updated 7:42 p.m. ET Nov. 9, 2007

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Disneyland will shutter the popular "It's a Small World" attraction for a supersized retrofit next year, but insists the upgrade has nothing to do with the expanding girth of park patrons.

Disneyland plans to close down the 41-year-old flume ride in January to give it a much-needed facelift — and deal with the delicate problem of bottoming-out boats.

Heavier-than-anticipated loads have been causing the boats to come to a standstill in two different spots near the Canadian Mounties and the Scandinavian geese, said Al Lutz, a longtime Disney watcher whose Web site MiceAge.com first reported the refurbishment plans.

Lutz said he's been on the ride when several guests were asked to get off to lighten the load.

"They've even built a platform next to that (Mounties) curve because they've had so many problems," he said.

But Disneyland, which plans to add an inch of depth to the water and construct lighter boats, said overweight tourists aren't to blame.

The boats get stuck because "layers and layers" of fiberglass have built up where maintenance teams have patched and re-patched problem areas, Disneyland Resort spokesman Bob Tucker said.

Deal of the Day Halloween-themed hotel deals Packages with tricks and treats — without scaring your bank account, from $59

"The only thing that's true is that we are going down in January and it's for 10 months and it's to replace the flumes," he said.

In recent years, Disneyland has redesigned many of its costumes and started stocking them in larger sizes to accommodate ever-expanding waistlines.

Adult men and women are about 25 pounds heavier than they were in 1960, and 65 percent are considered overweight, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com   Thunderous storm-chasing vacations   5 questions travelers should ask before voting Cheers! Signature drinks from around the world A la carte pricing not flying with passengers When it's time for Grandma to stop driving | Discuss

MORE FROM FAMILY

Family Section Front

Road trip tips with a baby or toddler Best learning holidays for kids Have a 'sliming' good time on this cruise Avoid wandering kids at Disneyland — plan ahead The latest gear for pets on the go Pennsylvania for autumn lovers Top 10 kid-friendly museums Theme parks celebrate Halloween 7 camping tips for parents Bid farewell to summer in style Family Section Front   Add Family headlines to your news reader: