Scoliosis surgery and DLR

[Disneylover 2]

Hi. My sister had scoliosis surgery and we are goingt o DLR in June. SHE HAS RODS IN HER BACK. What rides do you suggest she should go on? Ofcourse, she can go to the Fantasyland rides but I'm worried about Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain...etc. Has anyone ever gone through this? She is 18 years old and I know that she loves those kinds of rides. I'm a concerned 13 year old sister...please help!

 

[KPeveler]

hey there - i would suggest that your sister ask her dr about the rides she can go on. everyone is different, and we cant figure out her needs online. if she is concerned, maybe she can bring a copy of a disney guide book to her doctor and go over the rides she wants to go on.

i would imagine, as long as she can step down into a boat and sit on a hard seat, she can ride things like its a small world, and if she can step up, can ride a lot of the fantasyland rides and haunted mansion and buzz lightyear with you! the bigger rides like space mountain and splash she would have to ask her dr

 

[Disneylover 2]

He said not to overdue it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Several years ago I had a kidney removed. My surgeon told me that "for the next six months when you go to a (Disney) park if there is a sign at the attraction that warns pregnant women or people with heart conditions or bad backs show not ride it, that applies to you also."

So about three months later, when I went to DL, I forget how I restricted myself at DL but it was my first visit to DCA and the only ride I went on was Soaring Over CAlifornia.

 

[SueM in MN]

if you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, post 14 of that thread has a link to the DL website. You can download a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. The rides with warnings are listed in the Guidebook.
If the only guidance the doctor gave was to not overdo, I'd suggest that skipping the rides with warnings would be an appropriate choice.

 

[Disneylover 2]

What should I do for her in long lines? I know it causes her back pain.

Thanks for your responses!

 

[dclfun]

In long lines she will be moving, not standing still for the most part ( except for areas with a preshow which sometimes does require standing still in a smaller area unless she paces around ). Is it standing still that bothers her or just standing, period? In cases of stamina issues she would be best to have a w/c or rent an ecv. If she goes to Guest Services to discuss her issue with back pain standing in line, she will be directed to rent a w/c since there is much more walking between attractions than in the queue lines themselves. Preserving her energy by using a w/c will probably keep her more comfortable and able to enjoy the parks much more than struggling to walk and deal with pain. She can always push the chair in front of her if she needs to stand/walk for part of the time.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

What should I do for her in long lines? I know it causes her back pain.

Thanks for your responses!

At DLR, because the main park is older, smaller and less accessible, there are not many places to wait to avoid standing in long lines. But, most lines are slowly moving forward, so just standing perfectly still for long periods is not going to happen in most attractions.
As dclfun mentioned, using a wheelchair or ECV may help because she won't have to stand all the time.
I have also heard some good things
Another thing that would be helpful is to know where it's busy and when, so you can avoid those things. I have heard a lot of good things about using a service called Ridemax along with Fastpass. TO avoid her having to walk as much, you can send one member of your party ahead to use everyone's park passes in the Fastpass machine.

 

[Disneylover 2]

In long lines she will be moving, not standing still for the most part ( except for areas with a preshow which sometimes does require standing still in a smaller area unless she paces around ). Is it standing still that bothers her or just standing, period? In cases of stamina issues she would be best to have a w/c or rent an ecv. If she goes to Guest Services to discuss her issue with back pain standing in line, she will be directed to rent a w/c since there is much more walking between attractions than in the queue lines themselves. Preserving her energy by using a w/c will probably keep her more comfortable and able to enjoy the parks much more than struggling to walk and deal with pain. She can always push the chair in front of her if she needs to stand/walk for part of the time.---Kathy

It's staning for a while that bother her. So yea, renting a w/c will helpp her alot!

 

[Disneylover 2]

At DLR, because the main park is older, smaller and less accessible, there are not many places to wait to avoid standing in long lines. But, most lines are slowly moving forward, so just standing perfectly still for long periods is not going to happen in most attractions.
As dclfun mentioned, using a wheelchair or ECV may help because she won't have to stand all the time.
I have also heard some good things
Another thing that would be helpful is to know where it's busy and when, so you can avoid those things. I have heard a lot of good things about using a service called Ridemax along with Fastpass. TO avoid her having to walk as much, you can send one member of your party ahead to use everyone's park passes in the Fastpass machine.

That's what we always do. And now, this year it's important. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[KPeveler]

It's staning for a while that bother her. So yea, renting a w/c will helpp her alot!

park wheelchairs kinda stink - okay they really stink! a lot of rehab hospitals (like the people doing the physical therapy for your sister) will have wheelchairs they can loan out to people... so they may have a better one for you to borrow, cause the ones in the park are uncomfortable... there is no padding, the arm rests are too high for most people (people under 6ft tall) and the footrests are not adjustable. maybe she can ask her dr about borrow one from there

 

[mechurchlady]

There is a time when you can get another fast pass that is stated on the fastpass. Just before that time have, as Sue said, one person go get another. Mornings tend to be slower so you should be able to get a lot done early.

Buy locally or bring a coushion to sit on. I use our spare wheelchair when cooking dinner and it HURTs. I just never got a cushion for it and it is folded except at dinner time. An eggshell cushion also helps absorb the bumps of a wheelchair ride. Mom does not need a cushion behind her but with the back problems that might be a possibility.

Defniitely rent off site as I have used park ECVs and chairs and they are not as nice as what Mom now has or you can get from a rental company. The last time used their wheelchairs was when I totalled my knee at DLR entrance and I had to specifically ask for an elevated foot rest.

 

[AG CASWELL]

My son had the sx a yr ago and w e are just back. Stay away from any rides warning about back issues. Also get a GAC from guest services

 

[Disneylover 2]

How do you go to disneyland with a brack bace that goes up to your neck?

 

[mechurchlady]

You have to step down into Pirates, Bobsleds, Canal Boats and other rides. If one is in a back brace then they would have to carefully step down into a ride which may prevent them from riding.

Fantasyland mostly has step into the vehicle and set in the seat rides like at WDW. Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion and other rides also are that way.

The Astro Orbiter requires climbing into the rocket and i could barely get out.
With a full back brace one would be very limited to what they could ride. Astro Orbiter is a Dumbo type ride but you got to climb out. Mansion requires twisting to get in as do some other rides.

Anyone can go to the parks but few things are available to people who cannot bend or twist and turn let alone climb into canal boats and Pirates type boats. DCA has more to do like Soaring.

I would find fun at the parks but would say very limited what to do if in a full back brace. I rather skip a ride than end up on my back for a week or paralyzed for life.

 

[Disneylover 2]

You have to step down into Pirates, Bobsleds, Canal Boats and other rides. If one is in a back brace then they would have to carefully step down into a ride which may prevent them from riding.

Fantasyland mostly has step into the vehicle and set in the seat rides like at WDW. Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion and other rides also are that way.

The Astro Orbiter requires climbing into the rocket and i could barely get out.
With a full back brace one would be very limited to what they could ride. Astro Orbiter is a Dumbo type ride but you got to climb out. Mansion requires twisting to get in as do some other rides.

Anyone can go to the parks but few things are available to people who cannot bend or twist and turn let alone climb into canal boats and Pirates type boats. DCA has more to do like Soaring.

I would find fun at the parks but would say very limited what to do if in a full back brace. I rather skip a ride than end up on my back for a week or paralyzed for life.

Thanks!