SyracuseWolvrine said:
If you plan on going on any rides that require a mobility device to be strapped down, you will be required to be in a wheelchair, not a stroller, if you plan on taking the mobility device on the ride vehicle, as opposed to transferring.
What types of rides is this possible? I have some concerns as to her being able to ride certain rides even if she meets the height requirements. Will the CMs tell us if they feel she should not be able to go on a ride if it is too rough for her? She doesn't have wonderful trunk support. She can hold her head up and sit up by herself, but can be a bit floppy. I obviously would be right next to her holding/arm around her or have her sandwiched between my husband and myself.
I guess my question is, how many rides would let you take the chair on? This obviously would be the safest way. I just assumed it was for like boat rides, or theater type attractions?
Thanks!!!!
My DD got her first wheelchair when she was 2 and 1/2. It was suggested that we get a special needs stroller, but I thought she could have at least some independence in a wheelchair and would have none in a stroller. So, by the time she was 3, she could drive a manual wheelchair quite well (although not long distances).
These are rides where a wheelchair (but not a stroller) can be tied down like SyracuseWolvrine mentioned:
Kilimanjari Safari at AK
Backlot Tour at the Studio
Some rides have a place where the wheelchair fits, but it isn't really tied down. If she was in a jogging stroller, that would probably be too long to fit in the area where the wheelchair fits. Plus, a stroller would be lower than a wheelchair, so her view might be very obstructed.
She could stay in a stroller (either jogging or other) for most shows, but a stroller sits considerably lower than a wheelchair, which may affect her ability to see. For the shows where wheelchair users sit in the back, you may be best off holding her on your lap. (I'm not listing shows).
MK: Could stay in a wheelchair for these rides.
- Railroad
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin. I don't ride this with my DD(I don't do spinning), but I think they tie the wheelchair down. At any rate, a stroller would be too low.
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Small World. The floor has "bumps" and depressions formed in it to help secure a wheelchair. A jogging stroller would probably not hit at the right spots to stay in the depressions in these boats.
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Stroller would be too low and might be too long.
- We have not been on the Jungle Cruise since they added the wheelchair boat.
Epcot
- El Rio del Tiempo (boat ride in Mexico). Same type of boat as in Small World.
- Ellen's Energy Adventure. Stoller would probably be too long and would be too low.
- Living Seas and Innoventions are walk thru attractions where either a stroller or wheelchair would work.
- Imagination. Stroller would be too low and might be too long.
- Living with the Land. Boat ride, jogging stroller would probably be too long.
Studios
- Great Movie Ride. Some wheelchairs are too long to fit, so a jogging stroller would probably not fit.
AK
- Wildlife Express Train. Jogging stroller might be too long.
- TriceraTop Spin. Same kind of car as Aladdin, so stroller would be a problem.
My DD has CP, she has spasticity in her legs, arms and back, but she has low tone in her upper trunk. She has pretty good head control, but can't sit securely in a moving vehicle withoutn a lot of support. SHe has ridden on everything at WDW except Space Mountain, Rock N Roller Coaster and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We provide a lot of "sandwiching" her between DH and I. The only ride I would not take her on again is Primeval Whirl at AK. That one looked pretty tame on the ground, but between the spinning and the roller coaster, she was thrown around a lot and almost came out under the restraint by the end of the ride.
Star Tours at the Studio is rough, but they do have a 4 point harness on request and even though she gets pretty shaken up, DD likes it.
The CMs won't stop you from taking your child on anything they are tall enough to go on. The can answer questions for you about how "tame" the ride is, but you need to decide for yourself whether it is suitable or not. All the wilder rides do have warnings on the park maps and at signs when you get into line and before boarding. You can send another member of your party on before your DD to get an idea of whether or not it would be good for her.