dumb questions . . .

[moscow]

I have been lurking on these boards for months while I prepare for our upcoming trip and finally decided to post. I apologize if these questions have been asked and answered a hundred times already -- but I can't seem to find the information I am looking for.

We are going to WDW next week to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday and taking my dad with us. He has mobility issues and we have rented an ECV for him to use during our stay. I have two questions. We are staying at the Port Orleans FQ and will be using the Disney buses to get around the parks. Are all of the buses equipped for wheelchairs/ECVs?

Second, I recall reading a list of descriptions of the accessability of rides at the MK. I can't seem to find that list. My question relates to one specific ride -- the POTC. My dad (and older brother who is coming along as well) want to go on that ride -- and I need to know if it is handicapped accessible. My dad can walk some -- not too much, though -- and has great difficulty stepping up and down (severe knee problems). Do they have wheelchair accessible boats like they to at Small World? If not, how far down is it to step into the boat?

As you can probably tell, we are complete novices -- but are hoping to have a wonderful time in Disney. As a side note, since we are going to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday, so many of our activities are geared toward a 5 year old (read that to mean -- we're not interested in SM, BTMRR, or any of the other rides of that ilk -- but are interested in Dumbo, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh). Truthfully, this whole trip is about her (and grandpa) -- so any time she and my dad can go on rides together, I want to make it happen!

Thanks in advance for all the help and sorry if the questions are repetitive!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have two questions. We are staying at the Port Orleans FQ and will be using the Disney buses to get around the parks. Are all of the buses equipped for wheelchairs/ECVs?

Pretty much 100%
There is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board about exactly how the buses work.
He should practice driving forward, backward, turning both directions while going forward and backward if he is not already an experienced user.
The driver can't drive it on for him, but will help with directing him

Second, I recall reading a list of descriptions of the accessability of rides at the MK. I can't seem to find that list.

There is a link to the WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Here's a direct link to the MK Guidebook.
Here's a list of the accessibility for each MK attraction:

Guests may enter and enjoy these attractions in a wheelchair or ECV:
Ariel's Grotto
Castle Forecourt Stage: "Dream Along with Mickey"
Country Bear Jamboree
Donald's Boat
Fairytale Garden
Frontierland® Shooting Arcade
Galaxy Palace Theater (seasonal)
Judge's Tent
Jungle Cruise
Liberty Square Riverboat
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Mickey's Country House
Minnie's Country House
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Shrunken Ned's Jungle Boats
Toontown Hall of Fame
"The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management"
The Hall of Presidents
Tomorrowland Arcade
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (seasonal)

Guests in motorized vehicles, ECVs, must transfer into an available wheelchair at these attractions:
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
"it's a small world"
Stitch's Great Escape!™
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts
Walt Disney World Railroad

Attractions requiring Guests to transfer from their wheelchair to board the attraction include:
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Main Street Vehicles
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Space Mountain®
Splash Mountain®
Swiss Family Treehouse - Guest must be ambulatory
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
The Haunted Mansion
Tomorrowland® Indy Speedway

My question relates to one specific ride -- the POTC. My dad (and older brother who is coming along as well) want to go on that ride -- and I need to know if it is handicapped accessible. My dad can walk some -- not too much, though -- and has great difficulty stepping up and down (severe knee problems). Do they have wheelchair accessible boats like they to at Small World? If not, how far down is it to step into the boat?

It is not wheelchair accessible.

Here's a link to a recent thread about Boarding for Pirates. The thread has a good picture of the boat and a description of boarding.
The Step down is similar to the step down on the regular Small World boat.
It is not possible to have a wheelchair boat like Small World has because the entry and the exit are actually in 2 separate buildings and the exit is one floor below the entrance.

Hope you have a great time.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the little one

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

You might want to start by looking through the disABILITIES FAQ. If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

All of the Disney buses are equipped with lift or ramps and can accept two ECVs or unfolded wheelchairs. Note there may be specially marked boarding areas for wheelchairs and ECVs; use them, you are not cutting the line as they have to load people with wheelchairs or ECVs first (but you will be last off).

For Pirates he will have to park his ECV and switch to a loaner wheelchair; so not attempt to walk; it is very long inside. Since it is not a "continuous load" ride don't worry about taking extra time to board/debark. Just realize that even if he asks, a CM is not allowed to touch him for assistance (but the CM may hold a wheelchair steady and then take it away.)

 

[moscow]

Sue. I knew I had read that information, I just couldn't find it! This is actually my dad's first time with an ECV, so we will practice before trying to load up on a bus.

It has been a difficult choice for him to actually rent the ECV and this will be a new experience for him. He has limited mobility -- he can get around the house and do grocery shopping and such unaided. He can walk for about 30-45 minutes -- but after that, his mobility is pretty much shot. (He had knee replacement surgery a couple of years ago, but honestly, the walking difficulties are still just as bad as they were before the surgery -- probably because he waited too long before having the surgery and the level of permanent damage done to the knees was too great.)

Since WDW is so large -- an ECV is the only way he would be able to go with us; and we (my daughter and husband included) all really, really wanted him on this trip. So, he and I spent hour upon hour talking about it before he finally came to the conclusion that an ECV was the best route for him. It was a difficult decision, but I am sure one that will result in some incredible memories for him and his grand-daughter!

I do want to thank everyone on this forum -- you have helped me immensely in planning for our trip. This has been the most helpful forum by far!

 

[wdwmickey]

Just to add--the step into the boat is quite steep but doable if you are prepared. Just tell your dad to take his time. Have a great trip

 

[SueM in MN]

I'd suggest doing Small World first.
For Small World, he could use the wheelchair accessible boat and when you step in, you can see what the step over the side is like. The step into and out of the boat for Pirates is quite similar.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

It is not possible to have a wheelchair boat like Small World has because the entry and the exit are actually in 2 separate buildings and the exit is one floor below the entrance.

Also, I wouldn't fancy doing the drop in my chair, unless it was firmly fastened down! Though I suppose it would add the the thrill element of the ride!

 

[mechurchlady]

Also, I wouldn't fancy doing the drop in my chair, unless it was firmly fastened down! Though I suppose it would add the the thrill element of the ride!

You are braver than me, lol.

 

[dclfun]

Perhaps after using the ECV on this trip your Dad may decide to get one once he's home. I think having the ability to get around comfortably will not only make the trip doable, but will be an eye-opening experience as to the fact that one can live a good life without walking. So many people resist using a mobility device. I know my Mom resisted even having a knee replacement ( she would "just manage the best she could" ) but after she had it she wished she had done it years before. Here's to a great trip with your birthday princess and Grandpa. Time to make some memories!---Kathy