Wheelchair Users in the Animal Kingdom-please give advice and experiences

[mcco5543]

Dear Dis'ers,
I Love these boards and think y'all are geniuses!
Here's my question. I have heard that the Animal Kingdom is the LEAST accessable park for wheelchair users (rough terrain, rough rides).

I am paralyzed from the waist down and use a manual chair full time I am VERY mobile (can transfer, push my self around etc..). Will I be able to get around Animal Kingdom without much help?

Also I have had back surgery and must be a little careful about being jerked about. But I really want to do the Safari rides and attractions!!!! (Both the walking and the truck tour). Do you think I can go? Have any wheelchair users been to the Animal Kingdom and could they please weigh in as well as anyone who have gone with a wheelchair user?

Thanks So much!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

AK does have some bumpy paths (they've been textured to look more 'authentic', but it's more of a rumble to slight rattle, rather than jerky bumps. If you have suspension of any form on your chair, you'll be glad of it, but don't worry if you don't. However as it's a newer park, it's fairly accessible in terms of ramps, ride boarding etc. All the CS places have an accessible queue and I can't think of any really high counters in shops. The shops are also fairly well laid out, with room to manoeuvre around the stands (has a few tight spots, but where doesn't?).

All the trails (the 'walking' safaris) are accessible, with plenty of viewing places with low barriers. Where they have steps on the trail, there will be an alternative ramped way, and you don't miss anything going that way. The safari ride is rather jerky, I'm afraid. I don't know your limits, but you might want to talk to a CM about it before you ride. If you decide to ride it, there is an accessible carriage that you can wheel right onto. The river rapids might not be too bumpy for you, and there are plenty of places around that area where you can watch the rafts before queuing, so you can see for yourself. For that one, they can pull a raft to one side for you, to give you longer to board.

I'm sure some other people here can provide more information. There's also stuff dotted around the forum on boarding, accessibility and rides, which you can search for. Otherwise, feel free to ask any more questions.

Have a great trip!

 

[BillSears]

T8 complete paraplegic here, I can't feel or move anything from the bottom of my ribcage down. I have no problems pushing myself around AK. The "bumpy" paths are really no worse then alot of the sidewalks in my neighborhood. The hills aren't too tough and the worst one is probably as you enter the park. I've traveled the whole park and never needed assistance with any of the hills. I'll be heading back in May on a solo trip and I'll happily go to AK alone without any worries.

The safari ride is abit jolting. It's really not too bad but I can't say how it will be for you. I ride in my wheelchair and there are a few sopts that I have to make sure to hold onto the sides of the car to make sure I don't slide out of the chair since I have no use of my trunk muscles. The safari paths should be no trouble at all except for the normal wait for people to move so you can get close enough to the rails so you can see the animals.

You probably won't be riding Expedition Everest but if you decide to do it I highly reccomend it. The transfer over to the ride car is the easiest roller coaster transfer I've ever done. It's about the same as transfering into a car.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would agree that the paths in AK are more 'gentle bumps' than jarring bumps (although I can't tell from personal riding experience - our wheelchair user is my youngest DD). It's much bumpier to visit my mother or mother in law, who live in small towns with sidewalks that need repair though.
One thing we do find difficult about AK is that the paths are fairly narrow and it's quite easy to become disoriented there. The park was laid out with narrow and kind of meandering paths for a reason - the designers wanted people to explore and discover it. Keep a park map handy and you will do OK.

Kali River Rapids is not as bumpy as it sounds and it does have an interesting way of 'trapping' a raft for people with disabilities to get on a non-moving boat. You should be aware if you ride it that there is a possibility of getting completely soaked or just a little damp - and you have no control of which you will get. Also, there is a foot rail for people to put their feet up on to keep them out of the bottom of the boat and fairly dry. Since my DD can't do this, her feet (including her shoes) get totally soaked.

The walking paths do have nice lower viewing areas, which sometimes people will let you get to and other times it's not so easy.
The park itself is accessible and has ramps all over.

The Safari can be quite bumpy - the bumpiest part was near the end where the 'story' for the attraction has your tram chasing some poachers. That storyline has recently been changed, so I don't know if they also removed the fast, bumpy part of the ride. If they did, you may be able to ride without a problem.

2 attractions I recommend you avoid are Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl. Both are very jerky and turbulent.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

T5-6 paraplegic here. Animal Kingdom is pretty easy for me. I would NOT, however, ride the safari if I had just had back surgery. It can jerk you around a lot. AK is a bit hilly. If you tire easily you make want to schedule what I call a "chill break."

 

[terri01p]

My dd is in a wheelchair , no feeling from her ribs down, albeit AK was a bite rough on her but doable. The Safari ride...let's just say we were praying for the ride to get over...I didn't want to call attention to her as she was trying for all she was worth just to stay in her chair...it was so rough on her...she doesn't have much upper body strength either and her poor head was to the side slipping into madness. We sat right up in front and the poor driver was almost in tears whenever we got off, he said it hurt him to watch her but there was nothing he could do but drive on. Now we know! Trial and era...if you have really good upper body it might be ok, but just having back surgery, I say DON'T do it .

 

[lovespoohbear]

the one ride i was looking forward to getting to go on was the safari. i have md and get jostled real easily so i was worried about not making the ride. i made it. it is a paved road but it has dips and bumps and you do get pretty thrown around. i went on the ride when i did the backstage safari and or tour guide had to help out at one part to keep me from really getting jostled. i did have one cousin holding my head/neck area so i didn't get a sore neck and head. the tour guide grabbed my chair when we went over the "creaky bridge". i would ask the driver to go as slow as possible(which will probably be 5 mph, which seem pretty fast when your getting jostled). i loved the ride. will probably do it again.

 

[mcco5543]

THANK YOU! so much I feel SO much better about AK and now i'm TRULY excited to go.

I don't think I was quite clear. My back surgery was over 15 years ago. I just still have to be a little careful.

Thank you again for all your advice. If you think of anything else that would be good for me to know feel free to keep posting!

 

[SueM in MN]

glad the replies helped you and hope you have a good time.
Post when you get back and let us know.

 

[LindaDVC]

still wish they would have a safari option for less bumpy....riders!

After one look for "little red" I could do without it.
I think they could offer an occasional Smoother ride for those pregnant, with decreased balance, etc!

Husband C4/5 and Bil above knee amp. I have to hold his chair to keep it from tossing about ! Pain for me and for him!

Linda

PS heading to Disney 4/3-4/4 2007! and the rest of spring break in Daytona!