Riding Flight of Passage with a (mental) disability?

[PatMcDuck]

Hi all, looked but could not find this question asked here yet. I have not yet ridden FoP myself.

My adult son, age 27, is going with us to WDW in October. He has Down Syndrome and Autism. We use a Convaid chair for him at the parks, because he tires and wanders off, some very minor balance and vision issues. He is fearless and rides everything, and loves everything Disney. (I mean he rides even the large coasters at Universal like Hulk, The Potter rides, etc).

I am wondering about FoP. He could certainly climb on, maybe with our very slight assistance, and would hold onto the handle bars. Would he then be somewhat locked in? I cannot imagine he would WANT to get off of it, but obviously I do not want him to get hurt. Do they allow the mentally disabled to ride?

Plan B could be baby swap? Can we baby swap a special needs adult, so the rest of us can ride? He cannot wait alone while the 4 of us ride, one of us would have to stay with him. Does this ride have a baby swap ike room to wait? I never do baby swap now, kids are all grown up, I am rusty as to how it works.

Thanks!

 

[Capang]

The leg and back restraints keep you from standing or falling off. He should be fine to ride if you think he can handle it. It's very smooth and not at all jerky but there is definitely movement.

 

[Kaytie]

Does this ride have a baby swap ike room to wait?

No baby swap rooms at WDW. Part of the party waits somewhere outside the attraction.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Thanks! I think we will enter the ride and decide there, or do they have the test ride chair thing outside now, to test it out?

And "baby swap" is possible with a special needs adult who cannot be left alone? Thanks all.

 

[SMD]

Could you just stagger your FP by a few minutes and do your own swap?

Things to think about would be, will he be ok alone not being in contact (do you usually keep in physical contact on coasters like BTMRR or Space) or will he be distressed if you're not in his line of sight once the restraints are clicked in. What if when the ride ends he gets out of the restraints before you do, will he wander off?

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks! I think we will enter the ride and decide there, or do they have the test ride chair thing outside now, to test it out?

And "baby swap" is possible with a special needs adult who cannot be left alone? Thanks all.

If you need a swap for an adult be sure to have the rider swap page pulled up online on your phone and if need be ask to speak with a manager. For whatever reason people think it is just baby swap but it actually says for anyone who can not be left alone and can not or choses not to ride.

 

[wilkeliza]

Could you just stagger your FP by a few minutes and do your own swap?

Things to think about would be, will he be ok alone not being in contact (do you usually keep in physical contact on coasters like BTMRR or Space) or will he be distressed if you're not in his line of sight once the restraints are clicked in. What if when the ride ends he gets out of the restraints before you do, will he wander off?

For FoP if anyone wanders it would be the same room. Also once restraints are clicked whe could reach out and touch the people to his left and right and see them if he turns his head.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Check out the ride on YouTube. I watched a video yesterday that showed people boarding and being locked into the ride vehicles. It looked like they were fairly close together, so you would be able to see and talk to him throughout the ride. If he loves rides, I bet he'll like this one!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Hi all, looked but could not find this question asked here yet. I have not yet ridden FoP myself.

My adult son, age 27, is going with us to WDW in October. He has Down Syndrome and Autism. We use a Convaid chair for him at the parks, because he tires and wanders off, some very minor balance and vision issues. He is fearless and rides everything, and loves everything Disney. (I mean he rides even the large coasters at Universal like Hulk, The Potter rides, etc).

I am wondering about FoP. He could certainly climb on, maybe with our very slight assistance, and would hold onto the handle bars. Would he then be somewhat locked in? I cannot imagine he would WANT to get off of it, but obviously I do not want him to get hurt. Do they allow the mentally disabled to ride?

Plan B could be baby swap? Can we baby swap a special needs adult, so the rest of us can ride? He cannot wait alone while the 4 of us ride, one of us would have to stay with him. Does this ride have a baby swap ike room to wait? I never do baby swap now, kids are all grown up, I am rusty as to how it works.

Thanks!

I know you did not mean to but you stabbed me in the heart I have what most consider a mental disability and I have yet to see Disney turn me away from any ride

 

[powellrj]

They do have a test seat out front

 

[gap2368]

Thanks! I think we will enter the ride and decide there, or do they have the test ride chair thing outside now, to test it out?

And "baby swap" is possible with a special needs adult who cannot be left alone? Thanks all.

yes there is a test set and you can not get out of the ride until the CM release the back and leg restrance ( make sure when he first gets in that he is all the way forward,) and is he ok with some thing pushing on his back when the back restraint comes up it gives about 3 little pushes nothing that should hurt but if he has any sensitivity to this. when trying out the test set I think the CM will mainly bring the back restraint up I would ask for them to gave a little push ( like the ones inside do) and see how your son dose.

you are close enough that you can touch your son so if he need to hold your hand or for you to rich out and such him to make sure he is all the way forward then you should be able to, also the CM will walk by and check all restants and if you think his are not tigh enough the CM can make it tighter for you.


I think he will have a great time on FOP, There are a few sensory things going on vibration were the restart sounds around the west chaset area ( this happens when you are being sinked at the bering) , some water and smell and flashing light at the being and end and the blanche breaths

 

[gap2368]

I know you did not mean to but you stabbed me in the heart I have what most consider a mental disability and I have yet to see Disney turn me away from any ride

the OP was not saying Disney would turn there son away but the OP was winding how there son would be able to handle the ride it self.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Sorry about the mental disability comment if that hurt feelings in any way. My son has autism, down syndrome, basically non-verbal. By turn him away, I meant for safety sake only. We can tell him what to do, he understands but cannot ask us any questions, as a typical person might do, to clarify those instructions.

I think he will love the ride, he loves all rides, so we will probably try it. While he does not need to be held by us in rides, we have avoided a couple. One we skip is the large swings at DCA. You ride alone in a swing (not sure if they have any tandem ones that fit 2 adults?) Our very slight fear there was if he leaned way over, could he flip out of the seat? It would be an odd thing to DO, but what if he saw something he wanted to see better or something? I think that is the only ride we ever skipped with him. He LAUGHED thru that insane Harry Potter ride, not Gringotts, the original one, that is complete crazy IMHO. Loves Everest, RnR, ADORES ToT, of course Space Mt.

Thanks again, I feel better now!

 

[IUTBAM]

Just for future reference, the Silly Symphony Swings at DCA do have tandem swings. My 22 y/o ASD son cannot ride alone, and his older sister always rides with him. He LOVES it.

We are going to WDW over Christmas and have decided to avoid FOP. He's a tall guy, and I've read reports of tall people having difficult fitting. He also toe walks and has leg tightness at times, so being locked into that ride might not feel good for him. I'm a little disappointed, but skipping FOP will free up so much more time to do other things lol....that's what I'm telling myself anyway!

 

[SueM in MN]

This thread is stuck near the top of the board. It includes descriptions, post coures and some videos of both Pandora attractions. It does include pictures of the test s'est and also the seat set up in the actual ride. With that, you would be able to see how close you would be to him.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/pandora-rides.3593133/