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If there's a sadder commentary on the state of American society, we can't think of it -- we've grown so fat we sink the boats of It's A Small World...
the boats routinely bottom out under the weight of super-sized riders, bringing the popular ride to a grinding -- literally -- halt. That's increased the wear and tear on the fiberglass boats, which have been in use since the ride opened during the 1964 World's Fair, when Americans, on average, weighed 25 pounds less than we do today...
Employees -- Disney calls them "cast members" -- have been aware of the issue for some time now and so discretely leave empty seats in boats carrying heavy riders. But backups persist, and in some cases no one realzes there's a problem until boats stop emerging from the ride.
Yikes. Is this a signal that America is in decline...?
Yikes. Is this a signal that America is in decline...?
I would say it is one of many signals. . . The biggest health related issue in years to come will be the obesity epidemic. Over nutrition, too many choices, and a sedentary life style.
Maybe Disney should make It's a Small World a walk through "ride." It would solve their problem with bottoming out boats, and maybe help reduce the customers bottom line!
Maybe Disney should make It's a Small World a walk through "ride." It would solve their problem with bottoming out boats, and maybe help reduce the customers bottom line!
But I like riding in the boats. I have memories!
Like, the time a storm knocked out the power but the back-up power was accidently cued to the music and puppets rather than the boats. Three hours of "It's a small Word".
Maybe Disney (and other theme parks) should do what Airlines are doing - charging extra for whose waists expands X inches. Many theme parks have special seats designed for obese people - however, I've seen a large number of people who can't even fit in those. It holds up the line, embarasses the workers....
I wonder if Disney will impose a weight limit for that ride, now. Can you imagine the scene that would occur due to forcing some people to step on a scale? I could see certain overweight people getting especially belligerent.
Like, the time a storm knocked out the power but the back-up power was accidently cued to the music and puppets rather than the boats. Three hours of "It's a small Word".
Maybe Disney (and other theme parks) should do what Airlines are doing - charging extra for whose waists expands X inches. Many theme parks have special seats designed for obese people - however, I've seen a large number of people who can't even fit in those. It holds up the line, embarasses the workers....
Somehow I don't think charging extra would go over to well with the Mousehouse crowd!
I think the only thing they should be charged more for is insurance premiums. And the same for smokers! I think that might really impact people and if they think it is going to affect their pocket books maybe they will make some serious lifestyle changes.
I wonder if Disney will impose a weight limit for that ride, now. Can you imagine the scene that would occur due to forcing some people to step on a scale? I could see certain overweight people getting especially belligerent.
Somehow I don't think that humiliating people is the way Disney wants to operate.
Well, the ride is supposed to be overhauled soon with stronger boats. I imagine they'd do something like a passive scale, or a scale buried in the floor that feeds data back to a control room, or to a console for Disney guides, so that the guides will know when to cut off the line for the next tour group.
I am sad to hear this. Has been my favorite since I was a little girl. And is the first ride I go to when I revisit! Don't think I would sink a boat yet though!! Am sure Disney can come up with a solution, maybe double lined fiberglass!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I want a bailout.
