Stephanie Lanciani has been visiting Disney World with her pals Katie and Deanna for more than nine years.

Their two friends, Ashley and Sarah, are also Disney fans, and the group of five would frequently discuss park tips and techniques, particularly those pertaining to accessibility, as they are all plus-size.

Their passion for visiting Disney theme parks, along with the need for accessible information, motivated them to start Plus Size Park Hoppers, a social media platform where they film their vacations, test rides to determine whether they are size-inclusive, and evaluate Disney-affiliated eateries and stores.

It all started when they learned about the new Avatar attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Flight of Passage, which debuted in 2017.

They did, however, hear that it was not as accommodating to larger groups as other rides in the park. Unsure if they could ride comfortably, the pals turned online for advice from other plus-size makers.

“We were looking on the internet for other people who looked like us, trying out the ride vehicles,” Lanciani, 33, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “There wasn’t much information available for different body shapes, and I remember thinking, ‘We could do that. We could show folks if they could fit on rides or not.”

Living in Massachusetts, the pals only got to Disney World about once a year, so they had to put the concept on hold.

They decided to acquire one in 2023, when Disney resumed selling yearly passes following a gap due to the COVID-19 epidemic. They subsequently launched their Plus Size Park Hoppers channel, which featured footage from each of their Disney travels.

Each of their movies focuses on a ride, attraction, or restaurant and the many accessible choices for people of all body shapes. They offer information like the location of the test seats, whether restaurants have booths or chairs with arms, and other accessible information to assist others in determining their best alternatives at Disney World.

They also frequently coordinate clothing, posting amusing “outfit of the day” videos to their 250,000 followers.

While their movies frequently reach their intended audience, they occasionally go viral and reach a new population, resulting in harsh comments and online abuse.

While Lanciani admits that some of the remarks are “brutal,” she believes the “good outweighs the bad.”

“We’ve made so many friends, and we like holding meets with our fans.” One of the first times I realized we could be building a community was at our first meetup, when I saw two moms exchange numbers,” Lanciani says.

“They were from Florida and were discussing how they might travel to Disney together. I don’t remember the harsh comments, but I do recall those two mothers exchanging phone numbers.”

@plussizeparkhoppers 🙋‍♀️ Do you prefer to rope drop, or stay until the park closes (or both) during your Walt Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! We’ve walked up to 10 miles in a day at Walt Disney World, and that can be really difficult, especially if you have limited mobility. If you think using a scooter in the Disney / Universal parks will make your experience better, we highly recommend renting from @GoldMobility! #disneyworld #plussize #disneyadult #scooter ♬ Happy / Video CM / Ukulele ♬ Cooking / Family(897363) – ImoKenpi-Dou

They now make visits to Florida once a month and stay for a week or two. They meet with their followers when they arrive, allowing them to engage with those they set out to help and those who support their message.

“Many of the folks we encounter in the park are not plus-size persons. People will approach us and say, ‘I didn’t realize people had this much to worry about or think about,'” she recalls. “Some people have said, ‘I have a plus-size friend, and I never thought that they would have a problem sitting in a chair with arms.'”

“Success lies in spreading awareness about the diverse issues and concerns that other people face,” she asserts. “If more people can prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, it will improve everything for everyone.”

@plussizeparkhoppers 🙋‍♀️ Have you ever been on Dragon Racers Rally at Universal’s Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments! We are plus size women who range in sizes from 2x-5x and let you know how we fit into rides at Disney World, Universal Studios and beyond! #epicuniverse #howtotrainyourdragon #plussize #universalstudios #disneyadult ♬ Test Drive – From How To Train Your Dragon Music From The Motion Picture – John Powell

As their following grows, the Plus Size Park Hoppers intend to continue visiting Disney and creating material that fosters community and emphasizes accessibility. They plan to visit Disneyland Paris next year, which will be their first time outside the country.

As plus-size people, we don’t know what the hotels, restaurants, or bathrooms are like in other countries, which has kept us from traveling. Will they suit individuals like us? Lanciani contributes.

“We reasoned, ‘If we’re worried, other people are too.'” We wish to travel to other areas. So, if we can accomplish it, so can others.