Rides that are NOT as safe?

[Andrina]

Hello!

I will be travelling with my DD to Disney in a few weeks and she is in a wheelchair and profoundly disabled with very little understanding. She is 9-years old and 48 inches tall but not able to really hold herself in very well. Of course we will be right next to her, but I am wondering what you guys consider not safe for a neurologically impaired child. She can sit up its just that she can't really "hold on."


Thank you!

Andrina

 

[jmartinez1895]

Most of the ride are very safe. I would let her try some of teh milder rides firs and see how she handles them. I don't think that you could be thrown out of ride by not holding on because of all the rides I have been on ther is always a person with there arms up ( just to prove they are brave I suppose) and they stayed in the ride, but I can understand how you might have the felling of not being safe. When we rode splash mountian for the first time, we put our son between us and I had a death grip on him the whole time. You might want to avoid the roller coaster type untill you know how she will react, but she should be safe on everything.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll reply more tonight, but for now, there is one I would absolutely recommend NOT going on. That would be Primeval Whirl at AK. Other than that, the 'wilder' rides do have restraints that can't be unfastened and you don't need to be able to brace or hold on.

Since you mentioned that she does not understand, you also need to consider the 'scariness' factor for someone who can't understand the story behind , for example, Dinosaur, which is dark, bumpy and has things jumping out at you.

If you have not looked in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, I would suggest you look in post #3 of that thread. You will find other things that may be helpful to you, including a list of attractions where she can stay in the wheelchair.

It would be helpful to know a little more about things she is afraid of, likes/dislikes and how she reacts in terms of sound and motion.

 

[Andrina]

Thank you for the information! Here is more about her: she has CP but is able to crawl and stand but the "rigid" part of it makes it impossible for her to actually "hold on." Plus she does not really understand any kind of danger. I guess it would be the same fears as with a baby just starting to crawl--who is just beginning to learn "no!" I don't think we will do any thrill roller coasters but I was worried about something like "Soarin." Thanks!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Thank you for the information! Here is more about her: she has CP but is able to crawl and stand but the "rigid" part of it makes it impossible for her to actually "hold on." Plus she does not really understand any kind of danger. I guess it would be the same fears as with a baby just starting to crawl--who is just beginning to learn "no!" I don't think we will do any thrill roller coasters but I was worried about something like "Soarin." Thanks!

There are seatbelts on Soarin and I felt quite safe in it. If she's a wiggler or if she slumps (I'm sorry but I don't know much at all about CP, I'm not trying to be rude), there is a connecter belt that comes up from the front of the seat between your legs that you can use.

Does anyone know - isn't there a site that describes and/or shows pics of the different ride seats and restraint systems?

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I believe you are pretty securely strapped in..though doesn't it kind of "lean" forward where you feel the "need" not sure the necessity to hang on???? I can't remember.

Stitch's great escape may be one you want to avoid due to darkness and the fear factor.

 

[Sadie22]

Have you read the version of the Passporter Guide for various disabilities? I think it's called Open Mouse, but not sure. The book has a ton of information including descriptions of each ride and how people with various conditions might be affected.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll write more when I get home from work, but I would suggest you look at the Epcot FAQs thread near the top of this board for Soarin' information. there are a couple of photo montages that will help you a lot.

 

[auralia]

this one came up right away and it will probably surprise you... toy story mid way mainia i know this is the most popular ride in the park... but it whips you around terribly... my almost 3 year old daughter who is very sure on her feet and strong hit her head several times with me trying to hold on to her... it was very difficult to keep her from hurting herself because they whip you around so hard, but they might have a special vehicle that is equipt to strap a chair into? i'm not too sure about that, but if not it is really very whiplashy and hubby and i even hurt ourselves a little (and we love rollacoasters!)

 

[ratlenhum]

My son has autism and doesn't get the concept of "holding on." He just sits and enjoys. I second the idea of skipping Primeval Whirl. That was a horror, I'd never do it again.

My son has gone on everything at Disney World and Disneyland. For things like Great Thunder Mountain Railroad and rides with a lot of movement, which ever adult is seated with him, puts their arm around his shoulder, then under his arm to hold his chest and make sure he sits back. With the other adult hand, we reach across and just hold him by the upper arm of the arm that is between our bodies. I hope that makes sense. My son was 6 and weighed 48 lbs when we went to Disneyland, and was 7 and weighed 75lbs when we went to Disney World. Still worked.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've been kind of busy the last few days and did not get time to post more.
So, here's the next installment.

My DD has CP and is not really able to hold on. She understands quite well, but is just not physically able to brace herself. Her muscle tone varies from ragdoll to Barbie doll (totally stiff and hard to bend at any of the joints). When she gets excited, she extends - think of sitting and then your hips straighten so that you are no longer bent, but still with your bottom on the seat.

For figuring out which rides might be too much, you can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
The wording for the general warning is:
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Many of those attractions are also dark and/or scary.

For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:
Mission Space - both the more tame (green side) and the more wild (orange side) have warnings. The difference between the sides is that the Orange side has a centrifuge that spins the ride vehicles as well as the other motions. You are held in well by the seatbelt/shoulder harness, so won't fall out. But, it is a simulation of a trip to Mars. At a couple of points, the ride vehicle is pitched forward at a pretty steep angle and it is a jerky ride. You are well secured and won't fall out, but it feels like your ride vehicle might go tumbling off a cliff. There are also some loud noises. When we ride, we put DD between DH and I.
THis is a link to a page about Mission Space.
And here is a picture of the Mission Space Ride Car.

Test Track - you are in a simulated race car with an individual seat belt for each person. 3 people can sit in one seat. We sit in the front seat with DD between DH and I. We each hold onto the side of her that's closest to us and also use our legs to help brace hers.
You will be going doing quick stops with a swerve as you try out antilock brakes, going over some bumpy roads and a quick spin on an outside track going at close to highway speed. There is also a dark area where a truck appears out of the dark in front of you, a freezing temperatures test and a desert temperature test, and a simulated acid spray.
THis is a page about Test Track.
This is a picture of the Test Track car:

For Magic Kingdom:
Splash Mountain - Most of the ride is a calm ride thru cute musical scenes of animals, but there are several smaller drops and then the big drop down. Just before the big drop, it is completely dark. THere are no seat belts, but the ride car is tight and keeps you in place. We have not taken DD on this for a long time because it is very hard to lift someone in and out.
Here'a page about Splash Mountain with pictures and video.
And a picture of the ride car.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - this one is a jery roller coaster. 2 people can ride next to each other. We have not ridden this with DD because it is several minutes long and we didn't think we could hold her for that long.
Link to page about BTMRR.
And a picture of the ride car.

It's getting late, so I'll write more tomorrow.

 

[cynzilla]

I have nuero issues due to a syrinx in my spinal cord and I am 38 and a grown woman.

I can tell you from MY experience (and this is MY opinion), MK .....DO NOT do obviously any roller coasters. Splash Mountain has whipped my neck a few times on the down flume and at the end the boats always seem to get jammed up and bumped. Atro Orbiter makes me sick with the force and you cant hold on to her, she has to sit in front of you. If you are going to do Indy Car Racing (the motorized cars) you CAN sit next to her with a seatbelt on. Have a family member get into the car behind you (demand it as you are loading using the handicapped entrance-they are great never had an argument from the guys there) so no one accidentally BUMPS you from behind.

Epcot...STAY AWAY FROM Test Track, too jarring.

Any more info, please feel free to PM me

 

[OneLittleSpark]

this one came up right away and it will probably surprise you... toy story mid way mainia i know this is the most popular ride in the park... but it whips you around terribly... my almost 3 year old daughter who is very sure on her feet and strong hit her head several times with me trying to hold on to her... it was very difficult to keep her from hurting herself because they whip you around so hard, but they might have a special vehicle that is equipt to strap a chair into? i'm not too sure about that, but if not it is really very whiplashy and hubby and i even hurt ourselves a little (and we love rollacoasters!)

There is a wheelchair accessible car for this ride, and it loads in a different area, to give you extra time to load up. The wheelchair can be rolled on and is then braced and tied to stop it moving. There is also the option of a shoulder seatbelt (like the ones you get in a car) to help hold you in a bit better. I went for this, and was glad I did! Does your DD have supports on her chair to hold her in place, such as a headrest and straps? I would think that if she's got these, and is fairly secure in her chair, you shouldn't have problems with this. Just be warned that any limbs not held in place may fly out and hit you. I don't know if she would be able to cope with the shooting in this game, but if she can, the cannon on the wheelchair car has a push button, which I found a lot easier than the pull cord.

 

[maroo]

The only thing I would add is Pirates (and I think Malstrom sp? is the same ride?)

Lauren, who has been diagnosed with CP, can't hold on either...and we took her on Pirates thinking it was just a little boat ride (she rode in her Mom's lap)...and the 6 foot (or whatever it is) drop took us by surprise. She almost feel out of the boat!

We are going to take her on Soarin' in November with an adult on each side of her. I feel pretty safe about that.

Lauren is going to be 17 and weighs 70 pounds, if that helps your info any.


Also...we totally agree on Toy Story. Lauren decided NOT to ride it after she saw how much you got flipped around. But you can see how it moves from the loading area...so you can "check it out" before she rides. You can also probably literally try it out first (we did that) and then let her ride if you think it is going to be ok.


Also...she was jarred pretty bad on "It's a Small World" - I know, crazy...but there is some sort of platform when you first get on the boat that the boat goes over and it bounces you around. She doesn't want to ride that again. But if you are aware of it and she is ok with bouncing around, then you should be ok.

 

[Andrina]

Thank you everyone! This is great advice! ONE WEEK!

We are psyched!

 

[SueM in MN]

I didn't get back soon, but here's a continuation of attractions that WDW has put warnings on - these first ones are still at MK:
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - This is not a wild ride; they are small gasoline powered cars that go a top speed of about 7 miles an hour. They are very difficult to get someone in who needs to be lifted in and out.
The ride is jerky because the speed is sort of hard to control. The steering is loose and there is a thin track that your car runs on. The steering allows you to steer, but if you get to far at one side or the other, you will hit into the track. During the trip, your car is very likely to get hit in the rear by cars behind you. The area is very noisy and there is a strong smell of gasoline.
The seats are slippery plastic or fiberglass and both seats share one seatbelt. One person needs to drive the car, so the driver can't help to steady the passenger much.
This is a link to a page about the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway.
And a picture of the ride car and boarding area:

Space Mountain - This is a fast roller coaster with many turns. Because it is virtually in the dark, it is hard to prepare for twists and turns. There are also flashing lights during the ride.There are steep ramps in the queue that may make it hard to push a wheelchair. The exit includes a steep moving ramp.
Passengers ride one behind the other, so it is not possible for one rider to support or assist another passenger. The restraint is a pull down T bar; once pulled down, it will stay locked during the ride.
Here's a link to a page about Space Mountain.

Goofy's Barnstormer - This ride doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride. I am including it with the 'warning' rides because it is not a completely 'tame' ride. It is scheduled to close with the renovation of Fantasyland and Toontown and will be returning with new theming.
It is a short roller coaster with several twists and turns. The ride cars are rather small and can be difficult to get into. There is little leg room. Two guests can ride in each seat and there is a pull down bar for restraint (once it is pulled down, it locks in place.