Charging wheelchairs in the park

[ellataylor]

Hi there,

My electric wheelchair has decided to have battery issues right before our WDW trip. Whereas before it would cover 8/9 miles, yesterday it ran out after just 3ish miles.
Does anyone know if there are any charging points in the parks or restaurants?

Many thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi there,

My electric wheelchair has decided to have battery issues right before our WDW trip. Whereas before it would cover 8/9 miles, yesterday it ran out after just 3ish miles.
Does anyone know if there are any charging points in the parks or restaurants?

Many thanks

In MK, there are some outlets in the Rapunzel restroom area near Small World meant for guests to charge things - you will normally see at least one person charging an ECV or wheelchair there.
At EPCOT, I saw some of the tables along the walls in the restaurant had outlets for people to charge their phones, etc.. If you or someone in your group is a DVC member, the DVC lounge in the second floor of the Imagination building has outlets for charging.
CMs may or may not know where you can charge anything. The places I listed are safe, but in general you don’t want to plug into any outlet you find without asking a CM in that area - some are not active
If nothing else, First Aid or possibly the ECV rental area can help you.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd get a new battery before the trip so you don't spend time sitting in the parks waiting for it to recharge. Or it could be totally dead by then, and you'd need to get a battery down there. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'd get a new battery before the trip so you don't spend time sitting in the parks waiting for it to recharge. Or it could be totally dead by then, and you'd need to get a battery down there. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it.

If you can get it checked out, that would be a good idea.
We haven’t had any problems with my DD’s current power wheelchair, but her previous one started to not hold a charge. We figured it was the battery, but when the tech checked it, it still was holding a full charge. The issue was with another part on the motor that was causing drag

 

[ellataylor]

In MK, there are some outlets in the Rapunzel restroom area near Small World meant for guests to charge things - you will normally see at least one person charging an ECV or wheelchair there.
At EPCOT, I saw some of the tables along the walls in the restaurant had outlets for people to charge their phones, etc.. If you or someone in your group is a DVC member, the DVC lounge in the second floor of the Imagination building has outlets for charging.
CMs may or may not know where you can charge anything. The places I listed are safe, but in general you don’t want to plug into any outlet you find without asking a CM in that area - some are not active
If nothing else, First Aid or possibly the ECV rental area can help you.

Many thanks, this is so helpful!
Was the restaurant in Epcot the new connections Cafe? I did see on a blog that they had USB charging there. I was thinking they may not be keen on people using the USBs if not eating there but I’m not too sure.

I'd get a new battery before the trip so you don't spend time sitting in the parks waiting for it to recharge. Or it could be totally dead by then, and you'd need to get a battery down there. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it.

Unfortunately this has happened with just over a week to go until our trip! I did contact the manufacturer this morning to see if they can send a new battery but I am waiting Customer Services to call back with the timings on that. I’m slightly concerned it won’t arrive on time or like Sue MN says it could be another issue with it! I agree, I really don’t want to be wasting my vacation charging the battery!

 

[SueM in MN]

Many thanks, this is so helpful!
Was the restaurant in Epcot the new connections Cafe? I did see on a blog that they had USB charging there. I was thinking they may not be keen on people using the USBs if not eating there but I’m not too sure.

Unfortunately this has happened with just over a week to go until our trip! I did contact the manufacturer this morning to see if they can send a new battery but I am waiting Customer Services to call back with the timings on that. I’m slightly concerned it won’t arrive on time or like Sue MN says it could be another issue with it! I agree, I really don’t want to be wasting my vacation charging the battery!

Yes. It was the Connection Cafe. One part of it has a Starbuck, so you could order a drink there and nurse it along for a while.

Also forgot the mention - the CMs at Guest Relations or the blue Guest Experience umbrellas would also probably be good sources of information

Good luck!

 

[ellataylor]

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Groot]

There are a lot of places to plug in at the food court by Soarin’. I at least see 2-3 people charging their powerchairs/scooters there at any given time.

 

[Debbie Jean]

There are a lot of places to plug in at the food court by Soarin’. I at least see 2-3 people charging their powerchairs/scooters there at any given time.

Actually, as you enter the Land building, straight ahead, there are almost always scooters parked "on the balcony" area overlooking the first floor. The columns to the right and left both have plugs. The only problem you might find is that these are frequently in use by other people with scooters. The other place to check, in general, is by any bathroom... not a "for sure" but it can work in any park. I've also asked CM's when I check in for a dining reservation whether there is a place to charge. Again, no guarantees, but I have found them to be accommodating if they are able.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so I hope you are able to get the problem with your battery straightened out before your trip... that's drama you definitely don't need!

 

[ellataylor]

I‘ve just heard today that they can’t schedule a repair until June 28th, our trip in on June the 11th! I am pretty upset and annoyed that they can leave a wheelchair user with this issue for a month!

Thank you all so much for your advice with locations. It looks as though I will definitely be needing them!

 

[SueM in MN]

I‘ve just heard today that they can’t schedule a repair until June 28th, our trip in on June the 11th! I am pretty upset and annoyed that they can leave a wheelchair user with this issue for a month!

Thank you all so much for your advice with locations. It looks as though I will definitely be needing them!

Good luck. Hope it’s just the battery.

One other thing I thought about - on the off chance that it’s the charger or cord, could the repair people maybe loan you one to try?

 

[ellataylor]

Oh yes,I hadn’t thought of that! I’ll give them a ring in the morning and see if they could send me a spare charger to try!
Thanks again, you have been such a help.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Oh yes,I hadn’t thought of that! I’ll give them a ring in the morning and see if they could send me a spare charger to try!
Thanks again, you have been such a help.

granted not for a chair but any time a device doesnt seem to charge right I always check charging cord first. hope that works for you

 

[Disneyfan754321]

This happened to us last month. I was able to find them all over the place. In galaxy's edge I borrowed a wheel chair from ROTR and left the power chair at docking bay. CMs were so helpful. We bought batteries on Amazon when we got back.

 

[DisneyOma]

This happened to us last month. I was able to find them all over the place. In galaxy's edge I borrowed a wheel chair from ROTR and left the power chair at docking bay. CMs were so helpful. We bought batteries on Amazon when we got back.

Could also get them delivered to your resort

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Could also get them delivered to your resort

Love this idea. The 2 batteries cost me $130, I almost spent that to rent a chair, but we decided to push forward and charge the chair at lunch.
Magic kingdom was our challenge because ttc to MK is FAR

 

[Debbie Jean]

Love this idea. The 2 batteries cost me $130, I almost spent that to rent a chair, but we decided to push forward and charge the chair at lunch.
Magic kingdom was our challenge because ttc to MK is FAR

Just for future reference if you would need it, there is a ladies room by The Plaza Restaurant that has a plug so the scooter is out if the way.