Forbidden Rides?

[Cassi]

Hi again, everyone! I told you I'd think up more questions!

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if Disney will forbid people from going on rides due to their disabilities? The reason I am asking this is because we had that happen to us last week at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. My husband uses a wheelchair due to a severe back injury (failed surgery, permanent nerve damage, etc.). Obviously, he didn't expect to go on the roller coasters and such, but the very first ride we were going to go on (a kiddie ride with our small children), we were stopped by the ride attendant. He said he needed to call a supervisor. Well, the supervisors (2) came with a printed out sheet of all the rides in the park, with X's over the ones he would not be allowed to go on. There were only 4 rides that weren't X'd out, and two of them he couldn't go on anyway because he is over 54" (child rides). Most of the kiddie rides were forbidden as well. This list was specifically for "back and neck injuries".

Now, I won't get into detail about the hour and a half I spent in customer relations at the end of the day when they refused to give my some of his admission back (that they had promised when they gave him the list), but I did want to know if Disney has the same policies? Like I said, he knows there are rides he just can't do, but if he feels there is a ride that he can do, shouldn't he be allowed to take that "risk"? Will Disney stop him, too?

Thanks in advance!

Cassi

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm glad to see you back with more questions.

printed out sheet of all the rides in the park, with X's over the ones he would not be allowed to go on.

We've had the same experience at the amusement park that is closest to us, but we've never had an experience anything like that in about 20 vacations at WDW and I've never heard of anyone who did either. The only we have ever been asked was whether DD met the height requirement of rides when she was younger.
She uses a wheelchair, can't walk, so we have to lift her on rides. She has been on everything at WDW except Space Mountain, BTMRR, Rock N Roller Coaster and kali River Rapids. She went on the Triceraptop's Spin on our last trip, which I would not recommend - she could not stay in place.

WDW does have a list rides that are not recommended for people with neck and back problems, but it is left up to you whether you feel it would be appropriate or not. This link will take you to the official Disney disability main page. You can get an internet copy there of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. There is one for each park. They don't give a lot of info, but do have basic info about each ride - whether it is a quiet, tame ride or a turbulent thrill ride. They also list things like how long the ride lasts. For certain rides, like Space Mountain, they list information about what would happen in case the ride needs to be evacuated, which might help you decide that you should NOT go on that ride (for SM, you would need to descend a narrow, steep set of steps).

 

[Talking Hands]

I have been asked are you sure you will be able to handle it but the decision has always been left up to me on whether or not to ride a ride.
I did have the interpreter strongly suggest I not risk doing Jungle Cruise in June because of the difficulty getting in and out of the ride and the fact I had just gotten out of the hospital and had almost lost my leg, but this was done more as a friend who knew I would be back in August and could ride it then. But if I had insisted I could have riden. I chose not to take the risk.

 

[Michigan]

I hope you kept a copy of the form they gave you with the rides on it. When my oldest DD was 7 years old I took her to the State Fair. Now they had no trouble taking my money for a wrist band for her but when we got to the rides they told me I had to get a list of rides from the office. Even the merry-go-round was a ride that she couldn't ride unless she was in a seat and not on a horse even though I was going to hold her on the horse which is what I did do. But the straw that broke the camel's back was when they told me she couldn't ride on the helicopter ride because she couldn't walk to get on the ride. However, they let a baby that just learned to walk go on by himself because he could walk on. Needless to say I got the Fair Manager and she did ride the helicopter.

The next day I filed an ADA lawsuit stating that a parent of a child or person with a physical disability had just as much if not more common sense as to what they could and could not ride and that is was unlawful for them to decide for my child. I won the case and now they can't ask for proof of disability or refuse to let you ride based on your disability. They can however state like Disney does that this ride may not be appropriate if you have (listed disability).

 

[momejay]

I have never had a problem at Disney except for once. I even wheeled my mom up & transferred her onto the Rock'n roller coaster. (Probably stupid, but you only live once)
My only problem at Disney was that my dd cries because she wants to ride & has to wait. We had a GAP & had to wait for more than one train and she got over anxious. We borded the train & she couldn't go because she was crying. They asked her if she wanted to go on & she said no. She thought they were asking her to exit. (speech & language problem) I explained to them her problem but they wouldn't let her go.
At the local theme park, we have had nothing but problems. My son has autism. We were a party of four. They let two from behind us go on the ride. Then another two. My son knows that 2+2=4, but we had to wait. He tantrums & they asked us to wait until he calms to get back in line. He had waited his turn, again & just wanted to ride but they wouldn't let him on. We were also asked to leave the park when my son smacked the lady in front of us on the rear. She said he sexually harassed her. Ha Ha! It was more of a move it honey, I want to ride!
Thank you Disney for the GAP!