Boarding moving rides

JenLT

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Feb 3, 2015
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282
My sister is very concerned about going to Disney World and says she just won’t go on any rides. The last time she went was 8 or 9 years ago and she didn’t have such bad knee/walking issues. She’s specifically afraid of not being able to get on rides that are moving as you board like Peter Pan etc. She recalls that Haunted Mansion is moving when you get on (I don’t remember that). But I had read on here that you could have them slow it down? I don’t know how that works. Is there a list of rides that just keep moving and what’s the procedure to get them slowed or even paused? Thanks.

* I have found the list of rides in the frequently asked questions. Thanks.
 
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Yes, you can definitely ask them to slow it down! Some CM’s/rides might even be willing to come to a complete halt, but I don’t have personal experience.
 
yes most rides can stop the moving walkway for you just ask the CM if it can be done at the begging of the ride then when you get to the ride let the CM know you need it stoped in the past PP and the PM were the onely ones that could not be stopped how every my last trip they stopped Peter Pan for the man right in front of me and stopped it gain when I was on it so they might be able to stop this ride now
 
yes most rides can stop the moving walkway for you just ask the CM if it can be done at the begging of the ride then when you get to the ride let the CM know you need it stoped in the past PP and the PM were the onely ones that could not be stopped how every my last trip they stopped Peter Pan for the man right in front of me and stopped it gain when I was on it so they might be able to stop this ride now
Oh good to know. No harm in asking anyway.
 

If she is using a mobility device, like wheelchair, ECV or walker/rollator, she will be routed to the unload area for boarding.
That is where the moving walkways can be slowed or stopped, except for Peter Pan. She should tell the CM what she needs - they do prefer to slow the moving walkway rather than stop if they can.
When they stop it entirely, guests already on have been known to panic and try to get off. They WILL come to a complete stop if needed though.

yes most rides can stop the moving walkway for you just ask the CM if it can be done at the begging of the ride then when you get to the ride let the CM know you need it stoped in the past PP and the PM were the onely ones that could not be stopped how every my last trip they stopped Peter Pan for the man right in front of me and stopped it gain when I was on it so they might be able to stop this ride now
Peter Pan IS still listed as « must be ambulatory » and the official information is that it can’t be stopped at WDW. The reasons I have always been given are the ride track is not meant to be stopped and stopping it leaves guests suspended many feet off the ground.
A few months ago, I asked Disability Management if anything had changed to make it more accessible. The short answer was « no ».
The long answer and reasons were the same as previously; CMs are not supposed to ask guests if they want it stopped and it is not supposed to be stopped except In very rare situations (the example I was given was a child on a Make a Wish trip).

PeopleMover (Tomorrowland Transit Authority) is also listed as « must be ambulatory ». The issue is not the boarding and unload area, which can be slowed. The main issue is getting up to the boarding area and down again requires standing on a steep moving ramp - picture an escalator that is smooth instead of having steps.
 
One of the reasons they don’t like to stop some of the rides is because when they stop the ride at the loading area (unload also) is that it stops then entire ride (inside) and then an emergency spiel plays to please stay seated. This can impact the enjoyment of the attraction for the other guest.
Peter Pan is only a 3 minute ride stopping it impacts the enjoyment of the ride.
Sometimes on Haunted Mansion they will only stop it a few times per hour.
 
They stopped the belt at Peter Pan for me in August. I had to wait a few extra minutes or so and they were able to do it. I’m a relatively quick transfer so it was only stopped for about 1 minute for load and 1 for unload. I believe they timed me with someone else already on ride
 
Sometimes on Haunted Mansion they will only stop it a few times per hour.

Yes, I have had them refuse to either stop or slow the belt at the Haunted Mansion before. But that’s been the exception rather than the rule.

I’ve come to the conclusion over the years that it’s best to have as many “Plan B’s” as possible when planning a WDW trip around a disability/disabilities. Very little is set in stone, and even more falls under the heading of “usually but not guaranteed.”
 
One of the reasons they don’t like to stop some of the rides is because when they stop the ride at the loading area (unload also) is that it stops then entire ride (inside) and then an emergency spiel plays to please stay seated. This can impact the enjoyment of the attraction for the other guest.
Peter Pan is only a 3 minute ride stopping it impacts the enjoyment of the ride.
Sometimes on Haunted Mansion they will only stop it a few times per hour.

I thought that the issue with PP is that the ride is suspended in the air which causes a safety issue (for people on the ride) if it is stopped.
 
I thought that the issue with PP is that the ride is suspended in the air which causes a safety issue (for people on the ride) if it is stopped.
That is the biggest reason.
Also, if it is stopped for too long, it does go into an emergency shutdown mode from what I have been told. If that happens, it involves an emergency evacuation.

Peter Pan at Disneyland is different. It comes to a complete stop for each pirate ship to load and unload. Watching videos of the DL ride, the pirate ships are more spaced out than at WDW, so the ride can ‘absorb’ the stops without the whole ride stopping inside.
 
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It may be better to sit out a few rides with the moving walkways; unless, they are willing to do a complete stop.

I'd make sure she has someone on each side of her to help her in and out of the rides. Having an arm to hold or whatever could be of great help. Pirates of Carribean, for example, is pretty tough to get in and out of. Test Track is another one. So, one person gets in the ride before her to help her in. The other person goes in after her and then helps her out of the ride. Just be prepared to catch her if she missteps or whatever.
 
It may be better to sit out a few rides with the moving walkways; unless, they are willing to do a complete stop.

I don't go on rides with moving walkways when I'm solo, even if they are willing to stop them. I'm just so afraid that they'll suddenly start the walkway again while I'm on it (although my logical self knows they wouldn't), I feel panicky, so I just avoid them.
 
I don't go on rides with moving walkways when I'm solo, even if they are willing to stop them. I'm just so afraid that they'll suddenly start the walkway again while I'm on it (although my logical self knows they wouldn't), I feel panicky, so I just avoid them.
That sounds like a good plan overall.
 
They stopped the belt at Peter Pan for me in August. I had to wait a few extra minutes or so and they were able to do it. I’m a relatively quick transfer so it was only stopped for about 1 minute for load and 1 for unload. I believe they timed me with someone else already on ride
I remember many years ago, they stopped it for my mom too. It had to be late 90s or early 2000s. So yes, it can be stopped. They may not like to do it, but they do.
 












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