LudwigVonDrake
Well-Known Member
I rode today and to answer a previous question: there are no lap bars...thank God.
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New Boats on Pirates
- Thread starter ronmeri28
- Start date
Yes, Grand Fiesta has a wheelchair boat.
Jerm
Well-Known Member
Since my tweet this morning started all this talk, here is the picture I tweeted out.
https://twitter.com/jeremiahgood/status/362598121525637120/photo/1
you can follow me for updates all the time from the parks.
https://twitter.com/jeremiahgood/status/362598121525637120/photo/1
you can follow me for updates all the time from the parks.
Yankee Mouse
Well-Known Member
You are right about the drops, but it doesn't have to be a complete wheelchair boat. Just something to replace stepping down into the boat and up out of the boat. That can be a difficult step for people who are at least able to transfer.
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
bgraham34
Well-Known Member
Were you sitting on the starboard side?
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
It's only got one drop, and it ain't even big? .-.
flynnibus
Premium Member
The old ones looked like what... fiberglass for the benches?
These look very similar in materials to the IASW boats they used in Cali.
As for wheelchair boat.. I think the request would be so a person would only have to do a chair to chair transfer at the same level.. vs getting out, climbing in, climbing out, etc.
These look very similar in materials to the IASW boats they used in Cali.
As for wheelchair boat.. I think the request would be so a person would only have to do a chair to chair transfer at the same level.. vs getting out, climbing in, climbing out, etc.
Actually no. I thought it might have been the typical case of the kids getting is first and adults last, but the weight was pretty evenly distributed in the boat.
lunchbox1175
Well-Known Member
Would be nice if they had a little more leg room.
Tom
Beta Return
True, but that would mean eliminating a row, and then modifying all of the load and unload platforms/railings to match.
Tom
Beta Return
It is if you're sitting in a chair with wheels.
Tom
Beta Return
This has sparked a question in my mind....how do immobile guests experience Pirates, or do they? ECV's and wheelchairs can't go up the speedramp at unload, and I don't think there's an elevator. I guess I've never in my life seen someone transferring at PotC. And given these parameters, I don't think a wheelchair boat is even worth addressing, given the inability to unload and leave the building safely on anything but feet.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Tom
Beta Return
Yea I gotchu. My OCD kicked in when I heard the word "dropS"my bad
Ha!
But really, I'm sure the wheelchairs are lashed down in the boats that do accept them - I've just never studied one in person. A sudden change in speed and direction of travel could still be dangerous for someone sitting up in a wheelchair. The center of gravity changes and there would be additional "thrashing" at the head-level of the guest.
Some rides just aren't meant to be accessible to everyone, and that's OK. If it goes upside down, it's not accessible to my "handicap" of motion sickness
Yankee Mouse
Well-Known Member
My MIL isn't completely immobile, she can transfer and did for pirates, but walking from the entrance to the boats would be too much, so we wheeled her right down the the boat where she transferred. After the ride her wheelchair was there waiting for her. I don't remember how they got out, there was either an elevator, or a separate exit. I want to say there was an exit near the restroom, but I don't remember exactly. I went up the ramp.
But you are right, not all rides are able to be experienced by those in wheelchairs. Something that people who think that disabled individuals get advantages in the parks should remember.
Tom
Beta Return
Hmmm. Maybe there is an elevator behind a door down at unload. I've never paid any attention, or maybe it's just a door that says CM's only.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I agree. I understand why they don't, but it sucks when you're 5'7 (and fancy yourself short) and your legs slam into the bench in front of you... it makes for an uncomfortable ride. Even worse is the Mexican pavilion ride (sorry, name is eluding me at the moment)
MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
I could be mistaken, but I don't remember the wheelchair boats having any sort of harness to keep them in place. My mom has used those handicap boats before a few times when she needed a wheelchair and I don't recall them having any sort of tethering. As far as I can remember, when riding Small World you just wheel the chair onto the boat and put the brake on.Ha!
But really, I'm sure the wheelchairs are lashed down in the boats that do accept them - I've just never studied one in person. A sudden change in speed and direction of travel could still be dangerous for someone sitting up in a wheelchair. The center of gravity changes and there would be additional "thrashing" at the head-level of the guest.
Some rides just aren't meant to be accessible to everyone, and that's OK. If it goes upside down, it's not accessible to my "handicap" of motion sickness
We only did this a couple of times though as far as I recall. She told me she didn't feel entirely stable or safe even with the brake on. I think sitting so high in such a small and shallow boat (which already has a fair bit of sway to it due to the nature of boats) was disorienting and made her feel nervous. So even when she needs a wheelchair now, she gets out and uses a normal boat. Even if it's more difficult for her.
Tom
Beta Return
Wow, that makes it even worse. I too would feel uncomfortable sitting up that high, in a wheelchair that's not tethered down. I think it's safe to say they won't ever have wheelchair boats on PotC.