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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)
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.
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.
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.
Marilyn Nov 13th 2007 9:39AM
Shannon asks how fat people walk around Disney World...have you been there lately? They don't. They all use scooters.
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
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
Sarah Nov 13th 2007 9:42AM
Fat people shouldn't be allowed on certain rides. They don't let short people on some rides either. Obviously if you are overweight you have other medical problems. So if some fatty has a heart attack on Space Mountain, Disney shouldn't be to blame. So go on Jenny Craig and then try to enjoy some rides.
Bev Mar 1st 2008 7:25PM
So fat people shouldn't be allowed to go to Disney. ...So fat people should not be allowed to ride scooters in the park.........
I am a fat person. I would exercise, however I have COPD (lung disease), sevear arthritis, and heart problems. I don't look sick, and I have had people complain when they saw me get out of my car with a handicap sticker. I am on 18 medications, to keep me alive. I wish I could exercise, but that is in no way possible.
On spring break, I will be taking my 2 grandchildren (that just lost both of their parents) to Disneyworld. I can't help it if people look at me with hate in their heart. I feel I have just as much right at Disney as the skinny people do. I feel sorry for the people that have nothing better to do, than complain about people that are differant than they are. Only God is suppose to judge people, and you are way out of line!!
Heather Nov 13th 2007 9:46AM
Addisng water to the ride may not be a bad idea due to patching that causes raising to the rides floor. lighter boats are not going to fix a problem. When the interior weight gets to be too much the boat is going to sink just as much. Have a weight limit per boat. Have the boat scaled and when it hits a certain weight, it is "full".