How tough is the transfer to the Rock and Roller Coaster?

[BillSears]

I just got the Guide Books for Guests With Disabilities in the mail and the MGM one said that you have to be able to transfer "within a 30-second timeframe". I'm a paraplegic and pretty fast at transfers. But how tough is this one. I'm pretty sure I'm on and off of Big Thunder Mountain in 30 seconds. Well on for sure and off if the chair is waiting for me.

Has anyone done this transfer before who has advice.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Hi Bill - I don't use a wheelchair, just walking sticks, but I saw a wheelchair user get on R&RC when I was there last year. The biggest problem for me is that you can't swing your legs round but more have to "pick them up" and put them in the footwell of the ride. The footwell is quite cavernous.

I hope you can do it because it is one of my favourite rides (Test Track being the other). It is brilliant.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have any personal advice and haven't read nay hints.
I have read in the guidebook that there is a "practice car" in a private area that you can try out ahead of time. At least you'd know what the car is like and can plan your "boarding strategy". Just don't get so tired practicing that you can't keep up your speed.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
I have read in the guidebook that there is a "practice car" in a private area that you can try out ahead of time.

I took a look at this last trip. It is just off the loading area.

BTW, there is (or was) another 'practice car' at Test Track.

I decided that I could get into either car quite easily, because gravity would help me sliding down into either car. Getting out again would have been a different matter, because the seat in each car would have been just about level with the floor of the loading dock, and I dwouldn't have the strength to pull myself up to standing to step out.

Andrew

 

[BillSears]

Thanks for the reponses all. I'll have to try that practice car out. I'm pretty sure I can do it but just in case it won't hurt to try it first. I'll make sure I'm not doing this at the end of the day when I'm worn out.

 

[SueM in MN]

I decided that I could get into either car quite easily,
because gravity would help me sliding down into either car.
Getting out again would have been a different matter,
because the seat in each car would have been just about
level with the floor of the loading dock, and I dwouldn't
have the strength to pull myself up to standing to step out.

At Test Track, the regular loading area has the ride car located so that you have to step down (and up to get out) into the seating area. The seat is located just below the loading area floor and you need to step down into the seat to get in. I think the reason for doing this is so people didn't have to step over he side of the car to get in. (I hope that makes sense, and now I'll explain why I told you that).
At Test Track, there is an alternate loading/unloading area where the car is raised so that the seat is at about wheelchair seat level. You would still need to get over the side of the car, but you are working at wheelchair level. Someone else cued us in to this because the CMs don't mention it unless you ask (and the first time we asked, the CM told us we would have to load at the regular place - I think he thought DD could walk though). It worked well with my DD. We were able to park her wheelchair right next to the ride car, have her sit on the side of the car and sort of swing her in. The wheelchair was waiting for us when we unloaded in the same place. For Test Track, you can take your time getting in and out (we sure did). Since the load area is located just after the regular load area -an elevator ride up and out of view-, you don't have a curious crowd watching.
I have no idea if Rock N Roller Coaster has a set-up like this, but I would not have known about the one at TT except that someone told me.

 

[DramaTech]

Rock'n'Rollercoaster does not have a seperate load area as TT does, but you do load in the "unload" part of the ride. In other words, after everyone heads out to the gift shop, it's just you and the CMs in the unload area. So, there's not a crowd of onlookers watching you load. Also, the third (maybe 2nd?) car back has a side door that you can ask the CMs to open. It makes the step into and out of the car much easier for me as it takes off about 6 inches from the height of the side of the car. I know the guidebook says "30 second window", but I have never felt rushed on this, and the CMs are there to make sure everything is safe. I say "Go for it"...of course, it is my favorite ride...so, that might have something to do with it...