of attraction seats, check out the attraction vehicle photo gallery from all ears!

What were your experiences at the Magic Kingdom? Do you have plans to visit Disney World this year?

Wants to see my other plus-size guides for? Check out the guides for the other Disney World parks!