Any tips for first trip with power chair?

[Mary976]

DD (19) will be using her power chair for our next trip in January. She has been using a manual chair forever, but the power chair is new. I was hoping some Dis-ers might be able to share tips on navigating WDW with a power chair.

I assume we can take both her manual and power chairs on the plane, yes?

Also, for rides she can transfer with little problem, but it makes her tired to do it for the whole day so we skip rides if she doesn't think the transfer is "worth it." In MK, we skip Pirates, and then a lot of Fantasyland, for example.

Thanks in advance everyone's help!
Mary

 

[maroo]

There is not a lot of difference procedure-wise between a regular wheelchair and a power chair...as far as Disney is concerned. Most places that a manual chair is allowed a power chair is also allowed.

There are rules about places where ECV's can't go - certain rides where someone must transfer to a "wheelchair" - but if you are using a power chair, then you can use it in the lines just like you would a regular manual chair.

The only advice I have is to turn the power down to a lower speed if you have to leave it for a cast member to move it...For example, if you guys were going to ride Tower of Terror, you can take the wheelchair in, but they will move it for you - so you may want to turn the speed down so they don't run your chair into something.

The only other issue I had was Finding Nemo, the Musical - they wanted to put the power chair outside (I could transfer) and I had to say no to that...it was going to rain and I didn't have anything to put over it to protect it at the time.

Oh...and bring a plastic bag of some kind to cover your joystick in case of rain or even to use on an attraction or show where you might get splashed.

I was shocked with how many rides Lauren could ride right in her wheelchair. Disney is really amazing about that stuff.

Also...if you have additional needs that are not evident by just the wheelchair, then make sure to stop by guest services so that they can issue an appropriate GAC card, if needed.

 

[KPeveler]

I did not let CMs move my wheelchair - I would get in the car first with the help from my wife, and then she would move the wheelchair for me and then she would get in. It actually worked out fine. My new powerchair costs over $16000, so I did NOT want an inexperienced CM moving it and damaging something.

Be sure to ask about transfer cars - there are a lot that the side flips up and makes it MUCH easier to transfer.

 

[dclfun]

I've always let a CM move my chair in the past as I didn't trust my kids to move it! I've never had a problem but I did show them how to maneuver it- they don't move it very far in most cases. In general power chairs are quite expensive ( the new one I got this past May was 30K!) and truthfully I've had much more trouble with the airlines than the CM's at WDW. ---Kathy

 

[KPeveler]

Most CMs did not want to even try to move my chair, since my wife was able to do so. I found it easier to stay in it as much as possible and I trusted my wife to move it for me when I got out of it. But it all depends on what you are comfortable with! My powerchair is very sensitive, left handed, and on a short arm, so the CMs just looked baffled.

 

[maroo]

I did not let CMs move my wheelchair - I would get in the car first with the help from my wife, and then she would move the wheelchair for me and then she would get in. It actually worked out fine. My new powerchair costs over $16000, so I did NOT want an inexperienced CM moving it and damaging something.

Be sure to ask about transfer cars - there are a lot that the side flips up and makes it MUCH easier to transfer.

That works well if you have someone with you...But I am trying to figure out how that would work with Tower of Terror or Space Mountain? I guess most people riding those would not be in power chairs - but I am just curious how that would work to have someone else drive it.

Mine was a rental and pretty easy to drive (relatively)...and no major bells and whistles...

We also let them drive Lauren's around the Pirates ride (they don't usually do it, but let her do it since it was a wish trip) and they did fine moving it...we just turned the speed down. Lauren's chair is over 30K, too.

I've always let a CM move my chair in the past as I didn't trust my kids to move it! I've never had a problem but I did show them how to maneuver it- they don't move it very far in most cases. In general power chairs are quite expensive ( the new one I got this past May was 30K!) and truthfully I've had much more trouble with the airlines than the CM's at WDW. ---Kathy

Yes...this is true. We won't let Lauren's chair go on a plane.

 

[Mary976]

There are rules about places where ECV's can't go - certain rides where someone must transfer to a "wheelchair" - but if you are using a power chair, then you can use it in the lines just like you would a regular manual chair.

That's good to know. I saw the line about "guests in motorized vehicles must transfer to a regular wheelchair" on the WDW stuff, so it's nice to hear that's mainly for ECVs.

I've always let a CM move my chair in the past as I didn't trust my kids to move it! I've never had a problem but I did show them how to maneuver it- they don't move it very far in most cases. In general power chairs are quite expensive ( the new one I got this past May was 30K!) and truthfully I've had much more trouble with the airlines than the CM's at WDW. ---Kathy

I figure it might be easier for CMs to move if she puts it in "freewheel" mode.

No kidding with the airlines! We had a couple problems traveling with DD's old manual chair, but the last few times there hasn't been any damage. DD's manual chair was several thousand dollars, but I almost passed out when I heard the price tag of the power chair. Insurance is paying most of it, but I still really want to keep it in good condition. When DD heard how much it was, she decided that instead of getting a new chair, we should go to WDW and stay at AKL, and then buy a new car!

Mine was a rental and pretty easy to drive (relatively)...and no major bells and whistles...

I'm pondering just getting her a rental. She doesn't have nearly as many positioning needs now as when she was younger. She does have a special cushion, but she might be okay without that for just a week. The real issue is that she's like the Goldilocks of chairs...whenever we've had to get a loaner chair she ALWAYS complains about SOMETHING not being right, so I'm sure it will be the same way if she has a rental power chair.

Thanks for all the tips!
Mary

 

[Andrew Bichard]

That's good to know. I saw the line about "guests in motorized vehicles must transfer to a regular wheelchair" on the WDW stuff, so it's nice to hear that's mainly for ECVs.


Not necessarily true!!!

Two trips back, I had an argument with a CM at the entrance to Tower of Terror garden where the line forms for the ride. Now I cannot transfer out of my powerchair so there was no possibility of going on the ride itself, but I wanted to enjoy the landscape and themeing of the line.

'You must transfer th a manual chair to enter' 'why' 'an ECV cannot negotiate the turns'. 'this is a powerchair, not an ECV - I can turn in my own length' 'sorry - rules are rules - complain at guest relations'

Guest relations wouldn't budge & gave me the address to complain to. I emailed after getting home and was told it was down to 'fire regulations' (which was not the reason given previously). I can only surmise that if there was a fire, sprinklers would activate with the remote possibility my motors could short out. Notwithstanding the fact that they have survived many a 'Florida rainstorm' and the fact I have a freewheel setting so I cand be pushed in an emergency.

Andrew