using a Hoyer lift at the parks

[ellindea]

Hello! It's me again lol. So I also had a couple of questions about using a Hoyer lift at the parks. We'll be at the Disneyland parks if it makes a difference. My mom and I are disabled, and my mom has gotten to the point where she needs a Hoyer lift to be transferred. Does anyone have any experience using a Hoyer lift at the parks? I saw on the website that it said you can leave medical equipment at first aid stations. Do you guys think or know if I'm right in assuming we could leave her lift there to use for bathroom transfers? Or do they already have lifts in first aid?

My last question is, do you guys know if it would be doable/allowed for her to use the lift to transfer to some of the rides (the ones that don't time out if you can't transfer fast enough)? They've gotten rid of the two main stage shows, and Winnie the Pooh is closed. It looks like they've pared back the street shows and such, too. :/ She was already pretty limited before on what she could do because of not being able to transfer. I just want her to be able to enjoy the trip and feel like it was worth it! So using the lift, especially on rides that aren't too far from the first aid station (assuming we can store it there), is a thought that occurred to me yesterday.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Bete]

You will probably need to call Disney direct on this one. My gut feeling is this will be a no go due to liability factors.

As an alternative you may want to consider Dollywood. There are quite a few shows there that she could enjoy especially if you go at a time of festival.

 

[sunburnin]

I can’t imagine they’d allow a hoyer lift at the ride. And not sure it would really reach/fit to help either.

 

[ellindea]

Thanks for the replies, guys. To clarify, we would NOT be expecting the CMs to help in any way. (We also of course would not try to take it onto the ride vehicle.) That's why I thought it may be allowed. It would work for Soarin' definitely because there's plenty of open space and nothing under the seats, and aren't there ride vehicles also that have something that flips down that the guest can sit on and then slide over? On some of the transfer access vehicles? I feel like the Mater ride has that, but I can't remember. Is there a post by chance that has pictures of all the transfer access vehicles already? I'd like to see for my sake as well. I'm physically lifted onto rides that my caregiver and I feel are doable (I'm super petite at 65 pounds and like 4'5" lol.). The fact that they are fine with me transferring with total help from someone in my party is another reason why I wonder if they'd allow the lift...Kind of the same concept just with the assistance of a device. It's also one of those folding portable lifts, so when we're transporting it, it wouldn't take much space. Thanks again for your responses. It's a niche enough request that I think you're right that I'll need to talk to someone directly.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

My dad uses a Hoyer lift. I can't imagine they would let you bring one into the parks to use for ride transfer.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would say

Thanks for the replies, guys. To clarify, we would NOT be expecting the CMs to help in any way. (We also of course would not try to take it onto the ride vehicle.) That's why I thought it may be allowed. It would work for Soarin' definitely because there's plenty of open space and nothing under the seats, and aren't there ride vehicles also that have something that flips down that the guest can sit on and then slide over? On some of the transfer access vehicles? I feel like the Mater ride has that, but I can't remember. Is there a post by chance that has pictures of all the transfer access vehicles already? I'd like to see for my sake as well. I'm physically lifted onto rides that my caregiver and I feel are doable (I'm super petite at 65 pounds and like 4'5" lol.). The fact that they are fine with me transferring with total help from someone in my party is another reason why I wonder if they'd allow the lift...Kind of the same concept just with the assistance of a device. It's also one of those folding portable lifts, so when we're transporting it, it wouldn't take much space. Thanks again for your responses. It's a niche enough request that I think you're right that I'll need to talk to someone directly.

I can't imagine it would work or be allowed, even if you are operating it yourself. I am a Health Care Worker and am familiar with Hoyer lifts.
A lift is a different situation than a companion/caregiver lifting you. I can't see a situation where there would be the right configuration to use one. I think even Soarin' would be impossible to get it into position to use.
Getting off is often in a different place than where you loaded and the space at the loading area might be different than at the unload area. Plus, getting a lift from the load to the unload area might/likely would be impossible
A Hoyer lift, even a small portable one, is large, heavy and would be difficult to bring around the park with you. They are made to be portable within a small space, like a home.

IF you have a way to transport it to your hotel, I could possibly see one being brought to your hotel to use there. But, even there, whether it would be able to be used would depend on things like the space and configuration of the the room/bathroom plus whether the bed frame has adequate space underneath.

There are some portable sling devices that might work if you have 2 caregivers, you might be able to figure out a way to get everyone in a safe position.
ADAPTS Portable Transfer Sling

You might be able to work with a therapist to come up with a safe way to transfer that doesn't include a lift

 

[SteveMouse]

Even a fast transfer with a lift is slow from a ride vehicle change perspective. I can’t imagine Disney permitting use in a ride environment.

I can’t imagine it would be easy to wheel it around the park, either. Especially on non-flat surfaces.