How many rides have stairs/steps to enter?

[jaykat]

My Dh has a problem with his knee, which makes it painful for him to go up steps and stairs. He can walk ok, and can go up ramps but steps are a bit of a problem. I was wondering, how many of the rides/attractions have some (even if its 3 or 4) steps at the entrance? And, has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Sandy321]

several do - you might get a better response if you post on the Disabilty board here on the dis...

even if he can walk "ok" you might want to read the threads about renting ecv's - there are some great info on how it may effect your vacation!

good luck!!

 

[Robo]

My Dh has a problem with his knee, which makes it painful for him to go up steps and stairs. He can walk ok, and can go up ramps but steps are a bit of a problem. I was wondering, how many of the rides/attractions have some (even if its 3 or 4) steps at the entrance? And, has anyone else had this problem?

MOST attractions do not have stairs.

As I recall, Space Mountain has them at the entrance.
Splash Mountain has them near the entrance.
Big Thunder has some rather steep ramps, but no stairs.

There are accommodations for wheelchair boarding (many times via the exit.)

But, the steps are not always at the entrance.

Dinosaur, Star Tours, Test Track, and Toy Story Mania (likely a few more) have them just before boarding.

These can be avoided via a special elevator or special ramps.
Just ask a cast member.

 

[DWFan4Life]

I just wanted to say have a great time, have fun and enjoy in your upcoming trip. Looking forward in hearing more from you after you came back.

Have a nice and safe trip coming.

 

[simonsmom]

test track

 

[simonsmom]

no sory that may be a ramp. someone will confirm

 

[Schmeck]

Splash's stairs are near the boarding area. There are also a lot of stairs to get to the train station on Main Street and in Frontierland. The station at Toontown is flat, IIRC?

To use the alternate entrances to avoid stairs, you should get a GAC.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The OP can certainly investigate that further, Shcmeck - and the suggestion above to head over to the disABILITIES board is an excellent one - but Disney's response to Guests with mobility (or stamina) issues is generally to recommend renting a mobility assistance device - wheelchair or ecv.

 

[shellybaxter]

I have problems with my knees and stairs are not all that comfortable. I rent an ECV for other reasons, but it does keep me out of the stair lines. Your Dh should also be aware that some of the ride cars are a long way down and hurt my knees when I'm sitting in them. Some I remember are Test Track, Splash Mountain and Its a Small World. Just an FYI.

katieeldr - I've heard the same thing with regards to accomidation but I'm curious. Does Disney really expect a person to purchase an additional device (rent ECV or Wheelchair)just to avoid stairs ? That doesn't seem right

 

[Robo]

Does Disney really expect a person to purchase an additional device (rent ECV or Wheelchair)just to avoid stairs ? That doesn't seem right

Remember that a person (bad knees or not) can expect to walk for up to 5-7 miles in an average day at WDW.

 

[sherabby]

My mom had both knees replaced and went with us for the first time in many years. She did not attempt to get into the speedway cars in tomorrowland because they are very low.

 

[Mary976]

There's a difference between mobility/stamina concerns and just not being able to do stairs. If stairs are the only problem, Disney is happy to accommodate by letting someone use the wheelchair bypass. But for stamina concerns, WDW suggests the wheelchair or ECV, because as Robo points out, the concern is not the length of the ride lines, but the amount of walking around the park that's involved in getting from ride to ride.

Mary

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the disABILITIES! board.

 

[janiejake]

My Dh has a problem with his knee, which makes it painful for him to go up steps and stairs. He can walk ok, and can go up ramps but steps are a bit of a problem. I was wondering, how many of the rides/attractions have some (even if its 3 or 4) steps at the entrance? And, has anyone else had this problem?

Just came back from WDW. Tried walking, and found that all those hard surfaces (concrete) were pretty jarring. I ended up renting an ECV, and it made a world of difference. (Never used one before in my life; driving it was a piece of cake.) Just want to warn you about Toy Story Mania at DHS. It has many steps up and down. Did it ONCE. Next time I was on TSM (I left the ECV outside and walked in, both times), I told the CM I could not do the stairs, and there is another entrance before the stairs that is a shorter walk, and stairless. Ask the CM at each ride if there are stairs, and if so, ask to be directed to the wheelchair entrance for that ride. He will then avoid stairs. You will be able to go with him.

 

[SueM in MN]

no sory that may be a ramp. someone will confirm

Test Track has no stairs, but the whole queue is basically a long ramp that switches back and forth. Someone who has no problems with short ramps, may find the long ramped lines are more of a challenge.

There's a difference between mobility/stamina concerns and just not being able to do stairs. If stairs are the only problem, Disney is happy to accommodate by letting someone use the wheelchair bypass. But for stamina concerns, WDW suggests the wheelchair or ECV, because as Robo points out, the concern is not the length of the ride lines, but the amount of walking around the park that's involved in getting from ride to ride.

Mary

Since the OP mentioned "he can walk ok", does that mean he can do "OK" in his day to day walking around or he can do "OK" walking 5-7 miles a day?
There is a big difference in walking around at a mall for a day shopping than a day at WDW.

Just came back from WDW. Tried walking, and found that all those hard surfaces (concrete) were pretty jarring. I ended up renting an ECV, and it made a world of difference. (Never used one before in my life; driving it was a piece of cake.) Just want to warn you about Toy Story Mania at DHS. It has many steps up and down. Did it ONCE. Next time I was on TSM (I left the ECV outside and walked in, both times), I told the CM I could not do the stairs, and there is another entrance before the stairs that is a shorter walk, and stairless. Ask the CM at each ride if there are stairs, and if so, ask to be directed to the wheelchair entrance for that ride. He will then avoid stairs. You will be able to go with him.

If you have a wheelchair or ECV and are using it in lines, you will be directed to the accessible entrance which has no stairs or other things that a wheelchair would not be able to get thru. They will also direct you to that entrance with some visible sign of need (like a cane, walker, crutches).
If you don't have anything like that, you should go to Guest Relations and request a Guest Assistance Card (we call it GAC to avoid typing so much). Explain that you are not able to go up stairs and they will give you a GAC that allows you to avoid stairs.
If you just go to the ride and ask, the CM may not be able to let you use that entrance without a GAC.

 

[Schmeck]

My mother was not allowed to use the accessible ramp at the Frontierland train station because she did not have a GAC. She had a hard time with stairs on our last trip. Stubborn old goat wouldn't go get a GAC and we all suffered for it. She was able to do all the walking, just couldn't do the stairs (and I had to haul her in and out of ride vehicles). She actually outwalked me most of the time, and now that she had the shots in her knees she can do stairs no problem. Hopefully we'll get in another WDW trip soon.