How accessible is Animal Kingdom really?

[angelbearmom]

I'm reading through guide books about the various attractions at Animal Kingdom. I know the official line is that it's the most accessible park. However I'm wondering what the real story is. I'm reading about the various trails to see the animals. What is the surface there? I'm thinking in terms of pushing a 130 lb child in a 100lb wheelchair in the heat and humidity. Is it worth trying or are we going to run into ruts and tree trunks and such on the paths?

We just spent a little while at AK on our last trip so didn't see any of the animals or attractions. We just saw shows.

Thanks,

 

[amesv]

We went 3 years ago...my son was 10 and in a wheelchair. AK was the most crowded park that we visited but that was probably because we went on a Friday and caught the "Long-weekend-trippers". The trails themselves were fine, it was just a challenge to get through the crowds. Because it is the newest park, it was built with the most up-to-date accessibility requirements. All of the attractions we saw had wheelchair accessibility in the main lines.

 

[mechurchlady]

Animal Kingdom is the newest park thus it is the most disabled friendly. Yes there are some ruts but I had no problem 10 years ago getting around in an ECV. With proper planning you can take the kid to the conservation station on a fun train ride then pet animals and see them close up.

The park definitely requires planning though. You need to study the map and guidebooks and online stuff. You need to decide what you want to see and how to get there. There is a parade, shows, trails, rides, and the safari which takes wheelhairs. There are character meet and greets too.

The first time I was there was walking and next time I had sat in my hotel room and studied the maps and then got an ECV. With the maps I knew where to go and what to see. I got there real early while it was cool.

 

[Andyjo0930]

The biggest problem I have seen in AK is that some of the pathes are just not that wide. The park seems a lot more crowded because your crammed into a smaller place to walk. It sometimes makes maneuvering a wheelchair or stroller a little difficult.

 

[mykidsintow]

In Feb it was so crowded it took an HOUR for my daughter to get her power chair through the crowds to the main EXIT. We were heading out asap. As someone else mentioned the walkways are just so much more narrow and everyone is cramped in.

The pathways are kinda bumpy..... think stone finish (I think its actually stamped concrete). There wasn't anywhere she really couldn't go, but it was more rough for her. No real reason not to go back, her chair has hydrolics so it took most of the bumps out for her. We do plan to go back to AK on our next trip.

 

[Figaro]

I find Animal Kingdom to be the most physically exhausting park for me. It is a combination of the narrow walk-ways that are themed to be quite rough and bumpy. After a couple of hours of being bounced around in my wheelchair, I am more than ready to leave for smoother ground.

 

[angelbearmom]

Thanks for the input on how accessible AK is. It sounds possible for us and we'll just expect crowds which we do anyways at DW. We have a character meal in the middle of the day that day so it should break up some of the time in the intense crowds.

I'm also wondering about the Safari ride: How rough is it really? My son has muscular dystrophy with no head control and rods up to the base of his neck. What do you think about taking him on it? I'm also a real chicken; was terrified on Buzz Lightyear 4 years ago-am planning on doing it again though. Will the safari be too scary? It's what I'd like to go on the most but have seen warnings about people with back problems and such. Thanks.

 

[Wazowski]

I went in April with an ECV and AK was definitely the most crowded park. It wasn't terrible to navigate through and luckily "pathways of opportunity" did open up for me to zip through, but it was just a bit slow going for most of the time.

The trails were fine. If memory serves, a lot of them were tar paved.

Don't worry, you won't have to go off-roading to see any of the animals

As for the Safari Ride... well I don't really want to give away anything about it, but it's not scary at all. As for if it's a rough ride, there are some minor bumps here or there but nothing major. I would think your son would be fine, but it's hard to judge that I think. Everyone is different.

 

[dclfun]

To the OP's question about the Safari- there are back/neck warnings and it's very bumpy, particularly for those of us who can't transfer out of our w/c's. I have poor head and trunk control also and despite having a custom head rest and neck brace it was painful for me. There's also alot of side to side movement so I felt pretty thrown around- in fact I slid almost out of my chair from the bumpy ride. The w/c ride vehicle doesn't go any slower although I wish it did! I would definitely ask your son's physician about any ride restrictions due to the rods in his back and due to his physical condition. ---Kathy

 

[Wazowski]

To the OP's question about the Safari- there are back/neck warnings and it's very bumpy, particularly for those of us who can't transfer out of our w/c's. I have poor head and trunk control also and despite having a custom head rest and neck brace it was painful for me. There's also alot of side to side movement so I felt pretty thrown around- in fact I slid almost out of my chair from the bumpy ride. The w/c ride vehicle doesn't go any slower although I wish it did! I would definitely ask your son's physician about any ride restrictions due to the rods in his back and due to his physical condition. ---Kathy

A good perspective that backs up my last sentence in that everyone is different. I personally didn't have a problem with it or find it that bumpy, but some others might. I agree that you should talk to his doctor and find out how much he can safely handle and go into it that it is a moderately bumpy ride. You may luck out and it could be less than you expect.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

We went at the end of Jan beginning of Feb and we didn't have a problem. My Emma (4) is in a power wheelchair. Yes, it is crowded and we had to ask a few people to move a little, but it was doable for us.

We want to make sure Emma sees EVERYTHING that she wants to. If that means it takes a little more time, that's fine. We are on vacation in DW, time doesn't matter!