Disney World is generally accommodating to wheelchair users, even in the "Twilight Zone" Tower of Terror, a scary descent inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Yes and No!

When my wife decided to visit our daughter in Denver for a few days, I realized it was a perfect time for me to leave Miami, too, and check out the accessibility of the rides at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. (www.disney.com).

Disney World bills itself as one of the most accessible theme parks anywhere, and I wanted to see how well they delivered. My driver and companion traveler Mario Ow and I decided to pick a scary ride in each park — one of those that warn "guests should be in good health and free from heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure."

I brought my own scooter, although you can also rent one at the entrance, and was curious to see how many rides I could get on with or without transferring. Also, my myotonic muscular dystrophy produces a general weakness, and I wanted to test how safe and comfortable these extreme rides really were. It was a bit of a risk, but that's what going boldly is all about!

Test Track

Our first stop was Epcot, the park featuring the cultures of the world and the technology of tomorrow. Once inside we picked up at a Guest Services desk Epcot's "Guide Book for Guests With Disabilities," which covers everything from the locations of companion restrooms to methods of accessibility for each of the rides and attractions; Disney has published one of these books for each of its parks.

Each guide states that "Certain attractions require Guests to transfer from their wheelchairs to a ride system either by themselves or with the assistance of a member of their party. Walt Disney World Resort hosts and hostesses are not permitted to physically assist Guests in transferring from their wheelchairs." Service animals are even permitted on some rides; on others, a member of your party has to stay behind with the animal.

My target ride for Epcot was Test Track, a "high-speed, turbulent thrill ride including harsh road surfaces, sudden braking, sharp turns, and steeply banked curves." It takes 5 minutes and reaches speeds of 65 miles per hour.

The guide advised us to enter through the standard queue and we would be directed to a special loading area. With Mario's help I transferred to a regular wheelchair, and we were then sent to an elevator that took us to a loading area where a car was stopped. The loading platform was level with the top of the car, so I couldn't climb in without help; in that sense the ride wasn't as accessible as it sounded.

But once I was on board it was a breeze. The ride simulates automobile test maneuvers, including crashing into a concrete wall. But at no point did I feel I was being bounced around more than I could tolerate safely. The bottom line, however, is that this ride is accessible only if you can transfer by yourself or are with someone strong enough to help you.

Kali River Rapids

The next day our destination was Disney's newest park, Animal Kingdom. Just by rolling through some of the special trails, such as the Maharajah Jungle Trek through the Royal Forest of Anandapur, you can see many of the animals — Asian tigers, Malayan tapirs, flying fruit bats and even a Komodo dragon.

But we were looking for another heart-stopping ride to try — the Kali River Rapids, described as a 6-minute, high-speed, white-water raft adventure, with sharp turns and sudden drops. Again, we entered through the regular line, in which we were directed to a boarding platform where an empty raft was waiting. Mario lowered me from my scooter to the ground and then into the raft, which was then sent into the main stream.

I thought this was a terrific ride. You get completely soaked when you go over the waterfall, but it was safe, comfortable and scary — my criteria for an accessible ride. However, the ride is accessible only if you can climb off your chair onto the raft or have someone with you who can assist.

We also rode the Kilimanjaro Safaris — 18 minutes of bumps and jolts in a pseudosafari vehicle through an African veldt. This ride is long but easy to access because the vehicle seats are above the platform so you just have to slide onto them. Every vehicle has room for one wheelchair as well (theirs, not yours!).

Tower of Terror

I'd saved the scariest ride for our next day, at Disney-MGM Studios. I wasn't sure I was going to get on this one even if they'd let me.

On the "Twilight Zone" Tower of Terror, you ride up an elevator in a haunted hotel. The elevator breaks at the top and drops you 13 stories into the depths of the "Twilight Zone." Several friends had decided against taking this ride after seeing it.

Mario said he'd help me board it, but riding it...! I decided I had to take it so I could tell you about it here.

We were directed to the exit. I was transferred into one of Disney's chairs, then pushed through a dark hallway to the entrance of the elevator, which looked like one of those old, creaky freight elevators but was lined with a row of benches. My first concern with the bench was safety. It didn't look reassuring: only a simple lap bar over the uncushioned benches. I would have backed out, but somehow I felt I'd committed myself.

After I was seated they let the other riders in. The doors were closed, and we started up. I was beginning to think I'd made a mistake.

As we ascended we stopped briefly at several floors where ghosts of guests past flitted around. Then, with no warning we dropped down the pitch-black elevator shaft. But it wasn't a long drop.

Rather, we dropped a bit, went up some, dropped some more, and so forth: another Disney illusion. If we did really drop 13 floors, it was in several small steps, but I'm not even certain that's what happened. Disney's most frightening ride turned out to be both accessible and safe.

Earthquakes, Floods and Roller Coasters

Afterward, we took the Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour, where you get to experience an earthquake and flood. This one was easy. There was a special spot where I could back my scooter right onto the tram.

We spent our last day in the Magic Kingdom. The extreme rides in this park are Splash Mountain, another water ride, and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, both roller coasters, all of which I'd been on previously. I did check them out — all are accessible, but again, only if you can transfer.

I had fun, and overall, I think Disney lived up to its billing. The park materials fairly warn about the conditions placed on those who ride the park attractions and about the possible need for assistance in gaining access to them.

If I'd come alone, my options would have been limited. If you, like me, bring someone strong enough to help with transfers, then you, too, can ride through a pleasant vacation.

I'm interested in your feedback as well as questions that you'd like me to address in future "To Boldly Go" columns. Write to me in care of Quest or e-mail me at andyvlad@bellsouth.net.