Are there any ride restrictions for a sprained ankle boot?

[ebeckwith]

My 12 year old daughter sprained her ankle a week and a half before we head to WDW/Universal Orlando. She's getting around fine in one of those boots and has a follow-up with an orthopedist before we leave. Assuming the doctor says it's okay, do the parks have any restrictions about wearing those boots on any of the rides? She's worried the cast members may not let her get on some rides. Being 12, she's especially concerned she'll miss out on some of the more thrilling rides, including ones at Universal Orlando. Based on similar threads I'm seeing on the forums, it seems like riding any rides with with a cast, boot, etc. is fine, but I'm just hoping for some confirmation to give her some piece of mind. She'd be devastated if we get there and she can't go on Big Thunder Mountain with everyone else. So if some of her favorites are off limits, we might consider rescheduling the trip.

Also, although she's walking in the boot okay, we may get a wheelchair so she can stay off her feet as much as possible. Will we need to get a wheelchair pass to take it into the queues, or will it be okay just by virtue of being a wheelchair? And are there any recommendations for wheelchair rentals that deliver to the resorts?

Thank you!

 

[RF536]

I don't haves experience at Disney or Universal. However I had a boot a while a go and was at Cedar Point. I was allowed on all the rides, but had to remove the boot if riding a ride where my foot dangled. Think the old carnival swing rides. The fear was it could be pulled off and hit someone.

 

[gap2368]

for disney she can ride all the rides she can fit on. the only ride that might be a little iffy would be FOP my friend rode it fine with a boot on but I have heard some did not fit ( if she is a small average 12 year old she should be fine) do not know about universal

thinking about it more space might be hard on her too the front row might give her more leg room

 

[SueM in MN]

My 12 year old daughter sprained her ankle a week and a half before we head to WDW/Universal Orlando. She's getting around fine in one of those boots and has a follow-up with an orthopedist before we leave. Assuming the doctor says it's okay, do the parks have any restrictions about wearing those boots on any of the rides? She's worried the cast members may not let her get on some rides. Being 12, she's especially concerned she'll miss out on some of the more thrilling rides, including ones at Universal Orlando. Based on similar threads I'm seeing on the forums, it seems like riding any rides with with a cast, boot, etc. is fine, but I'm just hoping for some confirmation to give her some piece of mind. She'd be devastated if we get there and she can't go on Big Thunder Mountain with everyone else. So if some of her favorites are off limits, we might consider rescheduling the trip.

Also, although she's walking in the boot okay, we may get a wheelchair so she can stay off her feet as much as possible. Will we need to get a wheelchair pass to take it into the queues, or will it be okay just by virtue of being a wheelchair? And are there any recommendations for wheelchair rentals that deliver to the resorts?

Thank you!

The only “wheelchair pass” is a tage for strollers being used as wheelchairs. This allows CMs to know it’s not just a regular stroller.
Guests using wheelchairs don’t need to do anything to use it in lines/attractions. Most lines are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding in the regular lines. The CMs will direct you for the few that use an alternate entry or boarding area - no need for anything other than the CM seeing the wheelchair.

She will be asked whether she can transfer at pretty much every attraction. All attractions are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding, so if she doesn’t want to walk, she/you can tell them that she needs the wheelchair to XX number of feet or steps of boarding. If she wants to walk, ask how far and how long she may need to stand.

The only WDW ride where guests‘ feet dangle is Soarin’. I have seen guests with casts and walking boots on there as long as it’s secure. She won’t have any issue with being questioned about other attractions.
Some people report Space Mountain has little space (LOL) for a walking boot or cast. Depending on the shape and how far the boot comes up, it might interfere with the restraint/positioning on Flight of Passage. There is a ride vehicle outside the attraction that she can try first.

 

[SueM in MN]

Universal is a very different story than WDW. There are more thrill rides, including multiple where feet dangle.
Universal has a Rider’s Guide with specific guidance
It lists restrictions, including rides where guests wearing casts are not allowed. I don’t have any first hand Experience, but my understanding is that walking boots are handled the same as casts.

Depending on her size, she may be more comfortable in a smaller size wheelchair - most of the rental ones are 18-20 inch width. You can find narrower ones for rent - 14 or 16 inches.

 

[ttintagel]

After breaking my foot at Walt Disney World, I was able to ride everything I wanted to in the walking boot. You can take a wheelchair into almost any line. If the line isn’t wheelchair accessible, a cast member can give you a return time to come back and get in through an alternate entrance.

Just thinking ahead, she may need you to give her some extra assistance getting in and out of low boat rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or Living with the Land.

 

[elvispursley]

Having done DLR in a boot, I'd also say tang on to her on the moving walkways when first transferring on and exiting from the ride vehicle (e.g HM, PP, SSE)--not being able to flex my ankle, I tended to get a little "wobbly."