ECV at Rafiki's Planet Watch?

[Figment's Friend]

Rafiki's Planet Watch is one area of Animal Kingdom we've never explored and would like to! My mother uses an ECV while in the parks, though she can walk short distances and many of the ride queues. Is it possible for her to board the train with the ECV, or would she have to transfer into a wheelchair? Is this a large land or relatively small? Thank you!

 

[cmwade77]

She can indeed take it with her, as I recall DW was given the choice of remaining in her seat or transferring. ECVs and Wheelchairs are loaded first, as there are only so many spaces for them.

 

[Figment's Friend]

She can indeed take it with her, as I recall DW was given the choice of remaining in her seat or transferring. ECVs and Wheelchairs are loaded first, as there are only so many spaces for them.

Thank you so much for the info! I'm glad for the news

 

[mechurchlady]

The only thing not ECV accessible is the animal petting zoo. I used an ECV there twice and once walked. The train is pretty easy to back into and you are allowed to load first. The trails are not too hard on an ECV but some people with severe problems may have problems with the bumpyness of some trails in Animal Kingdom. The only place she might find hard to use an ECV is the booth where you set in the dark and hear all sorts of jungle sounds like bugs, cannnot find them bugs and loved it enough to do at least twice. If she has trouble then she could roll in and then get out and plop in a seat. You could back out the ECV then enter and set with her. I waddled into that show so not sure about ECV fitting well there.

The staff are wonderful and they came up to me with critters. Also it is air conditioned and indoors. The only hot areas would be the trail and petting zoo but rarely the train ride.

 

[kimsuenew]

The only thing not ECV accessible is the animal petting zoo. I used an ECV there twice and once walked. The train is pretty easy to back into and you are allowed to load first. The trails are not too hard on an ECV but some people with severe problems may have problems with the bumpyness of some trails in Animal Kingdom. The only place she might find hard to use an ECV is the booth where you set in the dark and hear all sorts of jungle sounds like bugs, cannnot find them bugs and loved it enough to do at least twice. If she has trouble then she could roll in and then get out and plop in a seat. You could back out the ECV then enter and set with her. I waddled into that show so not sure about ECV fitting well there.

The staff are wonderful and they came up to me with critters. Also it is air conditioned and indoors. The only hot areas would be the trail and petting zoo but rarely the train ride.

Thank you for this info! We missed a lot of AK last year... because it was our first time, the parks hours are short, and I was hesitant to try veering to far "off the beaten path" with my ECV! I am going to add your "pointers" to my list for AK!

 

[SueM in MN]

The CMs at the train station will direct you where to wait.
Here is a picture of the wheelchair/ECV area for the train. This is not the only spot, it appeared to me that there are about 5 wheelchair/ECV spots per train.

This is a little closer view. You need to back the ECV into the space, as there is not room to pull in and turn around. The space is level and fairly wide though.

This is part of the path that goes from the station to the Conservation Station.

This is a picture of the door to one of the sound booths that mechurchlady mentioned.

And a picture of the inside (sorry, it's kind of dark in there):

This is a picture of the petting zoo. ECVs are not allowed in, but you can transfer to a wheelchair at the entrance (they have some there for transfer).

 

[Figment's Friend]

The only thing not ECV accessible is the animal petting zoo. I used an ECV there twice and once walked. The train is pretty easy to back into and you are allowed to load first. The trails are not too hard on an ECV but some people with severe problems may have problems with the bumpyness of some trails in Animal Kingdom. The only place she might find hard to use an ECV is the booth where you set in the dark and hear all sorts of jungle sounds like bugs, cannnot find them bugs and loved it enough to do at least twice. If she has trouble then she could roll in and then get out and plop in a seat. You could back out the ECV then enter and set with her. I waddled into that show so not sure about ECV fitting well there.

The staff are wonderful and they came up to me with critters. Also it is air conditioned and indoors. The only hot areas would be the trail and petting zoo but rarely the train ride.

Thanks for all this great info, this really helps with our time there!

The CMs at the train station will direct you where to wait.
Here is a picture of the wheelchair/ECV area for the train. This is not the only spot, it appeared to me that there are about 5 wheelchair/ECV spots per train.

This is a little closer view. You need to back the ECV into the space, as there is not room to pull in and turn around. The space is level and fairly wide though.

This is part of the path that goes from the station to the Conservation Station.

This is a picture of the door to one of the sound booths that mechurchlady mentioned.

And a picture of the inside (sorry, it's kind of dark in there):

This is a picture of the petting zoo. ECVs are not allowed in, but you can transfer to a wheelchair at the entrance (they have some there for transfer).

Thank you for the pictures, SueM! My DM was very happy about this and getting a closer look makes it easier, thank you!