Taking an elderly parent to WDW

[Just_Trish]

Hi there! I'm hoping you all can offer some insight...

I will be taking my elderly mother to WDW for her first trip in 30 years! We're actually taking her against her will (LOL!!) She knows we are WDW freaks and my DD has been begging her to come.

She cannot walk well - only short distances - so we will be pushing her in her wheelchair. I think she will be capable of getting into rides (for example, Pooh) but then I started thinking about the rides with moving sidewalks like Peter Pan. I know she cannot manuever those. Do rides with moving sidewalks have alternate entrances?

Basically, I guess what I am looking for is a list of rides at each park and their accessibility...

Thank you so much!

 

[mickeysaver]

Honestly, if she isn't into the idea, then save yourself the time, the money, and the lack of a relaxing vacation and just don't do it.

Basically, I have been there, done that, never again! My MIL tried to be a trooper, but was far sicker than she had let on and it was a total downer the whole trip. We rented her a scooter, but she still grumped about walking from the scooter to the ride vehicles. She needed so much care that it was exhausting to get through even half a day with her in the parks.

Your experience might be much different, but I wouldn't push it. If she says she doesn't want to go, just remember attitude is everything and it can ruin the most magical place on earth if it's bad enough.

 

[Just_Trish]

Thanks for the input, but she is definitely going! When I said "against her will" I mean because she thinks we're crazy for going so much to a "kids place". She does want to see the Christmas decorations, and I know from other experiences with her, once she is out doing something she enjoys herself.

So...does anyone have any info on ride accessibility? Thanks!

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks for the input, but she is definitely going! When I said "against her will" I mean because she thinks we're crazy for going so much to a "kids place". She does want to see the Christmas decorations, and I know from other experiences with her, once she is out doing something she enjoys herself.

So...does anyone have any info on ride accessibility? Thanks!

Check out the FAQs up top - I think there are links to WDW's page of accessiblity up there.

Is she thinking an ECV or wheelchair? You cannot take a ECV onto ride vehicles, but you CAN take a wheelchair into some. There are several lines which cannot handle an ECV and she would have to transfer to an available wheelchair there.

Peter Pan and hte TTA CANNOT be stopped. She would also have to leave her wc or ECV at the bottom of the steep ramp at the TTA.

All other rides with moving walkways CAN be stopped or slowed.

Be aware that you do not skip lines with a wc or ECV, and can often wait longer (I feel the need to say this because so many people including my doctor give out this incorrect info!)

Most lines are mainstreamed, so you will get to go in the regular line almost every time.

Are you renting offsite? If she cannot walk much, you will need to rent off-site to have the wc or ecv at the hotel and to get to and from the buses.

You cannot do the stretching room at the HM with a wheelchair, you either have to park it and walk or go in the exit and skip the stretching room.

 

[SueM in MN]

As already mentioned, Peter Pan and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) have moving walkways that can’t be stopped.
Peter Pan gives a short time for boarding. TTA has a steep moving ramp (like an escalator without steps) to get to the 2nd floor boarding area. Once up there, there is a moving walkway - your ride car moves at the same speed as the moving walkway. TTA has no access for wheelchairs or ECVs; they are parked at the bottom and you ride the ramp up.

With a wheelchair, you will be routed to the exit for boarding the attractions with moving walkways (you will usually wait in the regular line until just before the regular line reaches the boarding area).

Animal Kingdom has only one ride with a moving walkway - Kali River Rapids. That is a turbulent water ride, so unless your mom is the adventurous type, she will probably not be riding it. There is a separate boarding area for guests with disabilities where there is no moving walkway. You will be routed there with a wheelchair or ECV.

Disney Hollywood Studio has no attractions with moving walkways.

Epcot has 3.
Spaceship Earth has a moving walkway and guests with wheelchairs and ECVs board at the exit. There is more information about this in the Epcot FAQs thread near the top of this board. The walkway can be stopped or slowed; they generally will slow it unless you ask for it to be completely stopped.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends has a moving walkway. Guests with wheelchairs board at the regular area and there is a wheelchair car if she wants to stay in the wheelchair. The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped if needed - again, they will usually just slow it because that is usually enough for most guests.
American Adventure has an elevator to bring wheelchairs and ECVs up to the second floor entry to the theater. There is a steep ramp to get in and out of the actual theater - again, more information in the Epcot FAQs thread.

Magic Kingdom has 3.
Haunted Mansion has a moving walkway. As KPeveler mentioned, you will board at the exit (usually after waiting in line until the hearse) unless she is able to walk about 200 feet and stand about 5 minutes for a preshow plus a few minutes in a slow moving line going into the boarding area from the preshow. The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped if you board at the exit.
Peter Pan can’t be slowed or stopped.
Buzz Lightyear has a moving walkway and can be slowed or stopped. Usually they will slow it rather than stopping. With a wheelchair, you wait in the regular line until just before boarding. At that point, there is a wheelchair pull off that passes to the exit for boarding.

 

[blockscrappers]

Try to allow extra time to do things and also do things which she would like. You might check in with Guest relations in the park for a GAC it will allow you to ride the rides a second time without unloading if the ride is stoppable. We had quite a time with ride CMs getting them to understand so try to be patient. Have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Try to allow extra time to do things and also do things which she would like. You might check in with Guest relations in the park for a GAC it will allow you to ride the rides a second time without unloading if the ride is stoppable. We had quite a time with ride CMs getting them to understand so try to be patient. Have a great trip!

Riding a second time is very variable on conditions - if there are a lot of guests waiting in the regular line or if there are other guests with special needs waiting, they will not allow you to ride twice without stopping.

You can always ask, but it very well may not be possible.

You can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (or look near the top of this board). Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards.

 

[Just_Trish]

Thank you so much, everyone. Sue, I did find the link to the post regarding accessibility - thanks, it was very helpful.

She isn't much of a ride person, but one thing I know she would want to ride is Haunted Mansion so I am glad to know she can go in the exit and they can stop the sidewalk.

Since we are going 3 weeks before Christmas, we are going to do things like look at resort decorations, etc. My daughter and I already know this isn't going to be like our 'normal' trips to WDW, but we really wanted to be able to show her around each of the parks and for her to experience some things. IASW was her favorite thing 30 years ago, so I am glad to know she can stay in her chair and ride.

We're not concerned with riding multiple times, so that is no big deal, but obviously if they offer, we would accept!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We are taking my parents there too (Dad hasn't been there in over 30 years as well), right around the same time as you! I hope you have a fantastic trip.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Thanks for your thread! I've been pondering a trip with my 83-yr-old mother and DD. We are going to August, but it will be too hot and hectic for her.

I'm thinking of a shorter trip with plans to get to MK, Epcot and DHS. My mother can walk short distances and get in and out of her car, but I think WDW is just too much for her to walk. I'm actually thinking of getting a wheelchair for her, since I don't think she'll be able to operate a ECV - or feel confident enough to try. I don't think she could get the ECV onto and out of a bus, so that leaves the monorail resorts for the most part if we want to get easily in and out of MK and Epcot via monorail, and to DHS via Epcot International Gateway and the boats. Does this plan sound do-able to WDW veterans?

 

[leo711]

We took my 77 year old mother 3 years ago for 8 days. We rented a ECV. She was not sure about it at first and after 20 minutes she loved it. A W/c can be difficult. MK is all up hill from the entrance. The ECV would give your mom more independence too. So my suggestion would be to at least rent a ECV at the parks and use the w/c at the resorts. Also does she require any special eq. for the bathroom? You can request an accessible room with a walk in shower etc. Have a wonderful trip.