If I only had known that Transformers was coming to Orlando, I would have skipped the one at Universal Studios Hollywood. People in wheelchairs have to take an elevator and then wait for a shuttle bus that takes one to the lower lot. That transition kills the theme park experience; there is no theme in the waiting areas for the bus. How about having a meet and greet with Marylyn Monroe while waiting for the shuttle and the Frankenstein monster as the bus driver?
My hands are very weak, so most interactive rides have become pointless to me. The only one that I’m still able to use my hands is Toy Story Midway Mania. It has by far the easiest shooting device to use (the pulling the string option is what makes the difference.) In addition, the loading of the wheelchair into the ride’s vehicle is much smoother than in other interactive rides. And it’s fun.
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I'm also wondering if we would leave behind a trail just like people who walk will leave behind their steps as they walk (if the promise in the artwork for that effect to happen comes true).
We still have to wait many many years though.
So how about that mine coaster, not a great one for right?
They should be able to accompany people with disabilities. I am one of them as I am deaf in both ears, so I rely on captions to understand the spoken dialogues. This is often made available at Disney and Universal parks, but not always, but it's the best they are doing at the moment, I know more can be done and that's something to keep pushing for.
Please keep up the fight on improving accommodations for people with disabilities! I enjoy reading your articles.
As for Avatar, we don't know what to expect. It isn't a literal translation of film to attraction. In the movie, an able-bodied character inhabited the alien character too. You have to imagine you're the Avatar alien and the transition already happened.
The details that have been released on Avatar at Animal Kingdom are only concept renderings. Unless you know something that the public does not, saying that the new land "may not" have a ride that has an option for riders to stay in their wheelchair isn't exactly being fair to a company that has been extremely accommodating to guests with disabilities over the years. The public hasn't been told anything about the rides in the new land, yet your article is already making assumptions. Maybe you are correct. However, maybe you're not? The point is, why write an article that already sounds negative before any formal announcements have been made?
As for theming on the van ride at Universal Hollywood for guests with disabilities? The Starway that takes guests from the upper to lower lot and back consists of movie and tv show soundtracks. If your argument was to play that same soundtrack in the van and waiting areas? I totally agree (and they should). However, to provide actors to entertain those that can't take the stairs while you wait or take the ride up or down? Makes no sense either.
@ Josh Young - just wait when you break your arm or leg and have to step in our shoes and see how many things are accessable in parks and everyday life. Cutting my steak, cutting my left finger nails, and tying my shoes are just a mere few things that i have to conquer on a daily basis. I commend Daniel for writing these articles and telling how or how not everything is adaptable from a different perspective. No one knows until they actually experience these things. No matter how much a park says they are handicap compliant, there is always some aspects that no one takes into consideration about total access.
@ Josh Young - just wait when you break your arm or leg and have to step in our shoes and see how many things are accessable in parks and everyday life. Cutting my steak, cutting my left finger nails, and tying my shoes are just a mere few things that i have to conquer on a daily basis. I commend Daniel for writing these articles and telling how or how not everything is adaptable from a different perspective. No one knows until they actually experience these things. No matter how much a park says they are handicap compliant, there is always some aspects that no one takes into consideration about total access.
In my comment I mentioned nothing about Daniel's disability, yours or anyone else's. I made no accusations to him as a person, nor will I do such things about you.
However, Daniel did make an accusation that the new attractions in the new Avatar section of Animal Kingdom "may not be a dream for wheelchair users". Until more details become available, why write anything at all. Perhaps, he's right. Maybe not? However, to go ahead and make an assumption loaded with a negative connotation without having the facts is a little unfair this early on, don't ya think?
Hearing about your personal struggles with the simple things in life, or Daniel's has nothing to do with the article written, nor the comment I posted. I did nothing to attack him as a person or his disability, nor will I do so to you.
In the future, just know that if someone without a disability disagrees with someone who has one? It doesn't mean they are attacking them in the slightest. If I think mustard is the best condiment to put on a hot dog and you choose relish? It doesn't mean that you are any more correct than I am because of your disability. If Daniel says Frankenstein should drive the van and I disagree? It has nothing to do with the wheelchair and everything to do with the statement.
I'm really appreciative when a park tries to accommodate a ride to handicap people. The lack of theming of holding rooms and back tours at Disney or Universal (or where ever) is a bit disappointing but I don't mind, I'm already glad I can go on it.
I'm also ok with the fact I can't do many rides anymore. Sure it's disappointing but there is always hope that a certain ride like a boat or train ride will have me in mind. Although I think the story is crap Disney shouldn't ignore the fact this is about a guy in a wheelchair and at least try to incorporate that in the execution of the rides.
You can either agree or disagree with the article like you said. I was merely stating a fact that its dificult for the simple things in life compared to getting into a boat ride that you have to get in and out of. When you bring up disabity in your first comment in the first sentence and the article is about a disability getting into a ride from a disabled author than I'm going to comment on that subject. To not have that in the equation is misleading and odd because that is the subject matter.
So a disability is what you are in fact talking about and you think for the most part theme parks are doing a great job in past projects and future projects. I was just stating from a disabled persons view it is not always the case. It's my opinion. Example, the pathways are too small in the wizarding world of Harry Potter over at IOA and Animal Kingdom for wheelchairs. When they where conceived the designers thought to be true to the media at hand whether it be books, movies, or other sources they left out how would a person in a scooter or wheelchair fit in those areas.
In past boat rides it is difficult because of the transfer even if it is level. Unless you can secure a person in a wheelchair in the boat it's going to be difficult and the irony is there because of the movie.
Isn't Pandora's air toxic to humans so everyone will have a gas mask? That is another subject and for another tread.
The Frankenstein and Monroe comment is meant as a joke, but Universal should incorporate a movie soundtrack in the waiting areas. That's the least they could do.
Avatar Land's flying ride looks similar to Soaring which I have to transfer. About the boat ride, those kind of rides are not wheelchair accessible unless there are no drops. If there is one, then Avatar Land will be less ideal for someone in a wheelchair than the movie.
You have to be in a wheelchair to understand how exhilarating the concept of Avatar can be, and how frustrating a theme park can be.
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Everyone check out the following link taken from the Avatar parody from Mad Magazine.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-medium/18dxx7a5w9unqjpg.jpg
The image is very small, so you will have to change the size.
I apologize. You caught me. You read between the lines and saw that what I was in fact saying was that it's easy for people with disabilities to navigate through a theme park and ride attractions. Next time, when I comment on an article like this one - I will be more respectful and only make a comment about how I think Daniel shouldn't assume that unannounced attractions will be wheelchair accessible and that he shouldn't jump the gun. Lesson learned.
Daniel,
I need to apologize to you as well. I should have read having Marilyn Monroe and Frankenstein entertain disabled guests and their families as a joke.
And while Avatar's flying ride may look like a Soarin style ride, do you know that it's not? And if the boat ride doesn't have a drop, then there is a possibility that a wheelchair can transfer on to the vehicle. My point is, if the tone of the article was "I hope they think of people like me when they design these attractions", instead of "it doesn't look like I can", it gives the park the benefit of the doubt before you make an assumption.
The moment in the movie where someone in a wheelchair is no longer bound to it via his Avatar? I understand where that is totally relatable to you. Maybe Disney is going to make an attraction where you can experience that... or maybe they're not. There is no need to speculate or even write an article about it until more information becomes available, no?
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