"Must transfer to wheelchair"

ButterflyEffect · Nov 25, 2015

I have a question about the ways they label the ride accessibility on the MDE info pages.

When we were at Universal Studios Orlando my daughter had to actually be able to transfer to one of the park wheelchairs, which she isn't able to do and be able to grasp the handlebars in front of her. She needs a lot more support than a standard wheelchair provides (head rest, laterals, chest strap, etc.) She wasn't able to ride anything except the carousel, we were very sad for her as we went in thinking she could ride quite a few things. I know it is for safety but the way it was worded on their site made us think they were more accessible than they actually were.

So now to Disney....

I am really worried that "must transfer to wheelchair" means that she has to be able to ride in one of Disneys wheelchairs, is that the case? For example, Magic Carpets of Alladin is a "must transfer to wheelchair" ride as is Winnie the Pooh. My hope is that it means she can stay in her own wheelchair but they are just separating out the fact that ECV's can't go on those rides.

There are some that say "may remain in wheelchair/ECV", are those the only rides that she can stay in her own wheelchair?
I am starting to panic that the rides aren't as accessible for us as I once thought. We have never been to Disney and are going on my daughter's wish trip in January.

Thanks for any input. I couldn't find anything referencing this in the FAQ's.

Sparkly · Nov 25, 2015

I thought must transfer to wheelchair meant that if you were in a ECV you cannot remain in a ECV and have to transfer into a wheelchair. I would have thought your daughter's wheelchair would therefore be okay. For example, at most rides Mum, who uses a ECV was asked if she was able to transfer onto rides because you cannot take a ECV right on. She was, and can just walk with her cane to board a ride, but if she wasn't able to she would have needed to use a wheelchair (in her case standard) to board a ride.

Clear as mud probably but I hope it helps a little.

gap2368 · Nov 25, 2015

there are a few rides that you can stay in your wheel chair for the ride

at MK

poor
jungle curise
under the sea
its a small world
buzz

Epcot
the sea with memo and friends

Holly wood

great movie ride
Toy story

Animal kidgom
the safari

if you can pick her up and help her in the ride vihical then there are some more rides she can do like at epcot she could do space ship earth and magic Kindgom the people mover but you would have to carry her up to the second floor to the ride vehicle I think dumbo and aladdia she could do if you can pick her up.

I am sure there are some that I have missed but there are more then one ride she will be able to do at disney

minnie mum · Nov 25, 2015

ButterflyEffect said:
I am really worried that "must transfer to wheelchair" means that she has to be able to ride in one of Disneys wheelchairs, is that the case? For example, Magic Carpets of Alladin is a "must transfer to wheelchair" ride as is Winnie the Pooh. My hope is that it means she can stay in her own wheelchair but they are just separating out the fact that ECV's can't go on those rides.

There are some that say "may remain in wheelchair/ECV", are those the only rides that she can stay in her own wheelchair?

She will never have to transfer out of her own wheelchair into another chair. However, that does not mean that she will be able to go on every ride. Have a look at the FAQ sticky, particularly posts 18-22 (see the link below). These show which attractions will allow her to remain in her chair for the ride/show. The names of these attractions are in blue. All of the other rides require the guest to transfer out of their chair and into the ride vehicle seat.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

minnie mum said:
She will never have to transfer out of her own wheelchair into another chair. However, that does not mean that she will be able to go on every ride. Have a look at the FAQ sticky, particularly posts 18-22 (see the link below). These show which attractions will allow her to remain in her chair for the ride/show. The names of these attractions are in blue. All of the other rides require the guest to transfer out of their chair and into the ride vehicle seat.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

Yes!
Post 18 is all fixed up - there were some errors that occurred with the switch to the new servers a few months ago which messed up formatting.

This is a screenshot of the MK park map. The attractions that show a wheelchair icon or a stick figure ECV rider switching to a wheelchair are wheelchair accessible.

ButterflyEffect · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks Minnie mum that is very helpful to know that she will never have to transfer to another chair. I had read the FAQ's and was really worried that transfer to wheelchair meant she couldn't stay in her own. I am so relieved!!!! The ones that she has to transfer to ride vehicle we will have to play by ear. She can not sit up on her own so it will depend how we could prop her (which is unlikely and very difficult) or if she can be on our lap.

ButterflyEffect · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks SueM that is great, I will look through those! This has taken such a weight off my mind!

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

This is the second half of the MK park map list

ButterflyEffect · Nov 25, 2015

gap2368 said:
there are a few rides that you can stay in your wheel chair for the ride

at MK

poor
jungle curise
under the sea
its a small world
buzz

Epcot
the sea with memo and friends

Holly wood

great movie ride
Toy story

Animal kidgom
the safari

if you can pick her up and help her in the ride vihical then there are some more rides she can do like at epcot she could do space ship earth and magic Kindgom the people mover but you would have to carry her up to the second floor to the ride vehicle I think dumbo and aladdia she could do if you can pick her up.

I am sure there are some that I have missed but there are more then one ride she will be able to do at disney

I thought it was really weird that the people mover isn't wheelchair accessible, it looks like such a tame ride and a no brainer for being accessible. I guess I will have to assess it when we get there. Thanks for all your help gap2368!

ButterflyEffect · Nov 25, 2015

Is that a regular map or a special needs at Disney map? I would like to get one of those when we get to the park. I know the app has each one and its accessibility is there, but it is so much easier to look on the paper map for me!

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

ButterflyEffect said:
I thought it was really weird that the people mover isn't wheelchair accessible, it looks like such a tame ride and a no brainer for being accessible. I guess I will have to assess it when we get there. Thanks for all your help gap2368!

People Mover is not accessible because the station is one floor above ground level.
To get up there, you need to ride up a steep moving walkway. Think of an escalator with a ramp instead of steps.
We used to go on it when our daughter was very little and we could carry her up.

ButterflyEffect said:
Is that a regular map or a special needs at Disney map? I would like to get one of those when we get to the park. I know the app has each one and its accessibility is there, but it is so much easier to look on the paper map for me!

it is a regular map - I just grabbed a screen shot of what I could find easiest.
You can get Guidemaps for Guests With Disabilities at the same place as other park maps. Look for the maps with a thick black border.

wilkeliza · Nov 25, 2015

ButterflyEffect said:
I thought it was really weird that the people mover isn't wheelchair accessible, it looks like such a tame ride and a no brainer for being accessible. I guess I will have to assess it when we get there. Thanks for all your help gap2368!

Peoplemover is due to the ramp that access the ride. There is no way to get a wheelchair up the ramp to the actual ride.

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

This is my daughter in her own wheelchair on the Little Mermaid ride in Fantasyland. The back of the car folds down to make a ramp.

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

It's hard to get a picture of the BuzzLightyear car, but that also has a wheelchair car where the back unfolds to a ramp.

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

This is the Winnie the Pooh wheelchair car. The side opens and one seat golds up to make a wheelchair spot.

Most of the accessible ride cars have spot for one wheelchair and one companion to sit next to them.

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

Small World accessible boat

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

The back seat is removed to make room for a wheelchair and the back folds down to make a ramp.
There is room in the front for 2 people to fit.

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

The Jungle Cruise has a lift with a gold down ramp to get on.

DisneyOma · Nov 25, 2015

ButterflyEffect said:
I have a question about the ways they label the ride accessibility on the MDE info pages.

When we were at Universal Studios Orlando my daughter had to actually be able to transfer to one of the park wheelchairs, which she isn't able to do and be able to grasp the handlebars in front of her. She needs a lot more support than a standard wheelchair provides (head rest, laterals, chest strap, etc.) She wasn't able to ride anything except the carousel, we were very sad for her as we went in thinking she could ride quite a few things. I know it is for safety but the way it was worded on their site made us think they were more accessible than they actually were.

So now to Disney....

I am really worried that "must transfer to wheelchair" means that she has to be able to ride in one of Disneys wheelchairs, is that the case? For example, Magic Carpets of Alladin is a "must transfer to wheelchair" ride as is Winnie the Pooh. My hope is that it means she can stay in her own wheelchair but they are just separating out the fact that ECV's can't go on those rides.

There are some that say "may remain in wheelchair/ECV", are those the only rides that she can stay in her own wheelchair?
I am starting to panic that the rides aren't as accessible for us as I once thought. We have never been to Disney and are going on my daughter's wish trip in January.

Thanks for any input. I couldn't find anything referencing this in the FAQ's.

Universal Studios tends to have a different type of attraction than WDW - more rollercoasters, more rough simulation rides, etc. They have some small kiddie sections, but even some of those rides are rougher than similar ones at WDW. I can see how a child with limited ability to support herself would be out of luck there - most of the rides are just too rough. Luckily, WDW has a lot of great stuff she can do - I hope she has a wonderful WISH trip!

SueM in MN · Nov 25, 2015

The Railroad and Liberty Square Riverboat are also accessible, as well as as shows.

"Must transfer to wheelchair"

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