wheelchair accessibility at disney water parks

[pinkmintz]

Hi can anyone tell me what is wheelchair accessible at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

I know that the lazy rivers are accessible.

At Typhoon there is an elevator to Crush 'N Gusher and at Blizzard there is one car on the ski lift that can take wheelchairs. However, you would have to have someone who could return the wheelchair to the exit area for you.

 

[Mary976]

DD (16) enjoyed crush n gusher (she rode up on the elevator) although it is not a ride for the faint of heart and may cause problems for someone with upper body instability or other health problems. If you wouldn't enjoy a "regular" water slide, crush n gusher may serve up a little too much adventure. The lazy river was fun, and it has "bump steps" to transfer over on. For the wave pool at TL, she rolled up in the shallow area, we transfered her onto the ground, and then the two of us bobbed in the shallower area.

Mary

 

[pinkmintz]

Thanks so much for your replies... very much appreciated

 

[SueM in MN]

If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature), check out post #3. There are links to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for both of those water parks.

 

[pinkmintz]

Thank you that was a big help!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Both of the lazy rivers have bump steps - Typhoon Lagoon has one set, Blizzard Beach has a number of them around it's length. They are marked on the Blizzard Beach map, but not, as far as I can see, the Typhoon Lagoon map. There are 'parking spaces' near the bump steps to leave your chair out of the way.

I think you can get water chairs from both of the parks; I know you can from BB, anyway. There are zero entry points for both of the wave pools, so you can roll into them. The Blizzard Beach pool has a protected area to roll down to the water, with a hand rail on one side and a wall on the other. This should help keep you in a straight line, and stop you being too buffeted by the waves (not that they're that big at BB).

If you want to ride the family raft ride at BB, you can transfer into one of the water chairs at the bottom of the chair lift (as long as that will provide adequate support) and ride up in the accessible gondola. When you get to the top, they will stop the conveyor belt of rafts, with two rafts sitting on it. You then transfer into the second raft, the tube of which slides neatly in under the edge of the water chair. Then comes the fun bit, they strap the chair onto the first ring with bungee cord, and it gets to ride down ahead of you! When it's at the bottom, they unload it, you ride down, and the chair is in the water for you to transfer into (a rather ungainly process in my case, but I can make anything look ungainly!). Unfortunately, when we did it, the chair didn't have enough momentum and the raft got stuck, so we had to move into the ring behind, while a CM rode down to knock it down the chute!

Hope this helps some!

 

[pinkmintz]

Thank you thank you Your information is very helpful. does anyone know if there are any other water rides that will transfer the wheelchair back down to you. I am wondering if all my job will be for that day is running the wheelchair from top to bottom and back again.

 

[SueM in MN]

Both of the lazy rivers have bump steps - Typhoon Lagoon has one set, Blizzard Beach has a number of them around it's length. They are marked on the Blizzard Beach map, but not, as far as I can see, the Typhoon Lagoon map. There are 'parking spaces' near the bump steps to leave your chair out of the way.

That's weird. I could not see them on the Typhoon Lagoon map either.
I looked in the Typhoon Lagoon Guidebook and it does not specify where the wheelchair entrance is there either.
(The BB guidebook lists all the spots).
One thing I would warn about is making sure you remember which spot you parked at and pay attention to where you are as you go around.
not that anyone I know has ever forgotten to get off
At any rate, if anyone does, it means another full ride around.

The TL Guidebook says this about wheelchairs:
"Guests may borrow wheelchairs from Guest Services free of charge; however, a valid I.D. is required to be left in exchange for the wheelchair and the wheelchair must be returned upon exiting the park. In addition, Guests may borrow specially designed Beach accessible wheelchairs from Hi 'N Dry Towel and Locker Rentals."

Thank you thank you Your information is very helpful. does anyone know if there are any other water rides that will transfer the wheelchair back down to you. I am wondering if all my job will be for that day is running the wheelchair from top to bottom and back again.

There are other people who know much better than I, but BB was built after TL, so BB would in general be more accessible.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I may be wrong, but I don't know of any accessible slides in BB, other than the family raft ride. There may be a hidden lift that I don't know about though, because I don't look into it that much. Anyone else know?

 

[pinkmintz]

I'm still debating on if it worth it or not. But I still have some time left

 

[disneyobessed]

How accessible are the water parks..?? My 8 year old son is in a wheelchair but can walk very short distances with us holding his shoulders.. not sure how he will do with water shoes on..and without his AFOs.. but we may see...?? Is one park more accessible than another..?? and do they rent wheelchairs there? I have no idea where im suppose to store his while we are in the pools ...? And if we wanted to take him on the family raft ride.. how does he get up to the top? My husband can carry him but i didnt know if they had other ways... any assistance will be appreciated..

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a recent thread asking the same question.
I'm going to copy your question to that thread since there is information in that thread that should help you and your question may help with getting more replies to that thread.

 

[PatMcDuck]

You would have a tough time at the water parks, IMHO. The lazy river would work, and the big pool. The slides are a problem. My son had the AFOs, and balance and stamina issues. (had ankle surgery on both feet, but still can't do the walking needed at a water park. He has down syndrome and autism).

Blizzard Beach is slightly easier, they have a lift to the top. There is a handicapped entrance that they rarely glance at, you have to yell, hey we are here! We have had trouble with that in the past though, too. If you leave your chair at the bottom near the lift, you do not come out there when you come down. You have to send someone to fetch the chair. Also, because my son has autism, they made him ride the gondola chair lift car, in their wheelchair. At the top, they wanted to keep that wheelchair, and have us wait on the long lines at the top without it. We begged to keep it, and returned it when we got near the front of the line for the family raft ride, again one family member had to run back and forth with it, and cut the line to met up with the family. Some slides require you to carry your tube/mat up to the top. We have split up and had some people carry up 2 tubes and we meet up at the top, one takes Sean up on the lift, the rest walk up. It takes some planning.

Here is what we do now. We all go to water park and get there early, and we all take family raft ride. Then, I (mom) take the 3 other kids on slides all morning. Dad takes Sean on the lazy river, etc. We meet for lunch, and afterwards I leave with Sean. (he is usually tired and the sun is too much for him too). We go back and wash up, and relax, I like this part. Dad stays with the other 3, and then he gets to go on the slides, wave pool.

We prefer BB for that lift for Sean, and TL for the snorkling and the shade. (Sean does not snorkel). We realize that the design of the water parks is not really ideal for Sean; that's just life. We love the water parks.

 

[amesv]

I'm not sure that we will try any water arks this trip...We're going in October and my son (who has CP) will be 15. I think he would be bored with the few options he has...he cannot walk more than a few feet (with assistance). I'm still thinking about it. My youngest would love it!

 

[disneyobessed]

I'm not sure that we will try any water arks this trip...We're going in October and my son (who has CP) will be 15. I think he would be bored with the few options he has...he cannot walk more than a few feet (with assistance). I'm still thinking about it. My youngest would love it!

my son also has cp... he is 8. He had his hamstrings and hip adductors lengthened this past november and it has done wonders..im thinking if i get him the best possible watershoe..for support with us assisting him walking he may be ok for a few things.... my plan.. if we go and its too much for him.. my husband stays with my 6.5 year old... and I take Justin to Disney Quest.. since the water park options ticket gets you in there.. anyone know of a really water shoe that actually supports the foot? I havnt checked llbean yet..