A Small Pirates Warning

[MouseketeerKelsey]

Please do not take this as complaining because it is not meant that way at all, just a little heads up to people in a similar situation to me.

I was just at Disney early Dec. I am not a full time wheelchair user but in situations like Disney I need to be due to pain and physical limitations. I had an ECV because I did not want my mom to have to push me.

I went to ride pirates. There was a 40 minute wait. I was unable to bring the ECV through the line. They told me there were wheelchairs that could be used on the side. I didn't have the option of standing in a line for 40 minutes and my mom graciously offered to push me though the line. There were about 5 chairs on the side, all of which were broken to some extent. We took the least broken and hoped for the best.

I hadn't been through the pirates queue in years so I forgot how it was. Much of it was up and downhill and in the broken wheelchair that Disney had given us, it didn't go well. I felt so awful for putting my mom in the situation because it was hard for her pushing me up and down hills and on the type of ground it was with the broken chair.

Since then I spoke to a few friends who have similar health limitations and they have run into similar issues with that ride.

I did speak to people at Disney to try and let them know in hopes that maybe they would at least put better functioning chairs there but was blown off by cast members (oh well).

As I said, sincerely this was not meant to be me griping about my experience, rather just letting others know of some issue encountered so that you can be well informed heading in.

I don't know if this is always an issue, I just know from myself and a few friends I spoke with about it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I did speak to people at Disney . . . was blown off by cast members (oh well) . . . I don't know if this is always an issue, I just know from myself and a few friends I spoke with about it.

1) Not too unusual.
2) Bad chairs, not the CM's responses.
3) At resorts, we ALWAYS have chairs needing repairs.
. . . the chairs are pretty old, and break often
. . . all resorts have a stash of chairs for guest use
. . . these are free rentals
. . . just leave a credit card imprint for a deposit if not returned (not chargeable to room)
4) We call, and are told to put them aside.
5) EVENTUALLY, someone shows and takes them away.
6) We see them in 3-4 weeks.
7) Repairing (free) wheelchairs is simply not a priority.

 

[bidnow5]

While I love pirates it's one of a growing number of rides I can no longer do. I can't push myself and my wife can't push me so I have to skip it

 

[MouseketeerKelsey]

1) Not too unusual.
2) Bad chairs, not the CM's responses.
3) At resorts, we ALWAYS have chairs needing repairs.
. . . the chairs are pretty old, and break often
. . . all resorts have a stash of chairs for guest use
. . . these are free rentals
. . . just leave a credit card imprint for a deposit if not returned (not chargeable to room)
4) We call, and are told to put them aside.
5) EVENTUALLY, someone shows and takes them away.
6) We see them in 3-4 weeks.
7) Repairing (free) wheelchairs is simply not a priority.

I COMPLETELY understand that it isn't a priority to fix the free wheelchairs. I would imagine with so much going on at Disney constantly it is a very low priority and I understand why. Just trying to save others from possibly having to deal with the same issue I had

 

[mamabunny]

Just curious - would FP+ have helped in a situation like this? Does the FP+ line for Pirates still bypass the regular queue and go straight back? We haven't been since March of 2012, so I know it may have changed...

Thanks!

 

[Dawnlight]

We encountered several unusable courtesy wheelchairs, the ones from bus stops to parks and from parks to bus stops. Those that we rented seemed to be in good repair.

 

[twinmum]

1) Not too unusual.
2) Bad chairs, not the CM's responses.
3) At resorts, we ALWAYS have chairs needing repairs.
. . . the chairs are pretty old, and break often
. . . all resorts have a stash of chairs for guest use
. . . these are free rentals
. . . just leave a credit card imprint for a deposit if not returned (not chargeable to room)
4) We call, and are told to put them aside.
5) EVENTUALLY, someone shows and takes them away.
6) We see them in 3-4 weeks.
7) Repairing (free) wheelchairs is simply not a priority.

It's very good that WDW has free chairs available for use, but I would have thought that keeping those that are available in good repair would be important to the corporation...in the interest of avoiding liability? Or do guests have to sign a waiver to use them? (We've always travelled with our son's own wheelchair?). Appreciate that w/c maintenance is not a ride CM's job.

 

[MouseketeerKelsey]

Just curious - would FP+ have helped in a situation like this? Does the FP+ line for Pirates still bypass the regular queue and go straight back? We haven't been since March of 2012, so I know it may have changed...

Thanks!

For me personally, it would have because I can stand and walk small amounts, but the 40 minute wait would have been too much. I think that would be about the only way it would help. Also I am not sure if the line area you would have to push through for FP is set up differently. I assume it is still the same floor and hills. I vaguely remember seeing a second line next to us with less people. Sort of like Buzz FP but I could be totally wrong, wouldn't be the first time lol!

I would love to see if anyone who had actually had done FP knows since mine is just guessing.

 

[MouseketeerKelsey]

We encountered several unusable courtesy wheelchairs, the ones from bus stops to parks and from parks to bus stops. Those that we rented seemed to be in good repair.

I agree. Last time I was there I rented a wheelchair and that one was in great working condition, the ones from parking or buses...not so much.

 

[tinkerpea]

1) Not too unusual.
2) Bad chairs, not the CM's responses.
3) At resorts, we ALWAYS have chairs needing repairs.
. . . the chairs are pretty old, and break often
. . . all resorts have a stash of chairs for guest use
. . . these are free rentals
. . . just leave a credit card imprint for a deposit if not returned (not chargeable to room)
4) We call, and are told to put them aside.
5) EVENTUALLY, someone shows and takes them away.
6) We see them in 3-4 weeks.
7) Repairing (free) wheelchairs is simply not a priority.

I completely disagree,wheelchair wether free or not should always be in good condition due to them being needed in order to provide equal access to the ride in which they haven't made accessible for Ecv users.
It makes providing access much more difficult for the person and whomever is helping the guest at that time.

 

[LuvGoofy6]

I completely disagree,wheelchair wether free or not should always be in good condition due to them being needed in order to provide equal access to the ride in which they haven't made accessible for Ecv users.
It makes providing access much more difficult for the person and whomever is helping the guest at that time.

I agree with this. OP you did what you could by using an ECV and where the EVC was no longer allowed then something else needed to be provided for your needs. I know your purpose isn't to complain OP and your sharing your experience will help others but I just don't think wheelchairs in poor condition should be all that is available.

 

[loveshak22]

I completely disagree,wheelchair wether free or not should always be in good condition due to them being needed in order to provide equal access to the ride in which they haven't made accessible for Ecv users.
It makes providing access much more difficult for the person and whomever is helping the guest at that time.

Agreed! I would contact guest relations and inform them of your issues. If they get enough complaints they may make some changes.

And I wouldn't apologize even if you were griping WDW isn't perfect and customer experiences (all customers) should be important to them. And besides, I've seen people on here complaining about napkins so unusable wheelchairs for a ride you want to be able to access is not unreasonable - LOL!

 

[wilkeliza]

Next time I would see if they would issue a wheelchair return ticket. I believe if you were to tell the CM that the queue is too hard to be pushed through then perhaps they can help you out or even go to GR and talk to them about it. It isn't right that your poor mum was made to push you in a broken chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

Next time I would see if they would issue a wheelchair return ticket. I believe if you were to tell the CM that the queue is too hard to be pushed through then perhaps they can help you out or even go to GR and talk to them about it. It isn't right that your poor mum was made to push you in a broken chair.

The line is still the same, whether it is Fastpass or not. Pretty much, the FASTPASS lines are parallel to the regular line.

For Pirates, an ECV is still not able to be brought into line.
The issue is that the wheelchairs should be available in various sizes and in good condition.

And, those free from the resort should also be in good condition, but are not. That is why we recommend renting one from an off- site company. That way, you know the condition will be acceptable

 

[PatMcDuck]

I think Disney could do better with those wheelchairs..... and I understand that guest abuse is likely one reason that they are broken to begin with.... perhaps they could come up with other options. I never used one of the ride chairs, I never knew that they were so bad. I have used the resort ones, and they were usually fine, but sometimes hard to obtain at busy times.

Some line queues are extremely difficult to manage with pushing a manual WC. I push my son in one, so I know. I wish I had a "power assist" to use for hills.

Soarin', esp. at Epcot, is one (the DCA version not as bad, much shorter, but still up and down quite a bit, between entrance and exit). Indiana Jones at DL is a REALLY tough go, long walk in and out, hills, uneven terrain, and all together, 4 elevator rides. Space Mountain at MK is another (easier at DL with the entrance thru exit option). I actually considered all the ones I just listed as harder than Pirates, but PoC can be hard too, at MK. (easy at DL, enter thru exit). Entrance to AK is a big hill to start your day there, too.

I am fortunate in that I can sometimes get DS to walk up some hills.

 

[Jedana]

Please do not take this as complaining because it is not meant that way at all, just a little heads up to people in a similar situation to me.

I was just at Disney early Dec. I am not a full time wheelchair user but in situations like Disney I need to be due to pain and physical limitations. I had an ECV because I did not want my mom to have to push me.

I went to ride pirates. There was a 40 minute wait. I was unable to bring the ECV through the line. They told me there were wheelchairs that could be used on the side. I didn't have the option of standing in a line for 40 minutes and my mom graciously offered to push me though the line. There were about 5 chairs on the side, all of which were broken to some extent. We took the least broken and hoped for the best.

I hadn't been through the pirates queue in years so I forgot how it was. Much of it was up and downhill and in the broken wheelchair that Disney had given us, it didn't go well. I felt so awful for putting my mom in the situation because it was hard for her pushing me up and down hills and on the type of ground it was with the broken chair.

Since then I spoke to a few friends who have similar health limitations and they have run into similar issues with that ride.

I did speak to people at Disney to try and let them know in hopes that maybe they would at least put better functioning chairs there but was blown off by cast members (oh well).

As I said, sincerely this was not meant to be me griping about my experience, rather just letting others know of some issue encountered so that you can be well informed heading in.

I don't know if this is always an issue, I just know from myself and a few friends I spoke with about it.

Disney should have wheelchairs in working order, if they are offering some for use, IMO.

I'd have trouble pushing DH around in a wheelchair, broken or not, if there were hills involved!

Just a thought---could you get one of those walker seat things to use in the lines? So you could use it to walk along and then sit in the seat? Is there a way to carry it on the ECV? (I have no idea if it's even possible to carry it on one.)

 

[DaisyD]

It was nice when you could go to pirates and he led to a back area. My mom uses an Ecv at Disney because she just cannot walk that much. At pirates we would wait at the benched in the left for a CM tocome get us. It was a short walk to the loading zone of the ride and no steps. Now we have found the new way of getting a broken down wheel chair. Last time we couldn't even do the ride as I cannot push my mom up and down the path. The ride is no longer accessible to us.

 

[loveshak22]

so a little off topic but I have to say that every time I see this thread title popup in my list I think of teeny pirates running around acousting people..hehe..I see A 'small pirates' 'warning'