Na'vi, Pirates, FEA - all a "no go" because of low seats?

[nuzmom]

I have very limited use of my left leg/side. I feel confident that I could get into the seats on these rides, but I'm out of options for getting OUT of the boats! Do I need to accept that I just can't ride them?

I have a small step stool (folds to about the size of a kindle) that I've thought of trying for stepping out of the boats, but it's the initial standing up that's the issue. I can stand from a "chair", and with help something lower, but exactly how low are these seats????

Also - we bought a gait belt thinking it would help my family give me the initial boost up to my feel. But, it slides up.

I'm sorry for all the questions/confusion. Thank you for any help!

 

[gap2368]

if you could stand up from a low seat, and then use the low set to step up on then step out of the boat, with the use of a cane, and family to help you would this work? I will be there next week and plan on riding the river ride in Pandora, but if I remember right it was the same height as IASW.

 

[nuzmom]

The *if* is the standing up from the low seat. If I can figure out that part, I can do the rest. I've always thought the seats in IASW are low - I couldn't do them now.

 

[bookgirl]

Not to be a Debbie Downer but my mom has problems with low seats (bad knees) and she has gotten to the point where she does not do anything that requires her to 'step down' into a boat or ride or if it requires her seated in such a way that her legs are less than 90 degrees sometimes she even needs help at 90 degrees if her feet are not in just the right position and she has no arm/hand holds. (if her rear is lower than her knees she can not get up unassisted)

She no longer does Pirates/Norway/and honestly she thinks she will have to give up Jungle Boat as well. She hasn't been on Living with the Land in a couple of years but I think even that may be too much of a step. (I can't convince her to use a chair)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I have very limited use of my left leg/side. I feel confident that I could get into the seats on these rides, but I'm out of options for getting OUT of the boats! Do I need to accept that I just can't ride them?

1) Alas, I think you have answered your own question.
2) Disney tries to design rides, access, and seating for the general public.
3) Other than some changes for ADA, there is not much room (pardon the pun) for other disability issues.
4) I had a major knee problem years ago, and had to forego rides when my knee would not bend well enough for the seating configuration(s).
5) Sorry for the semi-bad news.

 

[nuzmom]

Thank you all for your replies. Sometimes reality stinks!

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you all for your replies. Sometimes reality stinks!

Boy, don't it!

But - as one who cant' ride Pirates or FEA, and will likely never be able to ride the new Pandora rides at all - what I learned to do years ago was to "cheat" and while my family rides, I watch a POV ride video (usually from Big Fat Panda) and sit in the shade on my ECV, and then we all go on down the road.

I'm at Disney as much to make memories with my family as I am to ride the rides; and while I wish I could ride everything, the reality is that I can no longer do Peter Pan, or a bunch of the other rides that I love so much. So instead, my focus is on making those great memories in other ways; special meal experiences (like Hoop Dee Do Revue) or other fun "extras" like the Pirates N Pals Fireworks Cruise, or getting matching Mother-Daughter Henna at the Morocco pavilion at Epcot, or having our caricature done at Disney Springs. Some of our happiest memories don't really even require us to be *at* Disney World; they arise simply from those special moments that happen when we are all together, and have let the real world slide away, along with all of our worries for a while.

Don't mourn what you can't you do at WDW - instead find and focus on what you can. It's so easy to get caught up in the planning, and trying to have the "perfect" trip... My wish for you is that you have the most fun, and the most Magical trip you possibly can!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm at Disney as much to make memories with my family as I am to ride the rides

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.
5) Yes.
6) With the exception on riding brand new rides as part of "Cast Previews", the ONLY ride I have done in the past five years is Carousel of Progress. *
7) This is as much of a "must" for me as getting a "Mickey Ice Cream Bar" during a visit.

* I saw CoP at the 1964 New York World's Fair and I need to see it at WDW on every visit. More than a passion, it has become a compulsion.

 

[nuzmom]

Totally agree with making memories with family!!! And, we have our "only on WDW vacations" traditions - like playing pictionary and card games at the room, buying ho-ho's (off-site store), etc. The thing is, they aren't going to ride something without me, and THAT makes me SAD. I'm trying to explain that I want to "live through them" and I'm not ready for this cancer to "beat us". I still have a little time before we leave and I am making progress in explaining how I feel, but if I can figure out a way to ride together, I'm going to.
I just bought a different gait belt with leg straps & will try it at home. If it works, I'm going to do Na'vi River. Tweaks in my meds may also give me some strength and mobility back - we see my neuro-oncologist 2 days before leaving. Although I hate my steroid, simply increasing it for a few days may help a bunch. We'll see what she recommends. My DH and DS have picked me up off our floor before, so I'm open to the idea of trying the ride. Maybe.

I'm so VERY VERY thankful for being able to go on this vacation at all!!!! We all need a break and to escape into that Disney bubble for a while. I know it will be different, and I'm trying to take specific health precautions, but we all need to "get away" for a little while, and I'm so thankful that this is working out. Even my (extremely healthy, 88 yr old) Mom has said multiple times how much she's looking forward to it. We're going to have a great time.

Thank you all for your replies and encouragement.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm trying to explain that I want to "live through them" and I'm not ready for this cancer to "beat us"

PERSONAL OPINION:
1) I would not use the phrase, "live through them".
2) I heard that when my mother was dying from emphysema.
. . . it made us feel bad for her not to join us
. . . it actually made us (brother and myself) feel guilty
3) It sounded better when she said, "I want to take pictures of YOU on the ride, and the view is better from here."

 

[nuzmom]

TheRustyScupper - sorry for your loss.

 

[DisneyOma]

Totally agree with making memories with family!!! And, we have our "only on WDW vacations" traditions - like playing pictionary and card games at the room, buying ho-ho's (off-site store), etc. The thing is, they aren't going to ride something without me, and THAT makes me SAD. I'm trying to explain that I want to "live through them" and I'm not ready for this cancer to "beat us". I still have a little time before we leave and I am making progress in explaining how I feel, but if I can figure out a way to ride together, I'm going to.
I just bought a different gait belt with leg straps & will try it at home. If it works, I'm going to do Na'vi River. Tweaks in my meds may also give me some strength and mobility back - we see my neuro-oncologist 2 days before leaving. Although I hate my steroid, simply increasing it for a few days may help a bunch. We'll see what she recommends. My DH and DS have picked me up off our floor before, so I'm open to the idea of trying the ride. Maybe.

I'm so VERY VERY thankful for being able to go on this vacation at all!!!! We all need a break and to escape into that Disney bubble for a while. I know it will be different, and I'm trying to take specific health precautions, but we all need to "get away" for a little while, and I'm so thankful that this is working out. Even my (extremely healthy, 88 yr old) Mom has said multiple times how much she's looking forward to it. We're going to have a great time.

Thank you all for your replies and encouragement.

Have your DH and DS sit on either side of you. One gets out before you, (or stands beside you) braces and offers an arm/hand. The other (probably your husband, unless your son is very comfortable with putting his hands on your butt) gets to slide hands under your butt and push up. If that's too much, try a long towel or other sturdy piece of fabric to sit under your butt. When it is time to get up, the people on each side of you grab hold of the towel and lift.

If heat helps keep the knees mobile, think about bringing some pocket warmers and using those while you ride to keep the knees from tightening too much. But be careful not to burn your skin.

Yup, we've dealt with some issues like this. If you have two people strong enough to haul you up off the floor, you can ride just about anything with a seating bench that will fit the 3 of you. Just make sure to spread those attractions out during the day, for everyone's welfare.

 

[nuzmom]

DisneyOma - great advice. Thank you.

 

[ttintagel]

Carousel of Progress is a must-do for us, as well! Those doses of old Disney charm are getting fewer every year, and we need to enjoy them while they last. Not that there's anything wrong with all of the new attractions, but there's just something so sweet about the old future!

 

[SueM in MN]

Posts 18-21 on the disABILITIES FAQs thread might be helpful to you.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/
It lists the attractions that might be difficult for guests to get in and out of and explains a bit about what might make it difficult. The getting in is usually easier than getting out because getting in, you are working with gravity and getting out, you are working against it.

Those posts also lists which attractions have wheelchair cars. That might be helpful because transferring to a wheelchair at the attraction might allow you to get onto something you could not transfer to. If you are not traveling with a wheelchair, you would need to discuss with the CM at the ride entrance.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Have your DH and DS sit on either side of you. One gets out before you, (or stands beside you) braces and offers an arm/hand. The other (probably your husband, unless your son is very comfortable with putting his hands on your butt) gets to slide hands under your butt and push up. If that's too much, try a long towel or other sturdy piece of fabric to sit under your butt. When it is time to get up, the people on each side of you grab hold of the towel and lift..

There are many different "patient mover" or "patient transport" devices. Some are even like soft blankets that you Velcro in place and then are more able to lift/slide the patient. See if you can find a style that can work for your family?

I understand wanting some assistance! I had to be the loader on our trip... DH managed the DD5 while I stabilized the other family members and hauled them up out of IASW, POTC, etc.

 

[nuzmom]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Our Sept trip was cancelled, so now I'm focusing on a December vacation.
We are changing my chemo/meds to hopefully regain some mobility/independence, but we really don't know what December will look like for me. I did find and buy a gait belt with leg straps. We've used it a couple times for transport into our SUV.
I'll look into the soft blanket type things - if you have any type of link, please post it.
Thanks.

 

[Bete]

Could you try a different gait belt? They are not all alike. Some slip more than others.

Also, for those certain rides you may have to get the gait belt a little tighter for a few minutes and grab it at the belt buckle; so, it won't slip. You can loosen it afterwards. You may have to practice this at home off a sofa or whatever; until, you get a way it works.

Otherwise, I honestly would just skip those rides as a whole; be a family and do those rides you can do together. See more shows, parades, and fireworks instead.

 

[mamabunny]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Our Sept trip was cancelled, so now I'm focusing on a December vacation.
We are changing my chemo/meds to hopefully regain some mobility/independence, but we really don't know what December will look like for me. I did find and buy a gait belt with leg straps. We've used it a couple times for transport into our SUV.
I'll look into the soft blanket type things - if you have any type of link, please post it.
Thanks.

Dang. I'm sorry you had to cancel September (but after Irma, I'm guessing you aren't alone in that department!) but hey, now you get to look forward to December - and oh I am so happy for you, because Christmastime at WDW is just so Magical!

You just keep going strong, and we will all be right here, rooting for you! More than anything, I hope that this delay gives you the chance to get some mobility restored - and you won't have to worry about the warm temps either! Remember to pack some lovely soft pashminas or wraps - I love to bring along nice, big soft comfy ones that I can put over my head (my ears get so cold!) and wrap all the way around me at night when it gets a bit chilly!

 

[nuzmom]

@mamabunny - thank you so much!!!!
Planning for WDW really gives me something to look forward to, and to fill my "days". We, too, LOVE WDW at Christmas and not dealing with summer heat will definitely be an advantage. I very much appreciate the "distraction" (and normalcy) of thinking/planning a WDW vacation!!!!! Thank you for cheering me on!