Disney rides for guests with no hands?

CJK · Dec 7, 2016

Hi all!

Some dear friends are planning a trip to Disney. Their daughter doesn't have hands, and therefore cannot grasp any straps or lap bars. She does have arms. Could someone point me in the direction of which rides she could/could not ride? I'd really like to help them out. Thank you!

gap2368 · Dec 7, 2016

I do not think Disney requires you to have use of your hand to hold on to something. so the only thing she should not be able to do is if she is not tall enough to do the ride or if she is too scared or her parents/ DR fell it is best for her not to go on a ride.

CJK · Dec 7, 2016

Thank you! So, semi thrill rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain would be okay? I wasn't sure about those kinds of rides. I can't find any official policy.

gap2368 · Dec 7, 2016

IT should be fine I would have a parent sit next to her on BTMRR as you bounce around a lot (not sure how big she is) I did ride be hind someone that was a below the knee dubble amputee

lanejudy · Dec 7, 2016

I don't believe that WDW has any official policy regarding missing limbs or appendages and banning certain rides. However, WDW does post warnings and essentially leaves the decision to the guest. Does she have any prosthetic device or is she completely unable to grasp in order to brace her body? I recommend that they watch some YouTube videos to get an idea of 1) the seating, support and restraints on various rides and 2) how jarring various rides may be so the girl/family can avoid any situations they deem unsafe for her specifically. A 3 yr old might be supported extra by family members riding next to her while a 20 yr old could be too big/heavy for another to provide adequate physical support on a ride; however, unless it is a new disability the 20 yr old may have developed her own methods for bracing and supporting herself that a 3 yr old hasn't yet.

I hope they enjoy their vacation!

wilkeliza · Dec 7, 2016

The only ride I can think of at WDW where I grasp something to hold on is rocking roller coaster but even then it isn't required. I do slip around on BTMRR and lap bar only rides but I don't mind that I see it as apart of the ride. I don't know of a requirement at Disney rides to have all appendages or the ability to physically grasp something so Disney won't be who stops them.

Gracie09 · Dec 7, 2016

Unlike some amusement parks Disney does not have "hanging" roller coasters that may cause a problem with different missing limbs etc. So they should be fine with anything she is tall enough to ride

CJK · Dec 7, 2016

Thanks everyone. This girl is 8yrs old, and likely tall enough for most Disney rides. I can't thank you enough for your input. I'm thinking that she should be able to do a lot of rides after all. There was a recent case at Universal where a woman with missing limbs wasn't allowed on many rides. This had me wondering about Disney. Sounds like the nature of Disney rides is different. Thank you!

SMD · Dec 7, 2016

CJK said:
Thanks everyone. This girl is 8yrs old, and likely tall enough for most Disney rides. I can't thank you enough for your input. I'm thinking that she should be able to do a lot of rides after all. There was a recent case at Universal where a woman with missing limbs wasn't allowed on many rides. This had me wondering about Disney. Sounds like the nature of Disney rides is different. Thank you!

Orlando Sentinal has an article on her lawsuit where a rep from Disney is quoted as saying a guest with no arms would be able to ride most rides. It doesn't specify one where they couldn't ride. But, the Universal guest in question had no arms at all and couldn't brace herself by even resting her arms on a lap bar. But, if the plan for any ride is to be held in place by someone else, I wouldn't consider that ride safe. A person can force another one to move or not move in a way that might cause an injury, or they may not be strong enough to hold someone in place in the event of an e-stop.

jenniy122 · Dec 7, 2016

The only ride that really even has hand grips is Rockin Rollercoaster, but there's no requirement. Think of all the people who don't hold on and put their arms up! (crazy kids!) The only thing is that the CM cannot put the restraints/harness/belt on her, so even though she's over then riding alone age limit some rides have, she will need someone in her party to ride beside her to fasten her in tight. No single rider lines.

mamabunny · Dec 8, 2016

CJK said:
Hi all!

Some dear friends are planning a trip to Disney. Their daughter doesn't have hands, and therefore cannot grasp any straps or lap bars. She does have arms. Could someone point me in the direction of which rides she could/could not ride? I'd really like to help them out. Thank you!

Here is a resource direct from Disney: (scroll to the bottom of the page for printable guides for each Theme Park)
Services for Guests With Disabilities

Roobear77 · Dec 8, 2016

My daughter is missing her right arm from just at the elbow (so obviously no hand on that side, but also significantly less arm as well). She is only 5, so not the RnR or EE age yet, but she rides SDMT and BTMRR and Barnstormer no problem. No one has even batted an eye. Whoever is riding with her does up the restraint (which I would do anyway at that age, and I still check my 7 year old's after she buckles herself). I don't think they would have any problem at all. My daughter also surprised the heck out of us on Buzz and TSMM by very quickly figuring out how to shoot without help.

Tell them to go and have a great time.

Dis703 · Dec 9, 2016

I don't think it's necessary to use your hands to brace yourself on most rides, but some people do it to feel more secure. I haven't been on RnR, but the other ride I was thinking it might be a little bit of an issue is Dinosaur. It's a very jarring ride. You are secure in your seat as in you aren't going to fall out, but I feel very tossed around so I brace myself with legs and hands to lessen the effect and I know I had to hold my 4-5 year olds to keep them from banging their heads around.

Bearshouse · Dec 11, 2016

Our son is total care. Disney is the one place where whatever his dad or I feel comfortable holding onto him he can ride. So for one week he and his sister just get to be kids without boundaries, without worries, and the most amazing time of their lives. The only things he can't do at Disney are Tom Sawyer Island, The Swiss Family tree house, and Space Mountain. Otherwise I am pretty sure we have tried the ride at least once.
Have the most amazing time

We thank guest services every trip for not having the HUGS rule.

Universal added the HUGS rule a few years ago not allowing him to ride even the carousel or rides that say guest may stay in their chair. It was also after his wish trip where he had rode a handful of rides before the rule change it is a very frustrating rule.

Twende · Dec 11, 2016

CJK said:
Hi all!

Some dear friends are planning a trip to Disney. Their daughter doesn't have hands, and therefore cannot grasp any straps or lap bars. She does have arms. Could someone point me in the direction of which rides she could/could not ride? I'd really like to help them out. Thank you!

The first attraction that came to mind for me was Toy Story Mania in DHS. The ride vehicle corners quickly and one may feel a need to be supported or try to hold on. Most riders use the shooting gun handles for support. With no hands that could be interesting. I know there are 2 ways to shoot on some of the handicapable vehicles. The push button might be easier for someone with no hands. Here is an article about it. http://diz-abled.com/toy-story-mania/

CJK · Dec 11, 2016

A big thank you to everyone for the invaluable information!

KayaWildfire · Dec 12, 2016

Another thought too. with the rides that have bench style seats, like Big Thunder Mountain, you are allowed to sit three to a seat. So possibly both her parents could have her sit between them so she is sure not to fall out on the larger rides, not that she would, but it may help keep her really secure.

gap2368 · Dec 12, 2016

KayaWildfire said:
Another thought too. with the rides that have bench style seats, like Big Thunder Mountain, you are allowed to sit three to a seat. So possibly both her parents could have her sit between them so she is sure not to fall out on the larger rides, not that she would, but it may help keep her really secure.

Yes if there is room you can and I have seen it done before

Nevada Jen · Dec 12, 2016

Bearshouse said:
Our son is total care. Disney is the one place where whatever his dad or I feel comfortable holding onto him he can ride. So for one week he and his sister just get to be kids without boundaries, without worries, and the most amazing time of their lives. The only things he can't do at Disney are Tom Sawyer Island, The Swiss Family tree house, and Space Mountain. Otherwise I am pretty sure we have tried the ride at least once.
Have the most amazing time We thank guest services every trip for not having the HUGS rule.

Universal added the HUGS rule a few years ago not allowing him to ride even the carousel or rides that say guest may stay in their chair. It was also after his wish trip where he had rode a handful of rides before the rule change it is a very frustrating rule.

100% agree with you. My daughter is the same. Universal was a humiliating experience for us. They talked to my daughter in front of an entire ride of people and demanded that she prove she could hold on on Despicable Me. When she didn't react they yelled the demand louder. I left the park in tears. It never occurred to me to thank Disney for letting people make their own choices about what is safe for them. I will make sure I do it next time. Because I agree. It is the one time when we get to be as close to a normal family as possible and my son and daughter are on even footing. Hence, my very favorite vacation. Totally off topic but we recently invested in a beach wheelchair from my DD and it really does make the beach and ocean accessible again. Most CA beaches have them for wheelchair users to use for free. If you are looking for another inclusive vacation idea, I highly recommend it.

North of Mouse · Dec 12, 2016

Nevada Jen said:
It never occurred to me to thank Disney for letting people make their own choices about what is safe for them. I will make sure I do it next time. Because I agree.

Is this really what Disney does? Would seem to me they would be leaving themselves open to lawsuits these days. I really empathize with anyone with disabilities that prevent them from doing all the main stream activities that most others enjoy. But, the fact remains that Disney would most likely be liable if something were to go wrong.

Disney rides for guests with no hands?

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