Instead of sidelining myself from experiences that bring me joy, like my family’s week-long visit to Universal Orlando Resort, I recently started learning how to enjoy them just as I am.
Moving through the world in a bigger body can be hard. At just shy of 6 feet tall with a body that feels more suitable for a linebacker than a ballerina, I have often felt like I am too much; like my feet are too big, my shoulders too broad, my hips too curvy, my legs too long. I’ve felt the guilt of taking up too much space in a world that rewards smallness.
For most of my life, I’ve berated myself and let that feeling of being “too much” keep me from fully experiencing life. I’ve felt anxious and ashamed, wishing I could somehow shrink myself to fit in. But recently, I decided I didn’t want to carry that shame anymore. Our trip to Universal Orlando Resort was a turning point for this new mindset.
I opted to lean into my children’s excitement for our much-anticipated vacation and prep myself mentally and physically for the time of our lives.
Planning to succeed…at having fun
I started by getting proactive and preparing for the vacation physically and emotionally. For weeks leading up to our incredible week-long family holiday, I made movement a daily ritual. I wasn’t punishing my body or trying to squeeze into a specific size; I was strengthening it. I bought supportive, comfortable shoes and clothes that fit well, were sweat-wicking and didn’t chafe. (Tennis skirts, it turns out, are the unsung heroes of theme park fashion.)
I arrived at Universal focused on enjoying the experience.
I understood that not all the rides would be comfortable for me, so I sought ways to adjust. I checked out Universal’s online guide for safety and accessibility for information on specific attractions. I used the test seats before waiting in line, taking away some of the anxiety.
Universal’s test seats are mock-ups of actual ride seats located at the entrance of many attractions. They help guests check if the seat is comfortable and the restraint system can work safely. You sit down and try to buckle or pull down the restraint, and a small light turns green if the restraint can be fastened properly or red if it cannot. This system eliminates the guesswork and emotion before joining the attraction’s line and makes it easy to know what works for you.
I also spoke up and asked Team Members for tips on where I would be most comfortable on a ride. Instead of focusing on the few places that didn’t work perfectly for me, I leaned into the countless things that did.
I loved exploring the details of Universal Orlando Resort that often go unnoticed, including the immersive shops and hidden Easter eggs. I also saw some of the best live entertainment. The Untrainable Dragon, Hogwarts Always, and Le Cirque Arcanus were some of my favorite shows, as well as The Bourne Stuntacular. They are all entertaining, of course, and I loved how everyone in my family could find something funny, fun or fascinating about each of them. Plus, most of the shows are held in cool, dark theaters, giving me a much-needed reprieve from the glorious Florida sunshine.
I tasted new flavors, laughed until my sides hurt, and felt genuinely present since I wasn’t consumed with shrinking myself.
The trip was a reminder that my body, which has carried and nourished four children and survived numerous sprains, tears, strains and surgeries, is not wrong. It’s not something to fix. It doesn’t need to be hidden. It’s strong, capable, and worthy of adventure. I am strong, capable and worthy of adventure.
There was a moment when, standing in Epic Universe, surrounded by my husband of 20 years and my four towering yet giggling teenagers, I felt completely at peace. The number on the scale or the tag in the back of my shorts didn’t matter. What mattered was that I was there…fully, unapologetically, joyfully.
Living in a bigger body doesn’t mean having a smaller life.
Our family vacation at Universal Orlando Resort wasn’t just a fun escape; it gave me a new perspective. I realized I can move, explore, laugh, and belong anywhere I choose. I have a right to experience Universal’s charms just like anyone else. I am not too much. In fact, I am just enough.
My Favorite Attractions
Many of Universal’s attractions accommodate people of different shapes and sizes. Here are some of my favorites:
Universal Studios Florida
- Men in Black: Alien Attack: The lap bars used on this ride are more comfortable than over-the-shoulder harnesses, especially for people with larger chests, torsos, and shoulders.
- Hogwarts Express: This ride is size-inclusive and has no restraints. It also transports you between Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida (valid Park-to-Park admission required) in a cool, seated experience!
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast: The no-seats design makes this moving walkway ride suitable for guests of various body types, especially ultra-competitive people like me!
Universal Islands of Adventure
- Cat In The Hat: This slower-paced family ride has a simple restraint setup that permits more flexibility.
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong: The bench-style seating and no over-the-head harness make this exhilarating ride comfortable.
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: This is a gentle ride with no tight restraints to enjoy with your little ones.
Universal Epic Universe
- Fyre Drill: This is another fun way to get soaked, with roomy bench-style seating.
- Constellation Carousel: This ride is suitable for most guests, with multiple carriage options and seat belt-like restraints that fit low across the hips.
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: I chose a middle seat on this ride rather than an end seat, which was roomier for me.
Anyone can sing along, laugh along or follow along with the numerous live shows throughout the three theme parks. Check the app for show times and plan your day around the Bourne Stuntacular, DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, and Epic’s newest additions, The Untrainable Dragon, Hogwarts Always, and Le Cirque Arcanus.
You, like me, like everyone, deserve to have all the fun and joy and merriment that Universal Orlando Resort offers. Take this as your sign to be open to everything life has waiting for you, especially the opportunity to make unforgettable memories at the Universal Orlando theme parks.
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