I Visited Island Waterpark as a Plus Size Guest. Here’s What Happened
Let’s be real. When you’re fat, you don’t just book the trip. You investigate the trip. You zoom in on every photo, read every review, search TikTok, and look for someone who looks like you. You wonder about weight limits, whether the attractions are actually accessible, and if you’ll spend the day having fun or spending money to feel uncomfortable. So when I visited Island Waterpark in Atlantic City, I paid attention to the things that matter to us.
The first thing I noticed was that the facility felt spacious. The bathrooms and changing areas didn’t feel cramped, which is something many of us immediately notice when visiting attractions. Lockers are also available for rent, making it easy to secure your belongings and enjoy the park without worrying about carrying your valuables from attraction to attraction.
When it came to the attractions, I was able to enjoy the slides and spend some time on the FlowRider, which ended up being one of the highlights of my visit. What stood out most wasn’t the attraction itself, but the instructor. He was patient, encouraging, and willing to make modifications that helped me participate comfortably. Nobody rushed me, nobody made me feel like a burden, and I was able to enjoy the experience at my own pace.
What surprised me even more was the crowd. While I didn’t include anyone in my video out of respect for their privacy, complete strangers were cheering me on while I gave the FlowRider a try. If you’ve ever been a fat person attempting something new in public, you know how refreshing that feels. Instead of feeling self-conscious, I felt supported, and that made the experience even more memorable.
When hunger hit, there were plenty of options available throughout the park. Think burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and other classic waterpark and festival-style foods. Don’t show up expecting a steakhouse experience. This is the kind of food you grab after climbing stairs, floating the lazy river, and working up an appetite, and it does the job perfectly.
My personal favorite part of the entire park was the adults-only VIP section. Between the comfortable seating, swim-up bar, and adult beverages, it offered the perfect place to relax and recharge. If your idea of self-care includes floating in a pool with a cocktail nearby, you’ll understand why this area quickly became my happy place.
My only real disappointment was the lack of a wave pool. For me, that’s a waterpark staple. I kept expecting to find one, and when I realized there wasn’t one, I was a little bummed. That said, the lazy river and adults-only VIP pool helped make up for it and still gave me plenty of opportunities to kick back and enjoy myself.
So, would I go back? Absolutely. Not because every attraction was perfect and not because the park was specifically designed for plus-size guests. I’d go back because I spent more time having fun than worrying about whether I belonged there. And honestly, that’s what most of us are looking for when we spend our hard-earned money on an experience. We want to enjoy ourselves, make memories, and feel comfortable doing it. Island Waterpark delivered that for me.
Plan Your Visit
Island Waterpark at Showboat Resort
801 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Website: IslandWaterparkAC.com
Phone: (609) 964-7663
Now put us on
What other Fatty Friendly spots do you recommend? Drop them below. We’re always ready to try something new.
