Special Needs Sharing Question: What advice would you give about transfers to first time travelers on wheels? About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Can those who have had experience with wheelchair to attraction transfers offer some advice to PassPorters who may be visiting for the first time?

Did practicing help?

Were there any attractions that were a tougher transfer than others getting on? How about getting off?

What might you suggest for first time travelers on wheels?

Thanks!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Excellent question!

[SueM loves WDW]

3 suggestions off the top of my head:

1) It's sometimes easier to get on than to get off. Some of the ride cars are low and are quite a step down. Gravity is in your favor when getting in. When getting out, you are working against gravity.

2) Most attractions don't have anywhere to practice first. Many attractions use similar ride cars/boats that are just themed differently. Look at the ride cars as you are waiting and see how they are similar to ones you have already been on. For example the 'getting in and out' for Small World is similar to Pirates, even though they are very different looking. Ride Small World first because there is a longer period where you can see the cars.

3) You will never need to transfer for shows. Use that to your advantage and alternate attractions where you need to transfer with ones you don't if transferring is hard or uses a lot of energy.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Great tips, Sue. You really know how to examine something.

[mechurchlady]

Foremost is the reason for the person being in a wheelchair. A paraplegic who has worked their upper body and kept in shape will have less trouble getting into a ride than a person who has severe arthritis and can barely move. I use a scooter and can waddle around pretty fast but my friend Piper uses a forearm crutch and barely can get into a ride. I loaned her my scooter on our adventure while her scooter was recharging and I did pretty good with her crutch for stability.

Read the Passporter book and check out Sue's board at Disboards as she has tons of pictures of rides and I miss her so much.

I was with Bill who is a paraplegic but he has lots of upper body strength and can get around very well. At DLR he got stuck on the transfer out of the car in Space Mountain. The transfer bench had no side handles for him to grab onto and thus work his way up the bench.

Ride vehicles are pretty generic. Dumbo, snow white, and Pooh are a step and plop in the seat type of ride. The problem with those is that the side of the vehicle prevents a chair to vehicle easy slide. It would be a lot easier if there were cut outs so that disabled could slide over into the ride vehicle.

Fantasyland rides are hard for persons in chairs who have stiff limbs. At DLR the Fantasyland rides often have me banging my knees on the back of the seat in front of me.

For me the step down boats are hard to get into even though I am not into a chair. Canal boats at DLR, Small World, Maelstorm at Epcot, and Pirates require the person to get into a boat that can be hard to transfer to if one does not have good upper body strength or someone strong to help in the transfer.

Clamshell type ride vehicles like Mansion are hard to transfer because of the side that blocks a smooth across transfer and the way the seating is designed. One of the biggest causes of accidents is the Mansion and not roller coasters.

While there are not many practice vehicles you can make your own at home and try out transferring. Place an armchair with a couple feet from a solid waist high object like a wall or stove then roll the chair up to the arm chair and try transferring to the arm chair. To me that would come close to actually trying to transfer to Dumbo but not as hard as Dumbo has a tiny step up and does have a tiny bit of bounce.

I have more but have mom sitting to do.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Well done, Laurie!

I think the point you make about strength and flexibility is key to planning, enjoying yourself, and not hurting yourself.

It is not just about sitting in a wheelchair or ECV. You need to consider the individual in that chair when planning transfers.

I think you also need to think about the fatigue that can set in after a long day in the parks. Most people injure themselves when they do not realise how tired they are.

I think that is a great reason why people should keep up with stretches and strengthening exercises daily...so their "body equipment" will be ready when needed.

You've led me to the next Special Needs Sharing Question!