going to Disney sea world scared

Hi every one, I had open RYN on Nov 2cnd 05, I am down over 70 pounds. I am going to Fla with my family Wed. for 2 weeks, I am about 350 pounds, and sooo afriad of the turnstiles, and the shows, and the seats on the trains...I really want to go on the safari at animal kingdom, and the haunted mansion, none of the fast rides..well I would love the tower of terror... Can you let me know, please if you have been there, how it was, or maybe some of you work there? I am really working my self up here. Thank you all! Gloria

Hi there..don't work for Disney but have been there a million times. As far as the Safari - it's a piece of cake...it's a BIG jeep and you'll be comfortable....but it can be a bit bumpy at times....the shows are okay but at 3 months out - you should not ride anything heavy like the Tower of Terror. You will fit but the seat belt is really on your lap and you would be putting strain on your abdominals so that's a NO NO for you missy! Neither the Rockin' roller coaster or some of the other rides they will be straining on your abs...they all pull or push you around. Sea World would be much better for you cause they have 2/3 big rides but you should do okay at the shows IF you can do ALL that walking, hahehehehe....the turnstiles - are unavoidable...I had to use the wheelchair entrances for a while. These places are overweight unfriendly in some ways but there are other things you can do. At Animal Kingdom you can still have a blast..they have it's a Bugs Life, and the Lion King Show..which are all open/airy....just alot of walking if you can handle it. Take a chance...when you get that wow moment you'll be glad you went out and had a blast - and I still think you will....don't be afraid!!! Soon all of that embarrassing stuff will be a part of your past...I promise!!!

Thank you! You know, I never even thought of the rides and my surgery...wow..what a wake up call! You are right..no fat rides for me..I do want to go to the star wars show, is that really a lot of movement? Also the walking...are thee many benches to rest I hope????? yikeees Thanks again Gloria

There are always benches to sit on, God knows, I've probably found every one of them! The star wars ride does shake you around, ALOT. I don't know that i would chance it, but it depends on how you are healing... Ruth is right about the shows though! Animal kingdom has several, there is a newer show at MGM (stunt driving show or something), Magic kingdom has a few shows, not many though. Seaworld is definately nice for all the shows, but their park is quite HUGE! I have been able to do it several times though, with some rest between walking. Epcot is very nice, they have a ride, Soarin' that you might like. Its a virtual ride like Star Tours, but not rough. It is supposed to make you feel like you are hang gliding in California. There are alot of show and intersting things to do at epcot that don't put you at risk (not to mention, a boat to take you from one side to the other, if you don't feel like the walk). The Train is a bench seat, so that will be no problem, along with the Haunted mansion, pirates of the caribbean, and some others. Most shows have bench style seating, but be warned: Pets Ahoy at Seaworld (cute show, I loved it) is not bench seating. the seats are a little small, but not too much (remember, I'm 380). At Wild Artic (a ride at Seaworld) there is a "walking tour" that bypasses the ride. I suggest it. The ride shakes and will really hurt you. Its rather old, and the motion is not very fluid. After the ride, you have a chance to see beluga whales, polar bears and Walruses (SP?). I have never been able to enjoy Kracken(seaworld), but you probably wouldnt want to do it right now. I'm not sure about Journey to Atlantis (seaworld again). Its a water ride that has a lap bar and while it doesnt jerk too much, there are a couple of drops, which will A: leave you wet and B: jolt your body. And while I know you didnt mention them, I would not suggest Islands of Adventure for this trip. Most rides are built for the smaller person and there are only a couple of shows. Universal Studios does have a little bit more variety, but still, not much. Girl, I know I'm long winded, but Go, Have fun and take a lot of pictures!! Love, Amy

Hey Gloria! Me and my family along with my mom and dad went last April to Disney World and the other park. I weighed 350 or a little less and needless to say the first roller coaster at Seaworld that I went to get on, I didn't fit. I was so embarrassed and was scared to try any more rides. I have a 1 yr old at the time and a 6 yr old and it was there first time there. The next day we went to Magic Kingdom and all the rides I rode were well equiped for fluffy people sometimes fitting up to three of us in one seat. This was true and Animal Kingdom and Epcot. This trip was the reason I plungged into the wls. I finally just got approved on Jan 30,2006 and I told my son in a couple of yrs when we go back, I will beable to ride everything without hesitation! These places are so big that you will enjoy yourself wither you ride anything or not. Relax and don't let it worry you the whole trip. Enjoy it all and remember next time you will be riding everything without even thinking about fitting!!!

A definate NO on the Tower of Terror - way too much jerking up and down! Like major elevator drop with a sudden stop. You're actually weightless for a split second then you plunk back down on your seat. If a lot of walking is still too much for you I suggest renting a wheelchair. Cost is minimal but it would allow you to keep going & not slow your family down with freqent rest stops. Also makes a great "buggy" if you feel like walking a bit, you can pile purses, packages, etc in it for a while. The other perk of using the wheelchair is there is a special park brochure/map with info for handicapped guests. The wheelchair also allows you & your group to use a different entrance (bypassing turnstyles) and sometimes gets you in ahead of the line. Best advice is to use the Fast Pass for rides / exhibits that often have long lines. Last time we went was pre-RNY and I had to use a wheelchair but it was worth it. I could have never walked around the parks. We went to all 4 Disney parks and loved it! Animal Kingdom was fantastic!! Have fun! Vickie J.

Gloria, Don't sweat the turnstiles. When I was over 350 I could go through them but if for some reason you can't you can always go in the wheelchair gate. Disney/MGM Studios has great attractions...Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic! (both w/ bench seating), Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Millionaire...the seats for the last two aren't totally comfortable but you're not there for long. Also Lights, Motors, Action and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt show are great and have bench seating. All Disney theme parks have lots of benches. Epcot has tons to do and even at my biggest I enjoyed it. I wouldn't try Soarin' at this point. At 350+ the seat belt didn't fit me. But you could go on Spaceship Earth and Universe of Energy. For shows there's Turtle Talk with Crush at the Living Seas (bench seating) and all kinds of entertainment around the World Showcase. Don't miss the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure rotunda...get there early to get a bench. Have a great time and forget about Sea World! Disney is the ultimate in theme parks...okay, I confess I work there! Good luck and a continued successful journey, Rhonda -170

Gloria, Oh how I feel your anxiety! I avoided going to theme parks for years before my surgery for the same reasons. I used to make up all kinds of excuses to not go when others were planning a day there. Today, I have annual passes and go every chance I can since I live so close ! Others on here seem to have given you some great suggestions on the shows/rides to tryout at Disney. It's a Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey's Philharmagic (I forget the exact name-but I love it best!) are other ones that are bench seating or auditorium seating. I definitely think you should go and enjoy yourself with your family. Watching the interactions of the kids with characters and the parade is a blast and worth every photo op. You can always find something to do while others ride the things you are avoiding and seating thruout the park is plentiful. There will be tons of people using electric scooters, so if you don't think you can handle all the walking, rent a scooter at the front of the park and enjoy the benefit of zipping past everyone. I did that once at Epcot and enjoyed myself so much more than having to stop to rest my back every chance possible (I think my friends appreciated it too since they didn't have to stop with me). Seaworld is also a great place with lots of stadium seating and shows versus rides. Plus it pulls at your heart strings if you are an animal lover. Several of us from the FL board are going on 2/18 if you are here then ! FYI: Universal has lots of auditorium types shows, but Islands of Adventure (the other park at Universal) is mostly action rides (rollercoasters), I wouldn't waste the money if you can't enjoy the rides. Whatever you decide to do, focus on making special new memories, put your anxiety and stress in the back of your mind. You have so much to be thankful for and I guarantee you that you can maneuver better today than prior to your surgery! Have a wonderful vacation! Amy -212lb.