Star Wars VR and a powerchair

[Disneygal27]

So I figured I'd ask here if anyone has tried the new Star Wars VR experience, specifically anyone with a wheelchair experience? I'm going with my parents in August (assuming it will still be there then), and my dad is a total nerd who is really looking forward to this. He is 100% wheelchair bound, has his own power chair that they let on the wheelchair rides (can't transfer). I know it says it is wheelchair accessible, just wondering if there's firsthand practical experience. He'd be happy to just see the effects and watch my mom and I go, but I was wondering if it would be practical for him to participate as well (and also hoping I'll know where he is in the room, I've jumped in front of his chair before and it doesn't tickle!) I've been avoiding spoilers but there isn't much I've been able to find about this. TIA!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to see if I can find it, but I read about someone doing it with a msnual chair.

 

[mamabunny]

@SueM in MN - I found it! I remembered that same post, and here it is!

@Disneygal27 There is a picture of the sign at the entrance that shows you will have to transfer to a manual chair - but read the post, it sounds like it's quite doable - and a blast! I'm looking forward to this on our next trip!

 

[Disneygal27]

Ah this is what I was looking for, thanks! Hopefully they'll let him stay in his power chair, they tend to count it as a wheel chair at other rides that say you need to transfer....either way, now I just hope we can get tickets for August!

 

[SueM in MN]

Ah this is what I was looking for, thanks! Hopefully they'll let him stay in his power chair, they tend to count it as a wheel chair at other rides that say you need to transfer....either way, now I just hope we can get tickets for August!

My guess is that transferring to a manual chair is probably going to be required, but I will be interested to hear.
Because of the Virtual Reality visor, it could be difficult to drive a power chair in the area. The VR does reflect reality, so people, walls, doors will show up, but they may not be exactly the same in the virtual world as in the real world.
I’d suggest contacting the company directly.

 

[johnsgrl]

We did the VR experience at the beginning of the month, and without spoilers I can say that I personally don't think that a power chair is a good option. The VR is very realistic, but like the side view mirror says"objects may be closer than they appear" My DH rammed into me, or head butted me several times because he wasn't able to accurately judge distances and didn't maintain awareness of the size of the backpack on his back and the peripheral vision from the goggles isn't great. After getting smacked by DH a couple of times I resorted to keeping a hand on him at all times so he was aware of my location and I had to stop him from accidentally whacking the young man that was in our group.
The experience is also so incredibly immersive, it is very easy to ignore others around you because you are distracted by all that is going on around you. If someone had to focus on steering the power chair they are going to lose some of the experience and if they are not going to remain focused on steering safely they are going to hit someone.