Animal Kingdom in manual wheelchair?

[sstamour]

Hi all,


Thank you very much for all the information contained within this board - I have been voraciously reading as much as I can.

I am heading to WDW for 9 days/8 nights at the end of January. I have a congenital condition that causes extremely flexible connective tissue, leading to nearly constant joint dislocations, and associated pain. As of right now, I can walk, although not for long distances, and my stamina is low due to both energy levels and pain. Moreover, I have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so I am somewhat concerned about where I'll be by the time the trip gets here.

I am taking my own manual wheelchair along, and I'm not too concerned about MK/DHS/Epcot. My party will have 2 other adults who are willing and able to push me, and I have the ability to push myself as well. However, I am somewhat concerned about Animal Kingdom. I have read that the ground is hilly and the terrain rough. I would like to avoid renting an ECV if possible, but definitely want to experience everything that AK has to offer. If anyone has any experiences or thoughts to share regarding a manual wheelchair at AK, I would appreciate it.

 

[SueM in MN]

AK is not any more hilly than the other parks.
I would not describe the terrain as rough, like being off-sidewalk or anything.
The park is totally paved paths, but the paths are themed to resemble the type of unpaved paths travelers would find in that part of the world. So, you will find paths that look like dirt and are textured with things like small twigs embedded into the concrete. Some people who are very sensitive to going over rough textures might feel that it is too bumpy for them. If you are not concerned about the rough textures of things like cobblestones at Epcot and MK, I would not be concerned about AK either.

 

[Bete]

with a manual wheelchair. We have done this three times in the last three years and we visited AK at least for two days on each trip. I push my mom and we do just fine there. I do pay attention to paths and if there is a better one I take it even if it's a longer way. I will say it would behove you to have a wheelchair with a safety belt. I just witnessed a fall from someone else at another park, Dollywood just last week and I'm convinced a safety belt would have prevented the fall. I actually helped the person up and showed the pusher my mother's belt on her wheelchair.

There may be a few places where it would be too hard to get a wheelchair positioned. For example, there's an area for the tigers that would not be easy, but there are other areas you could view them safely in a wheelchair; so, it's really a non-issue.

If you can still walk some by the time you go then you may be able to enjoy anything anywhere. Someone could always carry the wheelchair for you and then you could get back on it if you had to reach an awkward place like the tiger viewing area.

There are light weight travel wheelchairs that can hold weights up to 300 pounds. The wheelchair we use for my mom is ony 15 pounds and that really helps me last from the pushing end of it.

Enjoy AK!

 

[KPeveler]

I had no problem in AK with my manual wheelchair or powerchair.

You will find Disney not too much of a problem for us EDSers/HMSers!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[sstamour]

Thank you all for your replies, I feel much more confident about this expedition now!

You will find Disney not too much of a problem for us EDSers/HMSers!

I guess that one wasn't too hard to figure out! I should have known I'd find others on this board

 

[maroo]

I just wanted to say that I hope you have a great time!

I am sorry for all of your trouble and hope that you have a great time in Disney!! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[bidnow5]

We have pushed my wife in AK every year not a problem there are some big hills but they are doable. We love AK and go 2 or 3 times every trip
Have fun

 

[sstamour]

Thanks to everyone! I successfully resisted becoming Disney-obsessed...until now. I've pretty much completely forgotten about all of the holidays in favour of reading/watching every Disney related thing I come across. Just the planning stages have done wonders for me, I won't even need any extra pixie dust when I get there