Any differences from 6 years ago?

[Floridadreaming2016]

We are doing our final family trip to Disney. Husband will go to be with the Lord soon.
Any difference in getting on rides, using a scooter than 6 years ago?

 

[BethCPTSD]

I haven't taken my trip to WDW yet, so I really can't answer your question. I just wanted to say that I hope your trip is extra special and everyone has a wonderful time. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. How wonderful to take a family trip like this, since you're able. Again, have a wonderful experience!

Blessings,
Beth

 

[gap2368]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband I do hope that you have a great trip with a lot of memories

as fair as rides you do not need to stop at GR ( unless his needs are not meet by an ECV) for rides most are ECV assessable there are some that are not the CM will let you know and they have a wheel chair that he can use for that ride. a few ( I think 3 in all of disney) will give you a pice pf paper to come back at a latter time as those have a different intrence normally the exit.

 

[Chainsaw]

We are doing our final family trip to Disney. Husband will go to be with the Lord soon.
Any difference in getting on rides, using a scooter than 6 years ago?

Not sure what it was like 6 years ago, but it does seem that at one time Pirates of the Caribbean had a wheelchair accessible boat. I do not believe it does any longer. According to the My Disney Experience web site, you must transfer to the ride vehicle. Some of my older guide books say you can transfer to a standard wheelchair to ride. If you haven't checked the web site out, it is really great about communicating accessibility at each attraction and event. If you have any problems finding the info, send me a message and I'll walk ya through it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not sure what it was like 6 years ago, but it does seem that at one time Pirates of the Caribbean had a wheelchair accessible boat. I do not believe it does any longer. According to the My Disney Experience web site, you must transfer to the ride vehicle. Some of my older guide books say you can transfer to a standard wheelchair to ride. If you haven't checked the web site out, it is really great about communicating accessibility at each attraction and event. If you have any problems finding the info, send me a message and I'll walk ya through it.

No - Pirates has never had a wheelchair accessible boat (and probably never will because of the drop and because the boarding area is actually in another building from the exit).
The confusion might come from the line being wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. So, guests using ECVs need to transfer to a wheelchair for use in line if they can't walk that far. But, all guests need to transfer to the ride vehicle and always have.
Many of the guidebook writers don't actually have experience of using a wheelchair and sometimes give misleading advice because of that.
Although the Disney website and MDE app do have access information, it can be misleading if that is all the information you are going by.

I'd suggest the OP check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is located near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature to get there. The first post in that thread is an index which tells what information is in each post.
There is one post about line access and posts 18-21 will be helpful about transfers and accessibility.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry to hear about the reason for your trip. Hope it goes well and you are all able to make some wonderful memories.

I've got a few things to think about.
It sounds like you have experience with him using a scooter 6 years ago. Being experienced will be useful, but be prepared that a wheelchair may be a better option for this trip.
The driver of the scooter must be constantly alert and ready to react at any time to other guests wandering into their path or stopping suddenly. That requires a lot of concentration, which can be as/more tiring then walking.

His ability to be alert and his reaction time will probably be limited by:
- any pain medication he is on
- pain that is not relieved
- general lack of stamina due to his condition
- 'chemo fog' or 'radiation fog' which are slowing of reaction due to changes caused by those medications.

Even though an ECV cuts down on the physical tiredness related to walking, the need to be constantly alert and concentrating can be even more draining. When we took a final trip with my mom (almost 9 months before she died), she found it took a lot more work to keep her attention focused. She did not use an ECV.
There are also attractions that are fully wheelchair accessible, but would require a transfer from sun ECV (you can find out more about those in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature). Every transfer has a 'energy cost', so using a wheelchair may help him to conserve energy for things that are more fun than just moving around.

If he needs a short rest or needs to rest before leaving the park, you can go to First Aid in any park and just let them he needs to lie down for a while. Also keep in mind that just getting to and from your resort also has an energy 'cost'. So, resting up for the trip back to the resort before he leaves the park may be a reality.

Depending on his personality, he may be intent on making sure everyone has a good time and either be not aware of how tired he is or hiding it to avoid putting a damper on everyone else's experience. You may need to be watching for signs of tiredness in him for those reason.
So, plan to be very flexible and that you may get only a few hours in before he is 'done' for the day. Sending you very best wishes for a wonderful trip.

 

[JennyDrake]

Just wanted to say God Bless you and your family.

 

[Chainsaw]

No - Pirates has never had a wheelchair accessible boat (and probably never will because of the drop and because the boarding area is actually in another building from the exit).
The confusion might come from the line being wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. So, guests using ECVs need to transfer to a wheelchair for use in line if they can't walk that far. But, all guests need to transfer to the ride vehicle and always have.
Many of the guidebook writers don't actually have experience of using a wheelchair and sometimes give misleading advice because of that.
Although the Disney website and MDE app do have access information, it can be misleading if that is all the information you are going by.

I'd suggest the OP check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is located near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature to get there. The first post in that thread is an index which tells what information is in each post.
There is one post about line access and posts 18-21 will be helpful about transfers and accessibility.

Hmmm, how is the MDE misleading? The icons are pretty clear to me. Gosh, this place doesn't seem to be the friendly place I thought it was...

 

[wendow]

OP, I hope your family has a wonderful, last trip before your dh goes to be with the Lord. I can't imagine all the emotions you must be feeling. I just pray all is easy and smooth for his last visit and you make some good lasting memories.

 

[lanejudy]

OP - so sorry this will be a bittersweet trip for your family -- may you all make some wonderful memories!

There have been some significant changes in operations within the parks. First is FastPass+ (FP+) where you pre-schedule 3 rides per day. There is a whole subforum with a lot of info on the TPAS board about this, but in summary you plan these either 60 days or 30 days prior to your visit depending on whether you are staying onsite or not. More FP+ are available in-park after the first 3 have been used. Second of note is the former GAC program has changed and WDW is now using the DAS program. There is more information in the first post of the WDW - Disabilities Access Service thread pinned near the top of this forum. This program is for needs that cannot be accommodated by a wheelchair or ECV - so it may not be something for your husband. As SueM suggests, the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a lot of details about accessing rides. Sue keeps this info up-to-date and has a lot of great detail about accessibility. Be aware that with an ECV, there are a few queues where he will need to park the ECV and either walk the queue or transfer to a wheelchair.

I hope you have a wonderful trip full of memories and peace in your hearts at this time.

 

[gap2368]

Hmmm, how is the MDE misleading? The icons are pretty clear to me. Gosh, this place doesn't seem to be the friendly place I thought it was...

MDE say "must transfer to a standard wheel chair then to ride vehicle" You have always had to transfer for this ride. could you have thought about another ride that you did not have to for? this place is very friendly but if someone is wrong then you will be told this ( I wish we all would realize that we all have different exsprinces and just because something happened to one person dose not mean another could have something totally different happen to them)