8 replies to this topic

[chargergrl]

I am planning to go to Disneyland in November for my daughters birthday and I am wondering if anyone who is paralyzed has gone on the rides and if they had any troubles transfering? My 18 year old son and my friend will be helping me into the rides. I would just like to know about your experiences. Thank You

[BillS]

I was there in April and as a 50 year old para who's not a nimble as I used to be I found it very easy and accommodating. The only ride I really couldn't ride that I wanted to ride was Pirates of the Caribbean because the boat was too low to the ground for me to transfer into. If you've got a couple of helpers it should be fairly easy.

Here are some links you might be interested in:

http://www.disboards...d.php?t=1692922

http://www.disboards...ar#post31683754

I posted some ride pictures in this thread:

http://www.disboards...d.php?t=2207514

You should have a great trip! If you have any questions just ask.

[twisted_ophelia]

I haven't gone on rides at Disneyland but I have gone on rides and roller coasters at other theme parks and transfers can be tricky. I'm pretty agile and generally can do tricky transfers but on some rides, I've needed friends to help me out because either the distance is too great between my chair and the ride, or the height is too high or low, the opening where you get onto the ride too narrow, etc. Don't count on ride attendants to give you a hand, they generally have no idea how but if there's no one else going with you, they can help you. Definitely try to go with people who know how to help you out if neccessary.

[meadow]

i did a few months ago.
they only rides i would not recomend is the indiana jones one and the pirates of the caribean, unless you can walk while holding onto something, the indiana jones ride is the best one in the place, but it's really difficult to get off. You get to go to the front of the lines, but people abuse that. There was a guy who i saw walking, then later he was in a wheelchair getting to the front of the lines with about 10 friends, so i had to wait behind them a lot. :l the easiest to get on i'd say is the space ship one, really fun too. I wouldn't go on a holiday, i hear it's so crouded people are touching elbows. I thought it was like that when i went, but i couldn't imagine on a holiday. good luck!

[Illinois Boy]

I was actually able to get on a lot of the rides in my electric wheelchair about 18 years ago when we took our kids......

They also used to take us gimps first........

Jim

[Tinbasher]

Getting onto most of the rides was ok but be prepared for unexpected consequences! On the Tower of Terror when the elevator dropped my knees came up and hit me under the chin

Tin

[BillS]

 meadow, on Sep 21 2009, 03:43 AM, said:

...
they only rides i would not recomend is the indiana jones one and the pirates of the caribean, unless you can walk while holding onto something, the indiana jones ride is the best one in the place, but it's really difficult to get off...

I actually had no problems on the Indiana Jones ride. It's a harder transfer then in and out of a car but not too bad and coming out you go down into your chair so it's easy for me. Now Pirates is another thing. It's so low to the ground that I can't make the transfer back up into my chair.

Obviously we all have different things on what we can and cannot do. So while I might find something easy and something else hard your abilities may make it the opposite for you.

BTW. My trip to Disneyland in April was a solo trip. So all of my transfers were done without help. Disney Cast Members are not allowed to help you get on and off of rides. The most they can do is bring you your wheelchair and possibly hold the chair steady for you.

[KarenFerguson]

Disneyland itself is very very accessible. However, the rides can be tricky. It all really depends on your ability to transfer. Also know that some rides want you to transfer fast and the theme park people can get kind of pissy if you're not transferring quickly. I'm sure your 18 year old son and friend are quite capable of helping you transfer onto the rides. Most of the time to transfer onto a ride you're going to have to lift up and pivot yourself into something, or lower yourself down onto something. I've personally been on almost every ride at Disneyland - as an L3/4 - including Pirates of the Caribbean ... my personal favorite. Ohh, and don't pass up the Blue Bayou restaurant at the Pirates of the Caribbean, if you're not able to go on that particular ride you must eat there!

[Haveanicenight]

 KarenFerguson, on Sep 23 2009, 05:29 AM, said:

Disneyland itself is very very accessible. However, the rides can be tricky. It all really depends on your ability to transfer. Also know that some rides want you to transfer fast and the theme park people can get kind of pissy if you're not transferring quickly. I'm sure your 18 year old son and friend are quite capable of helping you transfer onto the rides. Most of the time to transfer onto a ride you're going to have to lift up and pivot yourself into something, or lower yourself down onto something. I've personally been on almost every ride at Disneyland - as an L3/4 - including Pirates of the Caribbean ... my personal favorite. Ohh, and don't pass up the Blue Bayou restaurant at the Pirates of the Caribbean, if you're not able to go on that particular ride you must eat there!

They don't call it "The happiest place on Earth" for no reason. I love just being at the park. Favorite ride, Haunted Mansion, easy on easy off. Least, and frankly most embarrassing, Small World. They let you stay in your chair, but you are elevated above all other riders. Blue Bayou, yummmm. Try the Monte Cristo Sandwhich.