Moving walkway issues

[sueernieb]

I have Parkinsons and therefore a balance problem. I got a GAC card the last time we were at DisneyWorld and most CMs were not very helpful. Some slowed the walkways-some said they were as slow as they could go. Most seemed annoyed that I asked.I did not try Peter Pans flight and a couple of others that could not be slowed. We are going again in February and I hate to miss out on so many rides.Anyone have any stories or suggestions?

Sue

 

[Chuck S]

I'm sorry you had problems loading. I used to travel with my Mom who had trouble loading because of a hip surgery.

Peter Pan, as you said can't be slowed. And the Peoplemover really is a bad loading ramp for any disability, no matter what you do. I've never had issues with them stopping Buzz Lightyear or Haunted Mansion when needed. Those are the only load belt/ramps I can think of at MK.

Spaceship Earth, at Epcot loads through the exit if you need assistance, they usually slow it, but it can be stopped if needed. And Nemo (Living Seas) can be stopped as needed. And again, I never had issues at EPCOT. Aren't those the only attractions with moving load belts or ramps?

 

[sueernieb]

Now that I think about it those probably are the only ones. I should explain further that my legs are not very strong and I have problems with attractions that require you to climb out using the seat as the first step. Without doing too much thinking that includes Small World, Pirates, Jungle cruise,Norway, Mexico and I am sure there are more. I guess I should be asking myself why I am even going.

Sue

 

[Chuck S]

Now that I think about it those probably are the only ones. I should explain further that my legs are not very strong and I have problems with attractions that require you to climb out using the seat as the first step. Without doing too much thinking that includes Small World, Pirates, Jungle cruise,Norway, Mexico and I am sure there are more. I guess I should be asking myself why I am even going.

Sue

Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Test Track, Kali River Rapids also have a high step.

But I was always able to help Mom onto them. If you travel with someone that can hold you steady and support you, they are do-able. Getting out is more difficult than getting in on those types of rides. Small World has a wheelchair accessible boat without a big step, but you'll have to wait for it to come around, and you'll still probably need someone to help guide you to a seat, as there is not much to hold onto.

 

[lanejudy]

Post #28 in the FAQ sticky discusses rides/attractions with moving walkways. The PeopleMover (TTA) and PeterPan can NOT be stopped, but all other rides should be able to slow or even stop the walkway. You'll need to mention this before you reach the point of boarding, though, because you may need to board at the exit to get the walkway slowed.

Will you have a companion traveling with you who can offer you some assistance - either on the moving walkways or on the rides you find difficult to get off? Unfortunately, CMs cannot offer direct assistance if you need help getting out of the ride car.

A cane or other walking aid may also help, even if you don't need it all the time. My father uses a cane for balance issues, though he is generally able to get around without it. But he always brings it when he goes out anywhere just as extra "insurance."

There is plenty to do at WDW even with your challenges. I suggest stopping by Guest Relations, explain your prior experience and how it did NOT help, and see what they can recommend this time.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[sueernieb]

Chuck, I did not mention those things as I am on blood thinners andvannot ride rollar coaster type rides. I have lots of issues.
My husband will be with me and can help.

 

[ttintagel]

I find I get about a 50/50 response from the CM's at the Haunted Mansion about slowing the walkway.

(I would love to sit in on some training sessions for those CM's - the most inconsistent in all 4 parks.)

 

[sueernieb]

Years ago the CMs were so helpful and friendly. Some still are but many are actually rude.

Sue

 

[POOHsie]

On the new Little Mermaid ride, I transferred from my scooter to a manual wheelchair. At the start of the moving walkway, where you would load in your ride car, the CM told me to get out of the wheelchair, get on to the moving walkway by myself, grab on to a ride car and get in. I told her I couldn't walk, but she insisted I try. I was too afraid of falling. Another CM actually wheeled the manual chair onto the moving walkway, pulled up to a ride car and I got in with no problem. That technique worked for me because the walkway and the ride car were going at the same pace, so it wasn't like taking steps. The first CM explained that they were trying to do things in a new way. My thought, which I kept to myself, was some of these young people don't want to deal with you if you said you couldn't walk, and they were going to try to give you no option but to step onto a moving platform without assistance. Good luck with that! I'm the first one who wants to walk on my own without falling, believe me. It was very sorry treatment from a so-called trained worker.

 

[Chuck S]

On the rides where you have to step down into a boat, I found it worked well if I boarded first, then helped Mom down into the boats. It also worked good if I was able to exit first, I could help her stand up, then step up and help her with the step, though that depends upon the ride, as some rides load/exit the same side of the boat, others are opposite load/exit. On the boats that load/exit same side, I'd help her stand, and step onto the seat, then she'd grab the hand holds on the dock and I'd give her a little boost over the step.

 

[Michigan]

You can go to Peter Pan around a half hour before closing and ask if they will let you be the last ride of the night. Once everyone is off the ride they can stop the moving sidewalk and you will ride through when the CM's do their ride for the night.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Some moving walkways are a problem. Naming the rides is useless because all CMs do not respond to our needs in the same way. It feels as if they "make up" the rules as they go along.

Rules should be set - final answer. Changing things around constantly is both confusing and frightening if one is trying to master getting on a ride with balance issues. I know it doesn't look very difficult, but it is horrifying to have a CM tell you that they cannot stop the belt they stopped yesterday - after you have waited for that ride for a long period of time.

Why build a ride that they cannot stop? The Ariel ride was just built. They did stop it for me, but not for the next person. This is confusing.

Thank you for the Peter Pan tip, Michigan. We have APs at WDW, but I have never had a chance to ride Peter Pan. I am so excited now to think that maybe I can ride it. Thanks again, Michigan!

 

[Tiggerish]

I also have problems with balance, doing a step (up or down) and leg strength due to my progressive MS. However, I love the Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan and the PeopleMover (Transit Authority).

For some unknown reason, I can do the moving walk on Peter Pan with only minimum concentration and the People Mover with maximum concentration. On the People Mover, I frequently ask if I can stay on and ride again and have never been refused. That way I get two rides for one risking of my life!

On the Jungle Cruise, they can tie a boat to the dock and make it steadier and they have you get on first which means you then exit last. That makes it doable for me, even when I am by myself - the rest of my family does not understand my love for this ride.

On Buzz, Nemo, Space Ship Earth and the new Ariel ride, the cast members have all seen my staggering walk towards the ride car and immediately slowed down the walkway. I think I walk just fine for short distances but my family frequently mentions I look like a drunk duck, a slow drunk duck, so I guess it is a matter of your prospective.

 

[seashoreCM]

Some moving walkways are a problem.

Rules should be set - final answer. Changing things around constantly is both confusing and frightening if one is trying to master getting on a ride with balance issues. I know it doesn't look very difficult, but it is horrifying to have a CM tell you that they cannot stop the belt they stopped yesterday - after you have waited for that ride for a long period of time.

Why build a ride that they cannot stop? The Ariel ride was just built. They did stop it for me, but not for the next person. This is confusing.

For some rides like Peter Pan, all ride vehicles have to be stopped at the same time the walkway is stopped. For ride vehicles that hang from an overhead conveyor belt, they can sway annoyingly when stopped and restarted.

I , the cast members have all seen my staggering walk towards the ride car and immediately slowed down the walkway. I think I walk just fine for short distances but my family frequently mentions I look like a drunk duck, a slow drunk duck, so I guess it is a matter of your prospective.

Could you hold onto parts of the ride vehicle as it moves with the walkway? If you bent over so as to lower your center of gravity, would that help?

 

[POOHsie]

Some moving walkways are a problem. Naming the rides is useless because all CMs do not respond to our needs in the same way. It feels as if they "make up" the rules as they go along.

Rules should be set - final answer. Changing things around constantly is both confusing and frightening if one is trying to master getting on a ride with balance issues. I know it doesn't look very difficult, but it is horrifying to have a CM tell you that they cannot stop the belt they stopped yesterday - after you have waited for that ride for a long period of time.

Why build a ride that they cannot stop? The Ariel ride was just built. They did stop it for me, but not for the next person. This is confusing.

Thank you for the Peter Pan tip, Michigan. We have APs at WDW, but I have never had a chance to ride Peter Pan. I am so excited now to think that maybe I can ride it. Thanks again, Michigan!

Speaking again of the Little Mermaid ride. The CMs didn't stop the moving walkway for me, or offer to. As I mentioned earlier, a CM wheeled me to a ride car with the belt running, and I was able to transfer no problem. However, take someone else with more severe issues, and they may not be able to transfer in time before they reach the end of the moving walkway. Then what? That kind of assistance is taking needless risk. Disabled people shouldn't be played with so cavalierly. They could really get hurt badly.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Speaking again of the Little Mermaid ride. The CMs didn't stop the moving walkway for me, or offer to. As I mentioned earlier, a CM wheeled me to a ride car with the belt running, and I was able to transfer no problem. However, take someone else with more severe issues, and they may not be able to transfer in time before they reach the end of the moving walkway. Then what? That kind of assistance is taking needless risk. Disabled people shouldn't be played with so cavalierly. They could really get hurt badly.

Perfect way of putting it into words! It is frightening & needless to be the handicapped individual in that timed circumstance. I cannot rush, my body just doesn't know how any longer. Many others share this type of disability. Rushing is just not possible.