Rides for elderly parent

[smallworldnh]

I was wondering what experience people with problems with stepping in and out of some rides are. I am taking my elderly mom at the end of April (after cancelling twice last year due to COVID) and I'm wondering specifically how hard it would be for her to go on rides like Navi River Journey and Pirates of the Caribbean. She can walk short distances but needs to, for example, use her bathtub grab bar to help her get in and out of the tub. I've only been on Navi once and don't really remember getting in and out and I'm thinking Pirates might be tough because of having to stand on the seat and step down. Do these have any kind of things they use for assistance? Are there other attractions she might not have a problem with? She does not do roller coasters or spinning rides. Thanks so much!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I was wondering what experience people with problems with stepping in and out of some rides are. I am taking my elderly mom at the end of April (after cancelling twice last year due to COVID) and I'm wondering specifically how hard it would be for her to go on rides like Navi River Journey and Pirates of the Caribbean. She can walk short distances but needs to, for example, use her bathtub grab bar to help her get in and out of the tub. I've only been on Navi once and don't really remember getting in and out and I'm thinking Pirates might be tough because of having to stand on the seat and step down. Do these have any kind of things they use for assistance? Are there other attractions she might not have a problem with? She does not do roller coasters or spinning rides. Thanks so much!

as someone in your age range I use a folding cane to help me in and out of rides. gives me something extra to balance with. I have used on Pirates and Small World. I also use it getting out of rides with moving ramps like Haunted Mansion. for me and assuming it is running People Mover ramp is hard because of the angle of ramp up and down. if she would be doing Kali River in AK ask about the special pullout boat loading for extra time. also let each CM at ride loading know she might need extra time. enjoy your trip

 

[smallworldnh]

as someone in your age range I use a folding cane to help me in and out of rides. gives me something extra to balance with. I have used on Pirates and Small World. I also use it getting out of rides with moving ramps like Haunted Mansion. for me and assuming it is running People Mover ramp is hard because of the angle of ramp up and down. if she would be doing Kali River in AK ask about the special pullout boat loading for extra time. also let each CM at ride loading know she might need extra time. enjoy your trip

She will be in a wheelchair most of the time, but the suggestion of taking a folding cane as well is a good idea, thank you.

 

[KPeterso]

My mom is in her 80s (and still loved Disney and doing the majority of the rides). She does have some problems stepping down into rides like Pirates, Frozen, Small World, Test Track (or Racers at DCA) and Navi. What we usually do, is I board first, this gives her an extra hand (or 2) to hold onto for the step. She also will use back of the seats in front of her or any railings/separators in the line queue to help a bit too. At the end, I often go around her to get off first so again, i can give her my hands to help her out of the boat.

 

[Tiggerish]

I have mobility issues that has put me into a power wheelchair but I can do some transfers. Three that I cannot do are Pirates, Splash Mountain and Small World. I can do Navi River because of the boat they pull out into the special loading area. It seems to have bars in the boarding area that work for helping me navigate in and our of the boat. Small World does have a wheelchair boat so I still get to ride that.

 

[philharmagic fan]

I have mobility issues that has put me into a power wheelchair but I can do some transfers. Three that I cannot do are Pirates, Splash Mountain and Small World. I can do Navi River because of the boat they pull out into the special loading area. It seems to have bars in the boarding area that work for helping me navigate in and our of the boat. Small World does have a wheelchair boat so I still get to ride that.

At Small World ask if you can use the wheelchair boat even if you want to transfer. To enter that boat you don't need to step down; you walk straight across and then down a slight incline to the seats. At Winnie the Pooh you can also ask for the wheelchair car (has 2 jumpseats and you don't need to step across a threshold).

 

[mamabunny]

At MK: Jungle Cruise may be difficult entry/exit (stepping onto seats at entry/exit) as well as things like Haunted Mansion & Peter Pan where the loading basically doesn't stop - if she moves slower, it may be stressful for her.

Living with The Land as well as Gran Fiesta Tour are 2 boat rides that are basically walk-ones, and certainly easier (both at EPCOT)

Overall, the rides that might be easiest will be the ones where they have either a special loading area, or a special car (or both).

Pammie Plus Parks has a lot of videos that are excellent at showing loading/unloading for the rides.

 

[DeeBee3]

My mom used a scooter and is not very agile. 75. She had trouble in things like Little Mermaid in MK where there is a conveyer belt and you have to step up to leave. It takes a little coordination and leg strength that most people take for granted. The things that people have mentioned above are similar. However, if someone gets off first offering a hand will help greatly.

 

[Simba's Mom]

as someone in your age range I use a folding cane to help me in and out of rides. gives me something extra to balance with. I have used on Pirates and Small World. I also use it getting out of rides with moving ramps like Haunted Mansion. for me and assuming it is running People Mover ramp is hard because of the angle of ramp up and down. if she would be doing Kali River in AK ask about the special pullout boat loading for extra time. also let each CM at ride loading know she might need extra time. enjoy your trip

Yes, I use my cane to get in and out of boats (and also, due to my mobility, just to walk at all) Just so you know, the CMs usually take my cane when I'm settled in the boat and at first I panicked, but they always bring it right back to me as soon as the boat I'm in returns

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Yes, I use my cane to get in and out of boats (and also, due to my mobility, just to walk at all) Just so you know, the CMs usually take my cane when I'm settled in the boat and at first I panicked, but they always bring it right back to me as soon as the boat I'm in returns

been awhile but I had the CMs make me keep cane with me so they can do either.

 

[ttintagel]

been awhile but I had the CMs make me keep cane with me so they can do either.

Keeping the cane/crutch with me has been my experience as well. Even a set of full-size underarm crutches fit neatly across the bottom of a Pirates of the Caribbean boat.

I did have to leave them with the CM on coasters where they would fly out of the vehicle.

 

[smallworldnh]

Thanks all for your responses! It looks like she'll be able to do many of the rides with some assistance!!

 

[smallworldnh]

At MK: Jungle Cruise may be difficult entry/exit (stepping onto seats at entry/exit) as well as things like Haunted Mansion & Peter Pan where the loading basically doesn't stop - if she moves slower, it may be stressful for her.

Living with The Land as well as Gran Fiesta Tour are 2 boat rides that are basically walk-ones, and certainly easier (both at EPCOT)

Overall, the rides that might be easiest will be the ones where they have either a special loading area, or a special car (or both).

Pammie Plus Parks has a lot of videos that are excellent at showing loading/unloading for the rides.

Thank you for this!!! My sister is a bit Pooh sized so this is interesting for her as well!!

 

[philharmagic fan]

been awhile but I had the CMs make me keep cane with me so they can do either.

We were told that due to Covid, cast members aren't supposed to touch guest items unless absolutely necessary, so if your cane or other aid will fit in the ride vehicle they ask you to keep it with you.

 

[Groot]

At MK: Jungle Cruise may be difficult entry/exit (stepping onto seats at entry/exit) as well as things like Haunted Mansion & Peter Pan where the loading basically doesn't stop - if she moves slower, it may be stressful for her.

Jungle Cruise has a boat with a lift on it.

 

[Lizgistix]

It's been decided that my mom has too much difficulty getting into/out of boats, so she no longer rides those. The conveyor belt rides are doable for now but we skip Peter Pan just to be safe.
We had an incident getting out of the Gran Fiesta boat and thus she no longer rides boat attractions as a result.

 

[mamabunny]

Jungle Cruise has a boat with a lift on it.

Yes - but the lift is only used if the person is in a mobility device - if the OP's mom prefers to walk on to rides, then she needs to be aware that the steps down into the boat, and back out again might be kind of steep for some folks.

It's been decided that my mom has too much difficulty getting into/out of boats, so she no longer rides those. The conveyor belt rides are doable for now but we skip Peter Pan just to be safe.
We had an incident getting out of the Gran Fiesta boat and thus she no longer rides boat attractions as a result.

I'm so sorry! I hope your Mom is OK! Gran Fiesta, and Small World both have wheelchairs available for her to sit in and ride in the boats if she ever wants to try again.

 

[smallworldnh]

I was under the impression that rides like Haunted Mansion and Under the Sea do stop the moving walkway to let people on if needed!!

 

[KPeveler]

I was under the impression that rides like Haunted Mansion and Under the Sea do stop the moving walkway to let people on if needed!!

They do stop the conveyor belt at most attractions, but they cannot stop or slow Peter Pan.

 

[ttintagel]

I have also had experiences with CMs at the Haunted Mansion refusing to stop the belt even though it is possible for them to do so.