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It's not such a small world, after all
Although the Disney company doesn't admit that plus-sized tourists are causing "It's a Small World" boats to bottom out, longtime Disney watcher Al Lutz notes that "heavier than anticipated" loads have caused boats to come to a standstill on more than one occasion. The problem has become common enough that Disneyland has built a platform next to one tricky area where boats commonly get stuck. Disney denies that weight issues are the cause of stuck boats. Instead, the company suggests that "layers and layers" of fiberglass have built up where maintenance teams have patched and re-patched problem areas.
Nevertheless, "It's a Small World" will be getting an inch more of water, and some lighter boats. The ride will be closed for ten months beginning in January 2008.
Also:
- Why are these people suing Disneyworld?
- Did you know about Disneyland's secret restaurant?
- You'll never guess where people are spreading ashes!
Gallery: Disneyworld
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Business, Festivals and Events, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
suse Feb 8th 2008 6:59AM
I am so sick of having to sit by fat people on the plane, at the doctors office, on the bus, they think they deserve all the space. They need to get their fat faces out of McDonald's and lose that weight. And it is lazy being fat when you can do something about it like exercising or cutting back on calories.
Sarah Feb 7th 2008 12:54PM
Hey, you have to be oever a certain height to ride a lot of different roller coasters. Is that discrimination against short people? No. It's the facts of the ride. It would be no shame to Disney to list a weight capacity on rides. The real problem is that there are so many fat people in this country, you lose money if you dont accomdate them.
Kathy Feb 7th 2008 2:08PM
As an overwieght person I miss out on so much. I have been a truck driver for 5 years, and between the lack of exercise, and eating out of truck stops I have put on a good bit of weight, of which I am working with my doctor to try to resolve. I have wanted to go to Disneyworld all my life, and now that I can afford it, I feel I cannot go. I went to an amusement park after putting on the weight, and there was nothing more embarrassing than getting on a ride, and not being able to buckle the restrants. Kudos to Disneyworld for trying to make the rides more friendly to overweight people.
Jm Nov 13th 2007 9:19AM
I guess Disney would rather spend millions to redo a ride that problems are due to "overweight" people.
Brendan Nov 13th 2007 9:25AM
I guess it is not such a "small world" after all ...
FGR Nov 13th 2007 9:27AM
Jm you say Disney would rather spend millions to redo their ride because of overweight people. what choice do thay have dis-allow overweight people at Disneyworld?
jillieebean Nov 13th 2007 9:30AM
We have the technology now to accommodate everyone no matter what their size. Besides it says Disney didnt say it was because of overweight people the person who wrote it does. No matter what your size you should be able to enjoy everything anyone else does. Good for Disney to try to accommodate that.
Keith Nov 13th 2007 9:31AM
Shannon- they ride around the park on scooters.
Pats Nov 13th 2007 9:32AM
Oh thank God!! Now I dont have to hear that damn song when I go in February!!
Brandi Nov 13th 2007 9:33AM
It is either spend the money to update a ride or spend the money in a discrimination lawsuit.
dorothy noga Nov 13th 2007 10:13AM
hey disney is where we all feel the magic disney could care less if your 800 pounds they always upgrade for everyone to be safe and enjoy shut down few months sad but hey its opening up again one of the greatest rides of enjoyment Disney is a place to love life not think your so good if your skinny who cares of weight people are people and disney gives the magic of enjoy life to the fullest after all this is the time this is the place right be happy
Lad Nov 13th 2007 9:34AM
They don't walk, they waddle..
Gil Nov 13th 2007 9:37AM
Some rides have a height requirement, so why cant rides have a weight requirement? When it comes to safety, there should be no exceptions. The next thing you will see is rides failing from the excessive weight from passengers overstressing welds and the structure.
Kristen Nov 13th 2007 9:37AM
I wanna go to disneyland!!!!!! well i guees i will wait for the summer after this next one.
dms Nov 13th 2007 9:41AM
I want to applaud Disney for making the effort to improve the ride so that EVERYONE can enjoy it, not just the "beautiful" people.
In response to the people who don't understand how fat people get around, did you ever wonder how stupid people get around?
Bev Feb 7th 2008 7:30AM
lmao@
In response to the people who don't understand how fat people get around, did you ever wonder how stupid people get around?
Good one!!!.lol
Nic Nov 13th 2007 9:40AM
Just because some people have to use scooters or wheelchairs at theme parks dosen't always mean thay are "fat" or lazy. People who assume this really are stupid.
cool kid Jan 14th 2008 9:40PM
Sorry unless you broke your foot or hurt yourself, if your using a scooter, your generally too fat to walk around a large themepark. You don't usually see too many skinny people walking around Disney. I went there just last month and it was disturbing how many obese people were going around on their scooters. So yes, fat people have to use scooters.
cool kid Jan 14th 2008 9:45PM
Ooops i meant skinny people going around in scooters. Typo
jillieebean Nov 13th 2007 9:37AM
Besides it says its worked fine for 41 years, I highly doubt there were no overweight people on the thing till now. Maybe it really is just old and run down.