Ride question for an 84 yr old

[Montana Minnies]

I know that some of the rides like the Haunted Mansion move as a person gets on them, Mom (84) may want to go along with us. She is just slightly slower than what she was 15 years ago and I worry that she may trip or fall while trying to get on the ride. Does anyone know if they stop the ride completely for older folks like her to get on or will she just have to take her chances?
Just call me an overly concerned daughter

 

[WDSearcher]

Since all the moving sidewalks in the rides move at the same speed as the ride vehicles, your mom shouldn't have a problem at all getting on the ride in time. Thousands of guests her age (and older!) get on and off these rides every day, and nary a one has a problem.

However, if you are truly concerned, or if there's something particular about your mom's movements or walking style that would make it harder than normal for her to get on the ride, you can request from a CM that the ride be halted for her to get on. Keep in mind, though, that you may have to wait longer for that to happen. They may wait, for example, until there is a wheelchair party or someone else who need additional assistance before they stop it so as not to have to stop it too often (which obviously takes away from the ride for the folks already on it).

My suggestion would be for you to tell the CM that you need a bit of help getting your mom into the ride car. They'll assist, and you can go at normal speed.

 

[TLinden16]

I have travelled with my mother when she had mobility problems. Cast members seemed to be trained to notice if a guest is having trouble getting out of the ride, and they can slow down or stop the belt. We never had to ask a cast member to do this--they just did it.

Karen

 

[Tinkbell]

I took my grandma when she was 83. I would definitely tell the CM ahead of time that she has mobility concerns. We did this so that grandma wouldn't feel rushed getting on and off. She was nervous about falling, etc. They were really great at monitoring her and if a ride needed to be stopped, they had no problem doing that for us.

I will warn you that she had a bad time going down the moving exit ramp on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. It is pretty steep for an 84 year old so be prepared. It didn't look like it would be a problem for her, but it was. She almost fell forward.

Have a great time with your mom!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have any concerns about your mom and boarding, you need to mention it way before you get to the boarding area. The moving walkway rides generally board people with mobility concerns at the exit, because the CM has much more control of the ride there. WDW CMs who post on the boards have said some rides can only be slowed down or stopped by the exit CM except in emergency situations.
Here's a link to a pst thread about ride boarding from the disABILITIES Board that covers the smae general question.

There are 3 rides moving walkways that can't be stopped or slowed down - Peter Pan, the exit ramp walkway at Pirates and the exit walkways to and from the TTA.