Paraplegic on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster?

[Tallis]

I've read the FAQs and been on the ride many, many times myself, but still have a question.

Our oldest son is paraplegic. He's 34 and pretty strong and a large person, but really wants to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster on our December trip. He's never tried this one and it's super low. It takes ME a minute to get out.

My biggest question is if there is another loading area besides the main one? We will have our youngest son, 26/ big and strong, and my husband there to help. But I know he would not want to hold things up and have everyone watching him.

When I did a search here, I found conflicting answers. Any advice, especially from other paraplegics or their families would be greatly appreciated!!

Just to fill in to those that don't know what this is, he has ZERO control of his body from mid-abdomen down. His legs are basically dead weight. He was injured in 2007, so does well for himself, but this is the one ride I've been worried about him trying. I don't want him to get up there only to not be able to do it and have it mess up his day.

I KNOW that between his own strength, and his brother and dad, he would make it back into his chair. I also know this one is deep, so tricky and don't want him to have to do this with an audience.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[BillSears]

I've been a T6 complete paraplegic for 42 years and I used to do RnR back in my younger days. I'm 60 now and it's not worth the effort to me getting on and off plus I'm not sure I could even do it now.

I used to be able to do it. I can't remember if you load at the exit or load at the loading spot but there is no seperate loading area like Toy Story Midway Mania. There is a side door on an ADA car that might make it easier for him. My problem is how low the ride is. So I actually don't want the side door opened. I remember transfer from the seat to the side of the ride vehicle then up into my chair. If he can get from the floor to his chair that might be the easier way. Just pull himself out of the ride onto the floor then up into the chair.

Basically it can be done but because of how low it is it's not easy. Having the help of 2 others would be great, I used to do it solo. It's much harder than Big Thunder Mountain or Expedition Everest, those are easy transfers. But RnR is easier than Space Mountain.

 

[seashoreCM]

"Stop the world, I want to get on!"

If DS is capable of riding, he may. It does not matter if it takes him longer to get on or off.

By capable, I mean that he does not need to help control or restrain himself during the ride using muscular capabilities he no longer has. It's been a long time since I last rode Rock 'n Roller Coaster and that ride is now on my "never again" list. (I can no longer take the rapid acceleration at the start.) So I can't describe the ride idiosyncrasies any further. If an arbitrary person can ride it while remaining perfectly passive (limp), the shoulder restraints doing all the work holding him in place, and DS does not have sensitive push points on his body that given pressure can injure him further that an arbitrary person does not have, then DS should have no problems riding. Only he and/or a doctor can point out unusual sensitive push points.

The side door on an "accessible" ride car should be used or not used in a manner that family members do not have to wrench their backs or otherwise risk injury while assisting DS. (CMs are not supposed to touch guests.)

As far as being embarrassed, I will just opine: "Unlike right of way at an intersection, extra time to board is quietly taken and utilized, not given or proffered." Or you might bring a bedsheet which you cover him with while he is maneuvering in or out and which may have other uses such as shade from the sun.

 

[SueM in MN]

Rolling with the Magic has a great website with blog posts and good pictures.
There is a trial car you can look at privately to figure out strategy and you can load at the exit. http://www.rollingwiththemagicblog.com/accessible-attractions-rock-n-roller-coaster/

 

[BillSears]

Oh wow Sue thanks! The Rollingwith the magic site shows they've added a transfer device to allow one more spot to go to on the way back up into your wheelchair. That's a great addition.

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh wow Sue thanks! The Rollingwith the magic site shows they've added a transfer device to allow one more spot to go to on the way back up into your wheelchair. That's a great addition.

yes!
I thought it sounded different than before

 

[Tallis]

Thank you so much @SueMfor the link! I was all over the internet last night and never found that! EXACTLY the information I was looking for.

@BillSear, thank you for sharing your personal experience! You rock!

Two of our three sons are disabled from accidents, and navigating Disney can be a challenge. I'm the official researcher and want them both to have amazing trips.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you so much @SueMfor the link! I was all over the internet last night and never found that! EXACTLY the information I was looking for.

@BillSear, thank you for sharing your personal experience! You rock!

Two of our three sons are disabled from accidents, and navigating Disney can be a challenge. I'm the official researcher and want them both to have amazing trips.

Rolling With the Magic’s site is great. She explains everything very well and has good pictures.

 

[mamabunny]

@Tallis - I understand (as a lot of folks around here do) that no one wants that feeling of becoming part of the show while at WDW; it can be stressful enough just figuring out how you are going to handle everything, let alone feel like everyone is watching you.

But what I have learned over the years is that most of the time, people aren't staring directly at the person - they are more interested in the mechanics involved in the transfer/load/unload. Sometimes, it's because they have never been someplace like WDW, and have never seen someone who needs that particular accommodation in the real world. Sometimes, it's because they are watching to see how it is done so that they can tell a friend/family member back home "Hey, I saw someone just like you at Disney World, and they were able to (fill in the blank)". And sometimes it's someone like me, who already knows what is coming - that in the (sooner than I wish) near future I will be making those same transfers, and so I am watching to learn *how to do it* myself.

Anyone who outright stares, or makes comments is simply coming from a place of ignorance and/or fear. And while it's not necessarily our job to educate them, I have learned that a big 'ol smile and a wave in their direction tends to either cause them to look away, or you wind up with a new friend at the end of the ride!

There are *so* many people at WDW - and the chances of ever seeing someone again are so very slim... If you (and your entire family) act as if the way your son loads/unloads is normal for him (and it is) then everyone else will too. If you all are confident and comfortable with the situation, everyone else around you will be as well.

 

[Staren]

As usual, @mamabunny gas the great explanation. I’ll just expand a touch on where she ended. The attitude that your family project will give the oher guests cues on how to act. Some people will fill in the blanks with their own experiences. Others will react purely on how they see you responding. If they see someone dealing with a disability and projecting confidence, they will most often reflect positivity. They will probably still look. Curiosity is a powerful thing, but it’s not automatically bad.

 

[RaySharpton]

@Tallis - I understand (as a lot of folks around here do) that no one wants that feeling of becoming part of the show while at WDW; it can be stressful enough just figuring out how you are going to handle everything, let alone feel like everyone is watching you.

But what I have learned over the years is that most of the time, people aren't staring directly at the person - they are more interested in the mechanics involved in the transfer/load/unload. Sometimes, it's because they have never been someplace like WDW, and have never seen someone who needs that particular accommodation in the real world. Sometimes, it's because they are watching to see how it is done so that they can tell a friend/family member back home "Hey, I saw someone just like you at Disney World, and they were able to (fill in the blank)". And sometimes it's someone like me, who already knows what is coming - that in the (sooner than I wish) near future I will be making those same transfers, and so I am watching to learn *how to do it* myself.

Anyone who outright stares, or makes comments are simply coming from a place of ignorance and/or fear. And while it's not necessarily our job to educate them, I have learned that a big 'ole smile and a wave in their direction tends to either cause them to look away, or you wind up with a new friend at the end of the ride!

There are *so* many people at WDW - and the chances of ever seeing someone again are so very slim... If you (and your entire family) act as if the way your son loads/unloads is normal for him (and it is) then everyone else will too. If you all are confident and comfortable with the situation, everyone else around you will be as well.

As usual, @mamabunny has a great explanation. I’ll just expand a touch on where she ended. The attitude that your family project will give the other guests cues on how to act. Some people will fill in the blanks with their own experiences. Others will react purely on how they see you responding. If they see someone dealing with a disability and projecting confidence, they will most often reflect positivity. They will probably still look. Curiosity is a powerful thing, but it’s not automatically bad.

Great info as usual mamabunny and Staren. Thank you both.