AK & wheelchair?

[steffali]

Can I know why in the world WDW made it so difficult to push a wheelchair around Animal Kingdom??? My DH has some workout pushing my DD around there and unfortunatly we are considering not going into that park for that reason, but I am curious seeing as it is a "newer" park why they did not make it more wheelchair friendly?????? And while I am at it why don't they put elevators at all of the monorail stations instead of just at epcot???? WHY? WHY? WHY?

 

[dclfun]

I think the walkways at AK are made to simulate a more "natural" environment. This makes them bumpy which is very difficult for me as it is painful to ride over that kind of surface and shifts me out of position also. It's my favorite park though. I can't even imagine being in a manual chair and having to navigate up the steep monorail ramps or even getting around Epcot which to me, is the park with the most "hills". ---Kathy

 

[Lezah]

There's an elevator at the monorail ramp at EPCOT? Where? Pleaase let me know as I will need a chair again this trip as now my asthma has improved a bit, but my arthritis has flared very badly and will be dependent on a wheelchair again. My DH and I would be very grateful to know as the monorail ramps are the worst obstacle we faced!! TIA!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And while I am at it why don't they put elevators at all of the monorail stations instead of just at epcot????

All the stations except MK and TTC have elevators. The GRand Floridian has three between one and two, the Poly has two between one and trwo, and the Contemporary has one that was put in less than ten years ago between the 4th floor and the monorail platform itself.

To get to the Epcot elevator instead of getting on the ramp stay to the right and you will see a gate with a blue access symbol on it. Go through that gate and then turn right and you will see the elevator. If you want to use it for going down, you will have to ask the CM to allow you off on the boarding side of the monorail.

The MK loops were built in 1971 before the ADA and before people though of access. If you look at the MK and TTC stations you would see that the ramps and platforms are built directly on soil and they would have to dig and pave tunnels and/or cut through ramps to install elevators. This would probably entail shutting down the monorails for several months.

 

[steffali]

Thanks for the reply, I just needed to Vent about it. THANKS

 

[SueM in MN]

The MK loops were built in 1971 before the ADA and before people though of access. If you look at the MK and TTC stations you would see that the ramps and platforms are built directly on soil and they would have to dig and pave tunnels and/or cut through ramps to install elevators. This would probably entail shutting down the monorails for several months.

They were just looking at getting large numbers of people effeciently moved to and from the station. The ramps were designed according to what was the guideline for wheelchair remps at that time. I am not sure what the slope is, but I'd guess it is steeper than 1 foot of length for each foot that you go up, which is the usual ramp slope you see now.
They are not designed in a way that would make elevators easy to add.

 

[lowie]

And while I am at it why don't they put elevators at all of the monorail stations instead of just at epcot???? WHY? WHY? WHY?[/QUOTE]


i wonder why they don't consider moving sidewalks, like they have at the people mover in MK... going to the monorail at MK after a long day in the park is like torture!

 

[steffali]

i wonder why they don't consider moving sidewalks, like they have at the people mover in MK... going to the monorail at MK after a long day in the park is like torture!

Hmmm now that's a thought although we still wouldn't be able to put a wheelchair on it....... It would save a lot of steps and energy for everyone else

 

[Cheshire Figment]

i wonder why they don't consider moving sidewalks, like they have at the people mover in MK... going to the monorail at MK after a long day in the park is like torture!

At Universal they have moving sidewalks in the parking structures and the approach to City Walk. They are clearly marked as no wheelchairs or ECVs.

Also look at the practical aspect -- Where would they actually put tem and what would have to be closed down and for how long while they are being installed. This is not an easy retrofit.

 

[SueM in MN]

At Universal they have moving sidewalks in the parking structures and the approach to City Walk. They are clearly marked as no wheelchairs or ECVs.

And all the ones I remember seeing were flat (none that went up or down).
We have taken DD's wheelchair on the flat moving walkways at the Minneapolis airport. You have to be very careful when coming to the end of the walkway - it can really "fling" you off the end.