Slowing down the conveyor belt rides

[homeschoolmomof4]

Background: Three generations of women(20's -70's) with Ehlers-Danlos are going to WDW. We need to have the conveyor belt rides slowed down when getting off of the ride. So I understand that we won't need a DAS for that and that we tell them that we need it slowed down when we approach the ride. Will they know that we need it slowed down when we reach the end of the ride? Or will we need to let them know at that point as well? I know it gets a little hectic when disembarking a ride and I'm just really worried about my mother getting injured. The last time I took her to WDW someone ran into her from behind and she dislocated her knee and tore her ACL. I'm doing everything I can to prevent another injury this trip. I appreciate any advice that you can provide! Thx!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Some rides will no longer slow down the moving belt(s).
2) For those that do, make sure the CM knows your needs.

3) There is NOTHING you can do to protect from careless people.
4) Nothing.
5) And, slowing the belt makes it worse.
6) Some folks want to rush off the ride to get to the next attraction.
7) A slow/stopped belt will make them rush around others.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

1) Some rides will no longer slow down the moving belt(s).
2) For those that do, make sure the CM knows your needs.

3) There is NOTHING you can do to protect from careless people.
4) Nothing.
5) And, slowing the belt makes it worse.
6) Some folks want to rush off the ride to get to the next attraction.
7) A slow/stopped belt will make them rush around others.

Thx! Do you know which rides do not slow down? My mother really needs the extra time getting in and out of ride cars as well. We'll avoid the ones that won't slow down to accommodate her needs.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I disagree that nothing can be done to protect her. My 13yo with EDS rides in a wheelchair in the parks. In addition to helping her to avoid pain (the main reason we use it), it also helps keep her from getting bumped since it creates a bit of a barrier around her. People do still bump her feet in tight crowds and we had people almost sitting on her when trying to get out of MK one evening but overall it really did make a difference. When in tight crowds she typically just hung her feet down off the foot wrests, closer to herself so if people hit the wheelchair the only person hurt would be the person trying to step over her feet. In your mother's case she could use an ECV so that none of the rest of you who also have EDS have to worry about the extra stress on your own joints when pushing her.

Peter Pan and I believe TTC can not be slowed down. I've been reading that sometimes they won't slow down Haunted Mansion.

If the ride has a moving walkway, tell the CM the very entrance to the queue that you need it slowed. That way if you have to go in an alternate entrance then you can be directed that way. If you have a wheelchair then you'll be directed there without asking but if you don't have one then you'll need to ask a CM.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

They cannot slow or stop the moving walkways at Peter Pan or Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

People have reported problems with getting CMs at Haunted Mansion to slow or stop the walkway there. There have also been a couple people who've reported recently having problems getting the walkways slowed at Buzz Lightyear and The Little Mermaid, but those seem to depend heavily on what CMs are working. I know Sue had two different experiences with Buzz (one the walkway was slowed and the other time the CM refused) within the same trip.

You might want to check out the EDS thread on the disAbilities Community board. There's a pretty significant number of EDSers here. (I also have Hypermobility EDS, which is what they're now calling what used to be called EDS III.)

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

I disagree that nothing can be done to protect her. My 13yo with EDS rides in a wheelchair in the parks. In addition to helping her to avoid pain (the main reason we use it), it also helps keep her from getting bumped since it creates a bit of a barrier around her. People do still bump her feet in tight crowds and we had people almost sitting on her when trying to get out of MK one evening but overall it really did make a difference. When in tight crowds she typically just hung her feet down off the foot wrests, closer to herself so if people hit the wheelchair the only person hurt would be the person trying to step over her feet. In your mother's case she could use an ECV so that none of the rest of you who also have EDS have to worry about the extra stress on your own joints when pushing her.

Peter Pan and I believe TTC can not be slowed down. I've been reading that sometimes they won't slow down Haunted Mansion.

If the ride has a moving walkway, tell the CM the very entrance to the queue that you need it slowed. That way if you have to go in an alternate entrance then you can be directed that way. If you have a wheelchair then you'll be directed there without asking but if you don't have one then you'll need to ask a CM.

Thank you so much for your response. I wish my mother would use an ECV. However, her pride stands in the way of sanity. Even after she tore her ACL, she braced it up and walked the parks. I am really concerned about the Buzz Lightyear moving walkway. That one seems to move VERY quickly.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

They cannot slow or stop the moving walkways at Peter Pan or Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

People have reported problems with getting CMs at Haunted Mansion to slow or stop the walkway there. There have also been a couple people who've reported recently having problems getting the walkways slowed at Buzz Lightyear and The Little Mermaid, but those seem to depend heavily on what CMs are working. I know Sue had two different experiences with Buzz (one the walkway was slowed and the other time the CM refused) within the same trip.

You might want to check out the EDS thread on the disAbilities Community board. There's a pretty significant number of EDSers here. (I also have Hypermobility EDS, which is what they're now calling what used to be called EDS III.)

I will definitely check out the EDS thread! Thank you!!

 

[ttintagel]

Whenever I've been on a ride where they slowed down the belt for me getting on, they've recognized me getting off, too. I help them along by looking eagerly out of the vehicle and trying to make eye contact with the CM, but they would probably recognize me even if I didn't.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Whenever I've been on a ride where they slowed down the belt for me getting on, they've recognized me getting off, too. I help them along by looking eagerly out of the vehicle and trying to make eye contact with the CM, but they would probably recognize me even if I didn't.

Thank you so much for this! I was really worried that we might have a problem getting off the ride. I'll definitely try making eye contact just so they recognize us. Thx!

 

[ttintagel]

The backup plan I always kept in my head was - if they don't slow the belt, I just won't try to get off! It's not like I'm going looking for a second ride, but if they don't make it so it's safe for me to get off and let someone else on, I'm not going to beat myself up over it!

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

The backup plan I always kept in my head was - if they don't slow the belt, I just won't try to get off! It's not like I'm going looking for a second ride, but if they don't make it so it's safe for me to get off and let someone else on, I'm not going to beat myself up over it!

I like your back up plan!! I'm going to tell my mother and daughter to do the same thing! There's no sense in getting injured.