Hi Jamie,
Thanks for stopping by planDisney and for trusting our advice on your important and personal question. You’re as welcome as can be at Disney Parks, and there are many resources in place to make it fun, safe, and accessible for you. I appreciate wanting to plan out your day and maximize the great tools of
Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane purchases by knowing which attractions are best in advance. Let’s see what’s possible together!
I encourage you to
please contact Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com - they have a specialized team who can address your specific concerns privately and give more detailed, official guidance on the policies for each attraction to help you plan. I’m happy to share some of my favorite resources around accessibility in the theme parks and resorts, and my own opinion as I would to a friend.
Please review the
overview of accessibility information available on the Walt Disney World website and specifics for
Mobility Disabilities. This links further to lists of attractions where you can remain in a mobility device or where you must transfer, as a first pass at attractions where you may be most comfortable. There are also printable, PDF versions of the paper map Guides for Guests with Disabilities on that page - a great visual representation of the different requirements for access to the attractions in each theme park.
Disney Resort Collection hotels also have accessible rooms available and many wonderful features or services to support a more comfortable and safe stay on property.
You’re correct in that the Cast Members at each attraction will make the final call for your safety and enjoyment. Once you speak with the Disability Services team and have a sense of what’s possible, the attraction Cast Members can help you navigate the queue or be secure in your seat. In my opinion, some attractions to ask them about which may pose a challenge are:
Avatar Flight of Passage, as it requires you to mount a seat like a motorcycle with leg restraints at each calf for safety; there are no alternative seat configurations. TRON Lightcycle / Run has a similar bike-style mount with lower calf restraints but offers an alternative, accessible-friendly bench seating with a lap restraint similar to traditional roller coasters.
Space Mountain does not have leg restraints but is a difficult attraction vehicle to get in and out of as it sits lower than the platform and doesn’t have a railing on each side for support.
Peter Pan’s Flight and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover are not fast-moving attractions but require you to be ambulatory and use a moving walkway (like a flat escalator) to board the attraction vehicles. Many other attractions with a moving walkway do offer wheelchair seating or the ability to transfer.
I hope this information helps you personalize your planning for an amazing trip, Jamie! I have confidence that you’ll enjoy most everything the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer, and with the specific guidance of the Disability Services team you can use Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes to make the most of your time in the parks.
It’s been an honor to share my advice with you – please let us know if you have additional questions as you continue to plan your visit.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy