Accessibility of tours?

[uncspin]

My husband uses a power wheelchair due to having CP. He is not able to walk at all. We are thinking about checking into a "behind the scenes" tour during our August trip. Are these tours wheelchair-accessible? What is the likelihood of actually being able to get a tour?

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My husband uses a power wheelchair due to having CP. He is not able to walk at all. We are thinking about checking into a "behind the scenes" tour during our August trip. Are these tours wheelchair-accessible? What is the likelihood of actually being able to get a tour?

I have SMA and use a power wheelchair. I have been on many 'behind the scenes' tours. As far as I know, all the tours are acessible, certainly with only one exception, I have had no trouble with my wheelchair.

The one and the only exception was a behind the scenes tour at Magic Kingdom. I was able to go through the tunnels OK. The only problems were when the tour went on the Wedway people mover and were 'front of lined' into Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean. But then I wouldn't have been able to do these in any case.

I assume that the ADA provisions have to apply backstage because Disney has disabled castmembers.

Andrew

 

[Haley Whippet]

We did Keys to the kingdom & enjoyed it so much..
I am a ECV user and had no trouble at all..

 

[Mary976]

We did the AK Backstage Safari (DD uses a manual chair). When you book, be sure to tell them someone uses a wheelchair. They use a van to shuttle you around from place to place on that tour (and maybe others) and so they had to book a van with a lift in advance.

Mary

 

[Schmeck]

I assume that the ADA provisions have to apply backstage because Disney has disabled castmembers.

Andrew

Some places most likely are not accessible, as a lot of MK was built 'down under' before the ADA went into effect. I'm thinking that Disney has not done a lot of renovation under MK, so parts of the utilidors may not be up to code for disabled castmembers.

 

[mrsksomeday]

My husband uses a power wheelchair due to having CP. He is not able to walk at all. We are thinking about checking into a "behind the scenes" tour during our August trip. Are these tours wheelchair-accessible? What is the likelihood of actually being able to get a tour?

Hi, my dbf has CP and is also in a power wheelchair. We have been on the Keys to the Kingdom tour with no problems. They did have us go through the exit on Haunted Mansion because I am able to transfer him. They also did the Jungle Cruise on our tour which has great wheelchair loading.

We did go down into the utilidoors, the CM just had the rest of the group go down the stairs and he went with us in the elevator.

Bill has been to WDW 11 times, 6 of those I was with him. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Technically you do not have to let Disney know in advance for a wheelchair or ECV, but if you will be taking a tour let them know at the time of the reservation.

This can be very important as if it is necessary to transport you they need to have the right equipment. I was on a tour one time where there were a totol of five people needing assistance, so they had a special van accompany us as well as the bus for the actual transportation.