ECV Lines

[NorCalDVC]

We’ve been to the WDW several times in the past with my 84 year old dad. However, next month will be the first time we’ve been since they’ve implemented the new DAS program. He will be in an ECV, but likely won’t need a DAS card. My question is whether I’ll be able to run ahead and get return times for him. He drives very slowly in the ECV (rightly so given all the people I’ve seen dart right in front of him). He would definitely ride the rides so he’d be there for that, but it would save quite a bit of time if I was able to run ahead to get a return time, but I could see the CM wanting to see the ECV before issuing a return time.

Also, do the Jungle Cruise and Haunted House have a separate queue for ECVs or do you get in the regular, mainstream line? I am also confused about where you enter for the Nemo ride. The last time we went he was told to use the mainstream line, but it was really difficult trying to maneuver in that line with an ECV - so windy and narrow in parts. The people behind us got very frustrated and rushed ahead with no regard for his safety or theirs. Just crazy! My final question is whether they issue return times for It’s a Small World. I’ve heard that you line up in the accessible queue and they don’t issue a return time, but that could have been an exception during the holidays.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[lanejudy]

... He will be in an ECV, but likely won’t need a DAS card. My question is whether I’ll be able to run ahead and get return times for him. ...it would save quite a bit of time if I was able to run ahead to get a return time, but I could see the CM wanting to see the ECV before issuing a return time. ...

I'm not too sure what you are asking about return times -- if he won't be using a DAS there are no return times to run ahead for. Return times are issued for a DAS. Occasionally they will issue wheelchair return cards, but that is only at the few rides which are not accessible through the main queue and only when it's very busy. If this is what you mean, I suspect he would need to be present at the ride to obtain the wheelchair return card, though you could ask. You may not even know if they are being used until you get to the ride.

As for the rides -- the vast majority have "mainstreamed" lines, meaning he can ride the ECV through the standby (or FP+) line. The few that use an alternate accessible entrance are listed in the disABILITIES FAQ sticky near the top of this forum. Unless something has changed, I don't believe the Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion or Nemo mentioned utilize a separate entrance. If it's really busy, IASW may issue wheelchair return times, or they may just direct you to the accessible entrance.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[NorCalDVC]

I'm not too sure what you are asking about return times -- if he won't be using a DAS there are no return times to run ahead for. Return times are issued for a DAS. Occasionally they will issue wheelchair return cards, but that is only at the few rides which are not accessible through the main queue and only when it's very busy. If this is what you mean, I suspect he would need to be present at the ride to obtain the wheelchair return card, though you could ask. You may not even know if they are being used until you get to the ride.

As for the rides -- the vast majority have "mainstreamed" lines, meaning he can ride the ECV through the standby (or FP+) line. The few that use an alternate accessible entrance are listed in the disABILITIES FAQ sticky near the top of this forum. Unless something has changed, I don't believe the Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion or Nemo mentioned utilize a separate entrance. If it's really busy, IASW may issue wheelchair return times, or they may just direct you to the accessible entrance.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you so much! I am probably over thinking and over planning. Given my dad's poor health, I treasure the time I spend with him so I try to make our visits as easy as possible for him.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

We went in February and I had an ECV. I took it through most queues that allowed ECV access - Pirates and Buzz Lightyear do not allow it and I had to go in with my walking stick.

Some places they direct you straight into an alternative line/entrance (IaSW, BTM, Star Tours, TSM and Spaceship Earth being the four that we did). However, all the rides we did we had either a FP or my DD's DAS we could use so the only ride we went in via the standby line was Pirates (there only being a 10 minute queue at that time of night).

 

[dayvewc]

When I was there in July, Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Railroad in MK, and Star Tours in HS would give a handwritten return time. Spaceship Earth in EPCOT and (since I was the only one riding) Tower of Terror in HS would direct me to an alternative entrance.

Also, at Jungle Cruise, they asked before writing the return card whether or not I could transfer down into the boat, or needed to wait for the wheelchair accessible one.

Haunted Mansion I went through the normal line until after the stretching room, then was directed to an alternate entrance.

Splash Mountain uses the normal line for most of it, then when I got to the steps I was directed over to an alternate entrance.

I didn't try to ride IASW or Peter Pan's Flight this trip, which are the only other rides I've done in the past that utilized some sort of alternative entrance.

Not sure if this answers the question as I was there by myself most days, so I got my own return cards. At a guess, I think that you can run ahead and get the return cards at the rides that offer them. I don't think they will allow someone to turn the card in without a person in an ECV or wheelchair. But I've been wrong before.

Hope this helps!!

 

[NorCalDVC]

We went in February and I had an ECV. I took it through most queues that allowed ECV access - Pirates and Buzz Lightyear do not allow it and I had to go in with my walking stick.

Some places they direct you straight into an alternative line/entrance (IaSW, BTM, Star Tours, TSM and Spaceship Earth being the four that we did). However, all the rides we did we had either a FP or my DD's DAS we could use so the only ride we went in via the standby line was Pirates (there only being a 10 minute queue at that time of night).

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

When I was there in July, Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Railroad in MK, and Star Tours in HS would give a handwritten return time. Spaceship Earth in EPCOT and (since I was the only one riding) Tower of Terror in HS would direct me to an alternative entrance.

Also, at Jungle Cruise, they asked before writing the return card whether or not I could transfer down into the boat, or needed to wait for the wheelchair accessible one.

Haunted Mansion I went through the normal line until after the stretching room, then was directed to an alternate entrance.

Splash Mountain uses the normal line for most of it, then when I got to the steps I was directed over to an alternate entrance.

I didn't try to ride IASW or Peter Pan's Flight this trip, which are the only other rides I've done in the past that utilized some sort of alternative entrance.

Not sure if this answers the question as I was there by myself most days, so I got my own return cards. At a guess, I think that you can run ahead and get the return cards at the rides that offer them. I don't think they will allow someone to turn the card in without a person in an ECV or wheelchair. But I've been wrong before.

Hope this helps!!

This is great info info! Thanks so much for your detailed response. If you don't mind me asking, did you also have a DAS card or did they give you a return card based solely on the fact that you were in an ECV?

 

[Mrsjvb]

We’ve been to the WDW several times in the past with my 84 year old dad. However, next month will be the first time we’ve been since they’ve implemented the new DAS program. He will be in an ECV, but likely won’t need a DAS card. My question is whether I’ll be able to run ahead and get return times for him. He drives very slowly in the ECV (rightly so given all the people I’ve seen dart right in front of him). He would definitely ride the rides so he’d be there for that, but it would save quite a bit of time if I was able to run ahead to get a return time, but I could see the CM wanting to see the ECV before issuing a return time.
No DAS, no return time. if you are not using FP+ then he waits in the standby line like everyone else.
Also, do the Jungle Cruise and Haunted House have a separate queue for ECVs or do you get in the regular, mainstream line? I am also confused about where you enter for the Nemo ride. The last time we went he was told to use the mainstream line, but it was really difficult trying to maneuver in that line with an ECV - so windy and narrow in parts. The people behind us got very frustrated and rushed ahead with no regard for his safety or theirs. Just crazy! My final question is whether they issue return times for It’s a Small World. I’ve heard that you line up in the accessible queue and they don’t issue a return time, but that could have been an exception during the holidays.

Thanks so much in advance!

with the exception of MK, basically every line is mainstreamed at this point there may be a point in some lines where she is directed elsewhere but that is usually only for lines that have stairs at some point.

the smaller ECVs work better on the lines. he needs to practice tight turns.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I had a 3-wheel Pride 10 and it made all the turns in the queues I went in (Maelstrom, Living on the Land and various others with tight turns).

I was asked at Jungle Cruise whether I wanted to go in via the normal line or wait for the tie-up boat. Because my knees are the problem and the boats have very big steps on them, I opted to wait for a boat which would tie up to the dock firmly. I waited about 3 boats, and then 'ours' came in. They helped me on (with my stick), and then off again afterwards.

The night we popped over to MK for a few hours I wasn't in too much pain so I left the ECV in the car boot parked at Grand Floridian and went over on the stick. We did 3 rides (including Haunted Mansion) before feeling tired and heading back to collect the car and return to CBR. When we went back to Haunted Mansion with our FP, we just got to the return queue and then DD discovered she'd lost her MB so we had to turn back to see if we could find it. So, I never did see what the queue arrangements are like with an ECV.

With BTM they sent us in via the exit (with the ECV parked in a convenient spot on the way out) and loaded us into the rear carriage where there's more leg room.

 

[dayvewc]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!



This is great info info! Thanks so much for your detailed response. If you don't mind me asking, did you also have a DAS card or did they give you a return card based solely on the fact that you were in an ECV?

I was just in the ECV. All of my problems are mobility/stamina/endurance related, and the ECV makes Disney possible for me. So, I didn't even ask for a DAS.

As an aside, when I first went to Jungle Cruise, I was headed to the regular line in my ECV and was stopped by a CM. I was told that ECV's were not allowed through the regular line and would I need to remain in it, or could I transfer to the boat. When I told him I could transfer, he gave me the card and said I would return to either the exit or FP+ line. (I forget which he said) and to wait on a CM to assist me at that point.

 

[NorCalDVC]

Thanks everyone for your input! All very helpful. I think I have a better idea of what to expect now so I'm a little less worried about how it will all work.

 

[Elevationist]

I didn't see mentioned Big Thunder Mountain, it uses an alternative entrance for guests on wheels, as there's no way to get the wheelchair or scooter from one side of the track (where you board) to the other side (where you disembark). So expect to likley get handed a return time ticket there.

Also, Dinosaur at AK has some VERY tight turns as you're going through the standby line, but once you get through the pre-show, they direct you to a seperate area so you can take an elevator down to the loading area.