Experience with ride transfer (or where no transfer is needed)

[olive]

My dad is a double amputee (below the knee), and while he uses prosthetics along with his ECV, this of course really changes how he is able to move and balance. Vehicles that stop completely are better than those that remain in motion. Rides that required a full transfer and stepping down did not work at all for him in the past, so any that look like that will be out. We haven't been to Disney in a bit, and I have been going through the brochures to note which rides require either complete transfer or transfer to a standard wheelchair, and which you can stay in an ECV for.

Has anyone had an experience where the approach listed did NOT work for them? Are there any that people have had a particularly tricky time with? Any that have test vehicles so you can check your comfort level before trying in front of an audience? (At Universal they had a great system where my dad could get settled on a ride out of view and then it would be loaded onto the track. They even let us ride twice. So kind.) Of course he will have to use his judgment, but if someone had an experience that would help inform us and doesn't mind sharing, I appreciate it! Our last trip was 5 years ago and between there being new rides + my memory being not the best, I was wondering about people's more recent experiences.

Thanks!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Are there any he is especially interested in riding?
If so, people can give advice on those. My personal experience is riding with my adult child who can’t walk or stand; we lift her on attractions where a transfer is needed. Most WDW attractions don’t have a dedicated private boarding area for people with disabilitie.

Posts 18-22 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has specific information on each attraction in each park that should be helpful ( how high the step in, moving walkways, etc). That thread is in the group of threads stuck near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature.

 

[olive]

Thank you so much, Sue! I will check those specific posts and share them with my parents. I think all of his favorites are "classics" like Pirates (which I think is out because of the stepping down - believe we learned that on the last trip), Haunted Mansion, tea cups (out), Small World, Spaceship Earth at Epcot. I know he is happy to see the grandkids having fun, but it is always nice for him to be able to actually join in, too.

 

[philharmagic fan]

Tea cups has an interesting transfer set-up which you might be able to use. One cup has a door that unlocks to a wider opening, and a sort of "stool" they can put alongside so someone can slide from their chair onto the stool and from there onto the seat of the teacup. I think you can drive your ECV right up to this cup, but you'll need to have someone in your group drive it outside the railing before they start the ride. Actual rides that let you stay on an ECV (as opposed to transferring to a standard chair) are pretty uncommon; the only one I can think of offhand is Carousel of Progress and I'm not even positive about that one.