Question about thrill rides

[HonnyDipp]

Let me start off w/my medical history. Back in ’06, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Polymyositis. Basically my immune system started attacking my muscles in Jan. ’06 by July of that year, I was unable to walk at all. Doctor’s told me that I would NEVER walk again. In the meantime, I was newly divorced and raising 3 kids on my own at the age of 29. Our last trip to WDW was back in ’08. I spent most of my time attached to my rented scooter. I was miserable. I LOVE my thrill rides, but I was unable to walk long distances and could not transfer.

Since then, we finally found the right cocktail of meds for me. I’ve been in remission since ’09! I’m walking AGAIN! I’ve lost 40% of my muscle strength. I will never get it back. I have to work on the 60% that I have left. I’m driving, going to restaurants and movies WITHOUT using a wheelchair. I walk into stores and BYPASS the scooters. Now I can’t do long walks or steps, but I pace myself and rest when I need to.

We are tackling the World again in September. I’m ready. I’ve been exercising, working on hills and inclines. I'm currently reading "Walt Disney World w/Disabilities" and I'm watching YouTube videos studying how to board rides. Its simple to some, but for me it can be a challenge. POTC, EE, ToT & Dinosaur are top of my check list. I will be renting a scooter cause there’s no way I can handle the distance in the parks. But I am prepared to park my scooter this time when I need to. So my question is how far can I take my scooter until I have to either walk or switch to a wheelchair? Will each ride have wheelchairs? If so, then where are they? If I have to, I will use my collapsible cane and walk. I just want to be prepared!

Thanks in advance guys. Your opinion and advice really means a lot!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

We are tackling the World again in September. I’m ready. I’ve been exercising, working on hills and inclines. I'm currently reading "Walt Disney World w/Disabilities" and I'm watching YouTube videos studying how to board rides. Its simple to some, but for me it can be a challenge. POTC, EE, ToT & Dinosaur are top of my check list. I will be renting a scooter cause there’s no way I can handle the distance in the parks. But I am prepared to park my scooter this time when I need to. So my question is how far can I take my scooter until I have to either walk or switch to a wheelchair? Will each ride have wheelchairs? If so, then where are they? If I have to, I will use my collapsible cane and walk. I just want to be prepared!

Thanks in advance guys. Your opinion and advice really means a lot!

As far as I know for POTC and ToT you will need to switch to a wheelchair when you queue. I'd ask the CM for where you can get the wheelchair as they should have them (but you'll need someone to push you through the queue as those wheelchairs are not really possible to self-propel). I don't know about ToT because I don't do it, but POTC is a *very* difficult transfer because of the deep step down. I just wanted to give you a heads up. If you have problems with stairs, that's one I'd be worried about.

For EE, I think you should be able to bring the scooter all the way through (I'm a manual wheelchair user, but there was nothing in that queue that I can think of where a scooter would be any harder than a manual chair to get through).

I'm not sure of Dinosaur as I've never been on it, but if you look at the FAQ in a stickie on the top of this board, I think Sue has a list of what rides require transfers. If not she has a link to where the info is!

 

[HonnyDipp]

Thanks for responding!

I printed off Sue's fantastic list. Its been really helpful. But I wasn't clear on when I would have to transfer.

I'm aware of the steep step in and out of the boat for PoTC. I'm working on it here at home and in physical therapy. My family will help me, but I need to do most of the work. I'm told that its a wobbly 12 inch step. Right? I rode it back in '03, way before I got sick, so I kinda remember the step down and back up. So I know that will be a challenge. Fingers crossed!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For EE, I think you should be able to bring the scooter all the way through (I'm a manual wheelchair user, but there was nothing in that queue that I can think of where a scooter would be any harder than a manual chair to get through).

I'm not sure of Dinosaur as I've never been on it, but if you look at the FAQ in a stickie on the top of this board, I think Sue has a list of what rides require transfers. If not she has a link to where the info is!

1. For EE you can take the ECV all the way to Load through the queue. Unload is just prior to Load, so when you get in the train they will mve the ECV to Unload.

2. Dinosaur you have to take an elevator up and cross over the track and then another elevator down to the Exit side. You will load from the Exit side and get off there.

 

[mickeye]

Be prepared for EE and think about it twice. I have a latent form of MD. I still walk around where I live, but can't do the parks. I can do some steps and I can do POTC with no problem. But, in 2010 I did EE with my friend's child just so that she could go on it (my friend can't do fast rides due to motion sickness) and I had a problem with my back and neck for days afterwards. I couldn't enjoy less turbulent rides because of it. With your muscle weakness EE would not be a good ride for you. When you go into the dark area you can't see which turns are coming and it really throws you around. If you get hurt, it could spoil your entire vacation. Just something to think about.

 

[bouncycat]

I have a type of MD as well, and EE doesn't bother me yet, but Dinosaur does. Dino is REALLY jerky, and bumpy, so I avoid that one at all costs. Some others do bother me as well, mostly the jerky ones, or the ones with stairs, like the Treehouse.

At ToT They will put you in a manual chair at the entrance of the ride. It's the big uncomfy Disney ones. Same with PoTC. The step into the boats gets to me as well. It's mostly stepping UP to get out. I usually always have someone with me to help as well, give me a hand and such. One time DH had to pick me up out of Space Mtn cause my feet kept slipping when I tried to get up. Just be prepared for things like that.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

on rides that you have to transfer from EVC to wheelchair, CM at beginning will send you to where you get wheelchair. i ccould not get chair up hill at Soarn, had to wait few minutes but CM's were able to get someone to get me up to where it was a down hill as my 6 and 7 year old grandsons could not push me. if you need extra help do not be afraid to ask and most times somthing can be worked out. had to use a wheelchair at Everest the year i needed a EVC.

 

[Earstou]

I have a type of MD as well, and EE doesn't bother me yet, but Dinosaur does. Dino is REALLY jerky, and bumpy, so I avoid that one at all costs. Some others do bother me as well, mostly the jerky ones, or the ones with stairs, like the Treehouse.

OP, you might consider waiting till the end of your vacation to ride the rides that may cause problems. I do that with Star Tours since I never know if my dizziness will kick in and ruin the rest of the trip. Doing it on the last day only ruins one day!!

 

[HonnyDipp]

You guys are giving alot to think about. I really appreciate it!