Are there hills at the theme parks at WDW or is it pretty flat?

[Arielsfanmom]

Pushing a stroller or wheelchair around Disney is mainly flat or gradual inclines that I can remember. Islands of Adventure at Universal was a task I never care to repeat

 

[amylevan]

We have insane hills at our zoo, so it seems VERY flat compared to that.

I have never pushed a stroller or wheelchair in wdw though.

Any chance you're talking about the Pittsburgh zoo? Good gracious, those hills!

And Dorney park is a bear.

In comparison, WDW is flat - and I have pushed a double stroller all over it. But again, in comparison to other places where I push that beast, it's nothing.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

WDW is definitely NOT flat.

 

[Jess30]

Not Pittsburgh. Omaha. You wouldn't think that would be a hilly zoo, but it IS!

Any chance you're talking about the Pittsburgh zoo? Good gracious, those hills!

And Dorney park is a bear.

In comparison, WDW is flat - and I have pushed a double stroller all over it. But again, in comparison to other places where I push that beast, it's nothing.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've pushed many a wheelchair through WDW. Although there are several inclines and declines none are really extreme uphill type of hills. Just inclines. The only exception is the ramps up and down the Monorail stations. Those can be avoided by not taking the monorail, but, that would be more inconvenient then just pushing the thing up the hill. None of it is all that difficult.

 

[larryz]

surprisingly hilly

...but in a "man-made hills on generally flat land" sort of way...

 

[Egdisney]

Not Pittsburgh. Omaha. You wouldn't think that would be a hilly zoo, but it IS!

I was going to guess Omaha. My husband wouldn't go with me more than once a year bc he whined about the hills the whole time. And I was always the one pushing the stroller.

 

[Jess30]

I was going to guess Omaha. My husband wouldn't go with me more than once a year bc he whined about the hills the whole time. And I was always the one pushing the stroller.

And somehow I always pick the most humid, hot weekends to do the zoo and all of its hills.

 

[MillauFr]

Compared to where I live the entire state of Florida is FLAT!. I thought I could see the ocean from the top of Expedition Everest.

 

[disnut8]

AS for Disney World, yes, if you are pushing a wheelchair for the entire time, you will get sore arms. I'm 5' nothing and pushed my heavier husband for a while and it can be tiresome. But, pushing a stroller compared to a wheelchair (pushed my then five year old granddaughter) doesn't compare. Is Disney World totally flat? No, but the real world isn't either. If you can push your child in a stroller at home, there's no reason to think you can't do it at Disney World. Unless you pack a huge backpack filled with everything you might need in a day

 

[disnut8]

Not Pittsburgh. Omaha. You wouldn't think that would be a hilly zoo, but it IS!

But it's one of the best zoos in the country. And it "kicked out" the College World Series so it could have a bigger parking lot.

 

[txdisneymama]

Strange question I know, but are there any hills at the theme parks at WDW (other than the ones on the rides...)?
I'm developing touring plans and am wondering if I need to consider the burden of pushing a stroller up and down big hills on route between rides. It might factor into my desire to criss cross the park or not.
I just know how annoying it is pushing it up and down hills at some other places we have visited...

Thanks!

It probably seems flat to most until you are pushing a huge double stroller in the heat. Then you totally notice the hills! However, I wouldn't let it influence your plans. The hills may be annoying if pushing a lot of weight, but they are mild.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yeah, I thought AK was pretty flat until I ran my first 5K through there!!!! There is an incline just past EE that really surprised me!!!! Never noticed it when walking around the park...but at that point in the race, I truly didn't need any incline!!!!! AK is the hilliest of the parks.

 

[Burgermom]

We have insane hills at our zoo, so it seems VERY flat compared to that.

I have never pushed a stroller or wheelchair in wdw though.

Same with our zoo...that's why I was worried...

 

[Burgermom]

If you think it's flat, you've never pushed a wheelchair through the parks... nothing is horrible though, I wouldn't worry about it in planning as your not going to avoid them.

For those that really care though:

FLAT:
"Parade routes" are usually completely flat if you need a break from the gradients, they are listed in the maps.

AK:
- the most with hills, mainly the long paths going between major sections of the parks.
- the queue to kali river rapids has hills on the winding path getting to the ride.
- tough to be a bug I think has a gradual ramp up to get out of the theater. it's winding and not much of a hill but not flat.

MK:
- The entrance into the park and heading to/from bus or monorail has a pretty good hill in both directions (you go down and back up both ways). From the boat its only a hill up into MK. The walkway from contemporary is the same as the bus.
- The back corner near splash mountain. (stay near the river for flat, but the exit of splash/train station/restrooms will be a hill up you can't avoid)
- The entrance into BTMR and Splash is a winding hill up 1 story.
- The path heading from pirates towards and passing pecos bill is uphill (in that direction).
- inside space mountain but there is also a people mover that you just have to stand on.
- exiting jungle cruise has a ramp heading up.
- swiss family treehouse is a treehouse, you have to go up and down in the attraction into the trees.
- The path between barnstormers and space mountain is minor but not flat.
- the walkway from haunted mansion heading past peter pan is not bad but you do go uphill a little heading this direction.
- The back corner near the big top shopping (by the childrens cooling off section). there is some steps and a round about ramp. The up direction is leaving the corner heading elsewhere in fantasy land (towards dumbo)
- the ramps into the castle are a 1 story wheelchair ramp
- if your going into the castle, entering from the back is no additional hills.
- the paths on both side of the castle are also a 1 story climb, up direction is central hub towards back of castle.

Epcot:
- the land entrance is second floor and it's a 1 story wheelchair friendly long ramp to get up to the entrance..
- World showcase between uk and france when walking that direction has a bridge with a hill up towards to.
- The monorail is 1 story up, there is a ramp to get into it if traveling by monorail.
- The resort walkway leading up to and after the international gateway entrance.
- inside mexico has some ramps
- the dining in japan is all second story with ramps up
- inside american pavilion can be interesting but there is elevators and a friendly way to get in/out of the theater, just ask someone where to go and they will assist if really needed

Hollywood studios:
- doesn't really have much that really stands out but there is some changes in the areas surrounding the great movie ride. You'll find wheelchair ramps in areas that also have steps for people just walking or a more roundabout way for a less impacting way to go.
- inside star tours is a little up and down, however if disability related, they take wheelchairs and adult strollers a different way that is a straight walk in.

TTC:
- Monorail switch epcot<>MK/resort loop: you have to go down and back up to switch between the 2 monorail tracks.
- If your driving in and taking the monorail it's just 1 ramp up to them.
- there is a slight hill when exiting the boat and heading towards your car/shuttle

resorts:
- you'll run into some at every resort depending on where your going, not as bad as the gradients in the parks. Generally they are the pathways near lakes and to/from bus stop.
- Wilderness lodge has a more noticeable incline heading down from the lobby.
- Animal Kingdom Villas near the main pool/entertainment area has a lot. Wheelchair friendly but they are there.


The first time I pushed a wheelchair though I found it annoying with all the little gradient changes. I felt it in my arms that week. Stroller wasn't too bad but my daughter was very light, different situations might be more challenging.

amazing overview! thanks!

 

[buccikulju]

Just want to add: There's a steepish hill heading up to Tower of Terror. And inclines from the parking lots are pretty common too I think.

 

[kj2mom]

Any chance you're talking about the Pittsburgh zoo? Good gracious, those hills!

And Dorney park is a bear.

In comparison, WDW is flat - and I have pushed a double stroller all over it. But again, in comparison to other places where I push that beast, it's nothing.

We went to Disney World in July. Beginning April 1 we started our training walks so we would hopefully be prepared for the week of walking. We always go to Dorney Memorial Day weekend so we figured that would be a good test to see how we were doing (we were testing shoes specifically). Gosh the hills really were intimidating (not sure why I didn't remember them from the years prior but I guess I wasn't really paying attention where as this year I was because of our upcoming trip). I left Dorney a little fearful trying to remember hills in Florida. Thankfully we were fine but we were not pushing anything or running a race.

 

[Crystal824]

Any chance you're talking about the Pittsburgh zoo? Good gracious, those hills!

And Dorney park is a bear.

In comparison, WDW is flat - and I have pushed a double stroller all over it. But again, in comparison to other places where I push that beast, it's nothing.

Pittsburgh zoo is so hilly. WDW is very flat compared to that There are some gradual inclines at WDW. It seems mostly flat though especially compared to the Pittsburgh zoo.

 

[Burgermom]

Any chance you're talking about the Pittsburgh zoo? Good gracious, those hills!

And Dorney park is a bear.

In comparison, WDW is flat - and I have pushed a double stroller all over it. But again, in comparison to other places where I push that beast, it's nothing.

Was actually referring to the Toronto Zoo. Flat in places but some pretty big hills in places

 

[Quellman]

If you think it's flat, you've never pushed a wheelchair through the parks... nothing is horrible though, I wouldn't worry about it in planning as your not going to avoid them.

The first time I pushed a wheelchair though I found it annoying with all the little gradient changes. I felt it in my arms that week. Stroller wasn't too bad but my daughter was very light, different situations might be more challenging.

I agree with your assessments, primarily that most of the gradients are barely noticeable, but by the end of the week you'll wonder what has happened. We normally never have issue with a single stroller for an under 3 (if he ever sits in it!), but wheel chairs, those are no fun!