Playing games with one hand at Disney

In advance of my first opportunity to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration (#DisneySMMC) next month at Walt Disney World, each Thursday I’m sharing details about Walt Disney World adventure experience I haven’t shared yet on Born Just Right. So far, I’ve shared Jordan’s 9th birthday at Magic Kingdom Park and our Wild Africa Trek experience.

After spending so much time at Walt Disney World in the last year, we’ve come to know the rides and games through and through. Both kids know exactly what they want to do and how they’re going to do it. We’ve attended the parks so often in the last few years, I rarely even think about Jordan’s limb difference because she’s able to do everything you can imagine.

Not long after our family trip, I had a Born Just Right mom ask me if Jordan is able to play the games or if she needed to use her helper arm. I hadn’t thought about using helper arms. And I hadn’t really thought about ways Jordan manages her way around the parks with one hand. But I thought about it and I have a few tips for anyone visiting Walt Disney World with one hand.

1. Cast Members can pitch in if needed.
Jordan and Cameron had a really special moment last year when an Animal Kingdom Cast Member got down on a knee to help Jordan complete a two-handed Wilderness Explorer pledge. The moment made me tear up a little because the cast member reacted in such a natural way to help Jordan.

2. There are ways to work around rides that seem to require “two hands.”
Toy Story Mania is a 3D game where you participate in games similar to what you’d play at the county fair. Jordan usually sticks her little arm into the “wheel” to steer the “gun” and uses her hand to pull the string. Her scores get better every time she plays and she actually beat me once this year. (We can blame my capal tunnel… but I think she’s just getting really good at the game.) Jordan has a similar system when she plays on the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger ride.

3. If you have any questions about rides and which ones are accessible, be sure to visit Guest Relations.
There is a Guest Relations building in each one of the Walt Disney World parks. I visited the first time Jordan was old enough to ride the rides to make sure she wouldn’t get kicked off of anything. I’ve heard of horror stories at other parks. (Especially Six Flags parks) We haven’t faced any discrimination on rides at Disney World. No Cast Member has ever blinked as she’s gotten onto a ride.

4. You do not need a Disability Access Service Card (DAS) for an upper limb difference.
The DAS card helps those with cognitive or physical challenges set up return times to ride rides so they don’t have to wait in a long line. The DAS card is a little more than a year old and continues to go through some changes. By the end of April, it’s reported Disney will include DAS services in combination with MagicBands. Either way, be sure to visit Guest Relations before putting the DAS system to work if you or your family needs it.

One hand, two hands, no hands.. Whoever you are, I consider Walt Disney World a special place to be you. The park is one of our “safe places” for our family. Sure, there’s people looking. But we feel free to be us and take part in any and all activities available at the parks. It’s a great feeling and a big reason why we keep returning.