ECV/lines/rides?

[aries_mama]

what does it mean on the WDW mobility info page re: transferring from an ECV to an available wheelchair for certain rides?
my MIL will be using an ECV during our trip (rented thru Randy's). she generally doesn't use one, but needs it for the extensive amount of walking at disney.
for example, how does the small world ride work? and what is the difference in the mainstream queue and the handicapped queue? will we need fastpass in either queue?
thanks for the help!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIRES!

There are a few locations, Pirates and Space come to mind, where for various reasons (usually location of load and unload areas) a person has to transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair which is limited to the attraction. They would aprk the ECV at a location where they pick up the wheelchair, and then get back to the ECV using a wheelchair (which may not be the same one they used into the attraction).

Most of the queues are mainstreamed. Some, such as Small World, Haunted Mansion, Toy Story Mania and Splash, you will just stay in the main queue to a certain point (which is well indicated) and then go off to a special line.

If an attraction is not mainstreamed, or there is a special pull-off area, there will normally be sufficient signage as well as a CM to show where to go.

I know that several of the rides both the fastpass and standby queues are both mainstreamed and you can take the ECV all the way to boarding.

In other words, they make it easy.

 

[diberry]

I'm also a new ECV user and have been wondering about lines. I can walk short distances. Would it be ok for me to use the ECV to get around the parks and then just leave it while I join the regular line to go on a ride with DH? Is it ok to leave it outside with the strollers etc? I'm ashamed to say I've never paid any attention to that sort of thing on our previous trips as I was never in that situation before. Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Unless you are really sure the line is short I would suggest staying with the ECV. A lot of the attractions the line continues inside and you really have no idea of how long it is.

 

[mechurchlady]

As long as you do not chain a stroller, wheelchair or ECV they will let you park it in safe areas. Not safe area are doorways, tracks, and walkways for example. CM's will point out a safe place to park.

I am tired so I will discribe a DDisneyland lines to give you an idea of why it is often best to get in the regular line only if you are sure it is a short line. The Autopia requires walking up a ramp and around to where there is a hidden cue area then around a tower and then back around and back to near where you entered and then an elevator or stairs. Space Mountain has a large upstairs patio taht you cannot see but holds many people. When you walking into the Haunted mansion there is hidden lots of holding areas. Jungle Cruise has an upstairs area with a wing.

Disney often hides the lines so that you think it is a short wait but it is not. Save yourself for the restaurants and most important SHOPPING, woot. Some shops can get crowded or narrow so save your energy for walking around shops.

 

[diberry]

Thank you very much - that's very helpful! I totally agree about the importance of shopping!!! We've been to WDW many times so we are familiar with the lines inside and out but, to my shame, I've never paid any attention to facilities for disabled guests before. I can't remember seeing guests in wheelchairs, ECVs etc in regular lines but that may be because I just wasn't looking! I'm sure this trip will make me much more wheelchair aware! I'd rather get in and out of the regular ride vehicles because thankfully I'm able to do that - I don't need to use the special ride vehicles which take ECVs etc - and I can wait in line if it's not a very long time eg: the interior Buzz queue is long but I could do that ok. Can I stay in line in my ECV until, for example, the line goes inside and then get out and leave it with the strollers?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You do not want to take the ECV partly in line. If you try to take it out, you will be going against traffic and then trying to get back in.

At Buzz you will just stay in the queue until close to boarding; they will send you through a door to unload, where you will park the ECV and you (and your party) will board in the unload area. Then when you get off your ECV will be right there.

 

[diberry]

You do not want to take the ECV partly in line. If you try to take it out, you will be going against traffic and then trying to get back in.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that - in fact I'm beginning to suspect there's an awful lot of things I haven't thought about yet! It'll definitely be a learning curve!!

At Buzz you will just stay in the queue until close to boarding; they will send you through a door to unload, where you will park the ECV and you (and your party) will board in the unload area. Then when you get off your ECV will be right there.

I see how it works now. Thank you very much for the benefit of your experience!