WDW with someone who's back disabled????

[Millie12591]

Hi~
My name is Camille, I have a mom with pretty bad back issues, she has had a few surgeries due to slipped disc's, she's had some fusions that didn't take, and also had a hip surgery do to a fall.
All of the surgeries have been several years ago, but she still deals with pain and trouble walking. She of course will be doing a electric chair.

She very much still lives life to the fullest, she still does everything that everyone else does, she's just more careful about how she does it.

We will be going to WDW as a family sometime in the next couple of years.
I feel stupid even asking this, but does anyone think there are even subdued rides she shouldn't do? I know she REALLY wants to do the safari ride but I'm afraid she just won't be able to do it due to the rocking back and forth that happens, I'm afraid she will be in the parks with us all and not able to do any of the rides and then feel totally left out.

I would assume they won't slow things down on the rides for people with conditions, or do they?

I realize there are rides she won't be able to do of course, but the safari is the one I wanted her to do so badly because she looooves the animals.

She says that she doesn't even want to do the rides, but I know better, there have to be some rides that she will want to do, or even better some she should not miss. What does everyone think?

The hard part about all of this is that it will be my brother and nieces first time going too, and I don't want anyone to miss out on getting onto the rides, she claims she will be fine going and doing her thing, but we aren't going to all be apart, but then again we can't expect her to be just standing by the whole time we're on a ride either.

How do you all do this out there with the same situation? I appreciate any help I can get from those who do this on a regular basis.

 

[mechurchlady]

Since she loves animals then she will love Animal Kingdom. I loved the Conservation Station where there is a petting zoo (regular wheelchairs only allowed) and best of all is in the buildings where staff let your pet critters. Everything is paved but at times hilly. She will love the trails and shows. Check youtube to see the trails.

Since she is in a wheelchair she would sit up front where there is teh least movement. I know one driver who would try to make the ride real smooth but doubt you would ever find him. For me the safari ride was not the swaying but the bouncing up and down. I sat in the back and that was the only ride to truly cause pain.

good luck on your trip and hugs.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would assume they won't slow things down on the rides for people with conditions, or do they?

I can attest that you get the same Safari ride whether you are in the 'handicapped' Safari tram as in the 'regular' one.
I have ridden in both multiple times and the bumpiness depends somewhat on the speed the driver is going, but also depends on how many bumps the driver happens to hit. The 'dirt road' is themed to be bumpy and it is. It is no less bumpy in the handicapped tram.

The farther back you sit in the Safari tram, the bumpier it usually is. Someone who is unable to get out of their wheelchair, like my DD will ride in the wheelchair in the front seat of the tram. If she does decide to go, I would suggest asking to ride in one of the farther front seats rather then toward the back. It is still plenty bumpy even in the front seat though.
I'm making an assumption that your mom will be using an ECV rather than a power wheelchair. It is not possible to stay on an ECV for the Safari ride.

I would suggest that you send some of your party to ride the Safari and check it out before she goes. Keep in mind that each trip is individual, so you may get a real tame ride or a real bumpy one.
Rather than take a chance on the Safari, she may enjoy going on the nature trails. There is one near the Safari and one in Asia. They are well themed, you see many animals and they are ECV (scooter) accessible.

 

[Millie12591]

Yes you assumed right about the ECV, thank you for clarifying that, I didn't know if it was that or EVC LOL! Sorry.
Excellent ideas, I just thought she would love the safari due to the animals she will see, but you know she has never been on it so she won't know if she is missing anything, I'll just make sure she sees the other animals while there, then I know she won't feel she missed anything but a "silly ride that she didn't want to go on any way." I'll just let the family know not to rave to much infront of her so she won't feel bad.

Keep the ideas coming folks~! I love the ideas of what everyone does with someone in the group that doesn't/can't really do the rides very well because of physical issues.

Sue, Churchlady thank you so much for the tips, I appreciate you taking the time to answer me. Sorry I lead anyone astray with the type of chair she's in.

I can attest that you get the same Safari ride whether you are in the 'handicapped' Safari tram as in the 'regular' one.
I have ridden in both multiple times and the bumpiness depends somewhat on the speed the driver is going, but also depends on how many bumps the driver happens to hit. The 'dirt road' is themed to be bumpy and it is. It is no less bumpy in the handicapped tram.

The farther back you sit in the Safari tram, the bumpier it usually is. Someone who is unable to get out of their wheelchair, like my DD will ride in the wheelchair in the front seat of the tram. If she does decide to go, I would suggest asking to ride in one of the farther front seats rather then toward the back. It is still plenty bumpy even in the front seat though.
I'm making an assumption that your mom will be using an ECV rather than a power wheelchair. It is not possible to stay on an ECV for the Safari ride.

I would suggest that you send some of your party to ride the Safari and check it out before she goes. Keep in mind that each trip is individual, so you may get a real tame ride or a real bumpy one.
Rather than take a chance on the Safari, she may enjoy going on the nature trails. There is one near the Safari and one in Asia. They are well themed, you see many animals and they are ECV (scooter) accessible.

 

[Mickeyfan67]

Hello
There is a safari ride for resort guests at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm not sure if you're already set on the resort you want to stay at; but that could be an option for your family and your mother. The ride seemed very low key compared to the safari ride. I don't know if it's an additional costs for AKL guest, or included in the room fee. I saw it on a recent Sam Brown special on the travel channel. Hope this helps!

 

[afnaechiquita]

.

 

[Millie12591]

Hello
There is a safari ride for resort guests at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm not sure if you're already set on the resort you want to stay at; but that could be an option for your family and your mother. The ride seemed very low key compared to the safari ride. I don't know if it's an additional costs for AKL guest, or included in the room fee. I saw it on a recent Sam Brown special on the travel channel. Hope this helps!

Your so sweet. And I would LOOOOVE to stay at AKL, but I can't afford AKL let alone the conceirge level. It's a great idea and trust me it's not something that I didn't think about, but aside of winning the lottery I don't think we'll be staying there. We are POP people, and I'm proud of it! Oh and it is an extra 55 dollars for an adult and 27.99 for kids to do the sunrise safari incase anyone wants to know.

 

[Millie12591]

Thank you for your ideas!
And BTW! I looooove your Avatar picture! Cutest couple I've seen in a long while!
I will get the booklet for my mom, she will have fun figuring out which rides she can go on and then which shops she can venture into when we are on rides she can't go on.

My dad has had some disc problems in recent years and had surgery last year, and two surgeries in the past month to help with the pain. He won't get an ECV (very stubborn!), but still did as much as he could with us at WDW in March. The safari ride was a bit rough on him, but like Sue suggested, if she can sit towards the middle of the tram it will be better. He went on ToT and actually loved it - said that it hurt coming down from the falling but he was more scared of the ride and not knowing when he would be falling! He went on it twice, but still I wouldn't suggest it for your mom if she's in an ECV. The rest of Disney's rides are actually very friendly, aside from the other big roller coasters. Jungle Cruise, Backlot Tour, Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Haunted Mansion are all very easy on the back. Even the race car one in Tomorrowland (can't remember the name) is alright, as long as no one bumps into you from behind.

If you pick up a Disability Guidebook at each of the parks, they give detailed descriptions of the rides and what to expect. She could judge from that also.

 

[dclfun]

I would suggest she skip the Safari attraction. It's very bumpy and there's also side to side movement. It's one of the attractions with back/neck warnings. There will still be plenty of attractions though she can do- just not that one!---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for your ideas!
And BTW! I looooove your Avatar picture! Cutest couple I've seen in a long while!
I will get the booklet for my mom, she will have fun figuring out which rides she can go on and then which shops she can venture into when we are on rides she can't go on.

You can find a link to the text of the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. The information is in post #3 of that thread.

And, I have not been on the Safari at AKL, but from what I have read, it would be pretty much as bumpy as the ride at the park.

 

[mechurchlady]

youtube and other video sites have tapes of the ride. Spend some time looking at them and find the really scary ones to show her. My friend recently was driving when the parents of a kid was screaming and the parents thought it was funny to have their air siren kid going off in his ear. He sped up and finished as fast as he could. IF you was a friend of a CM driver, MAYBE, you might get a less bumpy ride but they have time constraints so that is not possible. Show her the tapes so she sees what she will miss both bad and good.

It is a fun ride but at times it is: LION, where, huh, on the rock, you missed him. I loved the ride but seen animals in other places closer and in a better view. It is not something to miss but the pain is not worth it and all I got is one disintigrating disc. I wanted to see Dinosaur and would like to go back to Indiana Jones but know that the pain is not worth it. I wanted to ride the Maliboomer but my phobias and my back stopped me.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_aklsunset.htm
Not sure about getting her into the van but it might be worth trying.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

A question that I may pose to you, is have you looked into the back brace that you can velcro tab on? I have seen these in various forms.

One is a device that goes across the lumbar region to keep you back straight while lifting. But there are other variations of that.

I knew someone that had a bad back injury, and he had one made of heavy nylon that had semi-rigid inserts (like stays) that gave support. he wore it under his clothing (had to get a much bigger shirt!!) but it braced him enough that he could walk (with a cane) and ride in a vehicle without undue pain, as it kep his spine from being jiggled when in a vehicle!

(it also improved his posture a bit)

here is just one of the sites I found:

http://www.docortho.com/supports-an...port-lumbar/?gclid=CL6W7JeVlZMCFROTggod4GpV2g

But I believe that he got his from his Doctor.

 

[Millie12591]

G-Pirate~

Thank you for your suggestions! My mom says she has one of these girdles and thinks it would be a good idea to bring it. I appreciate everyone's advice and welcome any more ideas or touring ideas with someone who can't really go on a lot of the rides while everyone else does.

A question that I may pose to you, is have you looked into the back brace that you can velcro tab on? I have seen these in various forms.

One is a device that goes across the lumbar region to keep you back straight while lifting. But there are other variations of that.

I knew someone that had a bad back injury, and he had one made of heavy nylon that had semi-rigid inserts (like stays) that gave support. he wore it under his clothing (had to get a much bigger shirt!!) but it braced him enough that he could walk (with a cane) and ride in a vehicle without undue pain, as it kep his spine from being jiggled when in a vehicle!

(it also improved his posture a bit)

here is just one of the sites I found:

http://www.docortho.com/supports-an...port-lumbar/?gclid=CL6W7JeVlZMCFROTggod4GpV2g

But I believe that he got his from his Doctor.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

G-Pirate~

Thank you for your suggestions! My mom says she has one of these girdles and thinks it would be a good idea to bring it. I appreciate everyone's advice and welcome any more ideas or touring ideas with someone who can't really go on a lot of the rides while everyone else does.

Some of the dining experiences are as good as an attraction. Ohana family dining was great. And the Luau at the Polynesian was a good show, (and food)

 

[Millie12591]

Some of the dining experiences are as good as an attraction. Ohana family dining was great. And the Luau at the Polynesian was a good show, (and food)

I'll second that! Trust me I'm all over the ADR choices! I figure my mom would love a blast from the past with the 50's prime time cafe, I haven't decided on this for sure,and then a good time at 1900 Park Fare once for breakfast and at least once for dinner for sure maybe twice. I don't get into spending to much money to eat in Cindy's Castle so that's out for us. Boma's is a for sure, and then I'm thinking another night doing Coral Reef-although I'm concerned there isn't much on the menu that everyone will like ?????.
Le Cellier is a must if we can make reservations, Beirgarten will be a must do for the DH, he loves German food, well, he loves food period! I don't know if there is any other must do's besides a Crystal Palace breakfast and Tony's Town Square then a couple of TS that we won't want to miss also, I think the list I've got is a good one.

 

[crashbb]

If you explained that the only way your mum could do the safari is as part of the AKL one, do you think that they might make an exception? I have no idea, but if they had space, they might.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you explained that the only way your mum could do the safari is as part of the AKL one, do you think that they might make an exception? I have no idea, but if they had space, they might.

The special AKL Safari is not only extra cost but also is available only to people staying in suites or concierge rooms at AKL. And even then there are people who cannot get on it for the day they want (or at all) due to its filling up.

 

[crashbb]

The special AKL Safari is not only extra cost but also is available only to people staying in suites or concierge rooms at AKL. And even then there are people who cannot get on it for the day they want (or at all) due to its filling up.

I didn't realise that it filled up so much. I knew it was only for a limited audience - I was just wondering if they might waive that restriction (the concierge/suite thing). I figured the family would still have to pay the cost of the safari.

I knew it was a long shot, but WDW is so good about getting people to experience things the only way they can, that I thought it was worth a shot. I figured since none of you had mentioned it, it was probably a no go. I wouldn't expect them to make the exception when even those who are 'qualified' sometimes cannot get fit in.

 

[dbarker]

I suggest that you go over and visit AKL. Bring binoculars. There are several public viewing areas of the animals. The CMs at AKL are great and very knowledgeable about all the animals in the Savannas. They have other free acitivities also. These are all free and open to anyone.

We will be staying at Pop next trip. No matter where we stay, we always go over to AKL and visit.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

I didn't realise that it filled up so much. I knew it was only for a limited audience - I was just wondering if they might waive that restriction (the concierge/suite thing). I figured the family would still have to pay the cost of the safari.

From what I have read about it, I also don't think it's that much less bumpy than the regular safari. You are still in a jeep-like vehicle and going over either bumpy dirt roads or savannah. So, even if she could get one of those safaris, I'm not sure it would be all that much more comfortable.

I suggest that you go over and visit AKL. Bring binoculars. There are several public viewing areas of the animals. The CMs at AKL are great and very knowledgeable about all the animals in the Savannas. They have other free acitivities also. These are all free and open to anyone.

We will be staying at Pop next trip. No matter where we stay, we always go over to AKL and visit.

We do the same thing.
On our trip in April this year, we visited AKL after a day at AK. Even if you are using the bus, you can easily get to AKL by taking a bus to AKL from whatever park you are at. To get back to your resort, take a bus from AKL to Downtown Disney or one of the parks, where you will be able to get a bus back to your resort. If it gets late, keep in mind that Downtown Disney is open late and you will be able to get a bus from there.

The viewing areas at AKL are very nice. There are some that are walking paths with viewing stations along the way. There are also some nice roofed viewing 'porches' where you can sit in rocking chairs and watch the animals in the Savanna below you.
We have found some of the best CMs at the AKL. They are knowledgable about the animals in their area and very willing to talk.
The evening we were at AKL, they had storytelling by the firepit and there was a parade thru the of children who were playing drums and other percussion instruments.
We usually go there to eat in the food court area and then walk around to see the animals. It makes a very nice later afternoon/evening.