Water parks and wheelchairs

[MandaPerry]

We are going to the world in Oct and my mother is going to be using a wheelchair for the most part. How are the parks for someone in a wheelchair? Can they go on any slides? thanks this is a first for us

 

[vonpluto]

We are going to the world in Oct and my mother is going to be using a wheelchair for the most part. How are the parks for someone in a wheelchair? Can they go on any slides? thanks this is a first for us

DW has mobility and balance issues and has to stay in the WC most of the time, so for her climbing the stairs for the slides and raft rides is not possible. However, we did do TL last year and had a good time.

We were able to wheel on the concrete right to the edge of the wavepool and snag a spot in the sand right at the edge of the concrete. (you'll want to get there early so you can pick a nice spot that's convenient to the concreted and paved areas so you won't have to wheel in the sand)

It was very easy to get DW into the wave pool and to wheel over to one of the entrances to Castaway Creek.

If your Mom is fairly mobile for at least short distances, be advised that the new Crush'n'Gusher slides have an elevator for HC access to the top. And an HC/WC stair for exiting at the bottom.

HTH,

 

[MandaPerry]

thank you for the answer. Its the first time for using a wheelchair

 

[SueM in MN]

For what it's worth, the official Disney website has a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for:
Typhoon Lagoon
and for Blizzard Beach
They don't give a lot of information, but it's better than nothing. The Passporter Book of WDW for Your Special Needs does have a section about the water parks, so you might want to peak at that if you see it in a book store.
Blizzard Beach opened in 1995. Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989. Usually, the newer area is going to be a bit more accessible, since they do use knowledge about what might have worked better to improve the newer park.

The Guidebook for Blizzard Beach does note that many of the attractions are not accessible for people in wheelchairs because they have stairs and no elevators. As far as I know (it has been a long time since our last water park visit and DD did not do any slides), someone in your party is responsible for getting the wheelchair and ride tubes from place to place.

Also, a hint from our experience, if on the Lazy River, pay close attention to where you left your wheelchair to get into the river. It's easy to loose track as you are going around and if you pass your 'stop', the river is only going in one direction and you will end up making another trip around.