Oh no! One month to go, and bad news!

[emacat]

We just found out that, due to an emergency knee surgery in just over a week, our trip is in danger. While hobbling around on crutches or using a wheelchair will work, it leaves no one to ride the big rides with the ten and eleven year olds that are EAGER to get back on ToT and SM.

Is there any solution at all that anyone can think of? The kids don't need to ride the big stuff the whole five days, but even if they could just have a day, or a morning to catch the rides they really want, it would be fantastic. Otherwise, we might just have to cancel and wait until next year, since this was our only week we coud manage vacation this year.

 

[stevejanelle]

Disney should let 10 and 11 year olds ride alone, without an adult. You could just wait outside the exit while they ride. I understand, though, if you wouldn't be comfortable with that.

 

[GrandBob]

Yep, minimum age to ride alone at Disney is 7. So they can get in line together.

While I wouldn't be comfortable with leaving a 7 yo alone (my DGD is 7), I think 10 and 11 is a different story. When I was 9, me and my 10 yo brother went all over Disney together, meeting back up with the family hours later. Now, I realize that today's world is different than that of 1960, but I think leaving them in line and waiting at the exit, with strict instructions for them to stay at the exit until they find you, is reasonable for most 10 or 11 year olds. JMHO.

-Bob

 

[emacat]

Thanks! As long as they both do the rides, I'm not too worried now. The only thing that still has me nervous is when one won't ride a ride that the other one is eager to. (one is more hesitant!)

 

[mystic_path]

My friend had leg surgery a month before our trip last year cause she broker her femer, and she was in a wheel chair when we were there, and she was still able to ride the rides. They always have someone who will grab your hand as you get out if you need it. Like Space mountain, people who are in chairs get on a "Special" car that is off to the side of the main track, and they board you into one of those, then have this magical hydrolic thing that pushes your car onto the main track so you can ride the ride. Then once the ride is over it goes back to the side of the track. Other rides like Screamin', Pirates and Splash were amazing with her too and other people who were disabled. There was always someone around to grab your hand as you exit out of the carts.

They say as long as you can get yourself in and out in about 40 seconds your good! Other rides are really patient until you are all set.

 

[JeannieNM]

I am a mom and a t5 para and use a wheelchair full time and have my dd entire life. My DD has been riding all rides alone as soon as she was tall enough, DL, DW, state fair. Just have the one that does not want to ride go with the one that does and when they are ready to load they one can bail. Even with a wheelchair you can go through most of the lines and see your child loaded into the ride then go to the exit if you feel more comfortable that way. At 10 and 11 if they are together I would find a nice tree and park under it and read a book while you wait. I really would not worry, they will be fine.

 

[JeannieNM]

I am a mom and a t5 para and use a wheelchair full time and have my dd entire life. My DD has been riding all rides alone as soon as she was tall enough, DL, DW, state fair. Just have the one that does not want to ride go with the one that does and when they are ready to load they one can bail. Even with a wheelchair you can go through most of the lines and see your child loaded into the ride then go to the exit if you feel more comfortable that way. At 10 and 11 if they are together I would find a nice tree and park under it and read a book while you wait. I really would not worry, they will be fine.

 

[emacat]

Thank you to everyone, I'm feeling much better already! We had such a great time two years ago, that I don't want the kids to miss out this year!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you don't want to get in lines with them (and if you are in a wheelchair/ECV you can use the entrances that allow those in, and your kids can go in with you) and then just not ride (take the "chicken exit"), I'm sure they will be more than fine alone.

And if one doesn't want to ride, the other can still wait in line with them, then at the end take the exit.

 

[mystic_path]

Thank you to everyone, I'm feeling much better already! We had such a great time two years ago, that I don't want the kids to miss out this year!

I highly doubt that your kids are going to miss out. Cause if your in a chair you get to go through the exits on rides and are boarded pretty quick. Like the last poster mentioned you would be able to see your kids boarded and unboarded if it came down to you not wanting to ride. At least that definitely can give you a piece of mind.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yup, I say as long as they are well behaved, let them go on alone. When I was growing up our town had one day over spring break that they would bus all the middle school kids to Disneyland for the day. I signed up every year with my friends and we went around the park alone and all we had were three times we had to "check in" with the chaperones. I think my first trip was age 11, luckily we were well behaved kids, and we had a blast.

Good luck!

 

[chrissiecutie]

I would suggest that you enter with them through the exits, which you can do if you're in an electric chair. Some rides require manual/push chairs to be left at the enterance.

So go in the exit in your ECV, either go on the rides with them or hang out until they get back and then you all exit together. This way they can still ride and you can still be the protective parent and stay with your kiddos. I know I would want to! But heaven forbid...don't cancel!!

Disney does also have a guide book for guests with disabilities, we always refer to it as it's super helpful. I believe you can find it somewhere online or at guest services in the parks.

Have fun!

 

[pixiewings71]

My girls go on rides, well went, when we were going all the time. Anyway, my girls rode all those rides together, no adults. DBF and I would wait at the exits or at a pre-determined place and it wasn't any type of issue at all. They loved that we let them be so independent, and we loved the breaks where we got to just sit around. LOL

 

[Tikestoublie]

Last time I took my DD she was 10 and she is way more adventurous than me! For Tot they had me go up with her in the elevator to where they are seated for the ride and then I went downstairs to meet her at the exit. Did this for a few others as well. It was easy and had no concerns about her safety as the CMs were very helpful and made sure I was at the right exit to meet her right after.

At that age I wouldn't let her wander to a ride to wait by herself, but going on it if I got her to the seating area - no worries. And especially if the 2 are together I think you would be fine.

Hope that helps and best of luck on the surgery and a speedy recovery.

 

[honugirl]

OK, so there was some good info in this, and some misinformation.

CM's CANNOT pick up or assist in any type of transfer of a person. They can basically steady you with their hand, but cannot assist in any way, shape or form. This is fact because I've asked my CM friend.

Some rides you MIGHT enter from the exit in an ECV, others have their own entrance and most are mainstreamed. The best thing to do in this situation is to get the tan pamphlet regarding locations of disability entrances and speaking to CM's that are CURRENTLY working at the ride. There are some inconsistencies, so what is done once, may not always be correct every time.

One thing to think about is whether or not you can successfully brace yourself with that leg on rides like Space, Matterhorn, or Screamin. If not, you might want to rethink those rides.

Good luck.

 

[JeannieNM]

I would suggest that you enter with them through the exits, which you can do if you're in an electric chair. Some rides require manual/push chairs to be left at the enterance.

So go in the exit in your ECV, either go on the rides with them or hang out until they get back and then you all exit together. This way they can still ride and you can still be the protective parent and stay with your kiddos. I know I would want to! But heaven forbid...don't cancel!!

Disney does also have a guide book for guests with disabilities, we always refer to it as it's super helpful. I believe you can find it somewhere online or at guest services in the parks.

Have fun!

You can not use the wheelchair entrance (going in the exit etc. if you are not going to ride). Some of the CMs will be understanding and let you do this but it is generally not aloud since your kids are older. The person in the wheelchair most ride the ride. Like I said individual CMs will make exceptions but others won't. Remember most of them are not parents and have no understanding of why you are doing this, they just think you are line cutting. Used to make me crazy when dd was younger, once she turned 10, I let it go.