Need plan of attack for AK

[Leslie]

Hi!
I will be taking my parents to WDW in early December. I am looking for a basic guide or schedule of how to tour AK. My mom will be in a wheelchair, so several rides are out of the question due to her disabilities - Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur, & Kalie River Rapids.

How would you recommend touring Animal Kingdom?

Thanks!

 

[Harambe]

Hi from another Leslie!

We always start our day at Tough to Be a Bug, then head over to Dinosaur. But since you won't be doing Dinosaur, I'd find out the time of the first Festival of the Lion King, and see if you can do the animal trail in Africa (Pangali - I never get the name right!) then head to Camp Minnie Mickey for FotLK. After that, head to Flights of Wonder and then the tiger trail in Asia.

Secure a nice spot by the Dawa Bar for the parade. It is a lot of fun!

 

[bigmac5]

Hi from another Leslie!

We always start our day at Tough to Be a Bug, then head over to Dinosaur. But since you won't be doing Dinosaur, I'd find out the time of the first Festival of the Lion King, and see if you can do the animal trail in Africa (Pangali - I never get the name right!) then head to Camp Minnie Mickey for FotLK. After that, head to Flights of Wonder and then the tiger trail in Asia.

Secure a nice spot by the Dawa Bar for the parade. It is a lot of fun!

I agree. There is lots to see. I was surprised that AK was my favourite park. We were there the end of Aug and there are several street shows that you will probably enjoy since you won't be rushing around to the rides. I thought Lion King was the best and really enjoyed Tarzan Rocks. And grab lunch at Flame Tree BBQ--the ribs are the best--just fall off the bone. It is a great place to relax and have fun.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm not so sure the Safari ride would be out of the question for a wheelchair-bound guest. I thought maybe they had some of those vehicles outfitted so that a wheelchair could roll onto a row or two of them in the front or the back. I could be wrong, I suppose.

Kali River Rapids, unfortunately, really is out of the question, since guests have to climb down into the seats on it. But in early December, getting wet on KRR might not be the most pleasant thing anyway!

Dinosaur I don't know about. I can't remember exactly how those cars are set up, but I would imagine that as rough as the ride is, it would be tough to secure a wheelchair very well.

I'd probably avoid Chester & Hester's Dinoland in your case. That area really only contains 2 rides worth riding if you're an adult: Dinosaur (which you probably can't ride) and Primieval Whirl, which would also be difficult if not impossible for wheelchair-bound guests to get on. Most of the rest of it is the kiddie ride: Triceratops Spin, which is a Dumbo/Carpet Ride knockoff, and more kids' activities and some carny-type games.

Hope this helps!

 

[Skroops]

These are great suggestions! We like the AK differently, because we totally wander. Each time we notice different things! We definately wouldn't miss the Lion King, but for everything else we wander and enjoy. We totally love this park, it is so beautiful. You could plan the day out, or you could just "wing it" like we do. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, I'm quite sure there are some safari vehicles outfitted for wheelchairs. I was in one in May with Mom.

 

[Leslie]

Thank you for all your suggestions! I am very excited to take my Mom there for her first time! Unfortunately, due to her disabilities we have to be very careful with her neck. So any ride with a slight jerkiness/bumpiness to it is out of the question. She is disappointed that she won't be able to see the Safari, but we'll have a great time anyway!

Thanks again!

 

[eeyore45]

Have you posted on the disABILITY board here at the Dis? Several posters there are in wheelchairs and have a great insight to the parks!!

Good Luck!!

(dont forget to check out the shows Lion King, Flights of Wonder, Pocohantas... heads up on Its tough to be a bug, the wheelchair section is under the closed caption section, in the very far back of the theatre - and you miss the mass exodus of the bugs from the theatre!!)

 

[Leslie]

Thanks eeyore45! And thanks for the heads up on It's Tough to Be a Bug! She can transfer out of her wheelchair, so I definitely don't want her to miss the bug exodus!!

 

[bopper]

I reccommend you ask this question to the DisAbilities forum here on the disboards!