Picture this: You’re a plus size girlie in junior high, on a school trip to an amusement park for the first time with your classmates. You’re excited about the rides, the fun vibes, and the smell of funnel cake in the air. You stand in line with your friends and when you finally make it on the ride, you realize you can’t fit. After several attempts of sucking your stomach in for the belt to secure, the park staff begin heavily jumping on your seat harness for the same goal. Feeling defeated, you get off the ride and watch it blast off without you. *queue violins.*
That little girl, was me and needless to say, I didn’t give amusement parks another chance until I was an adult. For many plus size people, the struggle to find comfortable and accommodating seating on rides is an all too common issue. When I was forced to irrevocably face my fear of rollercoasters, it happened at Six Flags Great Adventure. So allow me to answer the burning question on your mind: Is Six Flags even plus size friendly?
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Standard seating on roller coasters can be a tight squeeze for larger bodies, leading to discomfort and in my personal experience, embarrassment. Plus size people tend to steer away from amusement parks for fear of being weighed prior to getting on the attraction. Although this is a myth, it’s a tale that stops many from experiencing theme parks altogether.
Have amusement parks ever been size inclusive?
Let’s rewind a bit and look at the historical challenges faced by amusement parks when it comes to size inclusivity. Back in the day, rides were designed with a one-size-fits-all mentality, overlooking the diverse range of body types and sizes. This utter lack of consideration isolated many, and made it difficult to enjoy the park experience without feeling restricted or excluded.
Fast forward to present day, there’s been a noticeable shift toward supporting inclusivity at these parks. Six Flags, known for its exhilarating rides and family-friendly environment has been making strides to cater to the needs of all of their patrons, regardless of size.
Has Six Flags made any changes?
One of the contemporary efforts made by Six Flags to move toward inclusivity of plus size visitors is the implementation of guest assistance services. These programs aim to provide accommodations to guests with specific needs, including those related to size and physical comfort. Six Flags has been working on expanding the size range of their ride seats, and even offer sample seats outside of every attraction, permitting guests to test the seats on a particular ride. This alleviates anxiety without wasting time in line only to be met with disappointment.
Six Flags also provides larger sized seats in certain rows on their rides, providing extra comfort for riders. By investing in more inclusive designs and actively seeking feedback from guests, Six Flags is showing a commitment to prioritizing the park experience for all its visitors.
So, what does this mean for the plus size experience at Six Flags? Well, progress. It means our needs have been recognized and are being addressed. As we look toward the future, it’s important to continue advocating for representation in all spaces, including amusement parks.
By sharing our experiences, and supporting initiatives that promote diversity and accessibility, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and included. So the next time you’re gearing up for a fun-filled day at Six Flags, rest assured that your experience will be a thrilling and comfortable one.
Are amusement parks on your to-do list this summer? Let us know in the comments!
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