Fat Testing through fear: A plus-size theme park adventure
Stepping onto Expedition Everest, I braced myself for the inevitable jolt of panic. I watched the cast members pass by, waiting for them to stop and tell me to get off the ride. A young woman stopped beside me and asked me to push up the shoulder harness I had lowered around my neck. And then… she moved on to the next vehicle.
By Jason Vaughn
My heart was still racing in shock. I waited for someone to return and tell me to get up, but it never happened. The vehicle began to move, and for the first time in decades, I was on an actual roller coaster.
When I got off the ride, a lady approached me and asked if it was my first time on the ride. Her sons were in the vehicle behind me, and she saw my face in the photos. I was beaming with joy.
That was the first day I ever visited a Disney theme park—at the age of 37.
It was 2021, and we were just coming out of the pandemic. Back when mask rules felt like they were changing every month. I had wanted to go to Disney World for so long, but as an extremely large man, I thought it would be such a waste. I had set it as a post-weight loss goal for years but never hit it. Frustratingly enough, not hitting it made it harder to hit the next time as guilt and shame built.
But then, we emerged into a new world, having been trapped in our homes for over a year. The world was just waking up, and I wanted my own new dawn.
I started watching Disney creators and found Pammie Plus Parks—a plus-size woman discussing fitting on rides. Pammie’s videos were a revelation, imbuing me with the knowledge and confidence I desperately needed.
In a bold move, I purchased an annual pass before even setting foot in a park, committing myself to return repeatedly and ensure my investment paid off in joy and experiences. I was hooked after that first Everest ride.
Then, the rest of the story began. And it all started as a joke.
On my third Disney World trip just seven months later, I picked up my phone, made a silly TikTok, and called it Fat Testing. I think I had 200 followers at the time. I didn’t think anyone would see it. It was a joke in my mind because fat had a particular emotional tinge to it.
The first time wasn’t even a ride. It was “It’s a Bug’s Life” under the Tree of Life, but I posted it and… talk about being overwhelmed. I posted a few more rather quickly. The next day, I had 1,000 followers, in a week, I had 10,000, and today, I’m honored to have 130,000 followers on TikTok, 150,000 on Facebook, and a growing Instagram and YouTube audience.
I’ve been a performer most of my life and performed in libraries before the pandemic. I admit to having an ego, but knowing I can give the same type of support and confidence to others that Pammie Plus Parks gave me is an esteem of which I do not feel worthy.
I regularly get emails or messages from people who say I helped them. Personally, it’s the parents that mean the most. When a mom gets up the courage to stop making excuses and take that trip with her kids and has a lifetime of joyful memories in a week, I cry every time. Or the moment a man in his 40s, adorned with what I mistook for a birthday pin, approached me to express his gratitude, revealing he was celebrating six months cancer-free. I waited until I got to the car to start crying, but when the dam broke, it broke hard.
“But it’s just a theme park” may be the silliest comment someone can make to me. Going to theme parks is more than just about rides and food. For a plus-size person like myself, it was about defeating a monster of fear, shame, and embarrassment.
Tips For Plus-Size Adventures:
Drawing from my journey, I want to share some tips that might help you embark on your own adventure, regardless of size.
Stop Caring If Someone is Watching and Give Them Something to Look at
Remember, the journey to self-acceptance is filled with external gazes. But as I learned to bask in the joy of my Disney adventures, I realized that those gazes didn’t define my experience—my joy did. So, when you find yourself in the spotlight, let your confidence and happiness be the show everyone watches. Believe me, the world will see much more than just a person on a journey; they’ll see a beacon of self-love and resilience. And on the days when the stares seem too much, remember that your presence in these spaces is a powerful statement of belonging.
Yeah, people watch me, and I give them plenty to look at. I have confidence in myself as I move through the world on my journey with a smile; I hope it lights their day.
Start Before You Go
My first day at Animal Kingdom was a testament to the unexpected: over 30,000 steps and a sense of achievement as exhilarating as any ride. This feat was possible because I had begun my journey long before reaching the park gates. Walking around my neighborhood, I built my stamina and prepared my body for the adventure ahead. This preparation wasn’t just physical; it was a mental affirmation that I was ready to embrace every moment of joy waiting for me. So, lace up your most comfortable shoes and take those first steps towards your adventure. Your future self will thank you for every step you take today.
For walking, make sure to wear comfortable shoes. I wear Crocs every day in the parks now and love them. Also, in my personal experience, cold helped my feet recover faster than heat.
Have “The Talk” Before You Go
If you’re traveling with family or friends, and especially kids, have a talk about limitations you may have and let them understand beforehand. Figure out what everyone is comfortable with and expects. I was always concerned about traveling with others and not being able to ride and my party not being able to enjoy themselves in the way they wish because of me. Now, I have no problem clarifying, “Here is what I can ride and what I can’t. If I can’t ride, I don’t mind enjoying other areas of the park while you go on. Don’t feel bad for me; I can have a great time anywhere.” And I can.
This is an especially important conversation to have with kids in case they need an adult to ride certain rides.
Set Expectations Early and Often and Research Potential Problem Areas at Parks
As you stand at the brink of your own adventure, remember that the world is vast, filled with wonders waiting to be experienced by you. Whether it’s the thrill of theme parks or the tranquility of your local park, each step you take is a testament to your courage and a defiance of the fear, shame, and embarrassment that once held you back. My journey from a spectator to an active participant in my life story has taught me that our adventures are not defined by our size but by the size of our courage and the depth of our joys. So, I urge you to embark on your adventure, explore more, see more, and let the world marvel at the incredible person you are.
Trust me, it’s waiting for you, just as you are.
Jason Vaughn runs Fat Tested Travel and helps plus-size travelers know what they can fit on at theme parks and gain confidence to travel. He can be found on any major social media at Fat Tested Travel and has created free walk throughs and paid guides of many major parks.
See his resources at https://resources.fattestedtravel.com
