Prosthesis and rides??

[carj]

Does anyone here know where I can find specific information about rides and wearing a prosthesis?
Specifically, I would like to know how to find out which rides have the rider's legs "dangling".

My 7 year old has a prosthetic leg and will ride just about anything that he is tall enough to ride. I want to avoid getting in a line and then finding out that the ride is not appropriate or could result in him losing his leg!

I have looked at Disney's site and find info on lots of other disabilities but not this specific thing.

I know that they have it somewhere, (Sea World does) I just need to figure out where it is!

Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I think the only attraction where the legs dangle is Soarin'. I know you are elevated at Peter Pan, but I think the ride vehicles have floors in them (but it has been quite a time since I have ridden PP).

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'm with CF on this one, I think the only ride where your legs hang down is Soarin'. This is a gentle ride, without violent shaking, so he might well be OK with it. If he'd feel happier taking his prosthetic off, you could leave it either on the floor (check that this is OK, first) or with a Cast Member, as the cars set back down in exactly the same place as you take off from.

Peter Pan is fine, you are in an enclosed ride car (well, ship, actually). I don't tend to go on many of the thrill rides, but can't think of any that don't have a floor to the car. If you're in any doubt about a ride, you can always ask the Cast Member at the entrance to the ride queue.

Will he be using a wheelchair, or is he OK to walk long distances? The parks are pretty big (you can rack up 5-10 miles a day, apparently), and it might be worth considering, if he gets uncomfortable when he's on his feet for too long. The FAQ section has loads of information on wheelchairs at Disney, including rental companies that deal with pediatric chairs. Alternatively, he could use a rental stroller, if that wouldn't embarrass him.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[carj]

It was the description of Soarin' that made me worry. After reading that, I suddenly thought that there might be other rides that might have the same issue.

He is about the same as other kids his age as far as walking long distances. We are planning on bringing our sit and stand stroller because our 4 year old will need to ride as well. We usually bring that when we go anywhere where we will be doing a lot of walking. (Although with the 2 kids, we are pushing the weight limit!) I had considered renting a stroller but I think that the walk to the hotel room would do us in!

Thank you so much for your replies! It sounds like it will work out just fine! I will ask the ride operators once we get there about Soarin' though because I think that one may be an issue.

 

[mechurchlady]

Even if you can do something it is best to save energy. Rent a stroller or bring one from home. Save the yourself the trouble of carrying two worn out kids at the end of the day. You can get a GAC if he needs special accomdations (see FAQs).

As far as Soarin and losing a leg, It would hit the floor below and not hurt people. I feel that he should not have trouble with that ride unless he has a history of leg losses. The main concern for disabled people and Peter Pan ride is that it is on an overhead track and in some areas would require firemen removing guests with ladders.

As long as the leg is secured the CMs will not stop your kid from riding.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others that Soarin' is the only ride that 'dangles' you. All of the other attractions have floors in the ride car.
There is no information that I am aware of that lists anything about prosthetic limbs. WDW has a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park, but they are nowhere near as detailed as the guidebook for Seaworld. There is a link for the guidebook for each park in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

As was already mentioned, Soarin' is a very gentle ride, so even though it is elevated and your legs dangle, it's not a rough type ride that would tend to cause problems.
One ride I would caution you about, even if he's tall enough, is Primeval Whirl. It is a roller coaster that spins like the teacups while it is going up and down hills. That might make it hard for him to brace himself, especially if he can only use one leg.

 

[carj]

I read the description of Primeval Whirl and I think that we will skip that one!

I just have pictures in my head of him losing his leg and it falling down and being lost and that being the only thing that he remembers.

His leg is held in place by his residual limb, stump. He doesn't have a sleeve that holds it in place anymore because he is old enough to "flex" his leg and keep it in place if it is not on the ground. The sleeves are very hot and have a whole other set of problems so he only wears a sleeve when swimming. BUT, if he sits for long periods and his legs are not touching the ground, it does come off very easily. It isn't like it just falls off all the time, but dangling is really a problem.

It sounds like there are not very many rides that would be a problem or DIsney would have adressed this more. I think that he will have so much fun that even if we decide to skip Soarin', he won't even notice.

I really appreciate all of your replies so much! Thanks! I can't wait to get there! We have not told the kids that we are going and I am BURSTING to tell them!

 

[mechurchlady]

maybe you could put something like velcro tabs to keep the leg in place, not sure as the only amputee I knew was an older man.

At another park, probably orlando sea world, they call it the "tripod" and require a guest to be able to hold on with 3 limbs. The main problem with an artificial leg is the ability to brace oneself. Start off with easier rides like the teacups and build up until you see a problem with him not having enough strength to brace himself. On my bad days I have had to skip rides at DLR because either my legs or wrists were not strong enough.