thrill rides?

[weswife]

Hello,

My DD is 16 and in a wheelchair, full time. She has no use of her legs. We have had her on every ride in Disney that allows her to remain in her chair. This year she wants to ride Soarin, test track and a roller coaster! YIKES!!! I have never taken her on any of these. Her Dad is willing to transfer her if CM's allow. I will bite the bullet and ride with her! Any advice or thoughts!?? I would love for her to experience it but I am scared she will get hurt/fall out. Her safety comes first!!!!!!! She wants sooooooooo much to be like her older sis and younger brother. I am not sure. Thanks in advance!

 

[BillSears]

I've a T8 level complete paraplegic since I was 17, that waws 34 years ago, and have ridden all of these. Darn I think I've ridden every ride in the park including dragging myself up and down the stairs to ride 20,000 Leagues when I was much younger.

If she's got full use of her upper body she can probably make the transfers for those by herself. I know I do solo trips to WDW and ride those.

I'd highly reccomend using the accessible car on Expidition Everest. It's the easiest roller coaster transfer at WDW and it's a great ride.

For Soarin she should probably use the extra yellow strap between her legs. I know I feel more secure with it.

Overall though WDW is designed to be mostly idiot proof. You have to work very hard to hurt yourself on the rides. So not being able to move your legs shouldn't cause any extra danger.

Here's a nice site for some ride by ride descriptions:

http://www.themouseonwheels.com/

Overall if she can transfer in and out of a car she can probably ride almost everything at WDW. If she can get from the floor to her chair I'd say there isn't anything but Peter Pan that would be a problem.

So it's time to let her have some fun Mom. It's OK she'll be fine.

 

[weswife]

Thanks for the quick reply!!!!!! You made my heart skip a beat and now I have tears in my eyes thinking of her face on the ride!!! I was always worried she would fall out or off the ride!

She has spina-bifida and is about a T 8 as well. She does not transfer, mostly our fault for not working on this. Her Dad helps with all of the lifting. We also have a lift.

Do CMS mind if it takes a few extra mins. to board. I can't imagine her on any of the thrill rides!! Oh my nerves, might need help for myself!! So, she will be secured in the ride? I guess I am stuck on the thought of not using legs on a ride to stay in place. Hope my explaination makes sense.

She will be soooo happy when I read the replies to her!

 

[weswife]

WOW!!! Thanks for the link! I will start making a few plans!

 

[BillSears]

Thanks for the quick reply!!!!!! You made my heart skip a beat and now I have tears in my eyes thinking of her face on the ride!!! I was always worried she would fall out or off the ride!

Don't worry everyone gets strapped in on rides that need it.

She has spina-bifida and is about a T 8 as well. She does not transfer, mostly our fault for not working on this. Her Dad helps with all of the lifting. We also have a lift.

Well that's what Dads are for. But she should also work on being a bit independent. We all want our children to grow up and handle life on their own someday.

Do CMS mind if it takes a few extra mins. to board. I can't imagine her on any of the thrill rides!! Oh my nerves, might need help for myself!! So, she will be secured in the ride? I guess I am stuck on the thought of not using legs on a ride to stay in place. Hope my explaination makes sense.

In almost all situations they'll give you some extra time. For Soarin you have all the time you want. For Test Track I'm not positive. For Expidition Everest they will let the cars back up behind you, so it's best if you can transfer semi fast but it shouldn't be a problem. The accessible car has a nice swing away door and the seat is just about level with most wheelchair seats.

She will be soooo happy when I read the replies to her!

She'll have a great, safe but terrifying time!!!!! Next stop Tower of Terror!!!!! That ride scars the pants off of me for some reason but it's an easy transfer.

 

[KPeveler]

RnR also has an accessible car, which makes transfers easier.

For Test Track, ask to load at the "seatbelt check station." Sue will be along shortly with pics of it I am sure! At this point the side of the car is about level with a wheelchair, which may make the transfer easier. Otherwise you have to step down into the car like Pirates,which is a little difficult.

 

[weswife]

Thanks! We are making plans, I feel wonderful about her getting to experience the rides!!!

I would love to see any pics.! The link gave great info. My DH and I read it last night. I am trying to picture how to get her on/off the rides!

She will so proud of herself! Heck, I will be proud if I can ride them! Anyway, thanks for the info.!!

 

[BillSears]

I know all of these aren't pictures your looking for since some are just me...but what the heck.

Here I am in 1977, my first trip to WDW. This was about 5 months after my injury.

And here I am 32 years later celebrating my 50th birthday. I still love Walt Disney World!

OK some ride pics...

Tower of Terror...this is me, my Mom and my Aunt. Yes it was slow enough that we got an elevator all to ourselves.

You can see that there is a sliding door in the front. The easiest seat to transfer to is the one directly across from the opening. You can wheel your chair straight in and transfer straight ahead.

This is the accessible car for Big Thunder Mountain. It has a fold down side that's pretty much level with my seat. So it's to the side then down a bump to the actual seat.

This is the test car for Expedition Everest but the real car is the same. You can see the side door swings open and you can transfer right over.

These are the only ones I have but I'm sure others have more.

 

[weswife]

Great pics.!!!!!!! Yes, now I see what you are refering to in regard to transfering! WOW!!! Never knew it would be somewhat easy! Years ago when she was much smaller/younger we could get her on rides at the fair. Not so much now,

You look great in your pics.! Thanks for all of your info.!!!! She is enjoying all of the replies! Planning now!

 

[weswife]

PS as a side not I am celebrating my 40 b-day and my DS celebrates the day before he will be 11!!!!!!!

 

[BillSears]

PS as a side not I am celebrating my 40 b-day and my DS celebrates the day before he will be 11!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you both!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD has cerebral palsy and is not able to stand or walk. Depending on her muscle tone, she can range from being a rag doll to being a Barbie doll (with knees that don't bend and hips that are tight). So, she may not be the easiest to lift on. My DD can't use her legs to keep in place - once she' excited, they are usually straight out in front of her like a Barbie doll with knees that don't bend well.
She has not been on Rock N Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, Big Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain, bust she has been on everything else. The only ride I would not let her ride again is Primeval Whirl because you get whipped around too much.
She loved Tower of Terror, but it was a workout for us to hold her down. The last time we rode, they loaded all the other guests, then us and the second row was what was left for us. We said we could not get her in there, so waited for the next elevator. It is MUCH easier to get into the front seat like Bill mentioned.

Here are 2 picture montages of Soarin':

It is one of the easiest transfers. You can park the wheelchair where ever you want in relation to the seat. A CM will move it after you are in your seats. The seat is about the same height as my DD's wheelchair. You have pretty quite a bit of time to transfer - we've never felt rushed.
It is a very gentle ride with slow gentle movements. The seat is also slightly reclined during the ride, which makes it more secure.

Here's a picture of the Test Track Seat Belt check area, which is where guests using wheelchairs can board.

The regular boarding area involves a step down to the seat of the car. There is an alternate boarding area where you can make a level transfer from the wheelchair parked right next to the ride car. A bit like transferring to a bathtub (a high bathtub).
Getting in and out of the car at that point is a bit like getting in/out of a bathtub with a high side. In the picture, you can see that the side of the ride car is about at the height of the CM's knees, so a pretty high step. The top of it was roughly level with the seat of my daughter's wheelchair - about 22-24 inches high.
You need to either sit on the side and swing the legs over and then sort of 'shimmy' down or step over the side (which you can see from the picture is rather high). Getting in and out is not graceful (at least for us) and I am glad that not too many people are able to see us. Maybe not graceful or really easy, but it works.
People with wheelchairs need to come back to that area to get off since the wheelchair will be left there. People without wheelchairs can get off at the 'regular' spot.
To get to that spot involves asking the CM at the time that you are asked how many are in your party. The seat belt check point is at a higher part of the track, so getting there involves a trip up a set of stairs with a CM (one flight of stairs, a landing, then another flight of stairs). There is also a small elevator big enough to carry one wheelchair or ECV. When getting off the ride, you have to reverse those steps to get to the exit.

Test Track is one of my DD's favorite rides. We've been on it many times and have never felt rushed. They will allow you to park the wheelchair where ever you need to and the CM will move it out of the way after you are in.

 

[SueM in MN]

One other thing I forgot - Goofy's Barnstormer is a good 'starter' roller coaster.
It only lasts about 90 seconds, so it's a good trial.

We knew after riding Barnstormer that DD would be way too 'wild' on any of the other roller coasters. Barnstormer will be closing soon because they are renovating Toontown where it is located.
DD could probably ride Space Mountain except that it is seats in front of each other. Unless both DH and I can ride beside her, she would not be able to sit well.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Thanks for sharing your pictures...to the original poster on this thread...I hopes she LOVES the rides!!!!!!

 

[twinmum]

Great pictures! We "just" got back from a(nother) week at WDW, this time just our twin boys (age 11), their friend and me. My hubby was on a prearranged ski trip, and we planned this trip as an alternative to me managing accessibility issues for our son (who has cerebral palsy) over a 3 day outdoor education trip in the snow and ice (I know, what was the school thinking?!?) We had a wonderful time, but I did have to admit to my hubby that I have a greater appreciation for all the transferring he assists with. Usually I am the official wheelchair pusher and he does the lifting as needed. Our son can help a lot with transfers, but man oh man, that transfer into the Test Track cars is a l-o-n-g way down! I had no idea there was an alternate way to board - something to think about when he is bigger.

I wanted to pop in and say how helpful all the CMs are, and how patient we found the other guests. They'd realize why it was taking a while for us to board, give the boys a big grin...and then pass me a look that said "you are either really courageous or really out of your mind!!!"

Have a wonderful time - hope she enjoys the thrill rides...and you get through the worry!

 

[prncess674]

My Dad is a double amputee and we got him on to many rides. Some transfers weren't graceful, but he made it! The CMs are great about giving you extra time to load and unload. If you can't end up doing the transfer don't give up on all rides, just intersperse the thrill rides with rides you know you can make. One thing I did find was removing the leg rests just before boarding made the transfer easier. Just throw the leg rests in the wheelchair and add them back after you transfer back.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't have personal experience with paralysis or spina bifida (as in, I don't have either myself), but I do have personal experience with being a young person in a wheelchair and I know quite a few people with paralysis or spina bifida and similar conditions. Unless she has other problems that are related, I can't think of anything specific to spina bifida that would keep her from being able to ride any ride that she wants to and can get on. Even most of the rides which have moving walkways can have them slowed or stopped (I believe the exceptions to this are Peter Pan and Tomorrowland Transit Authority).

Also, I agree with Bill that it's likely to be a good idea in general for her to work on learning to transfer on her own, not necessarily for Disney, but she's probably want to go to college and have her own life and if she can learn to transfer it will make all of that easier. I wasn't a wheelchair user by 16, but I was by 20 and the fact that I can transfer myself 99% of the time makes my life substantially easier living on my own and especially made things like living in dorms easier. Doesn't mean it'll be easy for her to learn, but it make open up things to her a bit more later on (or at least allow for slightly more flexible situations).

 

[weswife]

Thanks for all of the replies!!!!!!

 

[weswife]

I don't have personal experience with paralysis or spina bifida (as in, I don't have either myself), but I do have personal experience with being a young person in a wheelchair and I know quite a few people with paralysis or spina bifida and similar conditions. Unless she has other problems that are related, I can't think of anything specific to spina bifida that would keep her from being able to ride any ride that she wants to and can get on. Even most of the rides which have moving walkways can have them slowed or stopped (I believe the exceptions to this are Peter Pan and Tomorrowland Transit Authority).

Also, I agree with Bill that it's likely to be a good idea in general for her to work on learning to transfer on her own, not necessarily for Disney, but she's probably want to go to college and have her own life and if she can learn to transfer it will make all of that easier. I wasn't a wheelchair user by 16, but I was by 20 and the fact that I can transfer myself 99% of the time makes my life substantially easier living on my own and especially made things like living in dorms easier. Doesn't mean it'll be easy for her to learn, but it make open up things to her a bit more later on (or at least allow for slightly more flexible situations).

I agree, its hard to let her grow up! I guess I will have to start working at it.

 

[weswife]

I fill with emotions when I read all of the positive posts!!!!!! She watches the DVD at least 1 a day! She is planning on the ride! I agree starting off with the easy rollercoaster first!

Yes, I am worried. Her safety is a must!!! I am glad we can experience this as a family!

My DD's legs do bend easily. She is solid on top for sure. She pushes her own chair and my DH is great for transfering. Just don't want them to slpi or get hurt. I was worried about holding up the ride as well.

I get even more excited after reading the posts!!!!

Thanks so much for the info.!!! The pics. were great!!!!!!!!