Allie Williams, Jose Flores, Shaniqua Granby, Andrew Cherico, and Ryan Manriquez join Kevin Schaefer — columnist and podcaster for SMA News Today — to talk about navigating theme parks with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). They reflect on preparation strategies, accessibility barriers, and the joy of building community through shared stories and advocacy.
Transcript
Kevin: When you’re planning a trip for a theme park, what are the big things you do to prepare?
Allie: OK, so for me, I definitely always make sure that I bring my urinal because doing pee math is really, really hard, and going to a theme park, you have to stay hydrated because most of the time you’re out in the sun and you’re hot and you’re doing all of the things that just, like, completely and utterly exhaust you, right?
So I make sure that I have hydration, I make sure that I have my urinal so I can go to the bathroom, which — that’s a whole thing, trying to find a place to do that.
Kevin: Oh yes.
Allie: And then sunscreen. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
Jose: First thing we’re doing is we’re going on YouTube looking at videos. If anybody else has been there, what are their do’s and don’ts? What are their must-haves? What are their don’t-forgets? Right.
And so one of the main things that we do is we want to just find out what’s accessible. Right? What’s comfortable for me to be able to do and enjoy myself at the same time. Because sometimes you go to parks and you have to get transferred, which isn’t always fun or easy. So we want to find those parks that have as much accessibility as possible to avoid those transfers.
But one of the things that’s on our checklist is water, sunblock. I have a full wheelchair poncho that even covers my sneakers because, you know, I got to keep the white Air Force Ones clean, man. And, you know, maybe a couple snacks if they allow it, but that’s basically it, man. We just watch videos, bring what we need that we think is essential, and then we’re just ready to go have fun, man.
Shaniqua: I just recently started using TikTok. I think TikTok is a great social media resource right about now, especially for people with disabilities, because people will show you firsthand their time going through the parks and what they had to go through with accessible rides, or just going to the park in general.
Also, I tried to use the Disneyland app before planning coming to Disneyland or, of course, Disney World. For the most part, social media has been the best research because you get to see firsthand experience of people going to the park.
Kevin: You are able to transfer out of your chair some. Can you talk about that and, like, how you manage transferring at a park? And what’s the criteria for that?
Andrew: I prefer not to transfer. That’s — that’s the ideal roadmap to transfer out. But if I did have to transfer out of my wheelchair to enter a ride, it would have to be like a similar level.
Like, for example, I’ve been on plenty of rides where you’ve had to, like, take a step down or get lower. I’ve just had some pretty — I would say — traumatic experiences getting my legs caught underneath, or getting injured in the process of just trying to have fun, just trying to go on an exciting ride like everybody else.
And it’s sometimes difficult trying to navigate that, especially with a caregiver who, when you’re in the parks, nobody else can really help except you and the person that is with you. Not every ride is just made for us.
Ryan: I love maps. I’m in kind of the transportation planning space, so I love looking at maps. I love seeing where all the accessible entrances are. The bathrooms are, the kiosks are. And it’s definitely like asking questions, not being afraid to ask questions of the staff. Everyone here has been really friendly and understanding of, yeah, we really want to experience the park to its fullest potential and have a great time.
So we’re trying to map out where to go that’s the most accessible places to eat. But also time management is a really big thing when you are at the theme park, and oftentimes it feels like you’re running out of time but trying to make it to a firework show. We just got on a waitlist to go into the cantina, so we’re really excited about that.
But really, time management — as much preparation beforehand as you can do — is my recommendation.
Shaniqua: So I guess in my experience it’s different depending on the theme park. Recently I went to Busch Gardens, you know, last year during Christmas time. And that was really fun. I was able to, you know, get a printout of the rides that I can ride or different activities that they were — have going on. So that was really good.
And even like at King’s Dominion, like where I’m from in Virginia, they’ll give you a list of different rides that you can ride with having a disability.
Allie: Don’t rush yourself into having to do everything all at once. Like, take your time, enjoy the things that you really like. Like my — my favorite part is the Star Wars area. Because I’m a nerd, it’s fine.
I seriously can just walk around there all day long and just watch all the characters and drink some cute little drinks at — where’s that place? I can’t think of it.
Kevin: It’s not Mos Eisley, but it’s like another — cantina?
Kevin and Allie: Yes, yes, yes.
Allie: Cantina. Yes, yes. It’s so good.
And, you know, just kind of hanging out and people watching. It’s really cute to watch children just have, like, the best time, especially interacting with all of the characters and everything. It’s just — it’s lovely to watch all of the Disney magic that can happen.
Just take your time, enjoy everything. Eat the good food.
Oh, man. Those churros. And the beignets.
Kevin: Churros and pretzels. Oh my gosh.
Allie: Oh my gosh, I know. I can’t wait. I’m so excited.
