Transfering into scary rides. Possible??

[thumbelina115]

First, just want to say that all the info that I have found on here has been tremendously helpful. Especially the pages of accessible rooms!!
We're tentatively planning a trip for the Spring for ourselves, my sister and her husband who is in a wheelchair due to a complete T-7+8 injury. He is quite mobile, and very able to transfer into (almost) any situation. What we are wondering, is how many (if any) of the "thrilling" rides (aka: Big Thunder Mt, Expedition Everest) he might be able to do? Does anyone with a similar injury have any words of wisdom? Is it even possible to do a transfer into these rides?
Any info would be great. We want to be able to enjoy our time with them to the max- and he is a thrill ride kind of guy!
Thanks so much!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

All of the rides have wheelchair boarding policies, though obviously ease of transfer varies from ride to ride. A number of the rides have special cars, with additional cut outs or hinged portions to aid transfer. There are also apparently 'test cars' for a lot of these rides, tucked out of the way somewhere. That way he can practice the transfer when he's got as much time as he needs, so he can see how comfortable he is with it.

The Mouse on Wheels is a great site and has detailed information on what is involved in each transfer. If you use this with the All Ears photo gallery, you should be off to a good start!

I'm afraid I don't do all of the thrill rides, and I'm partially mobile, so my personal experiences probably won't be too helpful. However, I can offer a little help for Test Track. If you want to, you can choose to do the transfer to and from the car at the seat-belt check point. This changes it from a transfer down into the car, and then back up at the end; to a transfer similar to getting into a bath tub. They don't always offer this one automatically, but if you ask, they can sort that out for you.

I know you said you looked into rooms already, but I just wanted to add, make sure you ask for a room 'with roll in shower'. If you don't, he will be given a room that you can 'access' in a wheelchair (i.e. get into), but not one with all the necessary facilities and adaptions. Also, check back a few times, to make sure they have the room blocked for you; though Disney are great, they're a huge company, and things can sometimes get lost .

Hope this helps, I'm sure some of our other regulars will be along soon with more information!

 

[SueM in MN]

Only time for a short reply right now, but there are posters who are in similar situations who have ridden both of the rides you mentioned.

Expedition Everest has a trial car that you can look at and even make a trial transfer if you want. I've been told that car is the easiest transfer of the thrill rides because the car has a wider opening and is a good height.

Of the thrill rides, the one I have heard people having the most trouble with is Rock N Roller Coaster. The ride car is OK, but the transfer has to be made in a very short time frame.

If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #3 has some resources you may not have seen. One is a link to a website called Mouse on Wheels which is just about WDW from a permanent wheelchair user's point of view. There are also links to some photo albums which show some of the ride cars.
That is under the helpful links area.

A little further down in that post, you will find a list of conditions or concerns. At the bottom of that list, there are links to past threads that are trip reports from people using wheelchairs.

Also, you may find some helpful information in the Epcot FAQs thread.

There is a link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread or you will find that thread plus the Epcot one close to the top of this board.

 

[BillSears]

50 year old complete T8 para here. When I was yonger I'd ride pretty much everything. Now a days I tend to pick and choose a bit.

The biggest problem for me are the rides vehicles that are below floor level. They usually require getting out of the car, onto the floor and then back up into your wheelchair. The only ones like this that I can think of are Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and the Maelstrom. Peter Pan is pretty much not accesible because they cannot stop or slow down the loading vehicle.

Expeidtion Everest and Big Thunder Mountain both have special cars that have a swing away opening to make the transfer much easier. I'd equate those transfers to getting into and out of a normal car.

A tricky one is Pirates of the Carribean. I've found the best way os to use the left line because the load area s better. Transfer into the very back row of the second boat. The entry area is wider for that row and you can bring the chair right up to the boat. Plus the side of the boat of the back row is high enough that you can go straight from the boat back into your chair. It's a 2 stage transfer, from the seat to the side of the boat then from the side of the boat I slide back into my wheelchair.

Rock and Roller Coaster has an accessible car where they can open up the side of the car. But I find it harder when they open the side. The accessble car has extra hand grips so I do use that car but I ask that the side door be kept closed. The door makes it easier to walk into the car but harder for me to make a transfer. Getting out of this car is another 2 step process. I go from the seat to the side of the car and then from the side of the car to the chair.

Most of the other rides are pretty easy. TOT is an easy transfer into the front row seat directly across from the opening. Soarin is an easy transfer into the seat, I tend to pick an end seat when possible. Spaceship Earth now has a special ride vehicle with a wider opening. Haunted Mansion has a ride vehicle with a cutaway to make transfers easier. Test Track has a special load area where the car is raised up and the transfer is about as hard as a normal car transfer, make sure to ask to be loaded there.

As a 50 year old out of shape with a few injuries para I still find WDW very accessible. I often do solo trips and have no problem loading myself on and off of almost all of the rides. Hopefully your BIL will be able to do it all and have a great time!

 

[Mary976]

I'll second what Bill has said. DD uses a chair and can also transfer easily, plus she LOOOVES thrill rides. A couple other things I thought of...

WDW is huge and requires covering a lot of ground every day. DD can transfer into just about anything, but she got really tired by the end of the day, what with all the transferring back and forth. Now that we've been there a few times, we start with the rides she really wants to go on. Just as an example, she thinks Snow White is an awkward transfer, plus she thinks it's a "little kid ride" so we don't even bother with it. Just something to keep in mind. I know some people really like to experience everything, but I would advise starting with the big rides.

As much as DD likes to be independent, it can be helpful if I lend her a hand on some of the more awkward transfers. She's also really concerned about looking goofy while transferring, but you have to get over that for some of the rides.

Peter Pan and Tomorrowland Transit Authority are not accessible. Also, we stopped doing Pirates because she had a tough time with it, although Bill's suggestion is one we might try next time. DD really likes Everest. I can't remember the logistics of Dinosaur, but it must be okay because we've ridden it several times.

Also, if you are going to do a water park, we would recommend Typhoon Lagoon. They have a water coaster that is accessible (you ride an elevator to the top) and then the lazy river has transfer steps, ALTHOUGH I don't know how you would transfer on your own. I had to hold the inner tube for DD and she kind of flopped into it.

It's been almost a year since we were there, but if anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Also, if you are going to do a water park, we would recommend Typhoon Lagoon. They have a water coaster that is accessible (you ride an elevator to the top) and then the lazy river has transfer steps, ALTHOUGH I don't know how you would transfer on your own. I had to hold the inner tube for DD and she kind of flopped into it.

I actually prefer Blizzard Beach for accessibility, but then again, I'm not really a thrill-seeker, and have never been on Crush and Gusher. BB has transfer steps for the creek too, at a number of the stops, and you can borrow a water-chair to go on the family raft ride (go up the hill in the gondola car on the ski lift; the water wheelchair is strapped to one raft, with you in the one behind; the wheelchair is sent down ahead and is waiting at the bottom of the ride). As I said, this one suits me better, as I like the slightly more sedate thrills, but for a big coaster fan, Crush and Gusher certainly looks good!

 

[SueM in MN]

In post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find links to the WDW website's electronic version of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, including the waterparks.
This is a direct link to the Guidebook for Blizzard Beach
and one for Typhoon Lagoon.
Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989 and Blizzard Beach opened in 1995, meaning that Blizzard Beach was the more accessible park when it opened.

Here is a link to the wdwinfo (parent site of the DIS Boards) page about Blizzard Beach with pictures and descriptions of the attractions.

And, here is a link to the wdwinfo site page about Typhoon Lagoon.

At Blizzard Beach, the queues for Summit Plummet and Downhill Double Dippers are not wheelchair accessible, the queue includes a flight of stairs which has no bypass. The Cross Country Creek lazy river ride has transfer steps in the following places to assist in transferring from a wheelchair or ECV into a tube: Manatee Landing (located next to Warming Hut snack bar) Ice Gator Landing (located across from Avalunch snack bar) Polar Bear Landing (between the two main bridges). Mt Gushmore has a wheelchair accessible gondola for access to Teamboat Springs, Snow Stormers and Slush Gusher.

There is not as much information on the Typhoon Lagoon Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. The 'lazy river' ride there is called Castaway Creek and does have a set of tranfer steps at one location (unless they have updated that recently). Crush N Gusher has an elevator and the wheelchair will be brought to the end of the ride. Keelhaul Falls, Mayday Falls, Gangplank Falls, Humunga Kowabunga and the Storm Slides are not wheelchair accessible, according the information I have (because of stairs in the queue and no other access).