Jedi Training using wc?

[dopeynme]

Hi! DH and I will be traveling to WDW in July with friends and their DS 6. He is a huge Star Wars fan and we have been so excited, imagining him doing the Jedi training academy at DHS and fighting Darth Vader.

This weekend, he was diagnosed with a disease in which the bone in his hip is dying. It causes varying degrees of pain, some quite severe. We are thankful that the longterm prognosis is good (apparently, the bone regenerates? Worst case is that he might get arthritis in his 30's), but he will have 2 years of casts, crutches and pain.

We offered to cancel the trip, but so far his parents think that the trip would be great for all of their spirits. (Funny how things work out, DH and I have been going for years, but this is the first time we invited our friends). I have read a lot of good about WDW accommodating people with disabilities. (I have also travelled with my mom using a wc, so feel confident that we will be able to work out most things).

But can the child participate in the Jedi Training Academy if he is in casts and/or using a wc? If not, we will have to keep him far away from there so he does not get disappointed! (So far, he does not know about the trip at all). TIA for your help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am sure that if he is in a wheelchair (as opposed to a stroller with a "stroller as wheelchair" tag) they would have no problem integrating him into the Academy. The only problem I could foresee is maneuvering around while using a Light Saber.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm sure they couldn't completely exclude him. I've never seen the show so I don't know how inhibiting a WC would be. Maybe you could call and ask if they have a procedure in place for a situation like this. At least so you don't get down there and end up with a disappointed little guy.

 

[JennyG]

What an excellent idea!! I am sure they have a way to make it happen, just ask in advance. It's been a while since we saw the show, not sure if they use a ramp or stairs, but I'm sure a ramp can be added. I can see this being a "Wish" for terminal kids... so there just has to be a way!!

My son will be using a stroller as wheel chair for part of the trip this year. I think he is still too young for the Jedi Training, but who knows... maybe if he is ready at that time, we will put him in a wheel chair and do the same as you.

Good luck!

 

[dopeynme]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Please let us know what they say if you call, and how things go! I'm very interested to see how they handle this.

 

[Schmeck]

Do they still do random picks out of the crowd, or is there a queue system in use?

 

[peemagg]

From what I understand on another site that they don't just pick out of the crowds anymore. You have to get to the parks early and sign up with a CM somewhere in order to do it. They then tell you a time for your part in the show and when to be where you need to be. The source I got this from isn't sure though whether or not this was just the way they are doing it for Star Wars weekends or if it is all the time. I'll see if they can find out more info on this. They are in the parks all the time.

 

[Joanna71985]

They do first-come, first-serve for the shows all the time now

 

[SmallWorld71]

Do they still do random picks out of the crowd, or is there a queue system in use?

They were doing a queue system in March when a student of mine went and was first in line. Don't know if things have changed.

OP- If the queue system is still in place, I would go there right away and be in the first show as it will likely be the least crowded.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know this is an old thread, but today I was talking to a CM at the JTA. It is not uncommon for them to have a child in a regular wheelchair or a power chair participating. Because the child cannot control it, they do not do children in strollers, even if there is a "Stroller as Wheelchair" tag.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Thanks for the update!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Cheshire Figment.