HS Toy Story Mania: [Merged Threads]

[terri01p]

Ok, I'm just now reading that HS is opening a new ride in May, does anyone have any information on it being wheelchair accessible or not ? TIA

[Cheshire Figment]

Since it is 100% new contruction I am very sure it will be compliant with ADA and accessible.

[terri01p]

Did I misunderstand, is this going to be a ride like buzz light year ? Or is this something different ?

[mechurchlady]

http://www.lifthill.com/news/disneys-hollywood-studios-toy-story-mania-preview/

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TSMAttractionPage

The WDW site says that guests must transfer from a scooter or ECV to a wheelchair to ride so that means wheelchairs will be able to board like newer rides.

[SueM in MN]

The pictures and models I have seen look very similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride cars. So, I am very confident that the Toy Store Mania ride will probably have ride cars that are similar to the ones on Buzz.
In our experience, the Buzz wheelchair car works very well, with very few problems and the CMs at Buzz are usually able to load and unload a wheelchair without stopping the moving walkway. In fact, there have been times when they did not even need to slow it to get DD's wheelchair in or out. That, in itself, makes me think they would choose to use a ride car of that type.

[terri01p]

Thank you very much for this, I'm so excited about this ride...:cheer2: :banana:

[Cheshire Figment]

There are cast previews coming up late next week. I intend to go and ride and will report back.

[terri01p]

There are cast previews coming up late next week. I intend to go and ride and will report back.


Oh that's going to be great, I look forward to the report ! :worship:

[SueM in MN]

There are cast previews coming up late next week. I intend to go and ride and will report back.
:thumbsup2

[Absimilliard]

Toy Story Mania does not use the "Omnimover" system (Haunted Mansion or Buzz Lightyear). Instead, it will use large single cars with back to back seating based on pictures and concept arts. So, normally, they should have at least one car which is capable of accepting wheelchairs.

I actually found a picture of an actual ride car, taken during testing: http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_midway_mania_3.htm

[SueM in MN]

Toy Story Mania does not use the "Omnimover" system (Haunted Mansion or Buzz Lightyear). Instead, it will use large single cars with back to back seating based on pictures and concept arts. So, normally, they should have at least one car which is capable of accepting wheelchairs.

I actually found a picture of an actual ride car, taken during testing: http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_midway_mania_3.htm
Thanks for the picture. I just saw some drawings and really rough stuff.
It looks like they could have a fold down ramp kind of similar to what it on Where's Nemo?
Do you know how the ride cars will move?

[Ms_Butterfly]

I actually found a picture of an actual ride car, taken during testing: http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_midway_mania_3.htm

That's the photo they had in the AAA newsletter thingy the other month. I think they said the cars move along a track, that you don't steer them like in Buzz Lightyear.

I'm really looking forward to the new ride! It sounds like fun! :)

[mechurchlady]

Sue: you are welcome and glad you like the pictures.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/minisites/toystorymania/index
That is the official Toy Story Mania. DCA has a marquee that read Midway Mania. The behind the scenes video shows it is seats that are back to back though the construction is so that the other people behind you cannot see what you are doing. Each car is coupled to another so that 8 riders take off at one time. There are some fun games to play at the site also.

http://www.studioscentral.com/midway.html
Now this site has a lot of info.

http://www.mkt3000.com/files/NorthHalf1stFloor.jpg
a layout of the floorplan

[Ms_Butterfly]

Since this ride uses 3-D glasses that I assume are the same kind as the ones in the Muppet movie, does anybody know if Disney disinfects the glasses after each use? :p

[Cheshire Figment]

On another board recently someone who works at a 3D attraction told us that all the 3D glasses are used only once per day. They are taken to a central location for cleaning/disinfecting and are then placed on trays. They are issued from the trays.

As you may have noticed when departing, they are just dumped into barrels (actually with large plastic bags) and so they are dumped out where the automatic machinery will clean and stack them.

[Absimilliard]

How it worked at Disneyland Paris at Honey, I Shrunk the Audience:

After each show, the cast member at the exit grabbed the bags filled with used glasses. They're brought in backstage where he counts them, then arrange them in racks with a fixed number of glasses per rack (can't remember how many, sorry). Those racks are then put in a machine where they're steam cleaned, then dipped in water, then cleaned with some kind of soap, then dipped in water again and then dried. Before each new show, cast members bring out the correct number of cases out. They also got boxes of brand new glasses when they're running low on cleaned ones.

[Hook's Girl]

Since this ride uses 3-D glasses that I assume are the same kind as the ones in the Muppet movie, does anybody know if Disney disinfects the glasses after each use? :p

Just verifying what the other posters have said. 3-D glasses are cleaned after each use. If you ever take the UnDiscovered Futureworld tour of Epcot you will get to see the machine that is used!

[Ms_Butterfly]

On another board recently someone who works at a 3D attraction told us that all the 3D glasses are used only once per day. They are taken to a central location for cleaning/disinfecting and are then placed on trays. They are issued from the trays.

As you may have noticed when departing, they are just dumped into barrels (actually with large plastic bags) and so they are dumped out where the automatic machinery will clean and stack them.

Awesome, thanks!!! :goodvibes That truly sets me at ease. When I had to put the glasses in a bin that looked like the same type of bin they came from, I got a little worried. I also felt bad 'cause I'd put them on my service dog for a few seconds as a joke (I thought the glasses were keepers), so I wouldn't want somebody having to wear them after they'd been on a dog, lest they be allergic even though she's hypoallergenic. :3dglasses

[zaksmom]

FYI - saw this on another website in answer to a question about accessibility of this ride as you go up stairs in the regular line.

"Right before the stairs is a separate line that breaks off the main one that is for handicap access. It goes up a ramp onto the station platform. There is a separate loading area for the wheelchair accessible vehicle that is separated by track switches with the vehicle just waiting there ready to load. When it has been loaded, the track switch changes, and the WAV takes the place of a normal vehicle in the second load station. After the vehicle in the first load station is ready, off you go onto the ride. When you are done, the WAV will return to the special loading area for unloading and more loading. It really is very well thought out."

[BillSears]

FYI - saw this on another website in answer to a question about accessibility of this ride as you go up stairs in the regular line.

"Right before the stairs is a separate line that breaks off the main one that is for handicap access. It goes up a ramp onto the station platform. There is a separate loading area for the wheelchair accessible vehicle that is separated by track switches with the vehicle just waiting there ready to load. When it has been loaded, the track switch changes, and the WAV takes the place of a normal vehicle in the second load station. After the vehicle in the first load station is ready, off you go onto the ride. When you are done, the WAV will return to the special loading area for unloading and more loading. It really is very well thought out."

Wow, that is a nice improvement. That means no more waiting until the accessible car cycles around unless the car is in use. Also it doesn't keep an empty car in the ride when the accessible car is not in use. :thumbsup2

[terri01p]

FYI - saw this on another website in answer to a question about accessibility of this ride as you go up stairs in the regular line.

"Right before the stairs is a separate line that breaks off the main one that is for handicap access. It goes up a ramp onto the station platform. There is a separate loading area for the wheelchair accessible vehicle that is separated by track switches with the vehicle just waiting there ready to load. When it has been loaded, the track switch changes, and the WAV takes the place of a normal vehicle in the second load station. After the vehicle in the first load station is ready, off you go onto the ride. When you are done, the WAV will return to the special loading area for unloading and more loading. It really is very well thought out."


OH that's great we are so excited ! :banana:

[SueM in MN]

Wow, that is a nice improvement. That means no more waiting until the accessible car cycles around unless the car is in use. Also it doesn't keep an empty car in the ride when the accessible car is not in use. :thumbsup2
That would be nice.

[mechurchlady]

I love that the vehicle is out of service until needed and just sets there waiting while the guest takes their time to board. I hope new attractions will have the same configuration. That is great news. I cannot wait until someday I get to go to WDW.:confused3

[Absimilliard]

I also hope that it makes its way in all new attractions that can accomodate it.

Its just easier for everyone to have such a set-up.

On another note, I hope they never bring Crush Coaster (new popular dark ride/coaster at Walt Disney Studios park) to a US park... The ride has 2 major problems for disabled guests: the cars never stop in the station and can't stop to allow someone to transfer in! Second problem... Its a fairground ride to start with, so instead of stairs and such like the other Disney coasters, it uses either ladders or very narrow spiral staircases to reach the evacuation platforms. So, at Walt Disney Studios, Crush Coaster is not permitted for guests who can't walk the lenght of the station without help.

[Cheshire Figment]

I was on Toy Story Mania today. Prior to going on I spoke with two managers. There opinions, as well as mine, is that the ride is fully accessible.

The queue is mainstreamed and I had no problems at all with my ECV. A person in a wheelchair or power chair would not have any problems in the queue. There is lots of things to see in the queue, and so people will not get bored, this includes children. There is a staircase, but before the staircase is a diversion for people who cannot do stairs; the diversion leads to a special load/unload area.

Most of the ride vehicles will seat 8 to 12 people. The seats are designed for two, but if all are thin or there is a child with you it appears that there is no problem putting three in a seat, although the cars only have two cannon per seat. There is a segment with a pair of forward facing seats and a pair of rear facing seats and then a few feet back another pair of forward facing and rear facing seats. You are only facing ahead or back while you are in load and unload. Once you are in the middle of the actual ride you will be facing to one side or the other. So to see everything you have to do the ride twice, once in the forward facing and once in the rear facing seats.

There are special accessible cars. The front segment does not have a set of rear-facing seats, but has a ramp. The ramp can flip down, the forward facing seat is shifted off, and a person in a wheelchair (including power chair) drives into the space where the seat was. Note there is still room next to them for someone else to sit, so they are not alone.

Disabled load/unload is a special area. The cars pull in and can be in the special area for up to six minutes, so there is no real time pressure for boarding. When the vehicle is loaded and the doors shut, the car will be inserted into the regular line of cars going though load/unload. When the ride is over the special cars will drive off the main track to the special load/unload area.

The ride is all on one level, so wheelchairs do not have to be clamped down but the brakes should be locked and the switch on a power chair should be turned off to prevent any problems.

The ride does not spin like Buzz Lightyear. The only spinning you get is when the track changes direction so you are able to face the dioramas and targets. Because of the way the cars move, as well as some of the noises and lighting, Service Animals are not permitted on the attraction. Rider Swap is available for people with Service Animals.

Each seat has two antique-looking cannons; the cannons fire by pulling a cord in the back center of the cannon. Depending on the scene you are in, what the cannon appear to be firing are either tennis-ball-sized balls or ring-toss rings, You have to be wearing the 3D glasses to be able to see what you are doing. There are many different types and sizes of targets, with the point values marked on the targets. There are no sights on the cannons, but as you can see what you are firing you can adjust where the cannon is pointing, both vertically and horizontally.

As you travel between scenes you can see three different figures for you score: your score for the last scene, your total score, and your percentage of successful shots. Just before you get to unload you will be able to see the high scores for the day listed.

My opinion is it is a very fun attraction, and I can’t think of any of the regular contributors to this forum (except Skye) who would not be able to ride it.

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the report and the complete info about accessibility.

There is a thread on the Theme Parks Board that talks about the sneak peek. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1811242)
Page 3 of that thread includes a link to a website that had pictures of the entrance, Fastpass machines, queue and ride cars.
That might help people to visualize what Cheshire Figment wrote.

[MarieS]

Thanks so much for the report! We are looking forward to riding this in October and it helps to know what to expect with DS wheelchair.

[SueM in MN]

After reading Cheshire Figment's description, I looked again at the link to an article that was posted on the Theme Parks Board. One of the pictures actually looks like it shows the wheelchair boarding area. If you look at the ride car at the left of the picture, that looks like the ramp - you can see there are no 'cannons' on that side and there should be if it was a regular car that had seats back to back on each side.
Not sure how long this picture will stay here, but here it is for what it's worth:
http://orlandounited.com/news/images/ToyStory/tsm27.jpg

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, that is the disability boarding area and one of the special cars. I had taken a camera with me today, but I was told since it was a CM preview that I could not take any photos. And since I don't want to get fired....

[SueM in MN]

Yes, that is the disability boarding area and one of the special cars. I had taken a camera with me today, but I was told since it was a CM preview that I could not take any photos. And since I don't want to get fired....
thanks for confirming.
the person who posted on the Theme Parks Board also mentioned no pictures allowed, so I didn't expect any.
For whoever goes once pictures are allowed, I'd like one just about like this one and then a couple close ups of the wheelchair car so when I finally get more parks FAQs threads going, I have pictures to use.

[Ms_Butterfly]

Could you explain more on the reasons they nixed this ride for service animals? I thought you said the cars don't spin, so why is the way they move a problem? And shouldn't noises/lighting be up to the individual team the way it is on other rides (i.e. fire scene in Spaceship Earth, cannons in Pirates, etc.)?

Also, can you explain more about the string you pull to fire the cannon? Is it hard to pull the string? Do you have to pull it far? Or is it an easy thing to do? I'm thinking for those of us who don't have a lot of energy to spend - it would not be good to waste "a few spoons" (if you've read that "spoon theory" thing) on one ride.

I hope you enjoyed the ride!! :) It sounds so neat with the 3-D stuff and all!

[Cheshire Figment]

Could you explain more on the reasons they nixed this ride for service animals? I thought you said the cars don't spin, so why is the way they move a problem? And shouldn't noises/lighting be up to the individual team the way it is on other rides (i.e. fire scene in Spaceship Earth, cannons in Pirates, etc.)?
I really don't know. But when I was talking to one of the managers before entering I was told that for Service Animals they would do Rider Swap. No reason was given.
Also, can you explain more about the string you pull to fire the cannon? Is it hard to pull the string? Do you have to pull it far? Or is it an easy thing to do? I'm thinking for those of us who don't have a lot of energy to spend - it would not be good to waste "a few spoons" (if you've read that "spoon theory" thing) on one ride.
The string pull was about six inches; I would pull it straight back but it could also be pulled down. It does not have much resistance. I found controlling the cannon's movement with one hand very easy. Also it allows you to keep your hand almost anywhere on the cannon to control it rather than having to hold it in a specific place to press a firing button.
I hope you enjoyed the ride!! :) It sounds so neat with the 3-D stuff and all!
I had a blast. I was sharing my seat with a woman and her about 2yo grandchild. I think that was due not only to it's being Cast Preview but the ride had been down for about 1½ hours for some undisclosed reason. When I got off it was about 5:30 and I did not want to wait over an hour for another ride.

[LenDVC92]

Cheshire Figment,

Thanks for the great description of the ride. I hope I can get to ride it when I'm there next week.

Do you know how many wheelchair accessible cars there are and assuming they are all in use how long it will take for the next one to cycle around?

Len.

[Cheshire Figment]

Cheshire Figment,

Thanks for the great description of the ride. I hope I can get to ride it when I'm there next week.

Do you know how many wheelchair accessible cars there are and assuming they are all in use how long it will take for the next one to cycle around?

Len.
Sorry. I guess I forgot to ask those questions. I don't know, but I do remember the person at load/unload saying that they had six minutes to do a turnaround while it looked to me as if regular load/unload was about 30 seconds.

[BroganMc]

Hey CheshireFigment!

It sounds like those cannons are like the ones they use in DQ's Pirate game. Are they?

If so, they are very easy to manipulate for me and I have very reduced mobility in my hands.

[Cheshire Figment]

Hey CheshireFigment!

It sounds like those cannons are like the ones they use in DQ's Pirate game. Are they?

If so, they are very easy to manipulate for me and I have very reduced mobility in my hands.
It has been several years since I was last in the Pirates at DQ, so I am not sure. The cannons do swivel very easily and the lanyard pull is about six inches.

[LenDVC92]

CF-- Another quick question:

I saw a post on another site that implied that there was a separate Fastpass on this ride for wheelchair guests. Did you happen to notice anything like this?

Len.

[HonnyDipp]

Thanks for the info Cheshire Figment and SueM!!! Its good to know I can enjoy this ride in my ECV!!!

[SueM in MN]

CF-- Another quick question:

I saw a post on another site that implied that there was a separate Fastpass on this ride for wheelchair guests. Did you happen to notice anything like this?

Len.
When I read that in another place, I understood it to mean the separate boarding area that Cheshire Figment described, not a separate Fastpass area.

[Cheshire Figment]

CF-- Another quick question:

I saw a post on another site that implied that there was a separate Fastpass on this ride for wheelchair guests. Did you happen to notice anything like this?

Len.
Because it was a Cast Member preview the Fastpass line was not open.

However, I will look into that.

[Ms_Butterfly]

I really don't know. But when I was talking to one of the managers before entering I was told that for Service Animals they would do Rider Swap. No reason was given.

Okay, thanks for the info.

The string pull was about six inches; I would pull it straight back but it could also be pulled down. It does not have much resistance. I found controlling the cannon's movement with one hand very easy. Also it allows you to keep your hand almost anywhere on the cannon to control it rather than having to hold it in a specific place to press a firing button.

Thanks for the additional info. on this! That is good that it doesn't have much resistance. I remember something I used before that you really had to tug on a lot to get it to go and something like that now would really make me lose a lot of energy and/or cause or exacerbate my wrist pain.

[Cheshire Figment]

I stopped by again today. They would not let me in since I do not hold either an AP or DVC Membership Card. They are very strict for the poreview, not only is the card required but also a photo ID.

Anyway I talked to a couple of people who work the ride.

The FastPass line is as accessible as the regular line. At the point where you reach the stairs, just as the regular line, if you are unable to do the stairs you will switch out to the special disabled load/unload area. Once you are in the special load/unload area the FastPass privledges vanish and you will have to wait for the special ride vehicle.

As far as the accessible ride vehicles there are several of them. However, at least right now, they will only have one in the attraction at a time. This is because the special load/unload area only has room for the one vehicle and the ride takes about six minutes to cycle through. This allows almost six full minutes to unload and reload. If they had more than one special ride vehicle in the rotation it would only allow three minutes for unload/load. Holding the second ride vehicle while waiting for the first one to clear would hold up the entire attraction.

However, this does not mean that they will not try it as an experiment; anything can happen.

Note I was also told that there would be general soft opening starting May 15, and the formal opening is June 1.

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the further information.
One of the reasons for soft or limited openings is to work out all the different situations that might come up.

[terri01p]

Just two people will fit on the accessible vehicle, one in the wheelchair and one person beside them ? Will there be a place for two people on the back side of them ?

[SueM in MN]

Just two people will fit on the accessible vehicle, one in the wheelchair and one person beside them ? Will there be a place for two people on the back side of them ?
I have not seen them yet, but from the description and pictures, I can answer your question.
There is space for one wheelchair and one person on the accessible ride cars.
The back side, which would normally have 2 more seats, is where the ramp is. So, the wheelchair accessible cars can only hold 2 people.
There is a picture of the accessible car on page 2 of this thread, post #28.
The accessible car is the one at the far left of the picture. The ramp side is the part of the car that is facing the camera. You can tell because it has no cannons on the side that is facing the camera.

[mechurchlady]

if that means 10 parties per hour maximum then I would take fastpass and waddle in as it would not be fair to wheelchair users. I doubt I will ever get back but this would be high on my want to ride list along with the caroussel.

Thanks for the info and big hugs to Cheshire.

[SueM in MN]

if that means 10 parties per hour maximum then I would take fastpass and waddle in as it would not be fair to wheelchair users. I doubt I will ever get back but this would be high on my want to ride list along with the caroussel.

Thanks for the info and big hugs to Cheshire.
keep in mind though that unless you use the accessible boarding area, there are stairs.
I don't know why they did that because it makes many people use the accessible boarding area who would be just fine if not for the stairs.

[kimbac3]

I have not seen them yet, but from the description and pictures, I can answer your question.
There is space for one wheelchair and one person on the accessible ride cars.
The back side, which would normally have 2 more seats, is where the ramp is. So, the wheelchair accessible cars can only hold 2 people.
There is a picture of the accessible car on page 2 of this thread, post #28.
The accessible car is the one at the far left of the picture. The ramp side is the part of the car that is facing the camera. You can tell because it has no cannons on the side that is facing the camera.

This concerns me as we are a party of 5 - me in the chair, DH pushing and 3 kids. How would they board us all. I want us to stay together. I can transfer - I'd hate to take the car away from someone who can't transfer. Maybe I'll just use my cane and have DH help me up the stairs. Hmmm......

Kim

[SueM in MN]

This concerns me as we are a party of 5 - me in the chair, DH pushing and 3 kids. How would they board us all. I want us to stay together. I can transfer - I'd hate to take the car away from someone who can't transfer. Maybe I'll just use my cane and have DH help me up the stairs. Hmmm......

Kim
Maybe Cheshire Figment can find out more, but the picture I found shows more than one ride car in the area. Only one of the ones in the picture is a wheelchair accessible one.
I think eventually, we'll hear more about how it works (they are probably working some of it out). For example, we don't know if the wheelchair car is always on the 'ride path' and is only pulled into the accessible boarding area if it's needed.
Or, is it off the path entirely and send onto the path when needed.
We also don't know how many cars they can pull into that area. And whether they need to leave after a certain time or they can just 'park' there until needed.
I think the idea is good, but since they are 'forcing' some people to use that area because of the stairs, I'm afraid there is going to be a long line up of people who need to use the area.
That happens all the time on Small World - in April, each time we went on, there was a long line for the handicapped boarding area. We waited over 20 minutes once we got to that part of the line, even though other guests were walking right on and some boats were sent out not filled. The family that had been right ahead of us in the regular line before we were pulled off into the accessible line got on when we were 3 'parties' from boarding and they finished their ride and got off before we were loaded.
The same thing happens on Spaceship Earth. We waited to ride until it was not busy - the regular line had a posted 5 minute wait. Our wait in the handicapped boarding area was almost 30 minutes.

[kimbac3]

You know Sue, I noticed that about Small World. Another one that seems to take longer than usual is Kilimanjaro Safaris....that one is crazy!!

I guess we will wait and see :surfweb:

Kim

[SueM in MN]

You know Sue, I noticed that about Small World. Another one that seems to take longer than usual is Kilimanjaro Safaris....that one is crazy!!

I guess we will wait and see :surfweb:

Kim
yeah, don't even mention the Safari.
We've already waited there for 40 minutes when the 'regular' line was walking on, boarding as fast as they could walk and sending trams out partly filled because people could not get there fast enough to fill them.

The attraction that works the best is Kali River Rapids. When they need a boat in the accessible boarding area, they just open the 'gate' and one floats in. They put the gate back up to trap the boat and you have as long as you need to board. They put the gate back down and you float right out along with the other boats.
We have never waited much longer there than the people at the 'regular' boarding area.

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to a page of Toy Story pictures that are posted on the wdwinfo part of the DIS site. (http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/index.htm)
I pulled a couple of pictures from that page to post on this thread.
A queue picture:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/04-q008.jpg

a picture of the stairs in the queue
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/04-q037.jpg

? apparently the line also goes down some steps right before boarding?
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/04-q038.jpg

ride car
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/05-ride_vehicle1.jpg

handicapped boarding area (note wheelchair car on left side of picture)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/05-ride_vehiclea1.jpg

handicapped boarding area - it looks like the CM is doing something with door at the back of the wheelchair vehicle, which accesses the ramp
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/05-ride_vehiclea2.jpg

?ride cannon showing pull string?
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/06-canon_string.jpg

[kimbac3]

Thanks Sue!

[mechurchlady]

keep in mind though that unless you use the accessible boarding area, there are stairs.
I don't know why they did that because it makes many people use the accessible boarding area who would be just fine if not for the stairs.
I did not think about the stairs but at Disneyland I would force myself up the stairs at Splash Mountain even if it meant crying pain. As long a I could pull and walk up the stairs I would because the line for the disabled meant me setting on the ground and then getting up and moving up, sometimes an hour.

It may hurt but I still can get down stairs slowly with a rail and up but it is not something that is comfortable or safe. 3 years ago I slid down the steps at the US Open Tennis Match, scary because of the height, freaked me out that height.

I have to think about others and it would not be fair to delay someone when I can still waddle down stairs. We disabled tend to think of each other and I have been treated most special by disabled people and I think about how unfair it is when someone takes up space for others.

Now to figure how to get to WDW. sigh.

[OneLittleSpark]

Churchy, you have a perfectly valid reason to use the disabled boarding area. Speaking for myself, I would much rather wait a few more minutes to board, and have you safe and as pain free as possible; than gain a few extra minutes and risk you slipping down the stairs or crying with the pain. Dealing with disabilities is not a matter of deciding who 'deserves' the access more, but of working out what you need to do to best accommodate your needs and health concerns in your current situation. I would think anyone else using the accessible boarding area would agree, and if they don't, that's not your problem. :hug:

[SueM in MN]

Churchy, you have a perfectly valid reason to use the disabled boarding area. Speaking for myself, I would much rather wait a few more minutes to board, and have you safe and as pain free as possible; than gain a few extra minutes and risk you slipping down the stairs or crying with the pain. Dealing with disabilities is not a matter of deciding who 'deserves' the access more, but of working out what you need to do to best accommodate your needs and health concerns in your current situation. I would think anyone else using the accessible boarding area would agree, and if they don't, that's not your problem. :hug:
Well said:thumbsup2

And with as many stairs as it looks like there are at the ride, I don't think it would be possible for you to do them.
A few stairs, maybe possible (if it's not going to mean it outs you in pain or at risk of injury). A very long flight of steep stairs (and maybe more than one flight) - no.

There must be some reason they put the stairs in (like maybe the line needs to climb to avoid something and then go back down to get to boarding level - ?possibly it goes over the ride track?)
But, no matter why they put the stairs in, it's going to be a big barrier for some people. Maybe even some who could do a few stairs, but not so many. I can imagine that those stairs are going to be a problems for anyone holding a child or with a toddler. So, not just people with disabilities that make stairs difficult.

[Cheshire Figment]

There must be some reason they put the stairs in (like maybe the line needs to climb to avoid something and then go back down to get to boarding level - ?possibly it goes over the ride track?)
But, no matter why they put the stairs in, it's going to be a big barrier for some people. Maybe even some who could do a few stairs, but not so many. I can imagine that those stairs are going to be a problems for anyone holding a child or with a toddler. So, not just people with disabilities that make stairs difficult.
Visualize a "U" with the ride vehicles coming down the left side, taking the curve, and going up the right side.

The load area is in the center of the "U" on the right side, and the unload is to the right. The accessible load/unload is below the curve.

So to get from the queue to load you have to go over the track which is why the stairs are there.

[SueM in MN]

Visualize a "U" with the ride vehicles coming down the left side, taking the curve, and going up the right side.

The load area is in the center of the "U" on the right side, and the unload is to the right. The accessible load/unload is below the curve.

So to get from the queue to load you have to go over the track which is why the stairs are there.
Thanks. That was kind of what I thought.
I hope they re-think that design for the next rides they do.

[mechurchlady]

Those who ride do not design and those who design do not ride, simple as that.

I did Splash Mountain in pain because it was more of a pain to sit on the ground or stanf for half an hour to an hour for one ride. Disneyland's disabled entrance requires going through the exit and then through at times narrow passages with exiting people including wheelchairs and ECVs.

I have not fallen on stairs at parks as long as I remember but did skin a heel getting into a canal boat, lol.

The stairs make it so that a much higher than normal amount of people will have difficulty getting onto the ride. Maybe it is their brilliant, hrmph, plan to reduce the number of repeat riders, lol. Hopefully they will send some non wheelchair cars through the disabled area as there are so many disabled people who do not need the wheelchair car. Many people are like me with bad knees and back who cannot stand in lines for a long time.

I am not corporate Disney so there is no way I can understand this despite the prety illustrations. I will never go back due to finances and mother but I can dream, been doing that for 10 years. sigh.

Sounds like lots of fun.

[kandeebunny]

Service animals are NOT allowed on this ride.

[Mennamachine]

The boyfriend and I were at DHS this weekend for the AP preview, and for some reason our first ride was in the HA vehicle (neither of us is mobility impaired, and we went through the regular line. They were still working out the kinks in the ride, so that's probably why it got sent through without any wheelchair people in it). The HA vehicle has 2 seating areas like the non-accessible cars. The front one has only 2 seats/1 seat+wheelchair (depends on configuration) and the back one has 4 seats (two front and two back). So, a person, in his/her wheelchair, would have space for 5 others (or 5 others and 2 small children) in the HA vehicle. The gun on the seat that is wheelchair accessible has both a pullstring and a push button (BF was jealous because it is possible to push the button much faster than it is to pull the string and I nearly doubled his score). The string is pretty easy to pull, but the button requires almost no effort. It is much easier to push and significantly larger (approximatly 2 in in diameter) than the Buzz button.

I can't speak for wheelchair loading and unloading, as the car came to us in the regular standby line, but I just thought I would let you all know what I observed firsthand in the HA vehicle.

[SueM in MN]

The HA vehicle has 2 seating areas like the non-accessible cars. The front one has only 2 seats/1 seat+wheelchair (depends on configuration) and the back one has 4 seats (two front and two back). So, a person, in his/her wheelchair, would have space for 5 others (or 5 others and 2 small children) in the HA vehicle. The gun on the seat that is wheelchair accessible has both a pullstring and a push button (BF was jealous because it is possible to push the button much faster than it is to pull the string and I nearly doubled his score). The string is pretty easy to pull, but the button requires almost no effort. It is much easier to push and significantly larger (approximatly 2 in in diameter) than the Buzz button.

I can't speak for wheelchair loading and unloading, as the car came to us in the regular standby line, but I just thought I would let you all know what I observed firsthand in the HA vehicle.
Thanks for the description.
If I understand correctly, what shows in the pictures I posted are 2 seating areas that are part of one vehicle. Or, I guess, 2 cars that are connected together to go thru the attraction 'linked together', the same way that the Imagination ride has some cars 'linked'.
It's nice that they have different ways to do things (the pull string and the button) in the accessible car. My DD really likes Buzz Lightyear, but she's not able to pull the trigger on the gun. This sounds much more accessible.
I'm sure they are experimenting with different ways to do things, so they may keep trying different ways to do the handicapped boarding area.

I found a good video on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ZCrf6m9OU) that shows part of the queue (including the stairs), an overlook of the handicapped boarding area and actually some of the ride. The person taking it actually put the 3D glasses over the camera lens - that video would show a 'one-eye' vision, so it looks like people who do not have vision in both eyes will still be able to play

[Mennamachine]

Thanks for the description.
If I understand correctly, what shows in the pictures I posted are 2 seating areas that are part of one vehicle.

It's one car with two seating areas that can rotate to face the screens. All of the cars have the two seating areas.

[Cheshire Figment]

Yesterday I tried to ride again, but it was closed. I started talking to one of the people who were chaing people away and he was able to get me one of the managers who will be remaining on the attractrion and we had a long discussion.

The big thing is right now a lot of the questions cannot be answered since they are still trying to refine what they do. However, here goes with what information is available.

They have tried allowing Service Dogs on the attraction. It is not just the light and sound, but they seem be become very unhappy with the little amount of spinning that the ride vehicles do. Since a measurable percentage of the dogs were distressed, it was determined that they should not be allowed.

They do have two of the ride vehicles which are fully accessible. As the loaders get more experienced they should be able to have both in the stream, but this will lower the unload/reload time down to about 3 minutes from the current six. The Wave (what they call the disabled load/unload area) can only handle one vehicle at a time.

The vehicles and handle just about any standard footprint wheelchair or joystick-controlled power chair. It cannot handle ECVs.

The accessible space is the only one that has a button on the cannon as well as the pull cord.

They track each individual vehicle. If they have a fair number of people who do not have to remain in their chair on the line (such as people with ECVs or who cannot do stairs) they can bring a regulkar vehicle, time permitting, into The Wave and load that up. Since The Wave unload discharges into the regular unload, if they do this they can discharge into the regular unload and people with ECVs can easily recover their ECVs.

One thing they have tried as an experiment was to add an additional person to The Wave to discuss the loading with the next group in the queue and pre-stage the groups. She said this is working very well and may carry over to the full operation.

So it does look as if they have their act together.

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the further report.
I'm sure a lot of things that sounded like they would work in theory don't work in actual practice.
We'll be at WDW again in October and are looking forward to riding this.

[mechurchlady]

Have you thought aboout working for the newspaper? excellent reporting and thanks. I am glad they are working things out and oh boy no stairs for me.

[JudithM]

It sounds like those cannons are like the ones they use in DQ's Pirate game. Are they?

Funny you mention the DQ Pirates ride. That is exactly the comparison our friends gave us before we rode it the first time last weekend.

We had an opportunity to ride Toy Story Mania few times last weekend. On Saturday everyone went through the regular que. I use an ECV while at WDW & had no trouble getting through the line, onto the ride, off the ride, etc. My friends & I did leave the line just before the stairs. We all thought the Wave area worked quite well. We watched as the CMs rearranged the ride vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair. Sunday the fastpass line was open, & we were able to go that way. One does miss a lot of the colorful inside by using the fastpass line. This line went well, too.

Hopefully everyone will enjoy this ride! We sure did!!

[SueM in MN]

Sunday the fastpass line was open, & we were able to go that way. One does miss a lot of the colorful inside by using the fastpass line. This line went well, too.

Hopefully everyone will enjoy this ride! We sure did!!
Does the Fastpass line avoid the stairs or do you still have to do the stairs bypass?
(I know that the Fastpass line is often fully accessible when the 'regular standby' line is not.)

[MarieS]

Thanks for the update! We are looking forward to trying this ride in October.

[Cheshire Figment]

Does the Fastpass line avoid the stairs or do you still have to do the stairs bypass?
(I know that the Fastpass line is often fully accessible when the 'regular standby' line is not.)
The manager I talked with Friday said that the fastpass line merges with the regular line just before the stairs, so anyone with a fastpass will get shunted over to the Wave and wait with the rest of the people for the accessible vehicles.

[SueM in MN]

The manager I talked with Friday said that the fastpass line merges with the regular line just before the stairs, so anyone with a fastpass will get shunted over to the Wave and wait with the rest of the people for the accessible vehicles.
thanks

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks for the update!

Weird that SDs were stressed by the turning of the ride vehicles, since other rides have turning vehicles (such as Spaceship Earth, where the vehicles also tilt, and Buzz Lightyear, although each person controls their own turning on that one).

That will be good if they can get regular ride vehicles into the HC area. Seeing a photo of those stairs I can tell they wouldn't be a good idea for me, so I'd be going on the non-stair route, but don't want to take up an HC vehicle.

[lilladelilla]

I can help! I just came back from Disney and got on this ride, only to find out later that it was the first day the ride was open!!!

I'm hard of hearing, so I will be honest that I wasn't paying that much attention to the wheel chair accessible. I can tell you that the ride is a 3D, fast moving arcade type game, very, very fun! The ride has a monitor that is CC'd, we got to go on it twice since the CC didn't work the first time around.

They can hold it easily to help someone get in or out. From everything I saw it does appear to be HC accessible. But there are stairs, unfortunately.

If the HC access is a separate line you have to check out the main line if you can. There is a talking Mr. Potato Head there that is worth seeing. I'll say only that without giving too much away for others!

[Ms_Butterfly]

They showed Disneyland's talking Mr. Potatoe Head (as well as shots from the Disney World ride) on Friday's finale of "America's Funniest Home Videos". I thought the Mr. Potatoe Head was VERY well done ('cept maybe for the lame jokes, but that's to be expected!) and cool!! :)

[SueM in MN]

I can help! I just came back from Disney and got on this ride, only to find out later that it was the first day the ride was open!!!

I'm hard of hearing, so I will be honest that I wasn't paying that much attention to the wheel chair accessible. I can tell you that the ride is a 3D, fast moving arcade type game, very, very fun! The ride has a monitor that is CC'd, we got to go on it twice since the CC didn't work the first time around.

They can hold it easily to help someone get in or out. From everything I saw it does appear to be HC accessible. But there are stairs, unfortunately.

If the HC access is a separate line you have to check out the main line if you can. There is a talking Mr. Potato Head there that is worth seeing. I'll say only that without giving too much away for others!
Thanks for the information about CC. We didn't have anything about the CC before.
Is the CC in the ride queue to explain how things work or is it actually on the ride car also to explain how each arcade game works.

From the information we have so far, people using wheelchairs or ECVs (or those who can't do steps) wait in the regular line until just before the stairs. That's when they are sent to the handicapped entrance for boarding.

For Ms_Butterfly, some of the other reviews I have read about the ride talked about the spinning of the car, but also that the ride car came to a stop for one set of games, but then had a very fast and abrupt turn and trip to the next set of games. The turning combined with the fast might be what the service dogs didn't like.
The other things that turn (like Spaceship Earth, Haunted Mansion and Buzz go at pretty slow speed).
And, who knows, they may come up with something before it officially opens.

[lilladelilla]

The cc was just for the actual ride itself.

As for the turns, essentially the car spins around inbetween rounds. It is a bit of a head jerk motion, and then the round starts rather quickly. All very quick, very bright and visual. For a sensitive person (or service animal) it would be a bit much.

This is the only ride I saw the cc right on the small screen for each car and it was very good and smooth, once we got it working correctly.

[KPeveler]

now that TSMM has been open a while, has anyone been on it recently?

as i understand it, i will enter the fastpass or regular queue (depending on what i have) in my wheelchair. When I get to the stairs, in either line, i will be diverted with my party to the disabled loading area. there i will wait in what is effectively "the disabled queue" and be loaded onto a ride vehicle as it comes available.

is it easy to use a normal vehicle from that area? I do not have to stay in my wheelchair, adn would prefer to leave the WC car for others... are CMs good about pulling in regular ride cars and putting those of us who transfer and those in ECVs on? I know once at buzz i had to stand (yes, stand) behind a person waiting for the WC car, even though i could transfer, rahter than hte CMs just putting me on the ride!

i may wait for the WC car, not because of transferring, but because i have problems with arm control and having a push button rather than a pull string would be MUCH better for me...

just looking for updates!

[Talking Hands]

I can help! I just came back from Disney and got on this ride, only to find out later that it was the first day the ride was open!!!

I'm hard of hearing, so I will be honest that I wasn't paying that much attention to the wheel chair accessible. I can tell you that the ride is a 3D, fast moving arcade type game, very, very fun! The ride has a monitor that is CC'd, we got to go on it twice since the CC didn't work the first time around.

They can hold it easily to help someone get in or out. From everything I saw it does appear to be HC accessible. But there are stairs, unfortunately.

If the HC access is a separate line you have to check out the main line if you can. There is a talking Mr. Potato Head there that is worth seeing. I'll say only that without giving too much away for others!
Did you have to request the CC or was it in all ride vehicles? I truely hope it is in all vehicles since I will also have to use the Handicapped access with my wheelchair.

[pilgrimr]

I have a quick question about the ride. My DS (6) does not like wearing glasses at all. Will he be able to get alot out of the ride or is it bad without the glasses?

[toocherie]

here's another question (don't want to read through entire thread)--are there "guns" that are pushbutton rather than the pull string? my friend's son cannot do a repetitive motion like the pull string.

[Cheshire Figment]

I have a quick question about the ride. My DS (6) does not like wearing glasses at all. Will he be able to get alot out of the ride or is it bad without the glasses?
Without glasses he will not get the 3D effect any thing may be blurred.
here's another question (don't want to read through entire thread)--are there "guns" that are pushbutton rather than the pull string? my friend's son cannot do a repetitive motion like the pull string.
There is only one with a pushbutton, and it is in the wheelchair position only. Note that if there is nobody in a wheelchair that position does have a regular seat.
Did you have to request the CC or was it in all ride vehicles? I truely hope it is in all vehicles since I will also have to use the Handicapped access with my wheelchair.
I'm fairly sure that it is available in all vehicles and can be turned on when requested.

[dclfun]

I didn't get to experience this attraction as after watching the vehicles from the w/c line, I realized the "whipping" motion would hurt my neck or cause me to lose my balance ( poor trunk control). As an FYI, service dogs are NOT allowed for much the same reason- too intense. My son did ride and thought it was lots of fun- much improved from Buzz Lightyear's SR Spin. On the day we were there the accessible line took much, much longer than the regular queue line due to the volume of guests with ECV's, etc. in that line.---Kathy

[KPeveler]

i am hoping that they get better at moving the line along... i realize lots of ECVs have to go over there, but people in ECVs DONT need the wheelchair car most of the time. So they should be pulling in a regular car all the time to load people who just cant do stairs...

well, they will get better with time. *hopes*

[kimbac3]

i am hoping that they get better at moving the line along... i realize lots of ECVs have to go over there, but people in ECVs DONT need the wheelchair car most of the time. So they should be pulling in a regular car all the time to load people who just cant do stairs...

well, they will get better with time. *hopes*


I agree. I can't do stairs but I can transfer to a regular car with Dh's help. I'm a little disappointed with how this line works. You would think that it being a brand new ride that they could have made this aspect run smoother. :confused3

Kimba

[KPeveler]

I agree. I can't do stairs but I can transfer to a regular car with Dh's help. I'm a little disappointed with how this line works. You would think that it being a brand new ride that they could have made this aspect run smoother. :confused3

Kimba

i use my personal chair, but i plan on transferring, like always. most people in park chairs or ECVs can probly transfer (after all, how did they get to the rental spot anyway? - i know this doesnt hold true for everyone, but most people probly have a bad knee or ankle or are just older and unable to walk too far, but can sit up on their own in a regular car). disney just needs to make it very easy to get in a car for those of us who don't need to wait for the wheelchair car.

i dont go til december, so i assume that things will get smoother as time goes on

[cmwade77]

How many stairs are there? I can handle some stairs, just not doing a ton of them all day long, occasionally if I do them anyway, that is the last thing that I can do that day, so I will tell them that in an emergency I can handle stairs, but it is difficult for me to do them all of the time.

Also, does anyone have pictures of the stairs?

At first this setup sounded like the new configuration for Space Mountain at Disneyland; however, after reading the reviews I think there are a few important differences:

Space Mountain allows those that can't handle the stairs to use FastPass, let them know when loading, they will put you in the front row and allow you to exit to where there are no stairs.
Space Mountain's Wave area allows unlimited time to load/unload, what they do is when the ADA vehicle is ready to go, they switch it out with a regular vehicle, this allows it enter/exit the track at any time.
Space Mountain provides an area that people can sit down when the ADA line is too long and people that are not in a wheelchair, but have some special needs cannot use the FastPass line for whatever reason.

Again this is for Space Mountain at Disneyland after the major refurbishment, not WDW.

[Ms_Butterfly]

Photos of the stairs are on page 4 of this thread. There are a bunch of stairs going up, a little platform, and a similar/same number of stairs going back down - all in a crowd of ppl, from how the photo shows it, not a single or double line.

[SueM in MN]

Photos of the stairs are on page 4 of this thread. There are a bunch of stairs going up, a little platform, and a similar/same number of stairs going back down - all in a crowd of ppl, from how the photo shows it, not a single or double line.
::yes::
There are picture in post #52 on page 4 of this thread (I don't want to use up bandwidth reposting the pictures).

The pictures on that post are from the photo page of the wdwinfo part of the DIS site. (http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/index.htm) You can more pictures there also.

[mrsksomeday]

This is an excerpt from my current Trip report. I hope this helps people that want to see the accessibility:

We finally got up to the front and were waiting for the accessible vehicle. They informed us that there are 2 of them and it shouldn’t be that long.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/5f6f99c0.jpg

The accessible vehicle moves off the main line over to the accessible loading area. Here it is:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/b05adb9e.jpg

Here is the ramp that comes out:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/ce68475f.jpg

This is the part they take out so the wheelchair can load. The colorful blocks are where they store the part when a wheelchair user is riding in the accessible vehicle:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/28c59769.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/873c4ec2.jpg

I love how it felt like we were small in this huge room:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/f4218ab8.jpg

We had an amazing time, we were laughing so much. The “gun” has a little pull string to reload. The wheelchair accessible one has that, but also has a “cheat button” on top of the gun the rider can press if they aren’t able to use the pull string. I was so happy about this because Bill can’t use his right hand. It does jerk you around a bit and spins, we loved it. We got off and couldn’t stop giggling. Here are pictures when we were exiting:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/3995ccb9.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/422dbdda.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/0fbb98db.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/5e92e887.jpg

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the pictures. Do you mind if I use them when I make a FAQs thread for the Studio?

[mrsksomeday]

Feel free to use them Sue. I want people to feel at ease that they will be able to enjoy the ride.

[SueM in MN]

Feel free to use them Sue. I want people to feel at ease that they will be able to enjoy the ride.
thanks. your pictures were great.
I have lots of plans for things to do to make things easier for people to know what things are like.

[aPiratesLife4Me]

The info. and photos are great, but I guess I'm still a little confused :headache: I can transfer from my wheelchair to the ride vehicle, does that mean they can pull over any ride vehicle to accomodate me so that I do not need to take up the wheelchair vehicle? We will be a group of 6 and my issue is standing and loading into a moving ride vehicle, for example on HM I have the worst time unless they slow it wayyyy down when I get on and off. My husband helps me of course, but it's still not easy. I love the way they load Kali River Rapids, as was mentioned earlier, no pressure and it is completely stopped so it makes things so much better. So, I'm just curious if that's what this means, they can pull over any ride vehicle into the loading area and it is completely stopped where we can get on...and then will they pull that same ride vehicle over to that area to unload, if I'm NOT using the wheelchair ride vehicle. THANK YOU!!

[SueM in MN]

The info. and photos are great, but I guess I'm still a little confused :headache: I can transfer from my wheelchair to the ride vehicle, does that mean they can pull over any ride vehicle to accomodate me so that I do not need to take up the wheelchair vehicle? We will be a group of 6 and my issue is standing and loading into a moving ride vehicle, for example on HM I have the worst time unless they slow it wayyyy down when I get on and off. My husband helps me of course, but it's still not easy. I love the way they load Kali River Rapids, as was mentioned earlier, no pressure and it is completely stopped so it makes things so much better. So, I'm just curious if that's what this means, they can pull over any ride vehicle into the loading area and it is completely stopped where we can get on...and then will they pull that same ride vehicle over to that area to unload, if I'm NOT using the wheelchair ride vehicle. THANK YOU!!
While I have not been on the new ride yet, I have read and can see from the pictures that the ride comes to a complete stop for loading. The ride cars that are moving when you get on have a moving walkway in the loading area, like this picture of Buzz Lightyear shows (the edge of the moving walkway is the yellow striped area across the middle of the picture and you can see a black floor).
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590P4160110-med.JPG

You can see from this picture of the new ride that there is just floor in the wheelchair boarding area.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/mrskenchanted/WDW%20June%202008/2nd%20day%20DHS%20SWW/b05adb9e.jpg

Here's another picture of the wheelchair boarding area from above that shows the floor.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/05-ride_vehiclea1.jpg
Cheshire Figment posted this earlier in this thread (the Wave is the handicapped accessible loading area):
They track each individual vehicle. If they have a fair number of people who do not have to remain in their chair on the line (such as people with ECVs or who cannot do stairs) they can bring a regulkar vehicle, time permitting, into The Wave and load that up. Since The Wave unload discharges into the regular unload, if they do this they can discharge into the regular unload and people with ECVs can easily recover their ECVs.

[mrsksomeday]

The info. and photos are great, but I guess I'm still a little confused :headache: I can transfer from my wheelchair to the ride vehicle, does that mean they can pull over any ride vehicle to accomodate me so that I do not need to take up the wheelchair vehicle? We will be a group of 6 and my issue is standing and loading into a moving ride vehicle, for example on HM I have the worst time unless they slow it wayyyy down when I get on and off. My husband helps me of course, but it's still not easy. I love the way they load Kali River Rapids, as was mentioned earlier, no pressure and it is completely stopped so it makes things so much better. So, I'm just curious if that's what this means, they can pull over any ride vehicle into the loading area and it is completely stopped where we can get on...and then will they pull that same ride vehicle over to that area to unload, if I'm NOT using the wheelchair ride vehicle. THANK YOU!!

According to the CM I talked to there are 2 wheelchair/accessible ride vehicles. You will go through the regular queue, then will be directed to the right to go to the wheelchair/ecv line. It stops completely. There is no pressure what so ever to hurry. They can only pull the accessible vehicles into the loading area as far as I know. Don't worry about using the wheelchair vehicle, that is what they are there for. Go and have a great time!!

[RetroMom]

Hi everyone!

Just thought I would add my two cents. My son badly sprained his ankle the day before we went to WDW on June 17. His physician at the hospital was very clear on her instructions, that if he was going to Disney, he had to use a wheelchair as much as possible and keep the weight off of it. The morning we were scheduled to go to HS, he wanted to stay at the hotel for a while (he's 17 and we were at All Star Sports) and would catch up with us later. So for our first ride of Toy Story Mania, my younger sons and I went through the standby line. Wonderful area to go through and the interaction with Mr. Potato Head was so much fun! There was a lady in the line using a ECV, but I didn't see other wheelchairs. There is a final point where the stairs branch off to the left and the wheelchair line goes to the right. There are quite a bit of stairs as has been pointed out in earlier posts. I don't think my son could have handled them at all. So we went thru the standby line and I did not notice any slowing down of the ride for whatever reason.

Later in the day, my son arrived, so we rode it again. We were sent thru the fast pass line with his wheelchair. Unfortunately, you don't get to see Mr. Potato Head if you go thru this line! The fast pass line cuts thru to right where the wheelchair line is. We followed that around to an area where there were 2 parties in ECVs who could transfer, 2 in wheelchairs who could transfer, and one little boy who was in his motorized wheelchair that could not transfer. I absolutely was amazed at the cast members who were working in that area! They were wonderful!! The cars are on a side track from the main ride and come to a complete stop. The vehicle for the little boy who was wheel chair bound was very interesting to see and the cast members knew exactly what they were doing. They had the ramp out and the little boy and his dad in there in a jiffy.Very, very smooth. For the rest of us who could transfer, there really wasn't a wait. The cars seemed to be pulled for us quickly and we were brought in to the main line of cars very easily. This by far was the easiest ride for us of all of them. I would like to add that the cast members at all the rides were very, very kind and worked with us in a seamless manner. We only had difficulty at the Haunted Mansion the first time we rode it, but I'm sure that's another thread.

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the information RetroMom.
It's nice to have a report from someone who can compare the different 'pathways' into the ride.

Hope your son is feeling better:wizard:

[kimbac3]

I'm glad to hear that they can pull in regular cars too! I hate taking a wheelchair accessible car when I'm able to transfer.

Kim

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks for the photos of the scenery! It looks so neat! :)

I love how they made the handicapped access gate symbol a postage stamp to fit the theme and not make ppl feel like they stick out!

[aPiratesLife4Me]

THANKS for clarifying that for me :goodvibes

I just wanted to be sure I was understanding it correctly. Now I guess only time will tell.....depending on how long a wait there is when we arrive or if we are able to snag some Fast Passes, at least I know boarding won't be an issue!! :thumbsup2

[shovan]

Wow! So much great information & pictures!! :thumbsup2 :cool1: Thanks to everyone for posting all of this!! It's great that we can know ahead of time (without a shadow of doubt) that DH will be able to board this ride in his power chair & work the gun! Can't wait for our next trip to check it out!!

[terri01p]

All the pictures are a wonderful help, thanks so much !

[Hemi-mom]

Just got back on July 1st!

The first time when went to see the line it was later in the day (3:30ish) and it said the wait time was 420 minutes!!!! Don't know how that is possible. SO we were staying at the Dolphin and it was a MAGIC HOURS night for resort guests. They opened the FASTPASS at 10:00 pm and at 9:30 people were lined up to get them. They went before we could get one and the regular line was 120 minutes. We didn't want to spend all of our magic hours waiting in line!
The next day we went early and we got fast passes early in the day. The fastpasses go VERY quickly. I'd say if you are not there by 12:00 (at the VERY latest) you may be too late to get one. We got to the handicapped ramp with one family ahead of us and the ride broke down. They gave us "anytime use" FPasses. We rode the ride later that evening and had a blast but the wait time in the wheelchair line was still 35 minutes. On our last day we wanted to go one more time so we got our FP at 9:00 and the return time was 12:25. OK so we got to the FP entrance RIGHT AT 12:25 and walked in and right into the wheelchair load ramp. We thought we were set to get on quickly and make our 1:20 reservations at Mama Melrose's. This is where things went downhill again. The wheelchair line had 4 families (two of them large familes) ahead of us. Because there are only two special cars (there are 2 cars on the ride where you have the choice to transfer or where the chair can go right on; these cars hold fewer people because if the one seat is not being used for a WC it stays empty) and these cars only come over to the handicapped loading zone every five or more minutes, the loading process was excruciatingly long. For example one family of four took the special car that is able to hold 6-8 and then it takes a good 10 minutes for that car to come back. It took us one hour (we got off the ride at 1:25) even with fastpass. That was discouraging even though my three boys said it was SO worth it because it is truly an awesome ride! But I felt badly that with FP we still had to wait an hour because our son needs a wheelchair and were late for our lunch reservations.

We kindly told the CM's there our frustrations and they said they were doing their best and we acknowledged that they were doing their best with what they had to work with. What we didn't understand was that every person in the wheelchair line ahead of us was able to transfer into the car, including us. With the wheelchair line backed up, they could've taken regular cars in the wheelchair track and gotten us through quicker.

[livndisney]

Just got back on July 1st!

The first time when went to see the line it was later in the day (3:30ish) and it said the wait time was 420 minutes!!!! Don't know how that is possible. SO we were staying at the Dolphin and it was a MAGIC HOURS night for resort guests. They opened the FASTPASS at 10:00 pm and at 9:30 people were lined up to get them. They went before we could get one and the regular line was 120 minutes. We didn't want to spend all of our magic hours waiting in line!
The next day we went early and we got fast passes early in the day. The fastpasses go VERY quickly. I'd say if you are not there by 12:00 (at the VERY latest) you may be too late to get one. We got to the handicapped ramp with one family ahead of us and the ride broke down. They gave us "anytime use" FPasses. We rode the ride later that evening and had a blast but the wait time in the wheelchair line was still 35 minutes. On our last day we wanted to go one more time so we got our FP at 9:00 and the return time was 12:25. OK so we got to the FP entrance RIGHT AT 12:25 and walked in and right into the wheelchair load ramp. We thought we were set to get on quickly and make our 1:20 reservations at Mama Melrose's. This is where things went downhill again. The wheelchair line had 4 families (two of them large familes) ahead of us. Because there are only two special cars (there are 2 cars on the ride where you have the choice to transfer or where the chair can go right on; these cars hold fewer people because if the one seat is not being used for a WC it stays empty) and these cars only come over to the handicapped loading zone every five or more minutes, the loading process was excruciatingly long. For example one family of four took the special car that is able to hold 6-8 and then it takes a good 10 minutes for that car to come back. It took us one hour (we got off the ride at 1:25) even with fastpass. That was discouraging even though my three boys said it was SO worth it because it is truly an awesome ride! But I felt badly that with FP we still had to wait an hour because our son needs a wheelchair and were late for our lunch reservations.

We kindly told the CM's there our frustrations and they said they were doing their best and we acknowledged that they were doing their best with what they had to work with. What we didn't understand was that every person in the wheelchair line ahead of us was able to transfer into the car, including us. With the wheelchair line backed up, they could've taken regular cars in the wheelchair track and gotten us through quicker.

We tried to ride it during the preview in May, the manager I spoke with said they could not bring the "regular" cars to the wheelchair line. (I don't know if that is true-or if it has changed since he said it). We were waiting to ride with one couple ahead of us and it brokedown again after being down for most of the day. We did not get to ride it.

[SueM in MN]

We tried to ride it during the preview in May, the manager I spoke with said they could not bring the "regular" cars to the wheelchair line. (I don't know if that is true-or if it has changed since he said it). We were waiting to ride with one couple ahead of us and it brokedown again after being down for most of the day. We did not get to ride it.
I think that was true during the preview.
Cheshire Figment had spoken with a supevisor there and it sounded like it was a situation of the CMs needing to get familiar with the attraction and with loading the wheelchair car.
If they use just one wheelchair car, they have one whole ride cycle to load before that ride car comes around again for unloading. If the use 2 wheelchair cars, spaced half the ride apart, they have half the ride cycle to load. From what I understand, it sounds like if they add 'regular' cars, it shortens the time they have to load.

I know, for example, the first few times we rode in the Imagination wheelchair car or in the Buzz Lightyear car, it took a long time for the CMs to load DD's wheelchair. The last few times we rode Buzz, the CM didn't even slow the moving walkway - she was that fast.

It's really discouraging when they make people board at the handicapped boarding area that would not have to board there if they hadn't put steps into the 'regular' line. We have no choice but to wait for the accessible car, but I know how frustrating it is to see the 'regular' line boarding people who were behind you. It must be even more frustrating to see that and know you would be able to board that car, if you could get there.

[Hemi-mom]

It's really discouraging when they make people board at the handicapped boarding area that would not have to board there if they hadn't put steps into the 'regular' line. We have no choice but to wait for the accessible car, but I know how frustrating it is to see the 'regular' line boarding people who were behind you. It must be even more frustrating to see that and know you would be able to board that car, if you could get there.

Yes, Sue! I added this on the other thread "On Toy Story, from the ramp, you can see the people in the regular line through a glass wall going up and down the steps to the regular loading point. We watched people who were in the FP line right behind us get on in five minutes. Once you're on the stairs it's pretty quick. On the WC ramp it really depends on how many people are ahead of you...""

Resons for separating...even those who can transfer need a little more time and often need the chair there when they get off. I think they put the steps in to make a clear distinction for this and I think that they tried to keep it very seperate for this attraction for very good reasons. I do know that WDW takes a lot of time to evaluate how these things are working and tracking line speed and such. Had they given us a line speed tracking card that day it would've proved unsatisfactory that we waited an hour with FP. I think that as they are learning this ride they will have to start to be flexible and able to evaluate their WC line and see just how many people are able to transfer and who needs the special car and make adjustments...like to bring in a regular car if the line has 30 people waiting where 5 are in chairs and can all transfer. One family had a very pregnant mom for example. It was so hot for that poor soul but at least the line was cool!

It was obvious that they could bring in the regular cars to that area. I do understand though, that because of the cycle of cars they want to make sure that a WC accessible car is always not too long to wait for for those who cannot transfer. That is important. They'll get it down, I'm sure. These are pretty typical obstacles with a new attraction such as this. I expressed our frustrations here so people would be aware to allow time. We were kind of crunched for time with a reservation waiting and a limited time to use the FP. With a wheelchair you always need to be prepared for and account for problems/issues!

[livndisney]

I think that was true during the preview.
Cheshire Figment had spoken with a supevisor there and it sounded like it was a situation of the CMs needing to get familiar with the attraction and with loading the wheelchair car.
If they use just one wheelchair car, they have one whole ride cycle to load before that ride car comes around again for unloading. If the use 2 wheelchair cars, spaced half the ride apart, they have half the ride cycle to load. From what I understand, it sounds like if they add 'regular' cars, it shortens the time they have to load.

I know, for example, the first few times we rode in the Imagination wheelchair car or in the Buzz Lightyear car, it took a long time for the CMs to load DD's wheelchair. The last few times we rode Buzz, the CM didn't even slow the moving walkway - she was that fast.

It's really discouraging when they make people board at the handicapped boarding area that would not have to board there if they hadn't put steps into the 'regular' line. We have no choice but to wait for the accessible car, but I know how frustrating it is to see the 'regular' line boarding people who were behind you. It must be even more frustrating to see that and know you would be able to board that car, if you could get there.

Oddly enough this is one of the reasons I spoke with the manager when I did. And one of the reasons I have not gone back to try and ride. I did not want to "take away" a car from someone who needed a WC car. But I am not able to do the stairs. The couple in front of us at the ride when it broke down were so ugly and mad that we would be "allowed" to use the handicapped access without a wheelchair. (Before anyone flames me, yes I have a GAC with appropriate stamps, NONE of the CM's had an issue, they were wonderful and very helpful). But because my issues are not visible I am made to feel I have no right to ride.

[mrsksomeday]

Oddly enough this is one of the reasons I spoke with the manager when I did. And one of the reasons I have not gone back to try and ride. I did not want to "take away" a car from someone who needed a WC car. But I am not able to do the stairs. The couple in front of us at the ride when it broke down were so ugly and mad that we would be "allowed" to use the handicapped access without a wheelchair. (Before anyone flames me, yes I have a GAC with appropriate stamps, NONE of the CM's had an issue, they were wonderful and very helpful). But because my issues are not visible I am made to feel I have no right to ride.

If you can't do stairs, you have every right to be in the accessible line. Some people are ignorant of the situation. The couple in front of you need to get a personality transplant. Please don't stop going on rides and enjoying things because of those people. Also, please don't stop going on rides thinking you are "taking away" a car for a person in a WC. You are there to enjoy Disney just like my b/f. Go, ride, and have as much fun as you can while you are there.

[Hemi-mom]

Oddly enough this is one of the reasons I spoke with the manager when I did. And one of the reasons I have not gone back to try and ride. I did not want to "take away" a car from someone who needed a WC car. But I am not able to do the stairs. The couple in front of us at the ride when it broke down were so ugly and mad that we would be "allowed" to use the handicapped access without a wheelchair. (Before anyone flames me, yes I have a GAC with appropriate stamps, NONE of the CM's had an issue, they were wonderful and very helpful). But because my issues are not visible I am made to feel I have no right to ride.

It's amazing...people's ignorance. You would think people needing assitance would be understanding that not all handicaps require a wheelchair.

Fortunately we saw the opposite experience from what you had. When they were not able to fill the car once during our long wait, they pulled a party of two people, with a GAC from the back of the ramp line. We and trhe other families waiting were glad that they were able to go ahead and fill the car even though those people got to go first.

[zumbergc]

We went on the ride twice in june. First time we went thru the single rider line. I went to the no stairs way, DH, went the regular line, he was out so much faster than me. I didn't know how single rider line works, if you happen to be going w/ you. They did ask if I was w. someone. I said no, I'm a single rider, didn't want to take advantage.

Later, that day, the single rider line wasn't open, so be aware of that.
Its not always available

Later, we used the fast passes. I think both times we had like a 10-20 minute wait.

I really think they need to allow more cars in the wheel chair loading section, so when large parties, or those not needing to be in the wheel chair car can load more quickly. Not every party takes 5 mins to load. now some do need that time, others not.

Its like the AK safari ride. When the waiting area is packed, you have to wait and wait and wait, even if its walk on in the regular section.

[SueM in MN]

I really think they need to allow more cars in the wheel chair loading section, so when large parties, or those not needing to be in the wheel chair car can load more quickly. Not every party takes 5 mins to load. now some do need that time, others not.

I don't think the extra time was for the people without wheelchairs boarding, I think it had to do with the time it took them to get an accessible ride car ready for a person who needed to get on with their wheelchair, get them loaded and send that car out. The ride is a loop with and extra little piece at the handicapped boarding area.
If a there is only one wheelchair accessible car, they have lots of time before the next car gets there. If there are 2, they have less time.
I know when the CMs were first learning how to use the wheelchair car at Imagination, it frequently took several CMs and several extra minutes to get DD's wheelchair on. As they got more experienced, it took less and the last time we got on, it took them no longer to load DD than it would to load any ambulatory guest.

[dadsagoof]

But our kids loved it - so it was worth the wait! (Hemi-mom's hubby)

[dclfun]

The situation becomes even worse if your circumstance requires you to do a "rider switch". We were told one in our party ( my son who can't do stairs right now due to his cardiac issues) could ride first then we'd have to go BACK into the FP w/c queue line again for me to ride with my W/C and have my son watch my SD since SD's can't ride. After waiting over an hour for my son to ride ( he doesn't need a w/c car, just no stairs) we weren't about to go back again and wait another hour or longer. Two hours for two people to ride one attraction was unacceptable to me. I decided after watching the ride vehicles whip around that I might not be comfortable or safe anyway so this is one new ride I'll never get to experience.---Kathy

[SueM in MN]

If you can't do stairs, you have every right to be in the accessible line. Some people are ignorant of the situation. The couple in front of you need to get a personality transplant. Please don't stop going on rides and enjoying things because of those people. Also, please don't stop going on rides thinking you are "taking away" a car for a person in a WC. You are there to enjoy Disney just like my b/f. Go, ride, and have as much fun as you can while you are there.

::yes::
If they have made the attraction with stairs and you can't do stairs, you don't have a lot of options.
Accessible doesn't mean just for wheelchairs.
And, if there is no one waiting for the wheelchair accessible car when you get there, you are not taking it away from anyone. It sounds like at this attraction, if no one rides in it, the car could be sent out empty because the ride has to keep cycling. So, if you didn't ride it, it's possible no one would.

[OneLittleSpark]

The situation becomes even worse if your circumstance requires you to do a "rider switch". We were told one in our party ( my son who can't do stairs right now due to his cardiac issues) could ride first then we'd have to go BACK into the FP w/c queue line again for me to ride with my W/C and have my son watch my SD since SD's can't ride. After waiting over an hour for my son to ride ( he doesn't need a w/c car, just no stairs) we weren't about to go back again and wait another hour or longer. Two hours for two people to ride one attraction was unacceptable to me. I decided after watching the ride vehicles whip around that I might not be comfortable or safe anyway so this is one new ride I'll never get to experience.---Kathy

:scared1: That really isn't on! I thought that rider swaps meant that you queued together then took it in turns to ride; I didn't know you had to go to the back of the line again!! I'm so sorry you didn't get to ride, Kathy, and I hope they sort out all of these kinks soon, so we can all ride without an extra hour's wait!

[SueM in MN]

The situation becomes even worse if your circumstance requires you to do a "rider switch". We were told one in our party ( my son who can't do stairs right now due to his cardiac issues) could ride first then we'd have to go BACK into the FP w/c queue line again for me to ride with my W/C and have my son watch my SD since SD's can't ride. After waiting over an hour for my son to ride ( he doesn't need a w/c car, just no stairs) we weren't about to go back again and wait another hour or longer. Two hours for two people to ride one attraction was unacceptable to me. I decided after watching the ride vehicles whip around that I might not be comfortable or safe anyway so this is one new ride I'll never get to experience.---Kathy
:scared1:
:grouphug:
That is certainly not fair. I'm afraid that in order to make sure people with disabilities don't get on faster, they are going way overboard in the other direction. The same thing happens in Spaceship Earth; when we went last time, the wait in the 'regular' line was pretty much as fast as you could walk in. Our wait = more than 25 minutes.
It happened in Small World too. We were there in the evening when they were even sending boats thru not totally full because enough people were not coming fast enough to fill them. Our wait = 30 minutes. Quite a few of the people in line with us had GACs, but not wheelchairs or ECVs. I would suggest for Small World that everyone without a wheelchair or ECV look down at the boarding area (which you can see pretty well from the queue above) before going down there. If you see a long line, you will have a long wait. Unless you need to walk in the ramped boat rather than step down, the boarding is the same.

[OneLittleSpark]

I was trawling round online today, and thought some of you might find this video interesting:

http://wdwnews.com/viewvideo.aspx?videoid=109862&siteid=1

It's from the Disney press pages, and shows a sort of 'advert' for the ride, without a voice over (intended for news programs to use when reporting on the new ride). It has some fairly helpful shots of the cars moving and stationary, as well as showing the guns in action.

Hope this is of some help to someone! :thumbsup2

[dclfun]

I too always thought "rider switch" meant you stayed in the same area but for this attraction we were told we'd have to return with our "rider switch pass" meaning we could go back through FP vs. the regular line. Of course for us it meant we'd be once again behind all the others in the accessible line with w/c's or GAC's. I really feel for people who need to do a switch and have to endure that line twice. It would've been different I guess if the accessible line weren't needed and we could go back through FP as quickly as those who could do stairs. I hope they work out the kinks- I was so excited when I read about and then saw the way the accessible cars were pulled out to allow boarding time vs the entire attraction having to stop. I thought it would make things easier and quicker for guests and CM's. In our experience that was not the case.---Kathy

[rolltide13]

Just an FYI on this ride also. I have a 6 year old son with a developmental delay. We rode in June of this year and it is very whippy when you transfer from one scene to the next. My son has some trunk control issues and he had some problems keeping his head from banging against the non padded back rest. I spent more time holding his head then we did actually playing the games. It is a fantastic ride, probably the best interactive ride in all of the parks, but be careful if your child doesn't have good head/trunk control.

[dclfun]

This is why I didn't attempt to ride. I figured even with my neck support brace and the side supports on my w/c I'd have not been able to hold my neck up or stay in a comfortable position in my chair. It helped that I could see the cars whipping around from the accessible queue line. Also hearing that SD's could NOT ride made me realize it was probably too rough for me too.---Kathy

[stenickar]

We just got back on Wed. On July 2 we were at the rope drop, got to Toy Story and it was broken down. Luckily we got a fast pass, but is was for
6:15. We checked back a couple of times to see if it was fixed. When it was up and running we used the GAC to ride. People that were behind us in the FP line rode before we did, using the alternate entrance(ramp). When we went back to use the FP we were through before the 1 wc family got loaded. There were probably 6 families lined up at that time to ride. The cm told us that they could only use the 1 car because another car would not fit at the same time. If the original wc car came back while the "extra" car was loading it would cause a big backup. We all loved the ride:thumbsup2

[kaytieeldr]

The couple in front of us at the ride when it broke down were so ugly and mad that we would be "allowed" to use the handicapped access without a wheelchair. Great - and when the couple in front of you OWNS the park, and its attractions, they may be entitled to be irritated; but under NO conditions can their being ugly and mad be justified (not to mention, you were behind them - you weren't delaying their access to the ride vehicle in ANY manner). Some people just aren't happy unless they're upset :confused3

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks for posting the movie! It is neat to see the ride in action.

It also made me see the string-pulling action - the number of times as well as speed you have to repeat the pulling would affect my wrists and cause pain. I do carry my wrist wraps with me at Disney for if/when the pain gets bad enough to need them (I know, I know - I should use them as soon as the pain starts, but...), so I'd put them on for the ride regardless of how my wrists felt. (Or, if they gave me the accessible car, which I don't need but it sounds like some ppl get it regardless when they use the accessible loading area [which I would need], I'd use the button instead of the string.)

[Ms_Butterfly]

I too always thought "rider switch" meant you stayed in the same area but for this attraction we were told we'd have to return with our "rider switch pass" meaning we could go back through FP vs. the regular line.

It should mean that and did mean that when I was at Disney last year (before this ride, of course, but on other rides my SD couldn't go on, we only waited in line once and switched out when one of us [there were only two of us] came back - although in Test Track the lady was too impatient to wait to tell the loading CM my case, so just stuck me in the single-rider line, which did have me wait a few more minutes, but we were taken out of the main line early to get my friend's ECV and my SD over to the other side of the track). To make you go back in the line is NOT a reasonable accommodation or equal access, which is required by law. If they try to do that with me when I'm there, they will hear about it (in a nice but firm way, of course - I'm not one of those complainers or rude ppl, just somebody standing up for my actual rights [not wants]).

[Cheshire Figment]

I was on it again a couple of days ago and they had two accessable cars running. It appears that they have their procedure down to a science, as they loaded a person in a power chair ahead of me with plenty of time to have the ride vehcle dispatched before the nex accessible vehicle came into the special boarding area.

And the standby time was about 90 minutes. However, with two accessible vehicles running there was no long backup of people once you got to the special load area. Unlike when there was only one vehicle running.

[OneLittleSpark]

Thanks for the update, CF! :thumbsup2 It's good to hear that the kinks (as in problems, not the band :rotfl:) are getting ironed out, now that everyone is more accustomed to the ride and loading system. Pretty much every project in the world goes through a stage like this, and it's impressive how quickly Disney is getting through it! Fingers crossed it will get even better, and even smoother as things carry on.

[SueM in MN]

I was trawling round online today, and thought some of you might find this video interesting:

http://wdwnews.com/viewvideo.aspx?videoid=109862&siteid=1

It's from the Disney press pages, and shows a sort of 'advert' for the ride, without a voice over (intended for news programs to use when reporting on the new ride). It has some fairly helpful shots of the cars moving and stationary, as well as showing the guns in action.

Hope this is of some help to someone! :thumbsup2
That's really good video since it's shot from 'outside' the ride car. All the other videos have been from people riding on it, so you could not really see that much about how the cars actually look and work.:thumbsup2

[Ms_Butterfly]

Great to hear the two accessible cars are running! I'm glad they've got it worked out and the line is not backed up.

[OneLittleSpark]

That's really good video since it's shot from 'outside' the ride car. All the other videos have been from people riding on it, so you could not really see that much about how the cars actually look and work.:thumbsup2

Woohoo! Being a Disney geek finally pays off!! :rotfl:

[terri01p]

Enjoyed seeing that video from that view point..Thanks ! :cheer2:

[OneLittleSpark]

Enjoyed seeing that video from that view point..Thanks ! :cheer2:

No problem at all, glad I could help! :thumbsup2

[mechurchlady]

I liked the video as it shows the rides in motion. It gives a better explanation about going around the corners for example. Big hugs and someday I hope to race you in WDW. :woohoo:

Psst, where do you get them decals for people your run over? I got to get some of them, lol.

[OneLittleSpark]

I liked the video as it shows the rides in motion. It gives a better explanation about going around the corners for example.

Woohoo! My Disney geekery is on a roll with this one! :rotfl:

Big hugs and someday I hope to race you in WDW. :woohoo:

You're on! Last one to the big ugly Mickey hat buys the pins? :lmao:

Psst, where do you get them decals for people your run over? I got to get some of them, lol.

I don't bother with decals, you can't update them quick enough ;). I just go with putting a notch on my chair's frame. It's a shame really, I've almost scratched off all the paintwork. :rotfl:

[Cheshire Figment]

I have just (yesterday) been on the DCA version of TSMM. The queue is almost 100% outside and no theming. The stairs are on the exit instead of the entrance side, and they do also have the special load/unload area with the special ride vehicles for people who can't do stairs.

[elpuocyensid]

My wife and I rode TSMM at DCA the first weekend after it opened twice (not planned, just happened that way). We thoroughly enjoyed the ride but not necessarily the experience of the attraction. (This is my first post, so forgive me for not knowing exactly how the threads work--but I'm learning.)

We loved the ride and highly recommend it. Our only complaint was that there was no separate accessible line. We didn't mind being in the regular line as it was fully accessible but once we got to the boarding area we were rerouted to the accessible loading area. We had another 20 minute wait after that since there were several parties ahead of us and there was only 1 car in service.

The first time I rode was with my wife in the accessible vehicle. The second time was in the 2nd vehicle. Even though I faced the opposite screen, I didn't really see any difference.

We didn't see any fastpass line at DCA.

[mechurchlady]

Now to get me an ECV to put notches into. Hey Mike sorry about not getting to meet you this time. It is just hard for me to talk on the phone when I am slice pork and am late for dinner. Imagine a large old lady acting like a hungry 3 year old. Also honestly I always thought Mike was a girl, lol. All this time and who knew. I will keep wishing for a quick WDW trip next month before PI closes and Pocohantas closes as I never saw the show and it has been 10 years.

As for the video, people say their opinion but one person's insignificant bump is another person's "OMG get me the morphine" gigantic speed bump. I have no problems on raft rides but for some people who have back problems it is. I wish there were more videos like that one to show people how rides work. It might ruin the fun of seeing something the first time but I rather see the spoiler and not ride than ride and for the last half be in pain and hoping it would stop. I had that happen on Kilamanjaro Safari where the back row jarred so bad that for the last half I was braced and hoping for it to end.

OneSpark you are on, but I do have a lot of weight to slow me down. hmm, There has to be a place that soups up ECVs. I wonder what it would be like to be in an ECV at 30 mph. :rotfl: :woohoo: Rope Drop time would be fun to see me yelling "Eat my dust".:woohoo:

[hroyale]

Hi,
I'm planning our first family trip to WDW in Jan '09. My DS (4) has ASD. I'll be getting a GAC mainly because he will have a very difficult time waiting in long crowded lines. I'm also planning to use FP and other planning to make it so we'll never need to use it because the waits will be short enough for him to handle.

Then came the Toystory ride at HS. I know he'd love this ride. But it's new and I wasn't planning on being at HS early enough to get a FP. So... that leaves two options: 1) Change plans get do HS in the am one day or 2) Use the GAC to wait in an alternate area.

Has anyone done this yet for TSM? What was the waiting area like? It isn't the wait time so much as the crowds. If they just branch you off to the wheelchair line, that might be Ok if it's more wide open then the stand by line.

Or maybe by Jan the ride won't be so popular and it won't be an issue. :rotfl2:

TIA,
Heather

[Cheshire Figment]

The route to the disabled load/unload area is just before the staircase and really does not cut down on the loading time at all. Also, it is possible for it to take longer in the disabled load/unload zone than n the main line.

The queue is very well themed which may work to keep his attention.

Since it is that far out you may want to do some work on your schedule to do DHS first thing one morning. Also January does tend to be fairly slow.

One thing is there may be heavy crowds beginning January 24th since the Super Bowl is in Tampa on February 1st.

[OneLittleSpark]

OneSpark you are on, but I do have a lot of weight to slow me down. hmm, There has to be a place that soups up ECVs. I wonder what it would be like to be in an ECV at 30 mph. :rotfl: :woohoo: Rope Drop time would be fun to see me yelling "Eat my dust".:woohoo:

Hey! You can't have a souped up ECV, that's cheating! My wheelchair doesn't even have a motor (unless you count the fella's legs :rotfl:)! Maybe if we started the race at the top of a hill; that way we could also total up a few more notches on our scoreboards! :lmao:

Isn't it lovely how the magic of Disney brings people together and brings out the best in them? ;) :rotfl:

[mechurchlady]

Would you settle for a notch contest. Who ever gets the most notches in half an hour gets a Dole Whip.

[OneLittleSpark]

:scratchin Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good idea to me! Just let me find a downhill slope, shortly before the parade starts :rotfl:

Actually, scratch that, I'll just wait until park closing :lmao:

[cmwade77]

The route to the disabled load/unload area is just before the staircase and really does not cut down on the loading time at all. Also, it is possible for it to take longer in the disabled load/unload zone than n the main line.

The queue is very well themed which may work to keep his attention.

Since it is that far out you may want to do some work on your schedule to do DHS first thing one morning. Also January does tend to be fairly slow.

One thing is there may be heavy crowds beginning January 24th since the Super Bowl is in Tampa on February 1st.
I am curious about the wheelchair line there, out at DCA it has a bench for people to sit on, is the same true there?

[Cheshire Figment]

I do not recall seeing any seating in the disabled load/unload area at DHS. However, if a person is in a wheelchair or ECV and is able to transfer, they can remain seated until just prior to boarding. Then they park right next to the boarding area and retrieve their chair or ECV when they get off.

[SueM in MN]

I am curious about the wheelchair line there, out at DCA it has a bench for people to sit on, is the same true there?
Here's an overview picture someone took of the accessible loading area. It doesn't look like there are any benches in the area:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/images/05-ride_vehiclea1.jpg

[LOLA2]

Hi just wondering if an electric wheelchair can get onto toystory mania?
My brother who has muscular dystrophy cannot transfer very weel, it is easiest for him to stay where he is. Anyone know what other rides(not shows you can take an electric wheelchair on?

[eternaldisneyfan]

Toy Story Mania does have wheelchair accessible cars. I haven't been on it so I don't know if it fits bigger wheelchairs. Here are my notes from our trip in 2006. I have Muscular Dystrophy, too.

Epcot jostle

Ellen's Energy Adventure: They refused to let my electric wheelchair on. I went back four times on three different days. It was always the same guy. We tried explaining it was not an ECV but an electric wheelchair. We showed him the disability guide. Nope. He said only manual chairs and something about an accident. Definitely a low of the vacation because it is the only ride we can all ride together and one of Dad's favorites. I would like to report the guy...

Turtle Talk with Crush:
There is a separate wheelchair line. It is to the left of the long line. You might be given a return time. A girl in a wheelchair was allowed to sit up front with the kids (towards the back) but the parent had to ask.

Soarin':
Cast Members request that you park by the pole and walk (or are carried) the few feet to your seat. They will allow you to park right next to the seat and move your chair if you request it. Since I have breathing problems, I pulled the seatbelt all the way out looped it around the armrest (a tip I got from the Pooh sized thread). I was completely secure. The second time I rode a cast member made me unloop the seatbelt but I left it slack and was fine. I also used the strap between the legs for extra security. Grandma held my right arm and Dad was on my left with an arm in front and an arm in back. I was very secure-no problems-and I cannot sit up in any chair or surface (besides my wheelchair) without being held up. DO NOT ask if you can have a family member support you on the ride (made this mistake at DL).

Living with the Land:
Two wheelchair boats with one spot each. No FP needed-separate wheelchair entrance. You may be given a return time. We had a slight problem being allowed on this ride. At first the cast member said they only allowed Hoveraround chairs (???) but after my mom explained that experienced drivers of electric wheelchairs can make very tight turns, he let us on. You may have problems depending on the CM. Those who have problems using steps can walk down the ramp in the wheelchair boat.

Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment:
2 wheelchair cars with one spot each. The easiest wheelchair slot. Drive forward, the CM twists a platform and you face forward. At the end, the CM twists the platform and you drive off facing forward down a ramp. My chair was a tight fit. I took off my footplates. At the end, there is an effect that may cause a startle reflex.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience:
Separate wheelchair entrance-no FP needed. You will probably be given a return time. Unless you transfer to a seat, you will not get all the effects.

El Rio Del Tiempo (Mexico):
2 wheelchair boats-one spot per boat. The seats are pretty low if you transfer. There is a separate wheelchair entrance. But if you have trouble walking do NOT park your chair outside because you will not be allowed in the wheelchair entrance. We got separated from my Grandma this way. She was fine but walking the cue would have been bad for mom because the line is on a sloped surface. There is space to park about 4 chairs by the ride and you can transfer from that point.

The American Adventure:
You will be directed to seating in the very back unless you request the handful of seats up front (we sat in the back)

Illuminations:
Several of the wheelchair seating areas have trees blocking the view. The seating area by the Refreshment Port and by bathrooms (including Companion) does not and has a great view.

Epcot has good Companion Restrooms. You can get a list of the locations at allearsnet.com and First Aid at the park

Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin:
I did not fit even though I fit SueM's wheelchair measurements. My midline control was in the way. My sister almost fit but not quite. She might have fit without her desk.

Stitch’s Great Escape:
Only manual chairs are allowed on this ride. The batteries and different style backs prevent the electric wheelchair from getting into the proper position. She also specifically mentioned my headrest. So if you have a bulky headrest or one with a long support backing you may have a problem.

Carousel of Progress
Wheelchairs are parked on a slope.

Fantasyland
“it’s a small world”:
2 wheelchair boats with spots each. Enter through the exit.

Mickey’s Philharmagic:
:)!! The wheelchair spots experience all the special effects!

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1 wheelchair car with one spot. I thought backing in was easier. Request the bounce button be switched on for more affects.

Adventureland
Magic Carpet’s of Aladdin
Only accommodates manual wheelchairs. The device that secures the wheelchair goes between the front and back wheels and is about 6 inches tall. Batteries get in the way.

Accessible stations for the railroad are Main Street, Mickey's Toontown, and Frontierland. Two wheelchair spots.

Spectromagic & Wishes viewing tip:
If you plan to watch both use the Spectromagic wheelchair viewing area by the partner statue. Then you are situated for a great view of Wishes-just turn around. They do make two rows of wheelchairs for the parade...

Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)

Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island are impossible for wheelchairs (you can do a roundtrip on the raft that goes to Tom Sawyer Island)

Disney's MGM Studios

Star Tours:
There is a nonmotion ride available! I was thrilled to know this. There is a separate wheelchair entrance so no FP is needed.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular:
Ask to sit up front for a better view...stay after to meet Indiana Jones.

Backlot Tour:
2 wheelchair spots...I don't know how many accessible trams there are. Mom walked up the ramp to transfer.

Journey Into Narnia:
3 or 4 wheelchair spots-depending on the CM. We fit four (barely).

The Great Movie Ride
2 wheelchair trams with one spot each. I took off my footplates and extra bags and fit (barely) by backing in.

Beauty and the Beast:
Ask to sit up front for an excellent view. Those in ECVs may be asked to transfer.

Tower of Terror:
If you can't ride, you can still watch the pre-show.

Fantasmic!
CMs will direct you to where to sit (you can't pick). Wheelchair spots are marked and have a comfortable amount of space between them.

I had a hard time locating the Companion bathrooms. One of the best bathrooms (female) is the one located just outside the entrance to the park. The stall is as big as a companion restroom and has a sink. It's usually empty or has very few people.

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris:
2 wheelchair vehicles with one spot each. I find it easier to back in.

Triceratop Spin

Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)

:),
Christamae

[SueM in MN]

NOTE: I'm not sure if it is just my browser, but I am having some trouble getting my pictures to show up when I open this. If they all load, you should see 11 pictures. Reloading the page should help if they don't show.
A few comments to eternaldisneyfan's great suggestions.
Toy Story Mania does have wheelchair accessible cars. I haven't been on it so I don't know if it fits bigger wheelchairs. Here are my notes from our trip in 2006. I have Muscular Dystrophy, too.
Here's a link to a thread about Toy Story Mania (which turns out to be the thread we are on) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800669)
Page 6 of that thread has some great pictures of the inside (ramp) of the wheelchair accessible car. The significant other of the person who took the pictures uses a power wheelchair.
Epcot jostle

Ellen's Energy Adventure: They refused to let my electric wheelchair on. I went back four times on three different days. It was always the same guy. We tried explaining it was not an ECV but an electric wheelchair. We showed him the disability guide. Nope. He said only manual chairs and something about an accident. Definitely a low of the vacation because it is the only ride we can all ride together and one of Dad's favorites. I would like to report the guy...
I heard (but can't confirm) that they had a power wheelchair tip over backwards getting off of this attraction. It may have been because of the steepness of the ramp or may have run off the side of the ramp.
The ride car is old - from when Epcot first opened, and mostly manual wheelchairs were in use then. I do know that the ramp is a steeper ramp than is 'allowed' for wheelchair accessibility at this point in time.
Some of the newer wheelchairs, especially the mid-wheel type, are not safe to do more than an 8 degree ramp and this ramp is steeper than that.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590Energy_WC_board-med.JPG
Turtle Talk with Crush:
There is a separate wheelchair line. It is to the left of the long line. You might be given a return time. A girl in a wheelchair was allowed to sit up front with the kids (towards the back) but the parent had to ask.

There are a limited number of wheelchair spots in the theater, so they do need to 'count' how many spots they will be needing. The wheelchair parking spots are at the ends of rows. Children sit on the floor in the front of the show and the first wheelchair seat is just behind and the rest are on the ends of rows. The legs on the rows get progressively longer as you go back further in the room - the first rows are fairly low.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590Turtle_Talk-med.JPG
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590TURTLE_TALK_room.jpg
Soarin':
Cast Members request that you park by the pole and walk (or are carried) the few feet to your seat. They will allow you to park right next to the seat and move your chair if you request it.
We've had no problem with parking DD's wheelchair right next to the ride seat, transferring her and then having the chair moved. If the CM asks us to park it, we just say that we need to have it right by the ride car.
If you go to this Epcot FAQs thread, on page 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1671441&page=2), there is a section about Soarin' with pictures and explanations about the queue, the waiting area and the show.
Living with the Land:
Two wheelchair boats with one spot each. No FP needed-separate wheelchair entrance. You may be given a return time. We had a slight problem being allowed on this ride. At first the cast member said they only allowed Hoveraround chairs (???) but after my mom explained that experienced drivers of electric wheelchairs can make very tight turns, he let us on. You may have problems depending on the CM. Those who have problems using steps can walk down the ramp in the wheelchair boat.
The turn is pretty tight - this is another one of those original WDW rides with a boat that was designed for manual wheelchairs. The Hoverround wheelchairs are designed for use inside and have ability to make very tight turns.
In the Epcot thread I posted a link to just above, there is a picture/information spread about Living with the Land.
Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment:
2 wheelchair cars with one spot each. The easiest wheelchair slot. Drive forward, the CM twists a platform and you face forward. At the end, the CM twists the platform and you drive off facing forward down a ramp. My chair was a tight fit. I took off my footplates. At the end, there is an effect that may cause a startle reflex.
There are pictures of the Imagination accessible ride car in the Epcot FAQs thread too.
Honey I Shrunk the Audience:
Separate wheelchair entrance-no FP needed. You will probably be given a return time. Unless you transfer to a seat, you will not get all the effects.
There are limited numbers of wheelchair parking spots and wheelchair viewing is in the back.
El Rio Del Tiempo (Mexico):
2 wheelchair boats-one spot per boat. The seats are pretty low if you transfer. There is a separate wheelchair entrance. But if you have trouble walking do NOT park your chair outside because you will not be allowed in the wheelchair entrance. We got separated from my Grandma this way. She was fine but walking the cue would have been bad for mom because the line is on a sloped surface. There is space to park about 4 chairs by the ride and you can transfer from that point.
This attraction has been updated to be 3 Caballeros. Wheelchair access used to be at the exit, but is now thru the main line. It still has a wheelchair accessible boat.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590mexico_boat_3-med.JPG
The American Adventure:
You will be directed to seating in the very back unless you request the handful of seats up front (we sat in the back)
There are pictures of this in the Epcot FAQs thread too.
Because the floor is VERY steeply sloped, the CMs have been instructed not to let wheelchair users sit anywhere except the back row.
Illuminations:
Several of the wheelchair seating areas have trees blocking the view. The seating area by the Refreshment Port and by bathrooms (including Companion) does not and has a great view.

The wheelchair viewing spots are marked on the park maps.
While it's still light outside in the afternoon or late evening, look across the water for some large flat barges in the WS lagoon. Those are part of the show (water/light effects and some ground fireworks). If you have a clear view of those, you will have a clear view of the show.
Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin:
I did not fit even though I fit SueM's wheelchair measurements. My midline control was in the way. My sister almost fit but not quite. She might have fit without her desk.
Some wheelchairs have parts that get in the way of fitting. This is a picture of the accessible ride car. Sorry, it's kind of dark for good pictures.
The front of the ride car includes the shooters for the interactive part of the ride. It sounds like that was what got in the way for eternaldisneyfan and her sister.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590P4160110-med.JPG
Fantasyland
“it’s a small world”:
2 wheelchair boats with spots each. Enter through the exit.
For Small World, you will be in the regular line until about the first turn, when there is a gate with a wheelchair symbol to the left. At that point, you go down the exit ramp (half of the exit ramp is chained off for use by people with wheelchairs). THe boats are fairly similar to the ones on the ride in Mexico.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590PA040083-med.JPG
Mickey’s Philharmagic:
:)!! The wheelchair spots experience all the special effects!
Even though the wheelchair spots are at the back of the theater, the whole theater is rather shallow. So, everyone gets a close up view.
Adventureland
Magic Carpet’s of Aladdin
Only accommodates manual wheelchairs. The device that secures the wheelchair goes between the front and back wheels and is about 6 inches tall. Batteries get in the way.
Even some manual wheelchairs have problems on this ride. There is a removable seat that they take out when someone using a wheelchair wants to ride. The brackets for the removable seats stick up and can hit the bottom of the wheelchair.
As eternaldisneyfan mentioned, you need more than 6 inches of clearance underneath your chair to ride this. Don't know of any power wheelchairs that would work.
Accessible stations for the railroad are Main Street, Mickey's Toontown, and Frontierland. Two wheelchair spots.
Toontown has a ground level station. The other stations are raised level - Main Street has a very steep ramped area on the right as you face the outside of the park (on the same side as Town Hall). Frontierland is not quite as steep.
Spectromagic & Wishes viewing tip:
If you plan to watch both use the Spectromagic wheelchair viewing area by the partner statue. Then you are situated for a great view of Wishes-just turn around. They do make two rows of wheelchairs for the parade...

In our experience, they took down the ropes marking off the wheelchair viewing area once the parade was over, so you might get people in front of you for the fireworks. Since the fireworks are overhead, that might not make a lot of difference.
Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)
You may also get 'spit on' by the steam that powers the steamboat.
Disney's MGM Studios

Star Tours:
There is a nonmotion ride available! I was thrilled to know this. There is a separate wheelchair entrance so no FP is needed.
Depending on when you are there, they may make you go thru the regular (standby line) if you don't have a Fastpass.
They can't always do the non-motion option. It depends on staffing and how many ride theaters they are using that day. They may give you a return time to come back for the non-motion ride.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular:
Ask to sit up front for a better view...stay after to meet Indiana Jones.
You will feel the heat from some of the effects if you are in the front. There are not that many wheelchair seats up front; there are very many in the back. So, it's possible you may not be able to sit up front (doesn't hurt to ask though).
Backlot Tour:
2 wheelchair spots...I don't know how many accessible trams there are. Mom walked up the ramp to transfer.
I believe the first row of the first car of every tram is accessible. We have never had to wait for an accessible car, just for the next car.
You will be directed to the front of the tram. The first car has a wheelchair spot and there is a flip down ramp that goes between a concrete permanent ramp and the ride car. You drive on, the CM secures your wheelchair and the side of the tram comes down to form the side wall of the tram.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590P4180133-med.JPG
Journey Into Narnia:
3 or 4 wheelchair spots-depending on the CM. We fit four (barely).
No longer at WDW
The Great Movie Ride
2 wheelchair trams with one spot each. I took off my footplates and extra bags and fit (barely) by backing in.
That is a very tight ride car. We have some difficulty even getting DD's manual wheelchair in.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590PA090080-med.JPG
Beauty and the Beast:
Ask to sit up front for an excellent view. Those in ECVs may be asked to transfer.
It's a quite steep series of ramps to get down to the front of the theater. The majority of the wheelchair/ECV seats are in the back, so get there early if you want to sit in the front.
Some people find it tiring to sit in the front because you are actually below the level of the stage. You need to look up to see the action because your head will be just a little above the level of the stage floor.
This is a picture of my DD enjoying the preshow for Beauty and the Beast (unhappily, the preshow will no longer exist after Sept 20!)
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590P4170104-med.JPG
Fantasmic!
CMs will direct you to where to sit (you can't pick). Wheelchair spots are marked and have a comfortable amount of space between them.

The wheelchair spots are in the back row of the amphitheater. They are set up for almost every wheelchair spot to have a companion seat right next to it. If there are more in your party than 2, the rest of the party will be asked to sit in the seats directly in front of the wheelchair.
Not a very good picture, but shows the general idea.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590P4090087-med.JPG

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris:
2 wheelchair vehicles with one spot each. I find it easier to back in.
The tram and loading is very similar to the Backstage Tour at the Studio.

Triceratop Spin
This is similar to Aladdin's Magic Carpets and not all wheelchairs will fit.
Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)

:),
Christamae
This is the wildlife express train wheelchair car.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/2590PA060120_2-med.JPG

[LOLA2]

Thanks:goodvibes

[shermomof5]

We went on TSM last week. My son is 13 in a power chair and does not transfer(We lift him) TSM was one of the smoothest rides to load him on. We went in through the fast pass lane and then waited in line with other WC users. This line was fairly long. A young boy around 4 in a McClaren Stroller was loaded before us and they wheeled him in as well. People ahead of us using ECV's walked onto the ride. Probably the coolest feature was that the "cannon" to shoot the targets has a pull AND a large button on top that you can hit. My son has limited use of his hands and was able to operate the cannon by the button on top(This button was only in his car, not the rest of ours) Closed captioning on the video screen as well. Great ride. Photos of the ride are here.
http://s440.photobucket.com/albums/qq127/shermomof5/

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the pictures. those are great.:thumbsup2

[Lilogirl]

We went on TSM last week. My son is 13 in a power chair and does not transfer(We lift him) TSM was one of the smoothest rides to load him on. We went in through the fast pass lane and then waited in line with other WC users. This line was fairly long. A young boy around 4 in a McClaren Stroller was loaded before us and they wheeled him in as well. People ahead of us using ECV's walked onto the ride. Probably the coolest feature was that the "cannon" to shoot the targets has a pull AND a large button on top that you can hit. My son has limited use of his hands and was able to operate the cannon by the button on top(This button was only in his car, not the rest of ours) Closed captioning on the video screen as well. Great ride. Photos of the ride are here.
http://s440.photobucket.com/albums/qq127/shermomof5/

The button is the coolest thing. We finally got to ride Toy Story today. My DD was thrilled to find out "Mickey made a ride just for her" (The button makes this ride "work" for her). According to the Cm I spoke with, they only have one car with the button. My DD asked her to ask Mickey to order more LOL.

[TPCShauna]

I will be using an ECV during my December trip because I can't walk or stand for long periods of time but I can navigate stairs if I absolutely have to. Is it possible to ride the ECV through the line and park it in the wheelchair accessible area and then go over the stairs to load through the normal line and then come back to get the ECV? My biggest issue is the walking/standing but I should be fine for just the last little bit. Has anyone tried this?

[Cheshire Figment]

The queue is not set up to do that. Once you get to the disabled area the line should be fairly short. Usually they have two ride vehicles set for disabled; sometimes they will bring in a normal eight person vehicle if they have everyone in the line able to transfer.

[JeannieNM]

HI,
I am a T5 para and stay in my wheelchair. I have a few questions about Toy Story Mania.

1) I would like to ride in a car designed for wheelchairs. Is there a special line?

2) How many people does the wheelchair car hold in addition to the wheelchair?

3) What is the quickest route from the entrance and also from rope drop, to the ride?

Thank you for your help.

Jean

[Cheshire Figment]

You will follow the regular queue (either Standby or Fastpass) until you almost get to the stairs. At that time you will be diverted to a special boarding area.

There is a consolidated thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800669) dealing with TSMM, which this will get folded into in a few days.

The special vehicle will allow you in remaining in your chair and one person sitting next to you. You will each have your own cannon. There will be nobody directly behind you, but in the second car in the vehicle there is room for four people.

For the fastest route, head directly toward the back of the park; when you go by the Hat keep it to your left, there is an opening ahead in a wall with a ramp. At the bottom of the ramp turn left and you are just about at the entrance to TSMM.

[JeannieNM]

Cheshire Figment - Thank you very much. I will go to the link.

I have one clarification if you do not mind. When you say there is room for 4 behind the wheelchair, is that the same vehicle. There are three of us touring together, myself with the wheelchair, my dd 13 and her friend 13. It would be nice if we could be together. I am sure the girls will want to sit together. Is this workable?

Thanks for the help

[blondietink]

I believe there is only room for the wheelchair and a rider next to them in one car. The next car in line which is a totally separate car, has room for 4 people. It is really a great ride, so don't miss it! :cool2:

[Cheshire Figment]

A few possibilities

1 - All three of you get in the front area. Depends on how wide the girls are and there will be only two cannon.

2 - You ride by yourself and the girls ride together.

3 - You ride with one girl and the other rides by herself.

However, there is the possibility in scenarios 2 or 3 that there will be a stranger riding with the single person. This is especially true if there is another group of three waiting.

[JeannieNM]

We will go with number 2. I am fine riding alone or with a stranger. The girls will want to be together. They could squeeze in together but it sounds like the cannons would be a problem. So choice 2 is the best one for us. I am glad we are past the little kid stage. We did that with buzz years ago and the girls shared a shooter and a seat. I tried to have one of them use mine but they could not lean that far.

[KPeveler]

just bumping this back up for any new info

question about lines:

is it worth getting a fastpass if you use a wheelchair? i know at splash mountain unless the line is very long, wheelchairs get pulled off after only a short bit of queue... how far do you go through the main queue if you use a wheelchair? also, do you get to see mr potato head with a wheelchair? i can walk the line sometime when no one is there (late at night during an uncrowded time) if i have to, cause i want to see that animatronic!

[Matt'sMom]

We rode TSMM twice last week, with a wheelchair user who can not transfer (needed the special w/c accessible ride vehicle). We were a party of five, and used FP to enter the FP line together. The point where the ECVs/Wheelchairs break off from the rest of the line was a fair distance in--but I did not do the stand-by queue at all, so do not know how that distance compares. Unfortunately, you do not get to see the Potato Head animatronic at all when using the FP/wheelchair entrance. The stand-by line does involve stairs, so be sure to take that into consideration if you are going to try it.

[JeannieNM]

So are you saying that if you have a wheelchair you can not use the standby line? Or do you break off before you get to the stairs. I can not walk or stand.

Jean

[SueM in MN]

So are you saying that if you have a wheelchair you can not use the standby line? Or do you break off before you get to the stairs. I can not walk or stand.

Jean

Just before getting to the stairs there is a bypass with a ramp for people who are not ably do stairs. There are some pictures earlier in this thread that should help you out.

[blondietink]

In the regular "standby" line, it is almost to the end of the line before it breaks off where the wheelchairs veer off. It is well worth it to get a fast pass if you can manage it.

One day we took advantage of the EMH's in the am at Hollywood Studios. We got Fast Passes to return between 10:30 and 11:30 (yes, and it was only 8:10 a.m.). Then we got in the very short standby line, which was fun to go through to see all of the animatronics and were on the ride with a wheelchair by 8:40. After departing the ride, we did some touring in general, then went back and used our FP in the FP lane.

[mechurchlady]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/index.htm
That was one source of pictures of the ride.

I never been on it so I probably am wrong.popcorn:: :rolleyes1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUjbI_P0k6E
This is from a preview event and it shows that Mr. Potato Head is before one set of stairs. Maybe this can refresh people's memories.

[mrsksomeday]

Fastpass will help you not have to stand in line for an hour. If you want to see the entire queue go through the standby line, you will go past Mr. Potatohead. Then if you can't do stairs they will have you go to the right to a separate area.

[SueM in MN]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Toy-Story-Mania/index.htm
That was one source of pictures of the ride.

I never been on it so I probably am wrong.popcorn:: :rolleyes1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUjbI_P0k6E
This is from a preview event and it shows that Mr. Potato Head is before one set of stairs. Maybe this can refresh people's memories.
That's a good video. :thumbsup2
Most people who shoot video are not interested in the lines or boarding - they just shoot the actual ride.
That video shows the entire standby line.

To add a little more to what mrsksomeday wrote,
Mr. Potato Head is in the standby line. Someone using a wheelchair would be able to see Mr. Potato Head if they use that line because the bypass for the stairs is after Mr. Potato Head.
In the video, when they get to the stairs, the bypass for the stairs is to the right (where the stairs were to the left). The place where the 3D glasses were handed out has 2 sides - the one the video showed was the Stand-by side. Just on the other side is the Fastpass 3D glasses distribution. The Fastpass and Standby lines join just after getting the 3D glasses, right before the stairs.

[Judy Judy Judy]

Sorry had this bookmarked and brought it up by mistake. Thought it was a new thread and wanted to say that I loved the video...oopssssss
:flower3:

[SueM in MN]

Sorry had this bookmarked and brought it up by mistake. Thought it was a new thread and wanted to say that I loved the video...oopssssss
:flower3:
That's OK.
There is actually a linknti this in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread bear the top of this board.
You bumped it up for people who had maybe not seen the video before. The first few pages are speculation, but the last few are actual experience, which has not changed. The video is very good.