Assistance getting on and off rides

[asta]

I want to thank you guys for being so helpful and apologize if this has been asked before. I am still recovering from my total knee replacement surgery but have decided to try the parks without a n ECV. My next real concern though centers on my ability to get on and especially off rides in a timely manner. I have this image of a ride taking off with me half out of the vehicle. My knee can be so stiff and weak at times that it is hard to plant my leg and bear weight quickly. This coupled with my surgeon's number one command the I can not fall on the artificial joint has me worried.

Can I signal to the ride operators that I may need more time to board? Does WDW have a set procedure to help with this? I guess if worse comes to worse I may be stuck on the ride for another turn.

 

[ttintagel]

There are a few rides where my depth perception makes it harder for me to get in and out. When I go to board, I ask the operator if they can slow the moving walkway, and they do (with the exception of the Haunted Mansion, where the CM's tend to walk away while I'm talking to them). Then, when they see me coming around to get off, they slow it again.

(I've never been asked to show a GAC for that, but I've had it ready if they ask.)

 

[lanejudy]

As PP indicated, you can request that a moving walkway be slowed - some can be stopped but not all. However, the CMs will not be able to physically assist you with entering or exiting a ride vehicle - if you need someone for that support or help, you'll have to rely on a member of your party.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ttintagel]

Oh, and there are two ride where the walkway can't be stopped or slowed - Peter Pan's Flight and the Peoplemover.

If you're at a ride without a moving walkway, like PotC or other boat rides, there should be a CM there at loading and unloading. If you tell the CM at loading that you need extra time, they may be able to let the unload CM's know to expect you (not 100% sure about this one, but it SEEMS to have worked that way for me when I needed it to).

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a list if attractions with moving walkways or stairs in a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
For those attractions, guests with wheelchairs use a bypass to avoid the stairs. Even when the line is accessible, there will also be a bypass at the boarding area where guests with mobility devices are directed to board at the unload area (no GAC required for this with a mobility device).

CMs at that area are able to better control the speed of the moving walkway and can keep track of which ride car was loaded there so they can watch for the car and stop it if needed
Guests without a visible disability would need a GAC to use those access points.

CMs at the unload area can slow or stop the moving walkway if they see a guest is having trouble or may fall. But there is no guarantee that they will see everyone who might need extra time.
When we are with my elderly mother or mother in law, one of us stands by to help her step off. Even with the walkway slowed or stopped for DD's wheelchair, walking in the walkway can still be difficult for them.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. No ride will be dispatched until all Guests are fully inside the ride vehicle.

2. If there is a seat belt or bar every rider's restraint will be checked prior to dispatch.

3. For unload, see #1.

4. Note that CMs are not allowed to touch a Guest to assist in load or unload, even if such assistance is requested by the Guest. The only assistance they can provide is to hold a wheelchair or ECV, to keep it from moving, and the Gust has to get into or out of the ride vehicle either on their own or assisted by another Guest.

 

[asta]

1. No ride will be dispatched until all Guests are fully inside the ride vehicle.

2. If there is a seat belt or bar every rider's restraint will be checked prior to dispatch.

3. For unload, see #1.

4. Note that CMs are not allowed to touch a Guest to assist in load or unload, even if such assistance is requested by the Guest. The only assistance they can provide is to hold a wheelchair or ECV, to keep it from moving, and the Gust has to get into or out of the ride vehicle either on their own or assisted by another Guest.

#1 is particularly comforting to know. As I learn to trust my new joint I keep having fears that may seem crazy but I have this image of a ride vehicle pulling away with me half in or out. One day the trust and flexibility will be there but I'm not there yet.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Some cannot "hurry" on or off a ride. I simply tell the CM at the beginning of the ride. They somehow send a signal to the CM at the end of the ride - who already knows that I need extra time.

Disney Magic, I assume!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I am 'slow' esp for rides that I need to step up or down to get in/out of.

the CMs are patient. the people who want to get on or off behind you? not so much. most of the times the CM will prevent people from crowding you as you try to get off .

 

[Schmeck]

My mom has difficulty getting out of the low-seat vehicles (Splash, Pirates, Space Mountain). We usually have to haul her out, with one of us in front of her, one behind. Never had a problem with people trying to rush us.

One funny incident though (and even my mom thought it was funny) - she went to get out at Splash, and started to sink back down into the seat. We could only fit two across, and I had mistakenly gotten on before her, so no one was behind her. Well, no one from our family...

The couple getting in rushed in and pushed her back up (in a very kind, but surprising way, one hand was on her backside, oops). My mom thanked them, and said "Thank goodness you did that, I thought I was going to be stuck going around in this thing all day!"

 

[SueM in MN]

The issue will be the attractions which have moving walkways.

For attractions that stop for loading and unloading (such as Pirates, Imagination, splash Mountain, Small World), they come to a complete stop for entry and exit. those do not move until a CM at the area who is controlling the ride can see that everyone is on pr off, seated or totally off.
Those are not an issue because there is a CM at both entry and exit.

 

[asta]

Thanks for all of the advice. We leave for WDW in three days and I will report back on my new knee's first trip. Rehab has been a slow process. My leg muscles are stronger than they have ever been from all of the working out but for some reason I just can't move very fast. I think it is a flexibility issue.

Looking forward to the trip. My husband will be in meetings during the day and I hope to be able to do things on my own but if worse comes to worst I will find a cool drink, a place to sit and will people watch.

 

[nyck]

I thought about this for some of the rides when I take my granny in October. She has an unsteady gait at times and we will be using an ECV for her while at the parks. I think she will be ok on the rides that are even level to just sit, but I think Pirates will be a challenge. I plan on taking a gait belt, that way I can help her out of it easier. One of my other friends that is coming is a nurse and so am I so I figure between the 2 of us we will get her on and off fine

 

[aubriee]

I thought about this for some of the rides when I take my granny in October. She has an unsteady gait at times and we will be using an ECV for her while at the parks. I think she will be ok on the rides that are even level to just sit, but I think Pirates will be a challenge. I plan on taking a gait belt, that way I can help her out of it easier. One of my other friends that is coming is a nurse and so am I so I figure between the 2 of us we will get her on and off fine

My mom is 79 y/o. She does not use anything here at home, other than a cane occasionally. She has bad arthritis in both knees and hands. At WDW she uses an ECV. Due to her bad knees (no cartlidge, just bone against bone--but she refuses to have knee replacements due to her diabetes), she has trouble stepping down into and up out of rides. After falling to her knees getting out of the Donald boat ride in the Mexican pavillion at Epcot last year, she refuses to ride any ride where there is a step down. When she fell last year trying to get out of the boat ride in Mexico there were three CMs there at the loading dock. All three refused to help us, saying they were not allowed to touch a guest. My mom was terrified she was going to fall backwards back into the boat, but didn't have the strength to pull herself back to a standing a position using the hand rails. Finally a man in the boat behind us got out of his boat, walked along the side, and helped me get my mom on her feet. All three CMs just stood there watching, although one did get onto the man telling him, he should not have gotten out of his boat.

 

[SueM in MN]

My mom is 79 y/o. She does not use anything here at home, other than a cane occasionally. She has bad arthritis in both knees and hands. At WDW she uses an ECV. Due to her bad knees (no cartlidge, just bone against bone--but she refuses to have knee replacements due to her diabetes), she has trouble stepping down into and up out of rides. After falling to her knees getting out of the Donald boat ride in the Mexican pavillion at Epcot last year, she refuses to ride any ride where there is a step down. When she fell last year trying to get out of the boat ride in Mexico there were three CMs there at the loading dock. All three refused to help us, saying they were not allowed to touch a guest. My mom was terrified she was going to fall backwards back into the boat, but didn't have the strength to pull herself back to a standing a position using the hand rails. Finally a man in the boat behind us got out of his boat, walked along the side, and helped me get my mom on her feet. All three CMs just stood there watching, although one did get onto the man telling him, he should not have gotten out of his boat.

That must have been very scary. The CMs are sort of between a rock and a hard place though. Thy are not allowed help with transfers. The CM at the ride console is not allowed to leave it.

One thing you might want to think about for the future - those rides that have a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle almost always have a wheelchair available.
Transferring from the ECV to a wheelchair and then using the wheelchair accessible ride vehicle would be a good option for many people.

Small World and the Mexico ride both have wheelchair accessible boats.
Pirates does not .
One other important piece to remember is that getting into rides like Pirates is usually going to be easier than getting out. Getting in, gravity is your helper.
Getting out, you have to work against gravity. There may be a lift involved just to get to floor level and conditions may not be the best, in terms of space and where bodies can be placed to do a lift.

It's important to look at the ride car nd figure out both how you will get in and get out.

 

[SHISHI]

Thanks for all of the advice. We leave for WDW in three days and I will report back on my new knee's first trip. Rehab has been a slow process. My leg muscles are stronger than they have ever been from all of the working out but for some reason I just can't move very fast. I think it is a flexibility issue.

Looking forward to the trip. My husband will be in meetings during the day and I hope to be able to do things on my own but if worse comes to worst I will find a cool drink, a place to sit and will people watch.

When did you get your knee done?? I got my knee replacement May 7th!! Please report back on how your knee held up. My trip is in 69 days, and at this point, I'm renting an ECV. Hope that you are having a great trip!

 

[asta]

When did you get your knee done?? I got my knee replacement May 7th!! Please report back on how your knee held up. My trip is in 69 days, and at this point, I'm renting an ECV. Hope that you are having a great trip!

I am just back and will be glad to answer any questions. Your knee is still so new and there is a lot of healing left to do. I would definitely rent the ECV. My surgery was 7 months ago and I am still trying to get to a somewhat normal state. The arthritis pain is gone but it takes so much time for the muscles to recover. At your stage of healing I was still taking hydrocodone and in physical therapy.

There is so much walking at WDW and you will need help. Two rides that I had a lot of trouble with were Star Tours at HS and Test Track at Epcot. They seated me on the back row on Star Tours and my leg was so far off the floor it dangled and was thrown around. If the front row is lower ask for it or don't ride this one. At Test Track the step down to get in the car was so steep and unexpected that I actually gasped out in pain so loudly that half the people in the room looked. I was able to enjoy all of the other rides and had a great time.

I should have listened to the recommendation by Sue on this board and rented an ECV. I thought I was strong enough but I really struggled by the end of the day. Standing in place for shows and fireworks was actually harder than walking. And WDW has very few places to sit. I was in so much pain on Friday night that I could hardly stand. I had a very upsetting encounter with a young CM named Tracie when I needed to lean against a railing. She was insulting, sarcastic and even ridiculed my pain. My husband who overlooks everything could not even believe a person would actually speak to someone the way this CM spoke to me. She did end my trip on a very bad note but I did not let it ruin my trip.

Go to WDW, have fun but please make sure you have some device (wheel chair or ECV) where you can sit. People with good, young knees can sit on a curb but you won't be able.

 

[SHISHI]

Thank you for your reply!! It sounds like you had a great trip, even with a few bad moments. I am still on pain meds and in physical therapy. My doctor told me that it will take a year to totally recover. I don't ride Star Tours, but I love Test Track. I will be careful getting in to the car. I am going to rent a ECV and I already bought a folding cane for the trip.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thank you for your reply!! It sounds like you had a great trip, even with a few bad moments. I am still on pain meds and in physical therapy. My doctor told me that it will take a year to totally recover. I don't ride Star Tours, but I love Test Track. I will be careful getting in to the car. I am going to rent a ECV and I already bought a folding cane for the trip.

Congratulations on your surgery! I had both my knees replaced last May/June so they are just a tad over a year old. Although it is a tough recovery I am so glad I did it... my mobility and overall quality of life is so much improved. It's wonderful to be able to live normally again and be mostly pain free.

However, for me, WDW is not "normal" since walking 7-8 miles per day for days on end is not part of my routine. I have continued to rent an ECV when I'm in the World... I don't see this changing in the future. But that's OK with me. I'm able to park the ECV and do so much more walking in the parks... especially in the stores! Seriously I have really enjoyed being able to stroll around and enjoy myself knowing I have the ECV to take the brunt off all the walking and standing.

Good luck with your recovery... yes, it is a long one... even a year out I am still seeing improvement. But it is so worth it!

 

[asta]

Congratulations on your surgery! I had both my knees replaced last May/June so they are just a tad over a year old. Although it is a tough recovery I am so glad I did it... my mobility and overall quality of life is so much improved. It's wonderful to be able to live normally again and be mostly pain free.

However, for me, WDW is not "normal" since walking 7-8 miles per day for days on end is not part of my routine. I have continued to rent an ECV when I'm in the World... I don't see this changing in the future. But that's OK with me. I'm able to park the ECV and do so much more walking in the parks... especially in the stores! Seriously I have really enjoyed being able to stroll around and enjoy myself knowing I have the ECV to take the brunt off all the walking and standing.

Good luck with your recovery... yes, it is a long one... even a year out I am still seeing improvement. But it is so worth it!

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Your post could not have come at a better time. I was feeling discouraged about the amount of pain after a few hours in WDW. It is so hard to know what you are capable of doing. And then when I give in to the pain, I begin to get impatient with my recovery.

My surgeon told me it would take a year to feel like the surgery was the best thing I had ever done but then you run in to people who say they were dancing in less than a month. I knew this trip was too soon for me but my husband's company sent us for a free stay so I couldn't resist.

I'm glad your recovery is going so well. It gives me hope.