NEW Aquatic Transfer Wheelchairs

• Amber Davis

When Dollywood's Splash Country introduced Accessibility Tubes in 2017, it enabled guests with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy water attractions they had never been able to experience before. What a joy it was watching kids and adults float down the lazy river for the first time! For the 2018 season, our Aquatics team introduced another option for people with disabilities: water wheelchairs.

Specifically, these chairs are intended for guests who would like to participate in our attractions but need assistance transferring from their personal wheelchair to a floatation device. Many people don't like the idea of rolling an expensive chair into standing water. Now, with our aquatic wheelchairs, they won't have to. Guests will be able to use the Aquatic Transfer Wheelchairs in areas where there is a zero-depth entry and no water with a moving current:

• Downbound Float Trip (lazy river at the entry point)
• Mountain Waves (wave pool when the waves are off)
• Little Creek Falls
• Bear Mountain Fire Tower
• Cascades (at the zero-depth entry)

Please note-beyond these locations, the wheelchair may not enter any body of water beyond the 2.5-foot mark and the chair must be used responsibly. Guests may only use it long enough to make the transfer. Also know that while Dollywood's Splash Country lifeguards may assist guests in getting the chair, they will not be able to help them make the transfer. Here's some interesting facts about the wheelchair components:

• The chair is made from medical-grade PVC material
• There are no rusting parts
• The arm rests are removable for easy transfer
• The seating is made of mesh so water does not pool
• There are front and rear wheel brakes

As with our Accessibility Tubes, if you need to use one, just ask a lifeguard for assistance! If you or anyone you know has been planning on things to do this summer but has been hampered by their disability, hopefully this helps!