Looking for tips...

[MightyMom]

We've been to WDW 3 times.... but my son has always been small enough that I could carry him onto rides. He is now 10 years old and 100+ pounds... and I'm really nervous about transferring him onto rides.

Any tips??

 

[Bete]

but if he's in a wheelchair you may have to stick with the rides that are accessible that way. You can go to the shows in a wheelchair very easily. I don't think a CM will assist you in this manner. You will have to skip some rides, but there's enough to do anyway. This forum can help you understand what's doable.

If he walks and has some difficulties and you are with two people then what we do is have one person in front and one person in back and we manage that way to help the person in and out of certain rides. It was doable for us and the CMs were patient with the extra time it took us to do it. We did avoid certain rides that are quick in nature (like test track) just cause we wouldn't be able to do it quick enough.

 

[MightyMom]

but if he's in a wheelchair you may have to stick with the rides that are accessible that way. You can go to the shows in a wheelchair very easily. I don't think a CM will assist you in this manner. You will have to skip some rides, but there's enough to do anyway. This forum can help you understand what's doable.

If he walks and has some difficulties and you are with two people then what we do is have one person in front and one person in back and we manage that way to help the person in and out of certain rides. It was doable for us and the CMs were patient with the extra time it took us to do it. We did avoid certain rides that are quick in nature (like test track) just cause we wouldn't be able to do it quick enough.

lol. I didn't describe much did I. He does use a wheelchair. He has gotten so big and I'm nervous about transferring him on rides. He can stand... and is learning to "walk" again after a surgery. He has cerebral palsy.

On a lot of rides it will be just one adult with him... because either my husband and I will have to hang back with our little one.

On a side note... DS10 is a dare devil and loves all the "big" rides and won't want to avoid anything. He doesn't let his disability stop him from doing anything...... makes me a nervous wreck.

 

[Bete]

A gait belt might help. It's a little conspicuous to wear, but it might be a good tool if there's only one person helping out. You can grab the belt and if you hold it well it's suppose to prevent a fall. It's not a perfect answer. The problem would be if you go in first then there's no one covering his back and if he goes first you could put yourself and him at risk. If he loses balance then you could fall; because, you are holding the belt or you both could go down.

I still feel it might be better to avoid rides that could present a safety issue. His willingness to do it all is great, but safety is a concern, too. As he gets better at walking he may be able to do it on the next trip more independently.

The only other idea would be for hubby to come with you to get on and off the rides, even if he doesn't join you. Then he could assist as necessary. You can exit the ride without going on in most instances. You may have some issues at the exiting portion of the ride if hubby can't go there easily. You would have to ask the CMs how to handle this aspect.

Disney is by far one of the best places for those with special needs.

 

[peemagg]

How well is he at transferring himself if he can just slide into an area? Can he transfer himself say from bed to wheelchair and back? If he can do that with minimal assistance it will make everything a bit more accessible and less lifting involved for all. I guess it would all be on his ability to help you with the transfers, as far as what he can or can not do.

I would also get a GAC and ask for something to be placed on it to allow for slower loading and unloading. It might mean that he would load at the place that others get off of the ride from and then ride around and then they load everyone else, but hey it just adds a little extra time on the ride (I'm thinking that might be the case at RNR).

 

[MightyMom]

thanks for the suggestions. We've got a few months until our trip... and since he is post surgery right now he is very weak.... but given a bit more time and a lot more PT I hope he'll get stronger and his endurance will increase.

I'm gonna start working with him on using a gait belt.... he won't like it.... but maybe it will help me with the stress on my lower back.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What, exactly, will he want to ride? Knowing that can help us give you more specific information.

 

[MightyMom]

What, exactly, will he want to ride? Knowing that can help us give you more specific information.

Big Thunder Mountain and Expedition Everest are his favorites. I hold onto him with a death grip because his body goes into extension when he's excited.

He'll want to do primevil whirl and test track.... but I'm nervous about those two because loading is so quick.

We've never done rockin' rollercoaster because I'm too scared about how fast it takes off.... wondering about his head control.

We never do Space Mountain because it's a one seater ride and I will only let him big rides if I'm sitting next to him.

I'm nervous about anything with a moving platform... kali river rapids, buzz lightyear, nemo.... all those scare me because we've always carried him onto those rides.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bete]

I'm nervous about anything with a moving platform... kali river rapids, buzz lightyear, nemo.... all those scare me because we've always carried him onto those rides.

Thanks in advance!

Buzz Lighyear has a special entrance for special needs. Ask a CM and they will help there. You need to stay right when you enter the queue with a wheelchair. At the special entrance they stop the ride and load the wheelchair with you on board. If he's in a wheelchair you are pretty safe especially if you have a seat belt with it. I believe most wheelchairs can be retrofitted with a seat belt. I love this ride; because, we often get to do it two or three times in a row. They are nice about it. It's not a guarantee to do multiple rides, but we have had good luck that way. I think your son will love this ride. Getting him to learn to aim at targets is probably a good skill to get him introduce to it. You may have to show him with the gun, but he'll catch on eventually. If the other child meets the height requirements you call all use the special entrances to the ride. Even if the other child is not going to hit targets, it's fun to ride. You can be together in case you need help, too.

Nemo is very much the same way with getting on the ride. The special entrance for this ride is harder to find and there's not an attendant there all the time to show you. I would ask before you enter the queue. They will load the wheeelchair with you on board.

If you refer to the disabilties guide you will see the rides that take the whole wheelchair on the rides. I was shocked that Jungle Cruise had special boats.

The only downside is that you may have to wait a little longer for the rides; because, the special wheelchair car has to come around for you to use it.

Also, I would try to find a way for both parents to do rides at the same time. Get a meeting point (like a quick service restaurant) for longer rides and your husband can go with the other child on some tamer rides with the younger one. You will accomplish a lot more that way. Also, it's an excellent time for hubby to bond with the other child. This will make it more fun for everyone.

I agree with the other poster to get a GAC. You may or may not use it, but it could help.