Splash Mtn concerns at ride exit

[Liz]

Our last visit to WDW was two years ago. My daughter (age 27 at the time) and husband were riding Splash Mtn. When they came back to me my daughter told me there was a problem at the end of the ride because she didn't get out of the log quick enough. Due to various health issues, she has some weakness in her legs. Even with the weakness she hasn't had significant difficulty getting out of the log in the past, but this evening she did and the cast member said "Ma'am you have to get out." My husband pushed her from behind and she was able to get up.

We're going to Florida next week to visit family and our plan is just one evening (Halloween party) at WDW. I don't know if she'll even be willing to try Splash after what happened last time, but just wondering if there is anything we should do in advance to let them know she can't just hop out like other people? Or maybe it is better to just avoid that ride and enjoy other things.

Her leg weakness is no better or worse than it was two years ago, but her overall health has decreased from that time (she is on dialysis now and needs a kidney).

Thank you for any suggestions. We just want it to be a good evening for her.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Perhaps you can alert the cm when you get On the ride... to ask them to alert the other cm on the other side, when exiting. She shouldn’t have to avoid the ride if she enjoys it. They ll wait.. not every cm/human really, realizes that people have issues.. often not overtly obvious.
Wishing you all a Magical visit!

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Sometimes people can be so thoughtless. If it happens again, tell the CM if he needs her out faster, come give her a helping hand instead of complaining. It really bothers me when people think someones disability is a problem for them. And no, I am not disabled but I am compassionate.

 

[BillSears]

I know I used to do it in 2 stages. Out of the boat and onto the floor first. Then slide over before getting up into my chair. Maybe she can just stand, pivot so her back is toward the exit, sit down, slide back a few feet, and then work on standing up?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Its unfortunate but when a disability is not extremely visible people become impatient.
If she lets a CM know that it is difficult for her to exit quickly they will be very understanding.
They rather you take an extra few seconds then have you end up hurting yourself.
If you ask me I think not going on is not the solution if she enjoys the attraction.

 

[kaytieeldr]

1. Sometimes people can be so thoughtless. 2. If it happens again, tell the CM if he needs her out faster, come give her a helping hand instead of complaining. 3. It really bothers me when people think someones disability is a problem for them. And no, I am not disabled but I am compassionate.

1. Sometimes (more times) people are unaware/uninformed.
2. Generally not allowed. Visitors needing physical assistance are expected to receive it from other members of their party.
3. Entirely possible/likely that the CM was not aware there was a disability involved.

 

[DisneyOma]

Our last visit to WDW was two years ago. My daughter (age 27 at the time) and husband were riding Splash Mtn. When they came back to me my daughter told me there was a problem at the end of the ride because she didn't get out of the log quick enough. Due to various health issues, she has some weakness in her legs. Even with the weakness she hasn't had significant difficulty getting out of the log in the past, but this evening she did and the cast member said "Ma'am you have to get out." My husband pushed her from behind and she was able to get up.

We're going to Florida next week to visit family and our plan is just one evening (Halloween party) at WDW. I don't know if she'll even be willing to try Splash after what happened last time, but just wondering if there is anything we should do in advance to let them know she can't just hop out like other people? Or maybe it is better to just avoid that ride and enjoy other things.

Her leg weakness is no better or worse than it was two years ago, but her overall health has decreased from that time (she is on dialysis now and needs a kidney).

Thank you for any suggestions. We just want it to be a good evening for her.

Sometimes people can be so thoughtless. If it happens again, tell the CM if he needs her out faster, come give her a helping hand instead of complaining. It really bothers me when people think someones disability is a problem for them. And no, I am not disabled but I am compassionate.

I didn't see anything in the first post that stated the CM was thoughtless - just doing the job. What was the OP's daughter going to do if her dad hadn't helped her out? Just sit there and hold up the whole attraction? One has to be responsible for one's issues in a situation like this - if you know you are going to have a hard time getting out of a ride vehicle, then make sure you have someone there to help. The CMs can't help, and shouldn't be expected to help. There's no way I could haul someone out of a log, especially an adult. Are all CMs supposed to be strong enough to haul people out of logs now?

 

[seashoreCM]

So all the CM did was say, "Ma'am you have to get out." and stand still?

And DH almost normally helped DD out of the ride vehicle although taking a little longer to size up the situation and position himself to get DD out without straining his own back or whatever?

Somehow I think this was a non-problem. Except for what the CM said, which could be debated at length, everyone actually did everything right.

If the CM had jumped into action more quickly to help, and failed to position him/herself properly, and injured him/herself or injured DD, Disney would have been responsible to DD and perhaps not responsible to that CM. (Incidentally many airlines do not cover flight attendants to lift passenger baggage into overhead bins, which many passengers feel is a put-off.)

 

[cmwade77]

I would go, but explain before boarding that exiting may take a little longer for her to exit. If it is anything like Disneyland's version they need to know this as if it takes too long and they haven't prepared for for it, the ride can break down and they have to evacuate the entire ride, which may have been the problem at the time.

This is also true for Space Mountain at Disneyland in the regular loading area, which why when they remodeled they made a system where a vehicle is pulled off to the side allowing any amount of time needed to load and unload.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I would go, but explain before boarding that exiting may take a little longer for her to exit. If it is anything like Disneyland's version they need to know this as if it takes too long and they haven't prepared for for it, the ride can break down and they have to evacuate the entire ride, which may have been the problem at the time.

This is also true for Space Mountain at Disneyland in the regular loading area, which why when they remodeled they made a system where a vehicle is pulled off to the side allowing any amount of time needed to load and unload.

I was rather annoyed with this at DL at WDW the rides dont break when someone needs an extra minute but you do need to make sure they are aware of it so they dont try to rush you.

 

[Liz]

Thank you for all the responses! My daughter reminded me of one reason she had trouble that night that shouldn’t be a concern now. Several months before our 2016 trip she had open heart surgery. Due to her leg weakness she uses her arms a lot to push herself up. That year her arms had also gotten weak. (I hadn’t forgotten about the surgery but forgot it played a role in what happened that night.)

I’m sure the CM at Splash had no idea there was a disability involved, but I would think there is likely an obvious difference between someone trying to get up and can’t and someone who is just sitting there like they expect to ride again!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you for all the responses! My daughter reminded me of one reason she had trouble that night that shouldn’t be a concern now. Several months before our 2016 trip she had open heart surgery. Due to her leg weakness she uses her arms a lot to push herself up. That year her arms had also gotten weak. (I hadn’t forgotten about the surgery but forgot it played a role in what happened that night.)

I’m sure the CM at Splash had no idea there was a disability involved, but I would think there is likely an obvious difference between someone trying to get up and can’t and someone who is just sitting there like they expect to ride again!

in my situation with weak knees I use a folding cane to help me up and balance getting out of boat type rides. don't know if that will help your daughter. plus the cane lets CM know the person might need extra time

 

[rigs32]

I’m sure the CM at Splash had no idea there was a disability involved, but I would think there is likely an obvious difference between someone trying to get up and can’t and someone who is just sitting there like they expect to ride again!

Like what? The CM didn't know your daughter. I'm sure folks trying to sneak a second ride use a variety of tactics. I think it's quite possible the CM just thought your daughter didn't realize it was time to exit.

 

[DisneyOma]

I’m sure the CM at Splash had no idea there was a disability involved, but I would think there is likely an obvious difference between someone trying to get up and can’t and someone who is just sitting there like they expect to ride again!

I think this is where we got confused - so she was trying to get up and couldn't? I think you made it sound in the first post that she was just sitting there. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[cobright]

just wondering if there is anything we should do in advance to let them know she can't just hop out like other people?

As some have mentioned, it can be hard to convey your needs quickly and concisely as you board and exit a ride. Especially so with a non-apparent disability.

It sounds silly but a friend I went to Cedar Point with a while back has a prosthetic leg but because it was long pants weather he actually wore a knee brace on his fake leg. Then, instead of having to explain his situation he only needed to make a quick gesture towards his ''leg" brace and all was understood.

 

[arminnie]

This is why I will most likely never get in any "boat" ride again. I can get in a boat - but I'm not sure that I could get out. It would depend on the step up, and if I had anything to grab onto to pull myself up. As there is no where to test this I am unwilling to end up stranded - having to wait with the ride stopped for an EMT to come rescue me.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

This is why I will most likely never get in any "boat" ride again. I can get in a boat - but I'm not sure that I could get out. It would depend on the step up, and if I had anything to grab onto to pull myself up. As there is no where to test this I am unwilling to end up stranded - having to wait with the ride stopped for an EMT to come rescue me.

I felt the same way but I have found the folding cane lets me stand and balance then step up. plus CMs can see the cane which lets them know I need more time

 

[seashoreCM]

... I’m sure the CM at Splash had no idea there was a disability involved, but I would think there is likely an obvious difference between someone trying to get up and can’t and someone who is just sitting there like they expect to ride again!

I beg to differ. I would not think the difference would always be obvious.

+2 for having a cane, which I would say lets CMs better see "a difference" plus it lets you better stand and balance and step up.

Good idea to inform the CMs at the start of the ride that you may need help later but they could still forget unless they write down which vehicle or what colored clothing on riders to look for at the end of the ride.

I would not skip a ride I really enjoy and is okay and safe for me just because my physical characteristics or limitations require unusual treatment on the ride.

The jury is out on whether persons with disabilities should not go solo, since a traveling companion would know the best ways to give assistance in a variety of situations including in rest rooms and on buses.

 

[Liz]

Just wanted to report back that my husband and daughter rode Splash and all was well! They sat in the last row of the log and my daughter said it was easier to get up from there. The sides were lower, which made it easier to push up with her arms. The year they had trouble she was in the very front. We had a great time at the Halloween party and just wish our Disney time had been longer than just that one night. Thank you for the responses!

 

[cmwade77]

It sounds silly but a friend I went to Cedar Point with a while back has a prosthetic leg but because it was long pants weather he actually wore a knee brace on his fake leg. Then, instead of having to explain his situation he only needed to make a quick gesture towards his ''leg" brace and all was understood.

That does sound silly, yet it got the job done.....but now I have aental picture of someone with a prosthetic leg wearing shorts with a knee brace.