Animal Kingdom question

[trudy88]

I read in Open Mouse that AK is difficult in a wheelchair because of the uneven path. Is this true? For all of the park?

 

[peemagg]

It isn't really that difficult as it is rough. I used my scooter in there and was bounced around a bit, but there was no place that would have say trapped my wheels or anything. The ground around there, while paved is meant to look like roads that you would find in Africa or other places. There you will find things like tire ruts (but not very deep) and rocks. You find this mostly in the Africa section of the park and maybe the Asia section.

I have even pushed a umbrella type stroller through there without any issues. Disney doesn't want people to get flipped out of things. It just wouldn't be safe.

 

[SueM in MN]

I moved this thread to the disABILITIES Board from the disABILITIES Community Board since it is about WDW.

I agree with peemagg.

The pathways at all the parks are themed to go with that park. At AK, that means they are themed as dirt roads, rocks in the road or twigs in the road in some areas - specifically, Asia and Africa. Some people have reported they felt it was bumpy, but it’s not difficult to push a wheelchair or stroller on those paths and as was mentioned, the parts that stick out or are sunk in are not high enough to trip on.

Other parks also have themed pathways that can be bumpy. Epcot has some cobblestoned areas (most in World Showcase) and MK also has some areas where the pathways are not just smooth concrete.

 

[KPeveler]

I think it would be difficult in a manual chair pushing myself b/c my manual chair has 3 in front wheels... but I have no experience with this because I use a powerchair in disney... but I could see how pushing myself in a manual chair (and I have an ultra-lightweight Quickie Q7) which is designed for primarily indoor use, would be difficult in AK.

 

[Momelie]

I usually don't go there, but due to SWW, and a HUGE crowd at MK, we were there today.

I was in my manual wheelchair, rather than my very small and light ECV, so I can give you the perspective from both ends.

The paths are fairly rough, but I think it is easier for a wheelchair, particularly a manual, than an ECV. My light (Golden Buzzaround Lite) ECV has a single support rod that attaches to the seat, and I think it takes every single bit of vibration from the jolting you get from going over the rough patches in the pathways.... the main things I notice are the cracks in the pavement, moreso than the tracks and leaf markings, etc. Like Sue said, very similar to the cobblestones in England in Epcot, there's just more of them and harder to avoid.

In the wheelchair, particularly with DH pushing, the impact of the jolting is kind of spread out between the area of the seat so I either don't notice it as much or, well, I don't know - not an engineer, LOL! Maybe its that my little ECV just catches every jolt of the road more than a wheelchair does - or maybe my rear is larger...... let's not go there, huh?

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD has a Quickie GP ultralight manual wheelchair. Her chair has 5 inch front casters. I can see that smaller wheelchair casters would catch more of the small bumps that the casters on her wheelchair just roll over.

She also has a Jay 2 wheelchair cushion with 3 inches of gel in it and memory foam. I’m sure that gives a much better ride than either the sling seat of many manual wheelchairs or the firm seats on many ECVs.

So, how people experience the paths will depend somewhat on the equipment they are using.

 

[KPeveler]

i think i would be fine being pushed in manual chair, but i do not think I could push myself - I guess it all depends on strength!

 

[nanadeb]

I just couldn't resist the title!
Animal Kingdom does have bumpy paths, which makes it harder for the person pushing the wheelchair as well. It is also hotter and more humid than the other parks. There are many inclines as well. Whoever is pushing the wheelchair will have many challenges.

For some reason, Animal Kingdom is the worst park for pushers, jumpers, and totally oblivious people as well. No matter how careful you are, it is diffiicult to get through without having someone jump in front of you, cut across you, or run into you and claim you hit them. The worst are those who suddenly run diagonally in front of you, dragging a small child behind them.

Whether you are piloting an ECV or steering a wheelchair, Animal Kingdom can be a real pulse pounding adventure. Everyone should be able to enjoy their Disney vacation.

Be kind to your pusher. Rent an ECV!

 

[freepixie]

I just couldn't resist the title!
Animal Kingdom does have bumpy paths, which makes it harder for the person pushing the wheelchair as well. It is also hotter and more humid than the other parks. There are many inclines as well. Whoever is pushing the wheelchair will have many challenges.

For some reason, Animal Kingdom is the worst park for pushers, jumpers, and totally oblivious people as well. No matter how careful you are, it is diffiicult to get through without having someone jump in front of you, cut across you, or run into you and claim you hit them. The worst are those who suddenly run diagonally in front of you, dragging a small child behind them.

Whether you are piloting an ECV or steering a wheelchair, Animal Kingdom can be a real pulse pounding adventure. Everyone should be able to enjoy their Disney vacation.

Be kind to your pusher. Rent an ECV!

Personally, I feel MGM is the worst for people pushing, jumping and being oblivious or at least pretending to be oblivious!!

Back to AK - I think the paths aren't as bad any more - I remember pushing my Granny thru AK the year after it opened and WOW it was a bumpy ride for her! I've noticed over the years the pavement has gotten more worn down so its not as bumpy at all!! Its still a VERY HOT park so pushers beware!! Be careful out there!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, so we have a 60 lb boy in a 45 lb manual wheelchair. For us, the roughness of the path at Animal Kingdom is not an issue at all; the hills are not that bad either, as they are pretty gradual slopes. I imagine with a heavier wheelchair and rider it would be more challenging, but for us it's a breeze. And I love the detail in the walkways, with the animal tracks and leaf imprints. AK is sometimes our favorite park.

As for folks cutting off my son's wheelchair, or even stepping over him in his chair to get somewhere they are rushing off to, I find that more at DHS and MK; the walkways at AK, and of course Epcot are pretty wide open except in the most crowded of periods. When that happens, sometimes the adults get an accidental bump from the steel prow of my boy's chair into their shins. Oops. (but really, who would step OVER someone in a wheelchair? What could possibly be that important when you're on vacation?)