The Disney on Wheels Takes a Ride! series started in 2015 with this intro “Being in a wheelchair, my biggest fear of traveling all the way to Walt Disney World was that I would not be able to ride on any of the attractions. Boy was I wrong! When I was younger it was easier as my parents were able to transfer me, now that I am 17 and tall it has become a little more challenging to get me on some of the attractions. For the most part I have been able to ride on everything that I want to. Two of the exceptions being Space Mountain and Splash Mountain; since I am unable to sit unsupported alone I was not able to get strapped into the vehicle safely – besides, I was a little afraid of those rides.” You can read more of the introduction post and the entire series, up to this point here.
Having recently ridden on a few “new-to-me” attractions, I thought I should bring this series back to WDW Radio with a few updates.
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash coaster opened in 2018 in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but it wasn’t until my most recent trip this past June that I was able to finally ride this roller coaster! Why? For Slinky Dog Dash, wheelchair users must transfer out of their wheelchairs to get onto the ride vehicle. It may sound strange, but the vehicle loads in the direction that my mom is unable to transfer me by herself, so I had to wait three years to ride it!
The premise of Toy Story Land is that you are in Andy’s backyard and you’re the size of a toy. The queue for Slinky Dog Dash is totally accessible and is actually really interesting to walk through. The Imagineers must have had fun with this one, as the roof supports are made of giant Tinker Toys and the roof is a box from the original Slinky Dog pull toy. There are so many cool retro toy references and hidden nods to the studio and movie series history, that it is fun to explore and find hidden references.
Once we were near the loading zone, we were asked to head to the far left end of the loading gates. The Cast Member unlocked the side of the ride vehicle which then flipped down to create a slide board for transferring into the seat. If you are able to walk a few short steps, you should be able to transfer to the seat quite easily. We did not use the slide board, instead my Dad carried me to the seat and placed me against the solid wall side. Once we were secured in the ride vehicle we were good to take off!
Slinky Dog Dash did not disappoint! I had so much fun on this coaster and can’t wait until I can ride it again! After my ride, my wheelchair was waiting in the unloading area for me. We were not rushed to get off and Cast Members encouraged me to take as much time as needed to get back out of the vehicle. I highly recommend riding on Slinky Dog Dash — where else can you feel like you are riding on a pull toy sailing over Toy Story Land?
Alien Swirling Saucers
Alien Swirling Saucers is another attraction in Toy Story Land. It is based off the cute little green aliens from the “Claw” machine in Pizza Planet from the Toy Story movies. This attraction has the same ride system as Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park where the ride vehicles go around in circles and switch tracks as you spin. Since I really enjoy the whipping around feel of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, I knew I would enjoy Alien Swirling Saucers. My first ride on Alien Swirling Saucers was in July 2018 when wearing masks was not part of our world, so some photos for this attraction are from that trip.
The queue for this attraction is not very detailed and you tend to move quickly through it. Once at the loading zone, the Cast Member will direct those that need to transfer to the right-hand side entrance that is labeled with a wheelchair symbol on the gate. After going through the gate the Cast Member brought us to the accessible ride vehicle where she opened a little door on the side and slid out the transfer slide board which gives a little more room for transferring. Since I cannot transfer on my own, my Mom lifted me out of my wheelchair and placed me in the ride vehicle.
After we were buckled in it was time to start swirling! I will admit that I like the feel of moving side to side as the ride spins and transfers to other circles within the track. The ride does not last too long, but it is fun to ride. When the ride ended, my wheelchair was brought back over to the vehicle and we were again given time to get back into the wheelchair. Although this attraction may look cute and like it’s for younger guests, my Mom and I enjoy taking a ride with these little green aliens. You might like it as well, so give it a spin on your next visit.
As I previously mentioned, these attractions are not new to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. I am writing about them as I have just recently been able to ride them and wanted to share my experience of transferring onto the vehicles with others who might want to know how transfers work.
Please check out the Disney on Wheels archives and reviews of other accessible attractions, including Disney on Wheels Takes a Ride! 2021 – part 1 – Rise of the Resistance and Star Tours. Join me next time to hear about my adventures on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.
All photos and Disney on Wheels logo are personal property of the author. The attraction accessibility information is copyright Disney.The photos used in this post are from several trips from 2018-2021. Some of these trips were pre-COVID 19 when face masks were not a thing. Others may have been taken when the mask requirements were different at Walt Disney World as they have changed several times since reopening in July 2020.
Hi, my name is Andrew Prince and I am from Northwest Ohio. I was born with cerebral palsy and get around in a wheelchair, but that has not stopped me from enjoying the magic at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland or on a Disney Cruise Line ship! My accessibility posts can be found under “Disney on Wheels” where I share many of my adventures of getting around Walt Disney World Resort and more in a wheelchair. My first trip to Walt Disney World was in 2003 when I was in kindergarten. I love to travel to WDW with my mom, dad, and my two younger sisters. I have been to both US Disney Parks, several D23 Expos/events and runDisney events, and I am a Platinum Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club member. My mom, Vanessa Prince, has a Disney Vacation Club membership which we frequently use on both coasts. In January 2015 I began writing posts for WDW Radio focusing on accessibility of the Parks. I have also contributed to many of the team posts over the years. It is hard to pick a favorite attraction/experience due to the ever changing parks at Walt Disney World Resort. If you would like to contact me feel free to send an email to arprince@bex.net or look me up on Twitter https://twitter.com/Andrew1arp or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/andrew.prince.7161
