Disabled Kids on Rides, Universal and Disney

wflamm

Earning My Ears
Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
10
Hi there. We are going to Disney and Universal this month though Make a Wish. I am trying to plan as much as possible. Looking over the rides at Disney it seems like he my son would be able to ride a bunch of things. But I noticed at Universal there is a ride guide and says "must be able to grasp, control torso" and what not. Are they strict at Universal about not letting kids in wheelchairs ride things? My son has pretty good upper body control, but I still only put him on rides that I can sit beside him and put my arm around him. Exactly how strict are they about this sort of thing at Disney and Universal? Thanks so much. Last thing I want is for someone to say "you cant ride this" when he is on a Wish trip. :) Thanks again.
 
1) Yes, pretty strict on some rides.
2) It is truly a safety issue.
3) And, you holding him doesn't work.
4) Like a car accident, you can't possibly hold back g-forces.
 
Can you be a bit more specific :) More strict at Disney or Universal? Both? Certain rides? Thanks in advance for any info.
 
Universal has far more rides that have "extreme" motions than WDW does and is definitely strict on ability to hold oneself up. Some rides at Universal putting your arm over your son wouldn't physically be possible because of how the restraint system works. It's less about the fact that he uses a wheelchair in general (although, be advised that Universal no longer allows powerchairs and scooters in ride lines; manual wheelchairs are fine) and more the ability to brace himself for the motion of the ride. The restraints will likely hold him up, but if he can't brace at all, he's going to be moving much more violently in the restraint. You might want to check out YouTube for ride videos showing what the vehicles are like and what the ride looks like visually as you ride. That will likely give you a better sense of what is safe for him.

WDW is somewhat less strict about ability to hold oneself up. Your son needs to be able to hold himself upright in the seat without assistance, but I've seen plenty of parents use their arms to brace their kids (of all abilities) extra on rides like BTMRR so that they don't move around quite as much. Part of it, however, really is that most WDW rides are tamer. More restraint systems at WDW will make it possible for you to hold onto him. Again, looking for videos on YouTube may really help you decide which ones are possible and he might enjoy. There are also plenty of rides at WDW where, if he uses a manual wheelchair, he won't need to transfer or where bracing himself really won't be needed. (Powerchairs are allowed in lines at WDW, in case that's a factor.)
 

wondering if it would be worth it to go to Universal. I thought he would like the Dr. Seuss/Cat in the Hat rides and some others. We never put him on anything super fast.
 
It's less about the fact that he uses a wheelchair in general (although, be advised that Universal no longer allows powerchairs and scooters in ride lines; manual wheelchairs are fine) and more the ability to brace himself for the motion of the ride.

But each ride also has a manual wheelchair (or can easily get one) if needed. And if not, they have alternate entrances they can allow you to use, however only a manual "standard" wheelchair (one with a big wheel in the back, not the 4 small wheeled "transport" chairs) would be allowed on rides that have specific vehicles for wheelchairs (it has to do with the locking system for the ride)

But I noticed at Universal there is a ride guide and says "must be able to grasp, control torso" and what not. Are they strict at Universal about not letting kids in wheelchairs ride things? My son has pretty good upper body control, but I still only put him on rides that I can sit beside him and put my arm around him. Exactly how strict are they about this sort of thing at Disney and Universal? Thanks so much. Last thing I want is for someone to say "you cant ride this" when he is on a Wish trip. :) Thanks again.

wondering if it would be worth it to go to Universal. I thought he would like the Dr. Seuss/Cat in the Hat rides and some others. We never put him on anything super fast.

He should be fine on the Seuss rides. The Cat in the Hat ride does spin around a little (similar to Buzz Lightyear, not quite as crazy as the teacups), but you're on a bench seat next to him with a lap bar, so providing extra support to him would be fine. As long as he can sit up on his own, he would be able to ride (this applies to kids of any age or ability ... so basically hand held infants and people with no balance ability would be the only ones unable to ride it). In fact, at all 3 of the main Seuss Landing rides (Cat in the Hat, Caro-Seuss-El, and One Fish Two Fish) he would be able to remain *IN* his chair, as long as it is a "standard" manual chair, if you would feel more comfortable that way. At Universal Studios, he would be able to stay in his chair for ET, Men In Black (spinning similar to Cat in the Hat/Buzz Lightyear), and Disaster.

Is there a specific list of rides that you're concerned about? We'd be able to give more specific information on the restraint system and movement of the rides, which I think would help you make your decision. How old is the Wish child? Any other siblings? How tall is everyone?
 
I am still going through the ride list, and I never put him on anything that is rough or too fast for him. But I guess what I am wondering is are they super picky about handicap kids getting on rides. He can sit up, he just has balance issues and would need my arm around him on most things. That's why even though he's 10 we tend to put him on the rides that are more for younger kids. I don't want to be embarrased or dissapointed. Also, some have said Universal just isn't wheelchair friendly. So I am concerned about that. One issue we have is that we bring our potty because Evan can't sit on a regular potty. He needs a chest strap. Is there any companion restrooms? Is there a first aid or anywhere we could store the potty and go back to use it. I am figuring that going back to use the potty in the van would be too far to go.
 
I am still going through the ride list, and I never put him on anything that is rough or too fast for him. But I guess what I am wondering is are they super picky about handicap kids getting on rides. He can sit up, he just has balance issues and would need my arm around him on most things. That's why even though he's 10 we tend to put him on the rides that are more for younger kids. I don't want to be embarrased or dissapointed. Also, some have said Universal just isn't wheelchair friendly. So I am concerned about that. One issue we have is that we bring our potty because Evan can't sit on a regular potty. He needs a chest strap. Is there any companion restrooms? Is there a first aid or anywhere we could store the potty and go back to use it. I am figuring that going back to use the potty in the van would be too far to go.
I have been to Islands of Adventure recently, but we have not taken our DD there because there are not enough attractions she could go on.

Not many people post about Universal on this board, but I check out other boards to see what is being talked about. One UK board has had multiple reports of not allowing family members with wheelchairs who have any special seating adaptations (specifically chest straps) because the adaptations were indications that the person could not sit without support.

There are few Companion Restrooms - only 2 at Islands of Adventure (I of A) and one is in First Aid. I don’t know if First Aid would store the special potty for you or not.
The locations are listed in a page of the Rider’s Guide (I think about page 4)

Most of the I of A attractions are a lot less ‘tame' than the WDW ones. I was surprised at how much the Cat in the Hat ride spins. I would compare it to the spinning on Toy Story Mania, but it is harder to prepare for because it comes unexpectedly (not at the end of games like Toy Story), there are more spinning occasions and each spin seemed to last longer.

For other readers who might be interested, this is a link to the Universal/Islands of Adventure Rider’s Guide.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/Riders_Guide_tcm13-26195.pdf

It is very specific and complete about what is necessary for each attraction.
 
When we went for our wish trip in 2010 we found Universal to less wheelchair friendly then Disney but nothing that we couldn't work around. Our son's sound similar in ability. Unfortunately we didn't get to tour both parks the day we went. We were there only a few hours because our daughter was not feeling well. It was also 40 degrees outside.

This is the list we rode:

Storm's Ride
Spiderman
The cat in the hat
Caro-Seuss-el
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!

We also watched
The eighth voyage of sinbad (Front row seats)
Oh the Grinch stole Christmas (We went in December 2010)

Also if he loves the superheros make sure to catch the parade in that area. The superheros come out and stand in spots and tell the kids to line up and they pose for pictures and sign autograph books. Make sure you have for wish button and guest assistance card visable because Captain American was super cool when he saw us struggling to get our son's chair up the curb. He told the other kids to stand right where they were he would be right back! He came to us for pictures and autographs. He then told us where he and the other superheros exit and to meet him there in a few minutes. Awesome interaction is all I will say!

PS our son rides Mission Space orange and Expedition Everest. He cant grasp or hold on. His dad holds onto him. We are planning a return trip and when I called Universal about what he could ride they said that we could probably add :

The 3 water rides
All the shows
Despicable Me
Men in Black (maybe)
ET (Maybe)

The cast member said to look at them on youtube and decide from there what we thought would work. They don't want our kids to get hurt but they want them to have an amazing time. There is also a first aid station in each park that will accommodate us with our bathroom needs.

Hope this helps!! :) Have an amazing time.
 
OP, based on what you've said, I'd recommend against going on Mummy, the Simpsons, Rip Ride Rockit, Transformers, and the motion seats at Despicable Me (there are stationary seats at the front so he can still see the 3D movie if he loves the Minions). Transformers and Despicable Me would be possible, but I'd recommend you ride them first to see if he really really wants to try the motion part.

Twister, T2 (assuming the machines wouldn't scare him ... it's some pretty convincing 3D combined with live action actors that go in and out of the screen and run around the theater), the play areas of Fievel/Barney/Curious George (the water slide and roller coaster there would be a maybe), and Shrek 4D would all be fine for him, as they are shows.

ET I wouldn't see a problem with (as I said, he can also remain in his chair instead of transferring into the "bike seat"), same with Disaster (it gives you a few good bumps up and down, but when I worked there I saw some kids with some pretty severe balance issues that rode it with no problem, and had a *HUGE* smile on their face when it was over), and MIB (again, depending on how he handles spinning; it's mostly turning the car to re-orient you towards stuff to shoot, but there is one point where the other car can shoot yours and make you spin unexpectedly, and you get a few good spins at the end when you go under the bug).

At IoA, he'd definitely be OK on One Fish and Caro-Seuss-el, Cat in the Hat is another maybe, but he can stay in his chair on all of them. The High in the Sky Trolley he would have to transfer to the ride, but it's a gentle ride and you sit next to him.

Poseidon and the Sinbad show are just shows, he'll be fine in each (and Poseidon is worth it just for the water vortex ... but there is a "battle" at the end that combines action on the screens with water and fire effects in the room with you, which can be scary sometimes).

Harry Potter will probably be the biggest challenge. If he loves the books, he'll love wandering around Hogsmeade. But the two big rides there, Forbidden Journey and Dragon Challenge, will be no-gos for him. He might be able to do Hippogriff if he can handle kiddie coasters elsewhere (Barnstormer at MK, Shamu at Sea World, Grover at Busch Gardens, etc.).

River Adventure is mostly a sedate ride, but it does have one drop at the end (similar to Splash Mountain), and you're sitting right next to him. He'll be able to enjoy the Discovery Center and most of Camp Jurassic; Pteronadon Flyers would be iffy, he'd be sitting in a chair by himself with only a seatbelt, you'd be right behind him but unable to reach him most likely.

Bluto's Barges is a river raft ride, but it's bumpier than most other ones I've been on. Ripsaw Falls is a fairly typical log flume, but has a pretty steep drop at the end, so it would probably be a skip it as well. He'll have full access to Me Ship the Olive play area, and can use water cannons to shoot people on Bluto's.

Spiderman would again be a maybe; Doom and Hulk would be no. Storm Force would be a possible, you do control spinning somewhat from your pod. But if he loves the comic book characters, it's definitely the place to hang out for pictures/autographs, like Bearshouse said.

He wouldn't be able to do everything, but there is still a lot he would be able to do.
 
if you do go to IOA and do sky trolley, they make a special event for him. cute picture op for him. for my grandsons made them jr driver and announced to those riding with you about the special ride. if into superheros, they did a special meet and greet with all of them for the boys
 






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