Sue had a great idea

[KPeveler]

Sue had a great idea in the Haunted Mansion thread. Why don't we create a document about mobility needs on every ride in Disney? Here is my idea:

• I post a list of every attraction in the parks (we will graduate to restaurants, stores, water parks, etc once we finish this).
• People post here, or email me everything they know about the queue, entrances, hills, turns, vehicles, transferring, time to transfer, moving walkways, size of vehicles, what side you enter/transfer from, everything they know.
• People also send me as many pictures as we can have of the ride vehicles.
• I put them together in a document.

The document that I create will be just for mobility concerns, so for people in wheelchairs, ECVs, with canes, or other mobility concerns. I do not want to exclude other disabilties or needs, but there are so many diverse needs it may be better if we stay specific document. However, if others wish to take this format and use it for autism/ADD/ADHD, for example, please go ahead. Also, I just cannot keep up with so many different things on my own.

I like the passporter for guests with special needs, but because they were covering so many different needs, they cannot get as specific as we may need/desire.

Here is an example of what I mean:
Soarin'
Entrance: You enter through the main doors of the Land Pavilion. This is a long uphill slope to the main entrance. When you enter, you will be on the second floor of the pavilion. you will need to go down the stairs or escalator to the first floor. If you cannot do this, then use the elevator located on your _________ behind the _____. Ask the CM by the ________ for help.
Queue: The queue is mainstreamed, so everyone can use the standby line. The first part of the queue is uphill on a very wide walkway. You will then go through turnstiles. The wheelchair entrace is located on the ________. You will then be going down a gradual slope. You will be separated into different crews, and arranged in three lines on spots marked on the floor.
Preshow: you will watch a preshow located on TVs near the ceiling.
Ride loading: you will be loaded by line. You must tranfer to the ride vehicle. The seats look like this: (insert picture). You can turn your wheelchair either way, to load off the right or left side of your wheelchair.
Exit: you will exit on the second floor of the Land Pavilion. The queue is uphill/downhill/level...

If you happen to know the direction of the queue as seen from above (like a map) I can include that as well.

I realize that there are many different experiences, and you may do different things at different times. I will simply include all options, so people can be prepared. This will not be perfect, but it will give us a frame of reference, so people can prepare before they get through a line and realize they can't transfer.

So what do people think?
NOTE FROM SUEM:
In order to make this happen, I have made one thread for each park where people can post their comments about access at that park. Please save this thread for comments about how to make available/organize the information and put your park comments on the individual threads.

Link to Magic Kingdom thread.
Link to thread about Epcot.
Link to Studio thread.
Link to thread for Animal Kingdom.

 

[twocat]

I'm new to mobility disabilities (osteoarthrits in my hip. Due to be replaced in December) and have a trip planned beginning this Saturday. While I've been to the parks many, many times I will be going with a completely different perspective, that being; how will I be able to get on and off rides, steps, etc. These were things I've never even thought of before!
Your idea is a great one!

 

[KPeveler]

I too am new to disability and mobility problems, but a disney veteran. I too have no idea, for example, what to expect in the Splash Mountain line. Hopefully others will think it is a good idea too.


I am more than willing to do the compiling and formatting, if people could just help me with some of the info

 

[prekteacher]

What a great idea . I will be going in May with my family and my dad uses a cane now and we talked him into using a wheelchair for the trip.

 

[BroganMc]

How's this?


Soarin'
Entrance: You enter through the main doors of the Land Pavilion. This is a long uphill slope to the main entrance. When you enter, you will be on the second floor of the pavilion. Entrance is on the lower level, accessible by escalator or elevator. The elevator is located to the left of the Garden Grill restaurant next to the restrooms. Elevator can accommodate two motorized wheelchairs or wheelchair + ECV, but is tight fit for two ECVs. (This is the one bottleneck for the ride.) Elevator exits in the area facing the Living Land boat ride exit/entrance. Proceed around the corner to your right for Soarin'.

FastPass: FastPass machines are located to the right of the entry queues. A FastPass is highly suggested since the main queue is accessible and wait times can exceed 90 minutes. If possible send a non-wheelchair user down the escalator to get FastPasses for the party earlier in the day.

Queue: The queue is mainstreamed, so everyone can use the standby line. The first part of the queue is uphill on a very wide walkway. Display screens play a nature trivia contest along the way (timekiller activity). You will then go through turnstiles. You will then be going down a gradual slope. You will be separated into different crews, and arranged in three lines on spots marked on the floor. Wheelchair users are usually put at the beginning or end of a line to assist with transfer times.

Preshow: you will watch a preshow located on TVs near the ceiling.

Ride loading: The ride vehicle consists of 3 rows (top, middle, bottom) of seats in 3 sections (left, middle, right). You will be loaded by line. You must tranfer to the ride vehicle. The seats look like this: (insert picture). You can turn your wheelchair either way, to load off the right or left side of your wheelchair. Canes, crutches and other assistive devices can be laid on the floor by your feet. A member of your party or a CM will relocate your wheelchair to a center aisle near the support columns (out of the way of the ride vehicle). You are secured in your seat by an airplane-style lap buckle (an additional leg loop is provided for children and those needing extra support). There are also armrests and grab bars on the ends for added handholds.

Tip: If you wish to ride in the top row, ask the CM on duty. If the ride has begun lining up, you can sit out that ride and board the next.

Once everyone is secured in their seats (CMs do a seat check before releasing the ride), the theatre will go dark and the rows of seats will rise forward and off the ground. The vehicle is suspended in the air in front of a giant viewscreen. Riders' feet are left dangling so seatbelts and handholds may be necessary to maintain position and comfort.

Exit: The ride vehicle slides back to ground level. Your wheelchair or assistive device (cane, etc.) is brought back to you by a member of your party or a CM. Once you transfer, you will exit to the left of the theatre. Proceed along a sloped ramp to the first floor courtyard (just past the FastPass Distribution machines). Return to the second floor of the Land Pavilion via the elevator or escalator.

.....................

I'll do others as I go along. For those wondering, I am a power wheelchair user with mobility impairments due to rheumatoid arthritis and joint contractures. I am able to walk short distances but unable to manage any steps or low seats independently. I also visit Disney twice a year. My next trip is in 10 days time. I'll see about snapping pictures of the ride vehicles as I go along.

My sis is going with me this time so I expect to get on some of the rides I normally can't due to lack of assistance: POTC, Test Track, Snow White, Mission: Space.

 

[KPeveler]

that's great! I, for example, had no idea where they took your chair when you were on the ride...

snap as many pics as you want/can. you don't need to make this your mission, but if you find yourself waiting in line for soarin or for your friend to get get fast passes, snap some pics if the queue or something... thanks so much to everyone in advance!

I have created a massive questionnaire with all the possible questions a person could have about accessing a ride. obviously if you have some answers and not all, you don't have to fill it out entirely. this is not a test, but just something to think about. this is also not my criticizing your answer broganmc, just something i came up with while bored at work:


Disney Ride Questionnaire

Approach to the Ride
1. Is the approach uphill?
2. Must you use the Fastpass or Exit to get to the ride?
3. Is the handicapped entrance in a different location?
4. Do you need to go to a special area/use an elevator to access the ride entrance?
5. Where is wheelchair/ECV/stroller parking for those who choose to walk through the line?
6. Any other information?

The Queue
1. Can you use the main queue if you are in a wheelchair? In an ECV?
2. Can an ECV navigate the queue?
3. How wide is the queue (approximation)?
4. Are there sharp turns/U-turns in the queue?
5. Are there turnstiles anywhere in the queue?
6. Is the queue uphill or downhill?
7. Is it indoors (very smooth surface) or is the surface rough?
8. About how long is the queue (distance, not wait time)?
9. Any other information?

The Preshow:
1. Is the preshow on TVs overhead? Or do you need to be in front to see?
2. Can you see the preshow from a wheelchair/scooter, or do you bypass it?
3. How long is the pre-show, for people who park their wheelchairs/ECVs outside?
4. Any other information?

The Ride Vehicles:
1. Must you transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle?
2. Must to transfer from an ECV to a manual chair for the ride vehicle?
3. Must you be ambulatory for this ride?
4. Is the transfer down into a vehicle (POTC), up into a ride vehicle (Mission:Space), or across to a seat/bench? How far down or up do you have to maneuver?
5. How long do you have to transfer from the wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle?
6. Is there a moving walkway? How wide is the moving walkway?
7. Can the moving walkway/ride be slowed or stopped?
8. How many people can sit per row/ride vehicle?
9. How much back/head/neck support is there? Is there any trunk support?
10. Can the person sitting next to the disable person reach him or her? (hold hands, support, etc)
11. Does the ride have a seat belt? Lap bar? Harness? No restraint touching the person?
12. Are there any bars or supports to grab when transferring?
13. IS there a particular seat or row that is best to transfer to?
14. What side do you enter the vehicle from? Do you exit from this same side?
15. Is it possible for someone to help you get in and out of the vehicle?
16. Where do they take your wheelchair when you get on the ride?
16. Any other information?
17. Is there a specific ride vehicle? How do you enter this vehicle?


Theatres:
1. How much wheelchair/ECV seating is there?
2. Is it individual seats or bench seats?
3. If it is an individual seat, do you have to fold down the seat first?
4. Do the bench seats have backs?
5. Is the seating in the front or the rear of the theatre?
6. Where does the rest of your party sit?
7. Any other information?

The Exit:
1. Do you exit through a store?
2. Do exit where you enter?
3. Are there turnstiles?
4. Is the exit uphill or downhill?

Let me know what people think, and if you start emailing me (or PMing) or posting info I will begin compiling it!

 

[SueM in MN]

I've been trying to do this sort of thing for a long time.
I was thinking of the same type of information as you all came up with, but in bullet points (less words) so they are easier to read. One of the thoughts I had was to use the same format for each attraction. I think if the same format was included for each one, it could include information that would be helpful for all sorts of disabilities. Vision and hearing could be easily added.
One problem with the Passporter book is the codes for each attraction. That makes it much more complicated than it needs to be. There are sometimes 8 codes where the 'problem' for each of those conditions is that the queue is dark. I think it would be better to just say "it's dark" and let people decide if that is a problem for them or not.

Here were my other ideas:

A thread for each park, which would include:

• one post for each ride/attraction/building - for example, The Land would have one post with 3 attractions in it.
• each attraction post would include a short description of the ride itself (is it a thrill ride or a quiet boat ride), things like darkness, loud noises, etc.
• a picture of the ride vehicle and the queue if possible
• description of the boarding process (things like elevator, moving walkway, etc)
• comments about boarding that attraction from DIS posters
• the thread would have a link to a 'comments' thread (more below)

I also thought the thread would be locked like the disABILITIES FAQs thread to avoid getting to 30 pages. There would also be an unlocked comments thread for each park where people could post their experiences with boarding/attractions at that park. That could also be a place where people could post new pictures or changes in the attraction (so I can find them to update the park thread).

I've been thinking about this for a long time and had a lot of ideas back and forth in my head. One was to make some PDF files about attractions and find a way to post them. Another was to make Powerpoint slides for each attraction, save them as jpgs and then post them to the picture area of the DIS site (wdwinfo.com part). Both of those would be harder to update than just putting it on a thread.

I have some information compiled and have a bunch of pictures - some are on a CD ROM rescued from one of our computers that 'died'. There are also some hiding out in the 5000 photos I have in iPhoto on my current computer.
We're getting set to go on vacation soon, so I was trying to get an 'inventory' of ride car vehicles I do have. Between all the places I have pictures stored, I do have at least most of the wheelchair accessible ones. After I find them, I plan to put them in a DIS site album.

One other thing I would add to the questions would be about the person filling out the information:

• basic information about nature of the person's ability to transfer - can he/she walk, do a stand and pivot, sliding board, lift themself, someone else lift them, etc.
• what type of equipment do they use -
  ECV (park, own or outside rental; 3 or 4 wheel; heavy duty)
  power wheelchair (type and approximate measurements)
  manual wheelchair (type and approximate measurements)
  special needs stroller (type and approximate measurement)
  cane, walker, etc.
• Did they use the wheelchair accessible ride car in a wheelchair or just see it in use - if used, what type and size wheelchair do they have.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was looking at tweaking the format that is used in the Universal Rider's Guide, for example, this about Cat in the Hat.

ATTRACTION DESCRIPTION:
This ride takes a journey through the world of The Cat in the
Hat. The movement of the ride vehicle includes sudden
acceleration, turning and spinning.
IMPORTANT ACCESS INFORMATION:
NOTE from Sue: They had some icons here that indicate things about access
This ride employs safety restraints which may not
accommodate certain people due to their body shape or size.
Handheld infants are not permitted.
TO RIDE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Continuously grasp the lap bar with at least one upper
extremity; independently maintain yourself in an upright
position while seated; and absorb sudden and dramatic
movements including spinning and turning.
GUESTS WITH SERVICE ANIMALS:
The vehicle has minimal to adequate floor space and has
adequate side barriers for containment for medium to large
animals (smaller or crated animals may not be appropriate).
The vehicle moves through a show building and rapidly
spins on center while moving. Special Note: To ensure
safety of the animal, its tail (or other appendage) should not
be allowed to extend beyond the floor of the vehicle.
INFORMATION FOR GUESTS USING WHEELCHAIRS:
NOTE from Sue: They had icons here about need for transfer, but not very specific. Icons are easier to 'scan' than words are, and would be good for the basic 'is a tranfer required or not'.

 

[KPeveler]

i've never been to universal so i know nothing about what they do... i was trying to come up with a list of any questions we may have... i know that not all questions apply to everything, but i thought it might not be a bad guide i am happy with any suggestions or information

 

[SueM in MN]

i've never been to universal so i know nothing about what they do... i was trying to come up with a list of any questions we may have... i know that not all questions apply to everything, but i thought it might not be a bad guide i am happy with any suggestions or information

I think the questions are a great way to gather information (like a questionnaire, so people think of everything). They will be perfect for collecting information.

I loaded some jpg files to the DIS Site's Photo Albums this evening. It was my first time loading anything on and it made me think of a great idea that I think will be very helpful.
As you download pictures, there is the ability to add keywords. The jpgs I added were Communication pages, so I added "Communication" as a keyword and also added "disABILITIES" as another keyword.
That made me think of a way to access lots of photos instead of only the one or 2 we will be able to put into the post about each ride.
If people would load their ride pictures onto the DIS Site Photo Albums and add specific keywords, we would have a great album of pictures people could find. Maybe disABILITIES and then the name of the attraction.
??????

 

[KPeveler]

in one of the passporter e-books, they provide links to photos posted online in albums, so that would save space. i will take the information and put it into a printable "book" so people can take it with them if they are like me and dont do well with handheld technology, or who need to see things printed out to read them well (like me!)

I think the questionnaire will help make sure we have all out bases covered... i think a lot of what needs to be explained are lines and vehicles... i want to know for things like splash mountain, what do they do in the lines... i've heard that they pull people out of the line at a certain point... but i have never seen anything written down.

i created a list of attractions in MK, so we can start going through the list and getting everything we need... i will work on the ones for EC, DS, and AK later today...

 

[KPeveler]

I've been thinking about this for a long time and had a lot of ideas back and forth in my head. One was to make some PDF files about attractions and find a way to post them. Another was to make Powerpoint slides for each attraction, save them as jpgs and then post them to the picture area of the DIS site (wdwinfo.com part). Both of those would be harder to update than just putting it on a thread.

I can create a PDF document and post it to a website (this is where my techie boyfriend comes in), so then people can download it as they wish. i will create the file in MS publisher and save it as a PDF later... it wont be perfect, but it will be a good start... we can also keep something here on the DIS...

 

[Debbie Jean]

This is such a wonderful idea! Thanks to all for submitting the information.

I bookmarked the thread, but Sue, could you make it a sticky??

 

[KPeveler]

ok, sue, how do we want to go about collecting information and photos? do we want to create a group album on webshots, that everyone can post to? should I post a list of the attractions in MK to start? i defer to your expert wisdom

 

[SueM in MN]

I can create a PDF document and post it to a website (this is where my techie boyfriend comes in), so then people can download it as they wish. i will create the file in MS publisher and save it as a PDF later... it wont be perfect, but it will be a good start... we can also keep something here on the DIS...

I can save to PDF.The problem I can see is finding a place to post it to. I can ask the techie people on the DIS site what options we have there.

This is such a wonderful idea! Thanks to all for submitting the information.

I bookmarked the thread, but Sue, could you make it a sticky??

I'm going to make this thread into a sticky, then make a thread for each park. They will not be stickies, but there will be a link to them in this thread. I will edit the first post in this post to include those links.

 

[SueM in MN]

In order to make this information booklet/FAQ about ride access happen, I have made one thread for each park where people can post their comments about access at that park. Please save this thread for comments about how to make available/organize the information and put your park comments on the individual threads.

Link to Magic Kingdom thread.
Link to thread about Epcot.
Link to Studio thread.
Link to thread for Animal Kingdom.
[URL="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21459096&posted=1#post21459096']Link to thread about Cruise Line[/URL]

 

[SueM in MN]

I took my computer with me when we went to WDW earlier this month and used some of our 'down time' to sort the pictures for the last 2 years that I have on this computer. I put all the 'accessibility' ones in a separate album and I ended up with 610 photos. Some of them are duplicates (always trying to get a better picture than the one I have), but I have a lot of ride/theater photos, including pictures of wheelchair accessible cars.
I also have some pictures of tables and chairs from counter service restaurants and pictures from resorts on our stays the last 2 years (mostly OKW and SSR). Now, I just have to figure out how I am going to post them and make them available.

I also have a disk with files from longer than 2 years ago that I know has some pictures, but I haven't had time to look yet to see what I have on that.

 

[kidsister]

This is a great thread and I"m sure it will help so many people avoid disappointments. Hoping someone will soon post info re POC. I have a young friend who has never ridden on POC (she's wheelchair bound and travels only with her mom.) We have a group going in December and it would give me the greatest pleasure to be able to get her on the ride. I've conscripted two brawny pirates to lift her down to her seat and I'll be her backboard. Do you think the CMs will let us do this??????? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a great thread and I"m sure it will help so many people avoid disappointments. Hoping someone will soon post info re POC. I have a young friend who has never ridden on POC (she's wheelchair bound and travels only with her mom.) We have a group going in December and it would give me the greatest pleasure to be able to get her on the ride. I've conscripted two brawny pirates to lift her down to her seat and I'll be her backboard. Do you think the CMs will let us do this??????? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

I posted a long reply to your question in the thread about MK attractions.
If you have any more questions after reading that reply, please put them in that thread so it will be easier to follow.

NOTE TO READERS: I want to keep this thread about the idea in general, so if you have any specific questions about ride access, please look first in the "Post what you know about ________ Park" threads. If your question is still not answered, either make a new thread or put your question into the thread for that park.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am 'unsticking' this thread from the top of the board.
It will still be around, but it will only come to the top when people post on it.
There will be a link to this thread in the disABILITIES FAQs thread and also in the Ecpot FAQs thread.