Water Parks in Wheel Chair

[Dan1]

I'm aware of the very limited number of 'sand' wheel chairs at both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

What I am very interested in hearing from those who use a wheel chair or those with family members who use a wheel chair what they do to enjoy either water parks.

So far my experiences with my 26 year old DD in either park has not been great ... not much she can do with us so she is bored. And we cannot leave her alone to go do stuff the rest of the family would like to do.

So all ideas are welcome on what someone in a wheel chair can do for fun in either Disney water park.

We will be there in about a month

Thank you.
Dan

 

[oynk]

I guess it depends on her ability to transfer.

My daughter (age 9) uses a wheelchair due to pain and stamina issues, but she is able to walk. We went to Typhoon Lagoon and wheeled her around on the paths from one area to another and then parked and she was able to enjoy each section.

There were definitely places without steps where someone who could transfer with assistance could get into a pool and hang out enjoying the waves, floating, or just cooling off.

We attempted one of the family raft rides with very little success. (Even with landings it was too much climbing and she didn't have the strength to hold on well).

But.....we did get to do Crush n Gusher because THERE IS AN ELEVATOR!! That's right.... it is handicapped accessible. In the past, I have occasionally carried her up steps for a short way, but she never gets to do the really cool rides because it is just usually too much. But this time she was so super excited and it was the highlight of the trip.

 

[Dan1]

Thank you very much.

I never knew about that elevator!

Great idea about moving from one area to the next every do often; I had not thought about that. In the past we stayed in the same place for a couple of hours then left.
Dan

 

[PatMcDuck]

When my son was small, my DH would carry him up to ride the water slides. As he got older, this became impossible. We used the lift at BB sometimes, but had bad experiences. The CMs were not well trained, this was years ago however. (one said DS did not look handicapped, when DH waited with him at the handicapped entrance to the lift. HELLO, he has down syndrome and scars all over his ankles, not that it should matter.) Then they heard he was autistic, and insisted he ride the gondola car on the lift, we said OK. Then at the top, they had a wheelchair meet him, but we had to return it to the top of the lift somehow. So as we got into the family raft, one of us had to dash over to return the wheelchair to the lift area. Crazy. And each slide lets out in a different spot, so we had trouble when we got to bottom, someone had to go fetch his own chair from where ever. And he is so pale, the sun is hard on him. a shame, as he loves the slides.

We finally would get to water park upon opening. Whole family would ride the family raft ride, we could get him up to the top once for that. Then Dad would do lazy river with Sean, while Mom rode big slides, snorkeled, wave pool, whatever with other kids until lunch. After lunch, Mom and Sean would leave, maybe after a lazy river ride with Sean. While Dad did the bigger slides, wave pool, et with the other kids. It worked for us. Sometimes we all did lazy river together, too.

 

[oynk]

WThen at the top, they had a wheelchair meet him, but we had to return it to the top of the lift somehow. So as we got into the family raft, one of us had to dash over to return the wheelchair to the lift area. Crazy. And each slide lets out in a different spot, so we had trouble when we got to bottom, someone had to go fetch his own chair from where ever. And he is so pale, the sun is hard on him. a shame, as he loves the slides.

That was what was so awesome about Crush n gusher: The CM took us to the elevator and then met us at the bottom when she got off the slide. No climbing or even walking at all. (And the slides themselves were great)

 

[KPeveler]

just something to know -- the last time I inquired about the Crush N Gusher I was told that a member of my party would have to bring my wheelchair back to the bottom. I have heard stories about cast members bringing the wheelchair back down, but I think this depends on the CM availability. I just wanted to give you the heads up.

 

[oynk]

just something to know -- the last time I inquired about the Crush N Gusher I was told that a member of my party would have to bring my wheelchair back to the bottom. I have heard stories about cast members bringing the wheelchair back down, but I think this depends on the CM availability. I just wanted to give you the heads up.

It was just the two of us, so that may have been why. If we had other people, it would not have been a problem at all. Even if it was just the two of us, she could have waited while I ran back for it.

Thanks for the heads up!