Any tips for going with going with a guest in a wheelchair who can't sit without a harness?

[kohlby]

We have never gone with a wheelchair before - much less with a person who can't transfer at all. It's a family of 6 with one with special needs. They will be going July 3rd and will have express pass and park-to-park. I know to have them get the special needs pass too. I might end up being their guide, as they are friends of mine and I figure it will be a lot easier for them to make the most of their time with someone who knows the parks/rides better. They only have one day.

Any tricks and tips we should know? Any recommendations for rides someone who can't transfer can do? I know there's a car in MIB that looks like it has a spot for a wheelchair. Do they actually use that? (I'm not sure if he can handle the spinning though, so that might be out). His siblings love thrill rides and he's used to hanging out waiting but I want to make sure we have some activities scheduled that he can do as well.

 

[janicept]

Hum, that's a tough one. I'm sure he has been working with a physical therapist at some point in the past. Maybe the family can contact the therapist and ask them for advise. The PT would have assessed his trunk control and know what limitations he has. How is his cognition? If he can answer questions he can be involved with some decision making about if he wants to go in some of the ride lines then not ride. Gringott's is neat to walk through and watch the pre-shows even if you don't ride. They let you out the door right before the steps if not riding. You didn't mention how old he is or if he watches movies. If he is or has worked with a Speech Language Pathologist they could explain more to the family about his cognitive level and how much he comprehends. He might be fine just going around the gift shops and the things around the areas and not worrying about the pre-show/ride lines for things he won't be riding.

Minions, Shrek, and Terminator all have wheelchair areas that don't move. Nothing to see at RRR. There is a cute preshow at Jimmy Fallon were they rap the safety warnings - not sure if they would let him watch that, plus the waiting area has dancing Hashtag the Panda and other singers. The Mummy has a neat line that might be fun for him to go through - even the wheelchair line then not ride. MIB has some pretty intense spinning so that is probably out. Again the pre-show might be enjoyable but is skipped for people using EPs. Not much to see in Simpsons ride but the area down the street has some display type characters that you could take pics with while others ride. I've never been in the Woddywoodpecker area except for ET and that line is cute but he would not be able to ride unless there is some modified car I'm not aware of. Obviously things like Horror Make-up show, Sinbad, Posinden's Fury would be fine since they are shows.

I'm not sure about HE (Harry Potter train). I know families are not allowed to bring strollers into the carts but they store them at the end. There would be no space in the regular train car for a wheelchair that someone can't transfer but I'm not sure if there's a modified car. The line is still neat and IMO is half of the fun of riding. Not much at IoA I can think to ride since Spiderman is like Transformers and no bench type seating. The line through FJ is neat to walk through then not ride.

There really is so much to look at everywhere. Not sure if he would be able to use the wands as far as vision, following instruction, and arm coordination. If unable he may enjoy watching other kids use their wands for the tricks. The workers at the front of each entrance should be helpful as far as allowing him and a helper to walk through the line and look around while others ride. If he uses the EP it will skip most of the interesting part of the lines for the rides.

 

[kohlby]

He can get his point across with grunts and laughs. He's come to events I've been at and just chilled out in his wheelchair for hours before. So, he's fine not doing a lot but I really want to include him. He did have make-a-wish trips to Disney and was able to do some there. But he was a lot smaller then so transferring him was likely easier too. His parents would know what he could handle, but I'm trying to figure out what a wheelchair bound person can do who can't transfer so they have a starting point. They're going July 3rd, so doing express is worth missing some of the interesting things in the lines. IME, many of the lines still have interesting things in them for express. Add in that it's a holiday weekend in the summer, and they really are going to be happier doing express.

Any tips for navigating through high crowds with a wheelchair?

 

[macraven]

When you get the access assistance ride pass there is a guide paper that explains ride transfers from wc to certain ride car/ vehicle

Email guest services for info on rides that are transferable or non transferable

Special setting for wc at the shows
Elevators location for wc guests for some rides

Did see same info on the site
And if you use google, can pull it up there

I have used the wc transfer before and it works fine

For rides the friend can do, child swap can be utilized

 

[SteveMouse]

Take a look at https://www.universalorlando.com/web/k2/en/us/files/Documents/universal-orlando-riders-guide.pdf, which is Universal's detailed rider's guide.

There are some unhappy requirements in there.

Someone filed suit last year.

 

[macraven]

Thanks for pulling up the link for the op

That was the one I saw earlier

It does list the rides you can use your wc in specific rides

And if the rider can not do the rides, use the child swap rooms so all can stay together while if some in the group do want to ride

 

[kohlby]

Thanks for that link! That's helpful. I can at least tell that he can do the train since he can stay in his wheelchair. It has the picture saying people can stay in their wheelchair and he has to be able to sit upright or have someone with him. His chair helps him sit upright, but he will have people with him.

They will have express passes as well, so I think we can work with it. That won't help on the train, but at least it will help them avoid some of the longer lines. Right now, the plan is for my daughter and I to be their tour guide.

 

[nouvellefleur]

Not entirely sure if this is allowed, please tell me if not and I'll remove, but on the OI Facebook group there's a woman named Debi who runs the SNAU group (Special Needs Are Universal). She's very conversant with Universal's accessibility and would probably be able to give you specific tips & info.

 

[kohlby]

Not entirely sure if this is allowed, please tell me if not and I'll remove, but on the OI Facebook group there's a woman named Debi who runs the SNAU group (Special Needs Are Universal). She's very conversant with Universal's accessibility and would probably be able to give you specific tips & info.

Thanks! I couldn't remember where she was and was looking for her over at the passholder page. Now I know I was on the wrong page.

 

[macraven]

I welcome any help that the op can gain info from
Hope op checks the site out

UO website is kept accurate as they are compliant with federal laws in place

 

[nouvellefleur]

I welcome any help that the op can gain info from
Hope op checks the site out

Oh that's good to know. Obviously I'm pretty new here

Some forums seem to be a lot more strict about not linking to informational "competitors" but everyone is so friendly here

 

[macraven]

With the Disboards guidelines and rules, a business must get permission to advertise on the boards

Sharing needed info from another site to help one with physical issues, are fine with me

Face book has a lot of links to help disabled people learn how to do parks safely

Wonderful there are people that take the time to help the op connect to a source that will make their park day safe and fun

 

[janicept]

Any tips for navigating through high crowds with a wheelchair?

I've always wanted to put one of those fog horns on one but I'm sure that would get old. Just be prepared to be saying "excuse me" all day.

 

[CJN]

Any tips for navigating through high crowds with a wheelchair?

Here are my all-time top three tips when pushing a wheelchair in a crowded theme park:

1) Remember that you're taking on the duty of caregiver first and tourist second. Even experienced caregivers can forget this because it's so easy to be distracted (you ARE in a theme park, after all.)

2) The person pushing needs to be extra aware of the "space" that the chair occupies. This issue alone often makes it nerve-wracking for me to be pushed in a chair, even by my very kindhearted and dedicated family members. When I'm constantly cringing and trying to brake the wheels with my hands because the footrests have traveled way too close to the ankles of the unsuspecting person in front of me, well, it's hard to relax and have fun. This is made more difficult because the pusher is behind me and I have no idea if they're paying attention or not until it's too late (hence all the cringing, gasping and grabbing at the wheels. And, no, I'm not a control freak. I just don't like not being in control when it comes to ramming strangers ankles ) Just be aware that the wheelchair is considered part of the user's personal space and the idea of personal space might very well be different for the person in the chair than for you. Be sensitive to it because his opinion trumps yours.

3) Understand the visual perspective of the person in the wheelchair. That might sound easy but remember, while you're strolling along looking at cool theming and interesting stuff, all they might see are people's butts. So don't try to follow other people too closely and try to travel on the edges of crowds, offering a better view of surroundings.

 

[bumbershoot]

Great perspective, CJN.