Suggestions requested-How to get my wife on Kilimanjaro Safaris

[David Gardner]

My wife had a severe back injury several years ago. She is able to walk now, although not for a long period; for previous trips I've pushed her around in a wheelchair.

The biggest issue is that she can't do any thrill rides, which breaks her heart. I really want to get her on the Safaris, but the biggest problem is the extremely bumpy fake "rutted road" section. I think it's designed to be as bumpy as possible there, as part of the "thrill" part of the ride, but the lurching is bad enough that I think it would trigger her back, which usually puts her o her back for two or three days. I've asked if there was a way to have the driver for one vehicle just take those bumps easy. As I expected, that was a big no from the Land of Mouse.

Other things I've asked them:
- Whether the Savor the Savannah Tour is rough. They say it is, but I have a hard time believing it's as bad as the ride itself.
- Whether we could arrange a vehicle like an SUV to take us around, with a driver taking that section slowly. They're not interested in that at all.
- Whether we could arrange for a VIP Tour, possibly even one that didn't go through the rough patch but which enters the savannahs from outside, near Rafiki's. Also a n go for them.
- Whether the Starlight Tour at AKL is rough. Again, they say it is, and again, I don't think they're being completely honest. My guess is that this response is meant to protect them from lawsuits.

Can anyone think of any alternatives I haven't covered?

 

[lanejudy]

You are unlikely to have success asking for any kind of special arrangement that isn't already available to anyone. It would likely be a liability issue as well as setting a precedent of such customized accommodations that would be unsustainable to the company.

The general recommendations are to sit near the front where one may not feel the bumps as much. I'm not sure if she can bring an extra seat cushion, though that wouldn't really help with the rocking.

I haven't personally done either of the tours mentioned. Hopefully someone else can share their experience.

 

[Creature of habit]

I don’t have any suggestions, just empathy. I clearly remember the last time I rode the safari and knew I would never be able to handle it again. Lower back health is so important, some things just aren’t worth aggravating the body’s delicate structure. I’m sorry for her heartbreak, she’s definitely not alone!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

My suggestion would be to just realize its something you need to skip and move on.

You could stay in a Savanna view room at AKL which would give you the best opportunity to actualoly see some of the animals that you may or may not even see on the attraction.

 

[SkyGuy]

I’ve done Savor the Savanna, and you ride in a smaller vehicle, but you take close to the same route with the exception of veering off course every now and then for more explanation about different animals plus a q and a with a keeper. It’s just as rough, and you have to step down into the vehicle. We had a gentleman who had quite the difficult time getting out of the vehicle for the lunch. You basically sit on a board around the sides of a flatbed truck.

 

[team bradfield]

Skip, it is a rough ride

 

[SteveMouse]

Disney is unlikely to make an exception from their normal policies and routine, especially if it raises their potential liability.

i don't honestly think it's "worth it," but I know my heavy power wheelchair has significantly more cushioning in the seat than a rentable wheelchair or a simple scooter. My back is fused, save for minor movement in a couple of vertebrae in my neck, so I tend to feel bumps more than most people. For whatever reason, the safari doesnt bother me. I also used to ride Mission Space Orange 7 times consecutively, with no ill effects. An eighth ride did, however, left me disinterested in taking a ninth.

Some rental scooters may have a captain's chair as a possible option.

You still don't want to do anything that will have a negative impact on your wife, either in the short or long term. Disney has given its advice and recommendation. There are no easy ways of Doug a "do-over."

 

[Simba's Mom]

My wife had a severe back injury several years ago. She is able to walk now, although not for a long period; for previous trips I've pushed her around in a wheelchair.

The biggest issue is that she can't do any thrill rides, which breaks her heart. I really want to get her on the Safaris, but the biggest problem is the extremely bumpy fake "rutted road" section. I think it's designed to be as bumpy as possible there, as part of the "thrill" part of the ride, but the lurching is bad enough that I think it would trigger her back, which usually puts her o her back for two or three days. I've asked if there was a way to have the driver for one vehicle just take those bumps easy. As I expected, that was a big no from the Land of Mouse.

When you get to the front of the line, let them know that you must have the first row (and of course, be willing to wait for the next jeep if necessary). Boy, does that make a difference! When I've sat near the back (though it's been many years), it was horrible! If she's in a wheelchair, do you go to the right with the scooters? I ask because on those jeeps there's a small bench (only holds 2 people) right up by the driver. That's the best.

 

[SueM in MN]

The very front row if the Safari tram is where a guest who needs to ride in their wheelchair is able to ride. That tow is wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible.

My youngest daughter has ridden the Safariin her wheelchair many times over the years in the front row. Her wheelchair is tied down the same way as on the buses. Her wheelchair has a very comfortable supportive back and cushion and includes a seatbelt. I'm mentioning all this to point out how well secured her wheelchair is and how secure she is in her wheelchair.
The front couple of rows are less bumpy than the back of the tram, but being in the front does not guarantee it won't be bumpy. The road/path is bumpy and how bumpy each ride is really depends on which/how many bumps your individual driver hits.
Every time we ride involves some bumpiness.
Sometimes it's not that bumpy and sometimes my daughter is really being jostled a lot from side to side during most of the ride. She happens to like that, but it could be dangerous for someone who can't be jostled.

Instead of going on the safari, I'd suggest using the walking paths to observe the animals. They are wheelchair and ECV accessible. Guests can also travel to Animal Kingdom Lodge and view the savanna there. The resort has multiple viewing areas. There is a bus from AK to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[Bete]

I don't think there is a good answer, here. You will likely be taking risks whatever you do. Seat cushions could help. Maybe, three cushions with one on the seat and the others wrapped around her on the sides. Taking a pain killer ahead of time could help. Wearing a back brace could help. Holding on to her tightly might help over the bumpy spots. Doing all the above together would help the most but there is still no guarantee this would work.

I was limited with my mom on trips. We learned to enjoy Disney without most rides. Enjoy the shows, fireworks and parades. It sounds like you can still do some rides; so, you are better off than some others.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

In case you do decide to go the cushion route you may want to take a look at park guidelines. They are permitted on Safari, but may not be on all rides you are considering.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mobility/#drawer-card-DrawerCushionsOnAttractions

 

[Evita_W]

If you really do insist on going on the ride (as others mentioned, I wouldn't recommend it under these circumstances), you could use:

• Seat Cushions
• A manual or power chair with really good suspension
• Let the CMs know you would like the "service animal" version of the attraction, there are certain things they don't do when there is a service animal on board so as to not scare the service animal and some of that makes is SLIGHTLY less rough, still rough though.
• You can even explain the situation and they can tell you what can and can't be done, there may honestly be something we all know nothing about because we never asked, this is unlikely, but possible.

 

[David Gardner]

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[SueM in MN]

This video of the safari was filmed from the front seat of the safari tram.
When I watched, I felt it compared to one of the lower bumping safaris we've been on.
Many are much more bumpy than shown in this video.
Safari video front row

 

[Narcoossee11]

I agree with others, skip the ride.
It is not worth the risk of your wife hurting her back further. A 5 minute ride is not worth having 5 years of further back pain.

Go and hang out at the AKL viewing areas. Spend the morning or afternoon see the animals there.