1st Disney World trip - wheelchair bound concerned/question

[Josh007]

Hello! My wife and I are long time Disney World fans but we haven’t visited since she’s been fully wheelchair bound. We researched and watched a ton of videos but we still have some concerns. One of our biggest fears is if she were to end up in the floor while attempting a transfer with a sliding board. It’s rare for this to happen but we’re worried how we’d get her back up as I cannot lift her on my own. Does anyone have experience with what Disney would do or could do to help us if this were to happen? I assume they would help me get her back into her chair if needed but I wanted to make sure.

Thank you for all your help in advance.

 

[clm10308]

I don’t have a clue, but since no one as answered yet, I thought I would give it a try.
I would assume that if you can’t get her up on your own the ride cast member would call for EMS to assist. I am basing this on my parents who are in assisted living, When a resident falls and cannot get up independently then EMS is called every single time.

Maybe now someone more knowledgeable can come correct me.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I don’t have a clue, but since no one as answered yet, I thought I would give it a try.
I would assume that if you can’t get her up on your own the ride cast member would call for EMS to assist. I am basing this on my parents who are in assisted living, When a resident falls and cannot get up independently then EMS is called every single time.

Maybe now someone more knowledgeable can come correct me.

you stated what I feel will happen if she can not get up by self or with your help. most CMs will not be allowed to help and will have to wait for EMTs

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 18-21 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread have information about transfers.
Some are pretty easy transfers and some (Pirates of the Caribbean, for example) are low to the ground and quite difficult.
My youngest daughter is a full time wheelchair user; being in the wheelchair is freedom to her because with it, she can move herself and without it she can‘t. Because she can’t walk or stand without support, my husband or I lift her in and out of ride vehicles that require transfer. We don’t do attractions that require a transfer unless we are sure we can safely transfer her.

The first suggestion I would give would be to use the wheelchair accessible ride vehicles at attractions that have one. They are listed in the thread I posted above.
Most of the attractions that use a transfer board situation have it as an integrated part of the ride car - the side of the car folds down to include a little transfer area. If you have any concerns about her transferring, skip that attraction. Wheelsnoheels has some good accessibility videos on YouTube where she shows and describes transfers on and off Disney attractions (some are WDW and some are Disneyland Paris). She is a paraplegic and did use both wheelchair accessible ride cars and transfer assist ones. She also rode some, like Space Mountain, that are very difficult transfers. One thing I like about her videos is thst she rates the difficulty of transfer in & out plus rates how rough the ride was. She did get Peter Pan stopped for her, but it is officially stopped only very rarely (I have been repeatedly told almost never and only supposed to be for special situations, like Make a Wish child)

As others posted, if she falls, the most likely scenario is a ride shutdown and waiting for EMS to lift her. If a guest can’t get up from a fall by themselves, CMs are not going to do anything that might cause further injury.

 

[HopperFan]

Not quite the same but last trip experienced an issue at Speedway. Some family thought it was smart to send their elderly grandma with a broken shoulder to ride with a barely tall enough preschooler on the Speedway aka bumper rail cars. At the end of the ride she couldn't get out because her broken shoulder (arm was slung to her chest) was on the side she had to get out of. CM could not help her. She just stood there kinda panicking because they were at an impasse. CM kept asking the tiny child if they can help her out maybe boost her bottom. Nope, kid didn't even understand. Man waiting for the car just stood there. I was at next car but stepped over and said "I will hold tight to the windshield bar if you want to grab me with your other hand to pull yourself up I'll be ready." Poor women was upset, kept saying "my shoulder is broken" but we finally got her out (SHAME ON HER FAMILY!!!). CM was so "embarrassed" and kept saying thank you over and over. I told her "I understood her position" but what were we going to do, call Medical Team to help her out holding up the entire ride? That was the only option. CM thanked me again as I finished riding, and I just said I understood.

DD was a CM, they are not to physically help you. I think only time I've seen is a hand for climbing out of Jungle Cruise. I think if you have an issue, they will have to call for medical assistance.

 

[ttintagel]

Several times I've fallen in either the stretching room or the area between the stretching room and the load area of the Haunted Mansion, and the only people who have ever offered to help me up were other guests.

 

[jo-jo]

We are here now, We have had a few CM, offer a hand for balance if needed but like SueM stated, some rides we just no longer do. This trip, thunder and pirates and PP joined the list. We did do jungle and buzz for the first time using wheelchair car. Almost had incident on SSE, DH thought he would be fine getting on moving platform, but just putting one foot out, he couldn’t get started. We did that 6 months ago with no issues. They slowed down the speed and he was fine.

 

[Her Dotness]

If your wife uses a manual wheelchair, she is likely to find the decorative pavement all over WDW somewhat uncomfortable.

DH uses a powerchair which has fairly good shock absorbers, but he's exhausted by lunchtime from the bumpity-bump practically everywhere. I once had to park his chair for him at the Norway Pavilion and felt like my teeth were chattering as bumpy as the courtyard pavement was there.

Extra-cushy seat and back support cushions are well-advised at WDW.

Prior posters are correct that CMs are not allowed to help lift anyone. They would likely have to halt the ride and call EMS.