'I'm plus size and visited Thorpe Park – I couldn't get on all of the rides'

A woman who says she is considered ‘big’ has revealed all of the roller coasters she was able to ride at – but revealed that she overlooked one crucial detail.

It's well-known that theme parks globally enforce height and size restrictions to ensure the safety of their thrill-seekers. Tragically, there have been numerous incidents where individuals have been injured or even lost their lives due to non-compliance with safety regulations. Whether you're too short, tall, small or large, it can be somewhat mortifying to reach the front of the queue only to be told you don't meet the ride's requirements.

That's why most theme parks provide detailed information about each ride's requirements on their websites and at the entrance to each attraction. Offering some insight into the rules for riding some of Thorpe Park's roller coasters, a who identifies as "big" took to social media to share her experiences and offer a tip she had forgotten.

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She described herself on Reddit, writing: "I thought I would share my experience of my last visit to Thorpe Park and the size restrictions, as despite the generic 51-inch chest restrictions for the big thrill rides, I did and did not fit on rides. My very approx measurements: Chest: 48in Tummy: 49in Thigh: 27in."

A roller coaster enthusiast has shared her experiences at a theme park, detailing her adventures on some of the most thrilling rides. She kicked off her adrenaline-fueled day with 'The Swarm', a post-apocalyptic themed roller coaster that boasts speeds of nearly 100 km/h and a G-force of 4.5,.

To take on this beast, riders need to be at least 1.4 m tall and have a torso no wider than 51 inches. The ride's safety guidelines also require participants to have two full legs and the ability to pull themselves "up and out of the seat at an inclined angle and make a 180 degree turn onto the walkway with a waist harness". Despite needing a bit of a shove, she managed to conquer 'The Swarm'.

Her next challenge was Colossus, known for its 10 inversions including a vertical loop, cobra roll, double corkscrew, and the UK's only quadruple barrel roll. Hitting speeds up to 44 mph, Colossus also demands riders meet the 1.4 m height requirement and have a torso under 51 inches wide, along with having at least three full limbs, as per Thorpe Park's website which specifies "missing or amputated arms or legs must be below the elbow or the knee".

Unfortunately, she couldn't take on Colossus; although fitting in the seat, the compact design forced her legs uncomfortably into her stomach.

She then moved on to Nemesis Inferno, where she successfully rode thanks to a specially modified larger seat in the fourth row. This inverted roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 50 mph and shares the same safety restrictions as Colossus.

Without a doubt, one of the most exhilarating rides in the park is the horror film-inspired Saw roller coaster, boasting a 100-degree drop from a height of 100 ft. The thrill-seeker managed to ride this particular roller coaster, although she did mention that she had to be pushed in hard again.

According to Thorpe Park's website, Saw is perhaps the least accessible of its many rides. Besides being at least 1.4 m (4ft 6in) tall and having a torso no wider than 51 inches, riders must also have "full upper body strength including head and neck control and be able to brace against the forces" and three full limbs, adding "missing/amputated arms or legs must be below the elbow or the knee".

The site also states that the ride is not suitable for non-ambulant riders, as you must be able to walk 25m unaided to the ride. It also lists a rider's sensory needs, stating that people must be able to handle strobe lighting, loud noises and special effects.

The woman revealed that although she was able to fit in the Hyperia test seat, the ride actually closed down before she could have a go. Lastly, there was the Samurai, which she explained she did not ride as she did not fit in the test seat.

She concluded with a tip for fellow thrill-seekers: "Don't do what I did and forget about the test seats – most of them seem to have a red/green light mechanism so you know if you're good or not."

She also expressed gratitude towards the Thorpe Park employees, saying: "The ride staff were all so lovely, I really appreciate their professionalism and help getting me on the rides I love. And I now have a small goal to get back to being able to ride the front of nemesis inferno."

Her candid review was met with appreciation from social media users. One commenter responded gratefully: "Thank you for posting! I haven't been to Thorpe Park in years and I'm a lot bigger than I was then so I've wondered if I'll go again at some point if it's worth it."

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