Disney in a wheelchair - worth it?

[kristennn]

So I've been reading a bit and I'll read more but I just wanted to get some quick info.

I've talked to my MIL a few times about how great Disney is - and I think they'd be interested in going with us sometime - but i guess i just want to be sure I am encouraging something that really would be fun for her.

She is in a power wheelchair - she can kind of transfer but not quickly- not easily and not to a bench. She had polio as a child and one leg was left weak from that - and then 10 years ago she had a stroke and lost movement on one side - her "good" side. At her house she transfers from her wheelchair to a leather chair to sit - and she transfers from her chair into the car - and into bed at night but always with help. She can't walk up or down steps or anything.

She does like rides and wouldn't be going just for the atmosphere. She misses being able to go on roller coasters etc.

So my question really is .... Will she be able to go on a decent amount of rides - enough to make it worth her time? They're used to having their equipped car with them - are the buses really user friendly - or would they be waiting a lot? What about disney transport to the hotel - assuming we would stay on sight and assuming we would travel during an off peak time.

 

[MademoiselleKel]

Disney is extremely accommodating to those in wheelchairs. They are the first to get on all the rides and the first to get on the buses along with their family members that come with them. I think she would have a great time without much hassle

 

[dclfun]

Disney is extremely accommodating to those in wheelchairs. They are the first to get on all the rides and the first to get on the buses along with their family members that come with them. I think she would have a great time without much hassle

No, guests in wheelchairs are NOT the first to get on all the rides. We wait in line with everyone else and at times when there are alternate entrances, we often wait longer. That said, she can definitely have a good time but there may be attractions she cannot ride.---Kathy

 

[kristennn]

I am sure there would be some things she couldn't ride - I just want to make sure there would be enough things she *could* ride to make it worth it for her.
I also hate the idea of waiting forever to wait for a equipped bus - We would absolutely go during a less busy time though.
I am familiar with the alternate wheelchair entrances because while I haven't been there with someone in a wheelchair in the past - we did go in 2007 with make a wish (for my daughter) so we used those entrances. I know it's not the same though and that they have more special accommodations for MAW kids than they do for guests in wheelchairs. Thinking back it makes me wonder if maybe we should bring her to Universal Studios's - because they were super accommodating to us and I remember more elevators and things.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Disney is by far the best amusement park type place I've been to as a wheelchair user. I haven't been to Universal, but the reports on this board suggest to me that it's not nearly as good when it comes to most wheelchair users (MAW may be different).

I think there's a list in the Disability FAQ (one of the stickies at the top of this board) about which rides require transfers and which don't. If not, someone will come by with a complete one, I'm sure. All of the coasters require transfer (which I'm sure is for safety reasons), however quite a few of the non-coaster rides can carry a wheelchair without transfer.

 

[disney david]

I am sure there would be some things she couldn't ride - I just want to make sure there would be enough things she *could* ride to make it worth it for her.
I also hate the idea of waiting forever to wait for a equipped bus - We would absolutely go during a less busy time though.
I am familiar with the alternate wheelchair entrances because while I haven't been there with someone in a wheelchair in the past - we did go in 2007 with make a wish (for my daughter) so we used those entrances. I know it's not the same though and that they have more special accommodations for MAW kids than they do for guests in wheelchairs. Thinking back it makes me wonder if maybe we should bring her to Universal Studios's - because they were super accommodating to us and I remember more elevators and things.

all disney buses are equiped to take wheel chairs all take 2 some take 3 and their afew that take 4. Their new buses which you will see the most of which are low floor buse that have a ramp that the driver will lower and help you on. The older buse have a lift that come down at the back door. If their already guest on the bus in wheel chairs the driver will call dispatch and they send another bus to pick you up so you dont have to wait long.


You will not have to wait awhile for a equiped bus they are all equiped to handle it. They have to by ada standards just wait at the back of the bus or if their signs saying enter the que then do that they changed policy bt not at all stops yet. Dont worry about the buses the drivers are trained to handle everything and they will be more then happy to help if needed.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Your MIL will love Disney, and her wheelchair will not be a problem at all.

Disney takes care to allow enough time to board rides when needed. All CMs are kind and caring - realizing that we have issues in moving around. I have never been rushed, nor have I ever been made to feel that I am a "problem".

Enjoy your vacation - with you MIL. She will have a great time.

 

[Mary976]

The nice thing about Disney is it so themed and there are lots of fun shows and exhibits. There are probably lots of things she'd enjoy. One tip...I'd go through all the rides and attractions in advance and see which ones she can stay in her chair for. For rides requiring transfers, she'll want to prioritize which ones she wants to go on. My DD transfers fairly easily and she was exhausted by the end of the day. Now we skip the "kiddie" rides that she doesn't really care about (Snow White, Dumbo, etc) because she doesn't want to wear herself out..

Also, it is possible to rent a wheelchair van while you're down there, although the cost is higher than with a regular rental car. There are companies listed in the FAQ at the top of this board.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[maroo]

The quote from Lauren should pretty much sum this up...

Lauren was 15 at the time...power wheelchair, can't transfer...

And she said,

"I actually feel NORMAL at Disney!"

She could ride rides...in her chair. She was amazed and we were, too. Disney is AMAZING with power wheelchairs.

She won't be doing Space Mountain...but you will be surprised what she can do.

Make sure to go to Guest Services and see if she would qualify for a GAC when you first get to the parks.

 

[mdvlprof]

Worth it - YES!!! DS is in a wheelchair, locked-in syndrome. He was smiling and chuckling much of the time.

Do get GAC card. A handful of CM's at rides are uncooperative without GAC card [even with the wheelchair which should be a giveaway that special help might be needed.]

 

[starshine514]

Make sure to go to Guest Services and see if she would qualify for a GAC when you first get to the parks.

Definitely get a GAC. My husband has MS, so he had a scooter, but can do a small amount of walking. We wanted to ride the train one afternoon at the MK, we talked to a cast member who told us where to park the scooter and then walk up to wait for the train. When the next CM arrived, she was very rude to us b/c my husband wasn't on his scooter and didn't have a GAC (which we hadn't even heard of then - nobody else had asked for it). I think we were the only ones waiting to board the train, too. This was our only bad experience, everybody else was super nice. Next time, we'll get a GAC, though.

 

[SueM in MN]

Only time for a quick answer -
There is more information that will be helpful to you in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board (or you can follow the link in my signature to get there).

Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) - which are not meant to shorten or eliminate wait, but to provide the assistance needed by guests with disabilities. Most guests with wheelchairs or ECVs don’t need a GAC; they are more meant for things that are in addition to needing an accessible line/way in. If you find a CM who is uncooperative, first check that you are actually trying to go into the correct entrance (see the special disability park map available for each park), then ask to speak to a supervisor.

Post 11 of that thread has information about basic accessibility (such as which attractions require a transfer). It also includes the ‘Mobility Entrances’ (handicapped entrance) for attractions at WDW. As dclfun mentioned, in most cases, the handicapped entrance is the same as the regular entrance.

On page 2 of that thread, posts 18,19, 20 and 21 have more detail about the parks, including which attractions require a transfer and are a difficult transfer. Those threads also have more information about which attractions have a wheelchair accessible ride car. Some of those cars are not ECV accessible, but are power wheelchair accessible, as well as being manual wheelchair accessible.

On post 3 of that thread, there are some links to past threads, including links to trip reports from guests using power wheelchairs.