A quick question on Islands of Adventure

[PatsMom]

I know this is off topic, but there isn't much traffic on the appropriate board and my trip is next week! My cancer has resulted my having a venous access device (port) in my shoulder. The port is loated about 4 or five inches from the top of the should and is ordinarily painless and does not interfere with my day to day activities at all.

I have a Disney trip at the end of May and I know what I shouldn't ride there - shoulder restraints are the issue. They would press on the "bump" of the device and hurt and potentially cause problems. I hate to miss anything at Islands of Adventure, where I am taking a short one day trip this week, but I know that they have some coasters. Is anyone else familiar with the attractions and know off the top of their head what has over the shoulder restraints? The big reason for going is the Harry Potter attractions. They have a dueling dragon type ride and I am pretty sure that has the over the should restraints but would like to confirm. I just want to be ready in advance so I am not disappointed to find I am missing a great attraction due to the VAD. I'd rather prepare myself now before I leave home!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I don't know the answer to your question, and I'm sorry that I don't because you need an answer.

I saw your post - and I just wanted to say that I sent prayers up for you, and I hope you will feel better! You sound like a strong person. Keep that fighting spirit. I hope that you can beat your cancer, and you will have many happy days ahead.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Here's some Pixie Dust for you.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

not sure if you will be able to find about all rides, but have you checked out allears.net? if you go on theme parks, then down the left side click on wdw at large and even though it talks about size concerns, sometimes also talks about lapbars or harnesses. I think that somewhere on there you can also click on island of adventure. good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[dawnhaze]

Off the top of my head, I remember over the shoulder restraints on Forbidden Journey, the dueling dragons coaster, the Hulk coaster, and the Dr Doom drop tower.

 

[SueM in MN]

Ohhh! Wrote a long post, then went to get some pictures and the page reloaded and lost everything.

So, here goes again. Will write, then come back to post picture links.

Post 9 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about the Universal parks, including a link to their Rider's Guide for guests with disabilities, which includes information about each attraction with warnings.

My mom has a port like yours and I was just at Islands of Adventures 2 weeks ago, so I think I can give you some helpful information.
If you haven't been to Islands of Adventures, it is important to know that the attractions there are more extreme than at WDW.

If you haven't checked with your doctors yet about riding roller coasters, and especially roller coasters with inversions, I would check. The catheter in my mom's port got kinked just by everyday life, so I am not sure about more extreme rides.

Both Dragon Challenge and Forbidden Journey in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter have over the shoulder restraints. They both have a trial seat at the entrance to the queue that you can try out before getting into line.
Depending on just how they fit you, the restraint may not hit you exactly where the port is located. The restraints are actually quite open.
You will find the same type of trial seats at every attraction at Islands of Adventure that has over shoulder restraints,

Dragon Challenge has several inversions during the ride. This picture shows the restraints in the trial seats:

This link has a video that shows the restraints and actually the whole ride:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/universal/parkinfo/Harry-Potter.htm

Forbidden Journey has several places where your 'enchanted bench' is tilted forward at an extreme angle and it feels like your whole body weight is resting on the restraint.
This is the trial seat at the entrance:

 

[SueM in MN]

Forgot to add -
If you do an Internet image search with these words:
Forbidden journey ride

You will get a lot of pictures that show people in the ride with the restraints on - there is a ride photo taken during the ride.

 

[PatsMom]

Thanks for the help! I am off to read the FAQ and to Google some more. I knew the coaster was most likely out of the questions but I was hoping for Forbidden Journey. Better safe than sorry though - I would rather miss an attraction that sounds awesome then mess things up by messing up the port. That thing has saved me so many IV's! I intend to keep it healthy no matter what I miss.

I never thought of trying out the seats ahead of time. That sounds like the ideal thing. I will adjust my expection and then will be pleasantly surprised if the restraint on Forbidden Journey doesn't press on the port. Beats being horrendously disappointed.