Exiting the queue before the ride

[Quasimodo-CTL-G]

My wife is in a wheel chair and has a heart condition. She would like to see the pre-ride queue areas but needs assurance that she will be able to skip the rides. Can anyone speak from personal experience about this.

Thanks in advace
Quasimodo-ctl-g

 

[Marie14625]

Many rides have a "chicken exit" for those who do not siwh to go on intense rides. Which ones are you thinking about? It is just that from my recent experience, folks in chairs are bypassed around the preshow queve of there is "special" seating. You would probably need to ask a cast member if you are able to go in just for the pre show.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm pretty sure every ride has an 'alternate exit'. But the attractions your wife definitely can't experience (e.g. the ones with the medical warnings) absolutely, 100%, have a way for her to get to exactly where you will exit the ride - so you don't miss each other.
Some examples:
Test Track - she will likely be escorted by a Cast Member into the elevator they use to move wheelchairs/ecvs to the exit, then across a short bridge and down another elevator.
Tower of Terror - when you get to the loading area, she will be escorted down a short hallway to the 'back' elevator, and brought down to where the service elevators empty.
Expedition Everest - go through the entire queue (be sure to use the 'regular' line at least once, despite the wait time, to see ALL the theming; later, you can use the FastPass line or even the single riders line). When you get to the loading area, she will be directed or escorted to the exit platform.
Splash Mountain - you will, unfortunately, NOT get to experience the entire queue decor, because it involves stairs. Check with the Greeter for boarding instructions, since your wife will not be riding.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

The Splash Mountain queue doesn't always have stairs, it depends on which parts of the queue they are using at the time. Sometimes wheelchairs are directed through the main queue, sometimes through the Fastpass line.

 

[mechurchlady]

Legally and corporate policy wise they cannot and will not force a guest to partake in a ride, show, parade etc. Talk to the CM at each ride and get instructions. Use youtube to see which ride lines she cannot enter, are not worth seeing, etc. Some ride lines change depending on factors like crowds so one day a ride might be accessible and the next not. Every ride is prepared for guest who do not ride a ride or leave a show early.

Some rides have elaborate preride displays such as Tower of Terror while others like Dumbo have none. Everest is one I would like to see, I paniced and left the line for Dinosaur because of heavy crowding, and definitely the Tower of Terror was a favourite of mine.

 

[SueM in MN]

All of the rides that have a warning for health reasons have signs outside of the entrance to the queue, another sign somewhere in the line and at least one sign before boarding.

People with health problems who should not ride certain things sometimes don't see the sign at the queue entrance. That's the reason for the sign at the boarding area; so that they have a last chance to not ride. And, some people chicken out before boarding, so she will definately not be the only one to use the exit.

The attractions with health warnings have a red triangle icon on the park map to let you know about the warning. Here's a link to the DIS site page of park map links so you can look for the red triangles. There is usually a CM close to the line entrance. For those rides, you can ask that CM about the 'chicken exit'. As was already mentioned, for some attractions, she may have to wait to be escorted out by a CM.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My wife is in a wheel chair and has a heart condition. She would like to see the pre-ride queue areas but needs assurance that she will be able to skip the rides. Can anyone speak from personal experience about this.

Thanks in advace
Quasimodo-ctl-g

Will your wife be in a manual chair or a powerchair/scooter?

I use a power wheelchair and cannot transfer into ride cars, but I do enjoy going through the lines to enjoy the pre-shows and theming.

I was once refused permission to ride through the line at Tower of Terror, and was told to go straight to the exit where I could board the ride. I explained that I didn't want to ride, just look at the gardens, the pre-show and the hotel basement. 'No', I was told, 'manual chairs only. you can transfer to a manual and I will push you through' ''I cannot transfer' 'Rules are rules - complain at guest services'.

Be aware that you might not be allowed into the queue ares and preshow if you ride a power wheelchair.

Andrew