Rides/attractions in Magic Kingdom for dmil

[married2mm]

first trip for dmil (85 years young!)
She has various health & mobility issues: definitely no thrill rides on the agenda

I've got short lists for Epcot, dhs & AK; however having problems deciding upon shortlist for MK.

Definitely:
Tiki room
Riverboat
Hall of presidents
Small world
Philarmagic
Carousel of progress

Need assistance deciding from:
Aladdin
Jungle cruise
Country bear jamboree
Peter Pan
Pooh
Teacups
Dumbo
Stitch
Belle
Under the sea
Pirates
Haunted mansion

 

[rwdavis2]

No Tea Cups. and I would skip Stitch. Just realize that CMs are not permitted to help people on and off rides. Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan may be a problem because you have to enter the vehicle from the moving walk way.

As long as she can handle stepping in/out and up/down for the rides most of the second list should be OK.

 

[jpeden]

Stitch can be hard on the shoulders b/c of the way the ride operates so I would say pass on that one.

If she doesn't mind heights and can get in/out of the vehicles, Aladdin/Dumbo would be fine.

If she can get in/out of the boat, Jungle Cruise should be fine (but there is a bit of a step down/step up to get in the boats).

Country Bear Jamboree is a sit down show so there shouldn't be any problems there.

I don't see problems with Haunted Mansion or Under the Sea or Pooh.

Peter Pan probably won't be an issue, but if it gets stuck it's a ladder climb down to get off since it "flies."

I might be concerned about Pirates as it does have that one drop, but I don't think there's even a safety restraint if I'm not mistaken (last time I rode it was Feb. and it was still under refurb when we went in Sept.).

 

[married2mm]

Thanks for input so far.

I've crossed stitch,teacups,haunted mansion& Peter Pan from my secondary list.

 

[tinka-belle]

Don't give up on HM. Even without a wheelchair she might have balance issues on the moving walkway. Tell the CM you need the alternate loading area, and tell the second CM you see there who is loading that you need the walkway stopped for balance issues. There is just one doom buggy they can stop at so you might have a short wait. Then it's just a normal step up into the buggy. They will know which buggy you are in at the end of the ride and will stop the moving walkway again for you to leave.

For Peter Pan they can't stop the walkway, so I'd keep that one off the list.

Enchanted Tales with Belle is just a short time standing, then a walkthrough to stand again for a short while, then sitting for the actual event. If the kids take part in the show she might enjoy that.

Under the Sea is a step up into the clamshell, not too bad. For Pirates, it's the step OUT of the boat that can be difficult, as opposed the step down into the boat. Got to step up on the seat and then up another large step to the dock area to exit the boat. Might be difficult.

 

[married2mm]

Don't give up on HM. Even without a wheelchair she might have balance issues on the moving walkway. Tell the CM you need the alternate loading area, and tell the second CM you see there who is loading that you need the walkway stopped for balance issues. There is just one doom buggy they can stop at so you might have a short wait. Then it's just a normal step up into the buggy. They will know which buggy you are in at the end of the ride and will stop the moving walkway again for you to leave.

For Peter Pan they can't stop the walkway, so I'd keep that one off the list.

Oh, that would be good for HM.
As I think she'd really enjoy the details throughout the ride.
She will be in a wheelchair-so I thought we would be skipping the stretching room anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs. Posts 18-22 of that thread are about access to attractions and list which may be difficult to step into and out of.
You may also want yo look at post 2, which is about renting mobility devices. At her age, I would not suggest an ECV, especially since it is her first trip and she will want to be looking around at the sights. It takes a lot of attention and observation to drive an ECV. A wheelchair for someone to push her would give her less independence, but more ability to look at everything. A wheelchair would also give her a place to sit for the shows where you otherwise have to stand to wait for next show. All attractions are wheelchair accessible to the point of the theater or boarding.

I made some notes for you, but there is a lot more info in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Definitely:
Tiki room - show; without mobility device, guests have to stand to wait for the next show.
Riverboat - there are some benches on the boat
Hall of presidents - show; stand to wait for next show if no wheelchair
Small world - there is a wheelchair accessible boat. Without a wheelchair, it is a step over the side of the boat and then down into the boat
Philarmagic - theater; stand to wait for next show if no wheelchair
Carousel of progress - theater

I would say these depend on her interests more than anything else.

Aladdin - ride that elevates and goes round and around. If she gets dizzy, she might not like it. If you have small kids who will be riding, she may prefer to watch them.

Jungle cruise - this is a classic and is cute with very corny jokes. If it's hot, be aware that the ride is pretty long and is all outside. There is a wheelchair accessible boat. Otherwise, it is 2 long steps down. This is one where the CMs can offer a steadying hand (but not more)

Country bear jamboree - show. Corny country music. Some people like it and feel it's better skipped

Peter Pan - cute, elevated ride in a Pirate Ship. The moving walkway can't be stopped and you have a limited time to get on and off. If she is familiar with Pter Pan, she may like it. Since it's only about 90 seconds long, some people feel barely settled before it is over.

Pooh - it's cute ,but whether it's a go or a miss really depends on if she knows/likes Pooh

Teacups - I would not recommend. Can make people quite dizzy and unsteady, so doesn't mix well with mobility issues

Dumbo - same comments Aladdin except that Dumbo is harder to get into because the seat is very low

Stitch - only if she knows and likes Stitch. It's not a thrill ride and doesn't move at all. It's very dark and many people feel it is unpleasant

Belle - if you have little kids with you, it is cute. Especially if they will want to participate

Under the sea - has a moving walkway that can be slowed. It's cute, but best of you know the Little Mermaid story

Pirates - a classic. The boat is 2 long steps down to get in. Getting out can be more difficult because it is low. It's helpful to have one of your group get into the boat right in front of her to help her from inside the boat and another get on after her to help from outside. Same getting out.

Haunted mansion - guests can bring a wheelchair thru the stretching room all the way to boarding. Those guests board at the unload area; if you need the moving walkway slowed or stopped mention it there

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh, that would be good for HM.
As I think she'd really enjoy the details throughout the ride.
She will be in a wheelchair-so I thought we would be skipping the stretching room anyway.

Guests using wheelchairs can go thru the entire line and into the stretching room.
After the stretching room, instead of following the other guests to the boarding area, groups with wheelchairs are routed down a hallway that goes to the unload area for boarding.

 

[married2mm]

Guests using wheelchairs can go thru the entire line and into the stretching room.
After the stretching room, instead of following the other guests to the boarding area, groups with wheelchairs are routed down a hallway that goes to the unload area for boarding.

Sue-thanks everso much for all your assistance.

Dh has just said she won't ride anything where a cm has to do something specially/specifically for her;
She just wants to blend in & no fuss.

I said it's no 'fuss'-so we shall see what pertains during our trip.
(It's just me, dh & dmil-3 big kids-no young ones!!)

 

[scrapquitler]

You forgot the Laugh Floor, which she would definitely be able to do, even if she were in a wheelchair.

 

[married2mm]

You forgot the Laugh Floor, which she would definitely be able to do, even if she were in a wheelchair.

There's a reason for that!
Dh and I gave both been on the big screen & it's not pretty
Perhaps dh & dmil could visit together & I go elsewhere

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

Lots & lots of people with mobility issues ride the Jungle Cruise so I definitely reccommend it! There is a wheelchair accessible boat, and we also accomodate guests with mobility issues by roping the boats to the dock to make them more steady for a transfer. It is 2 big steps down and then 2 big steps up, but i've witnessed many people able to do it with assistance.

 

[scrapquitler]

There's a reason for that!
Dh and I gave both been on the big screen & it's not pretty
Perhaps dh & dmil could visit together & I go elsewhere

And I've got the husband who is always trying to figure out how to be "That guy"

 

[married2mm]

And I've got the husband who is always trying to figure out how to be "That guy"

What are the chances?!
Ds thought it was hilarious - me and dh-not so much

 

[married2mm]

Lots & lots of people with mobility issues ride the Jungle Cruise so I definitely reccommend it! There is a wheelchair accessible boat, and we also accomodate guests with mobility issues by roping the boats to the dock to make them more steady for a transfer. It is 2 big steps down and then 2 big steps up, but i've witnessed many people able to do it with assistance.

Thanks Hannah.
That's super.

 

[disnut8]

Sue-thanks everso much for all your assistance.

Dh has just said she won't ride anything where a cm has to do something specially/specifically for her;
She just wants to blend in & no fuss.

I said it's no 'fuss'-so we shall see what pertains during our trip.
(It's just me, dh & dmil-3 big kids-no young ones!!)

Then, well, she might just want to stay home I have been in a wheelchair (corrected problem), my husband has been in a wheelchair (corrected problem) and my father has been in a wheelchair (not corrected problem and a fatal one). BUT - we all enjoyed the trip(s) - we were never all in a wheelchair at the same time. No one looks at you like you have a green head and, I posted this before but - on my father's last trip to Disney World, when he couldn't talk and could barely move, I thought it would be not a comfortable one. But seeing his face light up when the Cast Members helped him when he needed it (my stepmother did most of it) and then watching him relax and enjoy himself was the best time of my life. We knew he didn't have much time but it was worth it.

Also - on the Animal Kingdom Safari - those with devices will be taken off to the side to board a jeep. I thought it would take forever but those Cast Members had their stuff together. It didn't take any longer than a regular stay int he line and everyone was dealt with respect. Those who couldn't transfer were in one area and those who could were in another. If there were more than two who couldn't transfer, another jeep was called. Once the none transfer parties were loaded, the transferees and their parties were loaded and when we pulled out, another jeep pulled in. I joked to my father that I thought I should just use this way for the Safari in the future and got a thumbs up and a big smile.

 

[married2mm]

Then, well, she might just want to stay home I have been in a wheelchair (corrected problem0, my husband has been in a wheelchair (corrected problem) and my father has been in a wheelchair (not corrected problem and a fatal one). BUT - we all enjoyed the trip(s) - we were never all in a wheelchair at the same time. No one looks at you like you have a green head and, I posted this before but - on my father's last rip to Disney World, when he couldn't talk and could barely move, I thought it would be not a comfortable one. But seeing his face light up when the Cast Members helped him when he needed it (my stepmother did most of it) and then watching him relax and enjoy himself was the best time of my life. We knew he didn't have much time but it was worth it.

Also - on the Animal Kingdom Safari - those with devices will be taken off to the side to board a jeep. I thought it would take forever but those Cast Members their stuff together. It didn't take any longer than a regular stay int he line and everyone was dealt with respect. Those who couldn't transfer were in one area and those who could were in another. If there were more than two who couldn't transfer, another jeep was called. Once the none transfer parties were loaded, the transferees and their parties were loaded and when we pulled out, another jeep pulled in. I joked to my father that I thought I should just use this way for the Safari in the future and got a thumbs up and a big smile.

Thank you so much for sharing.
I'm hoping for the same magic you encountered with your father.