Typhoon Lagoon

[Callie]

Hi all,

We are thinking of going to the water park this upcoming trip. We already have tickets from an old non shop expiring ticket.

My mom will be turning 70 this fall. She enjoys water slides but the steps are a bit hard for her. If memory serves me correctly, crush n gusher has elevators.

Does she need to apply for DAS in order to use this or just talk to a cast member there?
Also I think the family raft ride loads at the bottom and then takes you up.

Just want to make sure she can enjoy the park as much as possible.

 

[mamabunny]

Hi!

Honestly, I can't speak much about the water parks; it's been so long since we have been to either of them that I now consider myself a newbie...

But, if your Mom is having mobility issues - so problems with walking, standing, stairs, or anything like that - then a DAS is not the way to go. Disney typically does not issue a DAS for those kinds of things; instead they will point you towards wheelchair or ECV rentals.

I would speak to a cast member, and just be honest that Mom needs some help getting to the top.

And keep the phone number for a local (wheelchair/ECV) rental vendor in your phone, just in case Mom decides she wants/needs a bit of help during the Theme Park days!

 

[lanejudy]

I've never been to Typhoon Lagoon so I can't answer the question about an elevator from experience, but I do know the website indicates there is an elevator available for Crush N Gusher. It says to ask a CM for assistance.

DAS is not used at the waterparks, regardless of one's disability. DAS is only used/recognized at the 4 major theme parks, and pertains specifically to ability to wait in a standard queue environment, not how to physically access the attraction.

 

[Selket]

Hi all,

We are thinking of going to the water park this upcoming trip. We already have tickets from an old non shop expiring ticket.

My mom will be turning 70 this fall. She enjoys water slides but the steps are a bit hard for her. If memory serves me correctly, crush n gusher has elevators.

Does she need to apply for DAS in order to use this or just talk to a cast member there?
Also I think the family raft ride loads at the bottom and then takes you up.

Just want to make sure she can enjoy the park as much as possible.

I use an ECV at the parks and have been to TL a few times. I have badly arthritic knees. I haven't ridden those rides you mention in ages but I wanted to say I used the lazy river to get around to different areas of the park. Seems like there are stairs to get out of it (like pool stairs that aren't steep - wasn't a problem for me - not many stairs). I probably spent most of my time in the lazy river to be honest - haha! We found seats near the lazy river so I could easily get back to our seats.

I'll also put in a plug for the H2O Glow nights if you're there during one. We did this in 2019 and ... I'm not really a fan of water parks ... but I LOVED this and would do it again in a heartbeat. Also great being there at night when the sun isn't an issue.

 

[Callie]

Thanks all. Thankfully walking is ok for her. We take days off from the parks to let her rest. We've also rented a wheelchair when she needed it. Otherwise she's out there taking a mile walk plus a day. Its just the stairs are hard on her due to multiple ankle surgeries.

One time she had a hard time doing the steps on Splash Mountain, so we asked a cast member how to avoid the steps. We were told to go to the wheelchair spot. That CM told us in the future she would need a DAS accommodation in order to do that? So I'm still not sure what we need to do in that situation.

I guess we will ask the cast members when we arrive about the elevators. I hope she is allowed to use them if they are available because she does enjoy the slides. The steps for the lazy river are ok because there aren't a lot in a row and she's used to that depth from the local pool in the summer.

 

[Callie]

Also in July 2020 we did rent a scooter for her that trip because she was just a month off a surgery. She was flying around the parks and zero complaints about aches and pains! But she enjoys the freedom of walking, and wants to use those legs and enjoy the parks while she is still able. Growing up we always rented grandma a wheelchair.

So I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks all. Thankfully walking is ok for her. We take days off from the parks to let her rest. We've also rented a wheelchair when she needed it. Otherwise she's out there taking a mile walk plus a day. Its just the stairs are hard on her due to multiple ankle surgeries.

One time she had a hard time doing the steps on Splash Mountain, so we asked a cast member how to avoid the steps. We were told to go to the wheelchair spot. That CM told us in the future she would need a DAS accommodation in order to do that? So I'm still not sure what we need to do in that situation.

I guess we will ask the cast members when we arrive about the elevators. I hope she is allowed to use them if they are available because she does enjoy the slides. The steps for the lazy river are ok because there aren't a lot in a row and she's used to that depth from the local pool in the summer.

have her use a cane SM has never allowed me on the stairs with my cane

 

[Selket]

Thanks all. Thankfully walking is ok for her. We take days off from the parks to let her rest. We've also rented a wheelchair when she needed it. Otherwise she's out there taking a mile walk plus a day. Its just the stairs are hard on her due to multiple ankle surgeries.

One time she had a hard time doing the steps on Splash Mountain, so we asked a cast member how to avoid the steps. We were told to go to the wheelchair spot. That CM told us in the future she would need a DAS accommodation in order to do that? So I'm still not sure what we need to do in that situation.

I guess we will ask the cast members when we arrive about the elevators. I hope she is allowed to use them if they are available because she does enjoy the slides. The steps for the lazy river are ok because there aren't a lot in a row and she's used to that depth from the local pool in the summer.

I guess to be clear I do mean the TL lazy river steps (as I recall) were the concrete shallow pool stairs (maybe a handrail too?) and not those metal ladders over the side...much easier! Sounds like she will have a great time!

Also I didn't think you needed a DAS to use the non-stair options for rides. The DAS would give her a return time to go in the LL entrance - for Splash that does have stairs so it wouldn't help her...she'd still end up in the same spot as the wheelchairs.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks all. Thankfully walking is ok for her. We take days off from the parks to let her rest. We've also rented a wheelchair when she needed it. Otherwise she's out there taking a mile walk plus a day. Its just the stairs are hard on her due to multiple ankle surgeries.

One time she had a hard time doing the steps on Splash Mountain, so we asked a cast member how to avoid the steps. We were told to go to the wheelchair spot. That CM told us in the future she would need a DAS accommodation in order to do that? So I'm still not sure what we need to do in that situation.

I guess we will ask the cast members when we arrive about the elevators. I hope she is allowed to use them if they are available because she does enjoy the slides. The steps for the lazy river are ok because there aren't a lot in a row and she's used to that depth from the local pool in the summer.

That CM was not correct. Guests are not given DAS for guests whose only is mobility related. That would include things like avoid stairs for the few attractions that have them ; the official answer is to do what you did - ask a CM how to avoid the stairs. If you have an issue with a CM saying you need DAS, you can ask for a supervisor/lead.

I guess to be clear I do mean the TL lazy river steps (as I recall) were the concrete shallow pool stairs (maybe a handrail too?) and not those metal ladders over the side...much easier! Sounds like she will have a great time!

Also I didn't think you needed a DAS to use the non-stair options for rides. The DAS would give her a return time to go in the LL entrance - for Splash that does have stairs so it wouldn't help her...she'd still end up in the same spot as the wheelchairs.

that is what I recall for the lazy River, with handrails. There is also at least one wheelchair accessible entry, which has a transfer tier - sit on the top step and bump your butt down step by step until you are in the water.

You are correct that DAS is not needed to avoid stairs