Suggested rides/rides to avoid for those with physical disabilities

[Kirstyn]

Hi everyone,
My family of 5 and I will be going to Disney world in 3 weeks for the first time. I will be using my scooter to be able to cover more distance at Disney. However, I will walk in line and transfer for the rides. I am an adult with mild hypotonic cerebral palsy with weaker torso muscles. Which rides would be best to ride/avoid? How about rides like these below?
splash mountain
space mountain
mine train
thunder mountain
mission space
test track
Soarin
Tower of Terror
Everest

Also, how does DAS work with fast pass and where do I get mine? Is there any documentation I need to bring? What about handicap parking?

I really appreciate the help. Thank you!

 

[SirDuff]

It sounds like your issue is solved with you scooter - WDW's policy if the issue is mobility is that you use a scooter/ECV/etc. rather than a DAS. Most lines are mainstreamed and, the ones that aren't don't need you to use a DAS (they will see your mobility device and advise you accordingly - usually issuing a "return time").

Do you have a handicap parking tag for your car? They are transferable across states (and from Canada), so just bring that. If you don't, speak with the person directing traffic - you cannot park in a "blue" spot, but they can get you to spots closer/easier.

 

[lanejudy]

to disABIITIES!

The WDW - Disability Access Service Card thread pinned near the top of this forum may help you to understand DAS. As mentioned, if the ECV resolves your needs they will not issue a DAS. If you have additional invisible disabilities, you can request a DAS at Guest Relations. You should be prepared to discuss those needs as specifically related to waiting in a standard queue environment, and probably to explain why the ECV doesn't help with those needs. No documentation is necessary.

A disABILITIES FAQ thread is also pinned near the top of this forum. That might help you with some general questions about accessibility at various attractions.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as a scooter user I would reconsider walking in lines and use your ECV in line also and just transfer at the ride. I last longer in the parks doing this

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll write more later this weekend, but wanted to point you toward the disABILITIES FAQs near the top of this board (or follow the link in my signature).
The first post of that thread is an index that tells what subject the different posts have. Posts 18-22 have information about transfers and access to different attractions. There is another post on page 2 that lists attractions with warnings and a bit more about the attraction to help with decision making. There is also a list of attractions where all guests have to stand for a period of time (mostly preshows or that the attraction loads in 'batches')

As was mentioned, in general, WDW does not issue DAS where the disability needs are mobility related and use of a wheelchair or ECV will solve the issues.
Some of the reasons are that some queues are a long distance, even in the Fastpass line. For example, Soarin' is over 1/4 mile in and the same distance back out. Many are like that and unless you can see the whole queue, you don't know. Plus, they can change line configurations quickly by repositioning a few chains. So, even with a short wait, some attractions may have a long path to get in.
Most attractions have no place to sit even if there is a large preshow or gathering room, so unless you have a mobility device with you, you will be standing.
A few attractions have moving walkways at load/unload or have stairs in the queues. Without bringing a mobility device in line with you, it is possible to ask to avoid those (you don't need DAS to do that). It is much easier and will require less explanations if the CMs can see a mobility device or something like a cane.

I will respond more later about the specific attractions you listed, but, assuming your scooter has no special trunk support, you should have enough trunk stability to ride pretty much anything you want.
There are some attractions where being being able to brace with your feet is very helpful, but if you have enough strength and mobility to walk, most of those should not be an issue.
Just for reference, my youngest daughter has CP with spastic quadriplegia with athetoid/dyskinetic movements, especially when she is excited (if you are familiar with the Gross Motor Classification System, she is level IV). Since she can't help much with transfers, her limitations for attractions are much more based on our difficulty transferring her than her CP.

 

[Kirstyn]

Thank you everyone!

 

[MataHari22]

Hi everyone,
My family of 5 and I will be going to Disney world in 3 weeks for the first time. I will be using my scooter to be able to cover more distance at Disney. However, I will walk in line and transfer for the rides. I am an adult with mild hypotonic cerebral palsy with weaker torso muscles. Which rides would be best to ride/avoid? How about rides like these below?
splash mountain
space mountain
mine train
thunder mountain
mission space
test track
Soarin
Tower of Terror
Everest

Also, how does DAS work with fast pass and where do I get mine? Is there any documentation I need to bring? What about handicap parking?

I really appreciate the help. Thank you!

I wanted to address the part about the rides. I do not share the same issues as you do, but I do suffer from some over all weakness and severe weakness in my arms, especially my right one, and I have problems with my neck. Stenosis, C5 -C6 and severe peripheral neuropathy in both hands and arms. I am not a big thrill ride person, really, so I have never done Tower of Terror or Everest. With Mission Space, I have only done the light version, I wouldn't bother to try it again even though I don't remember any problems with it, it was too cramped in there and boring. The rest I have done in the past. I will comment on the ones I will no longer do, after trying them last year, which I hate because Big Thunder Mt was one of my favorite rides. It was a rough ride! I was riding by myself and I'm tiny, only just over 100lbs and I was really moving around in that seat, sliding side to side and banging each side of me, because I didn't really have the strength in my core and arms to hang on and stay put. With Space Mountain, I sat in the middle seat, and didn't slide badly like I did with BMT, but because it is dark, I really couldn't at least try and brace myself for the turns and stuff. It was an extremely rough ride. Also, since I was single rider on that ride as well, I had problems with my strength trying to get out of the ride once it was over. I almost didn't get myself out! There's no one to help you if you're not with anyone. I was extremely sore after both. Definitely never again. So, if you don't have good core strength and have some weakness, I would skip those for sure. I would also talk to your doctors before you go, and see what they recommend.

 

[Kirstyn]

Thank you!