Water parcs in Wheelchair?

[froggy flo]

Hi

I wonder whether they offer specific WC designed for sand purposes for rent in WDW Water parcs (as in the Cruise line), and if so, where shall I park my own WC for the day?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We do not rent wheelchairs in the water parks. If there is need for one we do loan them, leaving a driver's license or passport at Guest Relations at the park entrance which is returned when the chair is returned.

Basically there is not rally much sand but lots of paved walkways, and there is concrete under the sand.

I think there may be a few large-tire chairs designed to go into the water, but have never seen any in use.

 

[seabee]

My question about the waterparks with wheelchairs is why can't the wheelchair be in the water? We were at Blizzard Beach and my husband(wheelchair) was watching my daughter at the kiddie area while I went with my other daughter to the bathroom. He had wheeled closer so he could see her without people getting in front of him and a CM told him to back up and get the chair out of the water. He wasn't deep or anything just in the water a little bit. I think that is pretty dangerous, because he was unable to keep a good eye on her. Any other parent could have stood in ankle deep water to watch their child.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

As far as I'm aware, the only rule about taking chairs in the water is that you're not allowed deeper than your back axle. By the sounds of it, he was in much shallower water than that, so I don't know. Maybe the CM made a mistake?

 

[Andrew Bichard]

why can't the wheelchair be in the water?

I would guess that one of the reasons would be to prevent oil or grease leaking out of the wheel hubs and polluting the swimming pool water.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

I would guess that one of the reasons would be to prevent oil or grease leaking out of the wheel hubs and polluting the swimming pool water.

Andrew

There is oil and grease in the axel for the front casters too, so any water should not be over the axel for those.

Also, it's not good for the wheelchair. If someone were to get the wheels really wet (no one I know would do that ) a lot the oil comes out and the wheels could be difficult to turn.
Not that I have any personal experience with 'overcleaning' wheelchair casters.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have found the water parks to be tricky with my son with disabilities. One year we had a confrontation at the Blizzard Beach ski lift. My husband took my son over to the handicapped lift entrance, and waited for awhile. Finally he called over to a CM, and the CM asked many questions about WHY they needed to ride the lift. At one point, the CM said "he does not look that handicapped to ME". Of course, supervisors were called over, and that CM was "reassigned" to another area of the park for the day. (the rest of the family walked up the hill, we were not taking advantage) An isolated incident, but they were not trained to handle disabilites well at the water parks. (we asked for a GAC there, and they did not have them)

But, it is a tricky thing, and I can understand why it is difficult. We have Sean in his chair, and they have to put him into THEIR chair to ride to the top. We waited for the round gondola lift thing. Then they wanted him to get out and walk at the top, and the lines were really long for everything up there, like the family raft ride. We said, he can't wait in that long line, especailly barefoot, the kid has ankle problems. So, we insisted on keeping him in their chair, the rest of family waited on the line, and we cut him over to join them when they were near the front. Then, another CM had to come over to return that chair to the lift area. Meanwhile, Seans chair is at the bottom, near the chair lift, no where NEAR where he will end up coming off the slides..... So, we have to send one of us over to fetch it for him. A big hassle, but Sean loves the water slides, but cannot handle more than one walk up to the top. When he was small, my husband would carry him, but he is 17 now!

We now let him go down once, maybe twice, then he is in the lazy river until I take him home, right after lunch. He only lasts 1/2 day there.

I would guess that MAYBE a new water park would have an elevator or a winding path to the top, I dont know. Again, not a huge problem, we love the Disney water parks.

 

[froggy flo]

Thanks for your answers. If we go to a water parc we shall keep our own WC. We prefer TL over BB anyway, so no "skilift" issues for us.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We love both water parks, TL for the shade, snorkling and wave pool, BB for the slides, esp the much longer family raft ride, the 2 man tube slides, and the lift for Sean.

There is no way to get to the top with a wheelchair in either water park, as far as I know. Even when my son has the stamina to walk one time up, he is SO slow. He usually does one step at a time, if you know what I mean, he does not alternate feet. People are pouring past and around us, which I completely understand.

I think on the next trip we may try the water parks late, like at 5 or 6 pm for a few hours.

 

[mskermit]

i see there have been no posts on here since wow 2007. Before i call disney and get probably wrong answers, lol, im asking here. i have a 15 year old daugher with spina bifida, she uses crutches and braces to walk and her chair for long distance and school. we have never taken her to the water parks and would like to in 2012. are they are water or beach wheelchairs available at either water park??? she does swim in school but is limited. im sure i could get her in a tube in the lazy river too. i dont want to bring her chair. dont want it to get taken or have to leave it somewhere unattended for too long, are there chairs to rent there ?? any help, answers, suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At the water parks we have a very limited number of regular wheelchairs for loan (we don't do rentals). They are available at the gate.

And there are a very limited number of chairs that can go on the sand and/or into the water.

Since I work at the gate I know a lot about the regular ones, but I think the lifeguard department handles the sand chairs.

 

[mskermit]

thanks for the info. so is it possible to call ahead and reserve one?? like i said my daughter has a very expensive chair and i hate to leave it unattended for a long period of time. i hate leaving it when we are in the parks and go on attractions too. do you run out of chairs ever??

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We do not take reservations. I don't know how many of the beach/water chairs are available. I think we only have about a dozen chairs at the gate and have seen us run out.

Last year we were out of chairs and a Guest saw an ECV parked just offstage and demanded to be able to rent it. She would not take "no" for an answer. She was sent over to my window and I told her that it would cost $100 to rent and a $500 damage deposit would be required, and it would be cash only, no cards.

She was shocked! At that time I told her it was my personal ECV and if she wanted to use it that was my rule. Otherwise nothing was available. Later on I did mention this to my manager, just is case there was a guest complaint; he got a big laugh out of it.

 

[mskermit]

We do not take reservations. I don't know how many of the beach/water chairs are available. I think we only have about a dozen chairs at the gate and have seen us run out.

Last year we were out of chairs and a Guest saw an ECV parked just offstage and demanded to be able to rent it. She would not take "no" for an answer. She was sent over to my window and I told her that it would cost $100 to rent and a $500 damage deposit would be required, and it would be cash only, no cards.

She was shocked! At that time I told her it was my personal ECV and if she wanted to use it that was my rule. Otherwise nothing was available. Later on I did mention this to my manager, just is case there was a guest complaint; he got a big laugh out of it.

LOL great story!! People are just so stinking rude sometimes aren't they! What I am concerned about is like leaving her chair while on the tubes in the river. does anyone really watch the chairs?? i do have a chep transport chair but i would have to drag that with me and we drive from Jersey. So much crap in the car as it is but its a possibility. Also do they give a bright colored band to any one handicap in the water?? we were somewhere before and my daughter was given a band just to identify taht she was handicap in case something happend. I thought this was a great idea. they also radioed to everyone else that was in that area.