Soarin' and EE transfer

[LindaDVC]

My DH has never allowed me to transfer him onto a ride
His philosophy was if he couldn't go on in his chair he would just wait for me--

He isn't the easiest transfer But I was sure I could manage soarin' and asked a few questions here before we departed. Well he said No -- but after riding and enjoying it solo I convinced him to get in line and look at the seats!
Once there I reminded him that I know what I am doing and wouldn't recommend a transfer that was too difficult ( I am an OT)-- well he finally agreed and loved it.

On our final day after I had a few more solo flights-- convinced him to try go one more time and again he was glad he did! He really enjoyed that ride.

The EE at Animal Kingdom has a better transfer system (wider door) than other roller coasters and an RN working there tried to convince us to give that a try -- but since in wouldn't have been to bad -- the transfer out (uphill) would have been difficult so we opted not to try it. I rode that alone and was leaning all over the poor man next to me! I was glad Dan hadn't tried it with no balance ! I had two fast passes prior to getting in the solo line so gave the man I leaned all over my FP to make up for my screaming and leaning! I never ride roller coasters and not sure what possessed me this time BUT once was enough! This trip I also road one in MK-- which I never had before--

This was our first trip with just the two of us since 1989 -- usually my parents and son join us but we had DVC points in holding and annual passes so decided to do the unusal (for us)and do an extra off season trip!

Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear he did it and he liked it. I think Soarin' is the easiest transfer in the parks since you can park the wheelchair where ever it works best for you (and you can even park it in a different place getting on than getting off). And my DD feels very secure in the Soarin' seats. (I'm the mom who spends more of the ride watching my DD's face and seeing how much she is enjoying herself).

 

[BillSears]

Linda,

As a paraplegic I had no problems at all with EE. I don't have any control below my ribcage but I have very good arm strength and can brace myself using my arms. Getting into and out of the ride for EE was the easiest transfer I made that week onto a ride. Personally Soarin is just abit too high off of the ground for me. It's still easy but EE is easier for me then Soarin.

They do have a test car if your husband wants to give it a try. It's located between the entrance and exit of EE.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

I agree. I think Soarin is the easiest ride to make transfers to and from. My son makes a standing pivot transfer. He has no right side mobility. My only suggestion is to put a sock on the pivoting foot. All the rides at Disney have skidproof flooring and can make pivoting transfers more difficult.

 

[LindaDVC]

Thanks-- we did look at the transfer car and that was how we determined the height would be low for the transfer out. Sometime when my son is with us we might opt to give it a try! Dan is a quadraplegic and bil. above knee amputee so prefers to stay in his chair.

Even with soarin' I wish that was an option-- he'd prefer to sit on the floor in his chair and see the screen than transfer BUTnot an option. Seems to me -Disney could have made that option or had a ramped higher viewing platform ... I know we help up the line when we transferred. One of the cm's nicely told me to take my time as I got the chair in the right position.

Another thing we noticed this trip -- not sure if it was there before and we just never saw it was a screen at the end of test track close to where you can view your pictures. It showed the ride -- I wish more rides had this option so Dan could at least view it while he is waiting for me if he can't ride.

I am greatful that disney has as many accessible rides as they do!

Linda

 

[shovan]

Linda,

As a paraplegic I had no problems at all with EE. I don't have any control below my ribcage but I have very good arm strength and can brace myself using my arms. Getting into and out of the ride for EE was the easiest transfer I made that week onto a ride. Personally Soarin is just abit too high off of the ground for me. It's still easy but EE is easier for me then Soarin.

They do have a test car if your husband wants to give it a try. It's located between the entrance and exit of EE.

Bill, Thanks for the pic of the EE car! We didn't even take a look at it thinking it wouldn't be manageable! Our next trip in January will be with family, so I'm pretty sure we'll be able to do EE! My DH (50 with MD) will be thrilled!
We did take a look at Soarin & was pleasantly shocked that there was so much room that I was able to transfer him! He loved it! He said he couldn't remember the last time his legs dangled in the air!