You’ve probably seen the tweet. It’s a Hall of Fame social media moment that pops up every few months like clockwork.
"i'm at knots berry farms n my butts 2 big 2 fit in da seats on ride. ahhhhhh (dats me yellin)"
It was August 20, 2009. Shaquille O’Neal—The Big Aristotle, the four-time NBA champion, and a man who stands 7-foot-1—was just trying to have a normal day at a theme park in Buena Park, California. But the laws of physics and standard manufacturing had other plans. Knott’s Berry Farm is a place built on the history of ghost towns and boysenberries, but for Shaq, it became a lesson in the limitations of industrial design.
Honestly, it's hilarious because it's so relatable, yet totally unique to being a giant. Most of us worry about the line for GhostRider being two hours long. Shaq was just worried about the literal physical capacity of a molded plastic chair.
The Logistics of Being The Big Aristotle
The reality is that theme parks are designed for the "average" human. Engineers usually build seats to accommodate people between 5 feet and 6-foot-4. Once you cross that 6-foot-6 threshold, things get dicey. When you are Shaquille O’Neal, and you weigh somewhere north of 325 pounds with a frame that makes a standard SUV look like a Power Wheels toy, a roller coaster is basically a medieval torture device.
✨ Don't miss: Whitney Houston Wedding Dress: Why This 1992 Look Still Matters
Shaq didn't just tweet and leave. He actually spent time in the park. There are photos from that 2009 trip of him standing next to a person in a Snoopy costume.
It's ridiculous.
The Snoopy character—which is usually a full-grown adult in a plush suit—looks like a small stuffed animal next to him. Shaq’s hand is almost as big as Snoopy’s head.
Why Knott's Berry Farm is a Tough Fit
Knott’s is an older park. While it has modern monsters like HangTime or the refurbished Xcelerator, a lot of its charm comes from classic, tighter builds.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
- GhostRider: This is one of the best wooden coasters in the world, but it uses lap bars and individual seats that are notoriously snug.
- Timber Mountain Log Ride: Even the logs have weight and balance limits. Imagine Shaq sitting in the back of a hollowed-out plastic log. The displacement of water alone would be a scientific study.
- Sierra Sidewinder: This is a spinning coaster. Centrifugal force works differently when 350 pounds of retired NBA center is shifted to one side of the car.
It wasn't just about the "butt" fitting in the seat, though that was his specific complaint. It's the legroom. On a coaster like Silver Bullet, your legs dangle. For a normal person, that’s a thrill. For Shaq, his feet might actually clip the scenery if he wasn't careful. Okay, maybe not literally, but it feels that way when your inseam is longer than some people's entire legs.
The Cultural Impact of a 2009 Rant
We live in an era of polished PR and brand-managed Instagram feeds. In 2009, Twitter (now X) was the Wild West. Shaq was one of the first major celebrities to actually use it like a regular person. He didn't have a social media manager vetting that post. He just sat down—or tried to sit down—got frustrated, and told 15 million people about his "butt" problems.
That authenticity is why the Knott's Berry Farm story still matters. It humanized a guy who seemed like a literal superhero on the court. It turns out, even Shaq can't get everything he wants. If the lap bar doesn't click, you don't ride. Simple as that.
Did He Ever Go Back?
Shaq is a known theme park lover. While he had his struggles in Buena Park, he hasn't given up on the industry. Fast forward to late 2025, and Shaq actually partnered with Hersheypark for a "Shaq-A-Licious" overlay on their Laff Trakk coaster.
💡 You might also like: Martha Stewart Young Modeling: What Most People Get Wrong
That ride is literally designed around his "XL" brand of gummies.
It’s a bit of a full-circle moment. He went from complaining about not fitting into rides at Knott's to having a ride themed after his own candy brand in Pennsylvania. However, for Southern California locals, the image of Shaq wandering through Ghost Town looking for a seat that fits remains the definitive "celebrity in the wild" story.
What You Should Know Before You Go
If you’re heading to Knott’s Berry Farm and you happen to be on the larger side—though probably not Shaq-sized—there are ways to avoid the "ahhhhhh (dats me yellin)" moment.
- Check the Test Seats: Most major rides like Silver Bullet and GhostRider have "test seats" at the entrance. Use them. It's way less embarrassing to find out you don't fit there than at the front of a 90-minute line.
- Ask for the "Big Boy" Seats: On Silver Bullet (the inverted coaster), there are specific rows—usually row 4 or 5—that have double buckles. These are designed for guests with larger chests or waists.
- Stick to the Classics: The Calico Railroad or the Stagecoach are much more accommodating than the high-intensity coasters.
- Eat the Chicken: If the rides aren't working out, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant is the equalizer. Everyone fits at those tables, and the biscuits are legendary.
Next time you're walking through Knott’s and you see a particularly small-looking seat on the Pony Express, just remember: Shaq felt your pain. He just happened to tell the whole world about it in the most hilarious way possible.
If you’re planning a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm in 2026, keep an eye on the refurbishments for Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress. It’s expected to be a major draw this year, though hopefully, the new restraints are a bit more Shaq-friendly than the ones in 2009.
Check the official Knott's app for real-time height and weight requirements before you buy your pass. It’ll save you the "yellin."