requirement to remove prosthetic leg

[poohsspoo]

Requirement to remove prosthetic
This will be my 1st trip as a leg amputee I will be hitting disney world, seaworld and universal.
Some of the rides at these parks require you remove your prosthetic in order to ride.
So big concern is when do you remove it?
Also what do you do with it once it's removed these things aren't cheap?
When do you get to put it back on?
I am looking for answers from an amputees experience not someone just reciting regulations.

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry, I can't answer your specific questions. (And yes, I know you wanted info from those with experience.)

But to my knowledge, WDW does NOT require prosthetics to be removed for any ride. I believe as long as you feel it is secure and won't fall off, there are no rules requiring removal. Can't speak for the other parks in question.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

I also do not have any specific experience, although I do have some information while we wait for people with first hand experience.

For Universal their Rider's Guide for Guests with Disabilities is located here and has very specific listing of which attractions guests need to remove their prostheses for.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/Riders_Guide_tcm13-26195.pdf

I thought some of the ones listed as possibly having to remove it (like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) used to say 'must remove'. I know because their attractions are more extreme than those at WDW that they are more restrictive on what they will allow. Many attractions also include dangling legs.
People have posted about having to remove them, but as far as I remember, no one has posted where it was kept while they were on the attraction.

The only attraction at WDW that I have heard of anyone needing to remove a prosthesis for was Soarin' , which is the only attraction where legs will be dangling. It is a very gentle ride though, so a securely attached leg should not be an issue and whether to remove is a personal decision, not a requirement. The only person I remember posting anywhere on the internet about Soarin' said their leg was just kept on the ground to the side, the same as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs.

Someone once posted about riding a Space Mountain and having their leg come attached - the ride rocket is closed, so it did not go anywhere, but when the guest got out of the rocket, their leg stayed in.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is the thread about Space Mountain I was thinking of:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2576404

The original poster, Poohsie, is still around this board frequently and hopefully can add some first hand experience for you.

 

[Andrea464]

Beware small but feisty creatures who have plans that might take it...

(In all seriousness, I can't think of any leg dangling rides except Soarin' so you should be ok at DW parks.)

 

[aaarcher86]

Beware small but feisty creatures who have plans that might take it... (In all seriousness, I can't think of any leg dangling rides except Soarin' so you should be ok at DW parks.)

Hahahahahaha! Love him!

 

[POOHsie]

This is the thread about Space Mountain I was thinking of:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2576404

The original poster, Poohsie, is still around this board frequently and hopefully can add some first hand experience for you.

Ah, yes -- Space Mountain! OP--this was definitely a problem for me. My amputation is above the knee and my prosthetic goes all the way up to my hip. If your amputation is below the knee I don't believe you would encounter the tight situation I had with the prosthetic and the restraint. The other problem about Space Mountain is the exit from the ride. You have to step UP out of the ride vehicle, and that's difficult with only one knee. I have the same issue at Splash Mountain. On Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, ask for the handicapped vehicle. It has a door that opens which makes exiting so much easier. On the other hand, Pirates of the Caribbean ride exit, although a step up, has wood-looking posts right there that I can grab for leverage, so no problem. I'll add that if Splash Mt. had a simple post to grab at vehicle exit, it would make a huge difference for people like me with leg disability. We all know that swimming pools have assistance rails for normal people to exit the pool -- well, this is the same idea, only it would be for helping a disabled person get a hand up exiting a ride. Note that Disney employees will not help you out of the ride cars. If you feel you need assistance, a companion or a kindly stranger will have to help you. I've had help from both, and it's been OK every time. Amazingly, strangers at WDW are very good about trying to help others in need.

OP, there's no place at Walt Disney World parks where you'll have to remove your prosthetic to ride. Some have mentioned Soarin', but if your device is firmly locked on, it will be fine. You'll be dangling your legs in the air, but the only thing happening is that your seat is going off the floor.

Hope to hear you had a great visit to WDW!