water theme parks

[nanatink]

Oh my the family just got hopper pluses. I have annual passes without a plus. I don't know wether to go with the family or just stay at the resort. I have (CMT) a neuromuscular disease, 55 year old nana. I wear braces so I can walk short distances. Do they have beach wheelchairs at the water theme parks? How many? Cost? I would like to go on the lazy river and wave pool with the 8 year old grandson. I will have my dh close by for assistance in case I fall. I know, I will have to remove my braces.

 

[tink2dw]

bumping to get more info......

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry you did not get too many replies yet.
Our last trip to any of the waterparks with DD, who uses a wheelchair, was a while ago, so I'm not real up to date on this.
I do know that Disney doesn't have any info on their web site and no written info about accessiblity of the water parks because i did look for that information lately.
When we went, there was a wheelchair entry point for the lazy river. We parked DD's wheelchair there and got her onto an inner tube for a trip around the river. We looked at taking her into the wave pool, but decided the waves were too strong. She can't stand up unless someone hold her and we were afrsid we would not be able to hold her up. When I went into the wave pool to try it out, it was strong enough that I was moved around by the waves. We didn't inquire about beach wheelchairs.
If no one else knows, you could go to the official Disney site at www.disney.com and ask. I've had good success with emailing Disney. I put something in the subject about "Special Needs" or "wheelchair accessibility" and they have always routed the email to someone who can help.

 

[Tiger Fan]

I've been doing a good bit of research on this as well, since my DD, age 6 is really wanting to go to a waterpark on our July trip. I think we've decided on Blizzard Beach as I will then be able to do some of the slides since they have a chair lift for some of them. I use a scooter, but can walk short distances and this park seemed like the best bet for me and may work for you as well. My best to you.
Lisa

 

[PammyK]

Okay...I do not have any physical disabilities so I don't have any specific details, however I did just spend 2 days last week at the water parks.

At each park, there was at least one entrance to the lazy river that has a wheelchair transfer area. It looked like the kind where you would scoot from the wheelchair onto the stair/landing and then scoot down onto your tube. I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense, again, its not something I've ever had to really think about.

The wave pools are all zero-depth entry and are accessible without going through the sand so you could bring a regular wheelchair to the water's edge. I am not sure if they have wheelchair transfer stations.

I have never see the beach wheelchairs at either of the water parks.

I know it isn't much but I hope this helps some.

 

[SueM in MN]

At each park, there was at least one entrance to the lazy river that has a wheelchair transfer area. It looked like the kind where you would scoot from the wheelchair onto the stair/landing and then scoot down onto your tube. I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense, again, its not something I've ever had to really think about.

You described it well, PammyK. We have used them and that is just how I would describe them.
For the wave pools, even though they are zero entry and you can walk right in or roll a wheelchair to the entrance, anyone with mobility or balance problems should maybe watch the wave pool for a while to get a feel for whether they would be able to do it and have someone standing by to help in case they get knocked over by the waves.

 

[dclfun]

When I could still transfer, I enjoyed the lazy river, however now I've been told that they added areas where "water sprays you" as you float around. That I would not find relaxing, and since I had a tracheostomy tube even back then, it would've also been dangerous....sigh. When will someone with disabilities ever make decisions regarding "attractions"? ---Kathy