ECV on Disney boats

[jm-mom]

I am wondering if I'll be able to take my ECV on the boat launch for Fort Wilderness campground? We are considering a dining reservation there but I've heard you can't use the ECV on the boat. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I am wondering if I'll be able to take my ECV on the boat launch for Fort Wilderness campground? We are considering a dining reservation there but I've heard you can't use the ECV on the boat. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

The FW/MK route yes, the FW/WL/CR route no.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

What about from International Gateway (Epcot) to Boardwalk?

Sorry don't mean to hijack

 

[Janell]

What about from International Gateway (Epcot) to Boardwalk?

Sorry don't mean to hijack

In May 2008, you could take ECV on International Gateway. I will say that they gave up some problems one day. We were told that the ECV were not allowed on the boats, which was odd. It was our last day (out of 15 days) we had gotten to Studios via the boats. And were headed back to our hotel from Studios to catch our ride to the airport. The CM made the person in the ECV ride back to Boardwalk hotel. The rest of us walked since we wouldn't just leave that person alone.

That was the only time we had trouble. So if you have reservations or on a time limit, don't leave where ever via boat with the ecv at the last min. because you may be walking/scooting.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

In May 2008, you could take ECV on International Gateway. I will say that they gave up some problems one day. We were told that the ECV were not allowed on the boats, which was odd. It was our last day (out of 15 days) we had gotten to Studios via the boats. And were headed back to our hotel from Studios to catch our ride to the airport. The CM made the person in the ECV ride back to Boardwalk hotel. The rest of us walked since we wouldn't just leave that person alone.

That was the only time we had trouble. So if you have reservations or on a time limit, don't leave where ever via boat with the ecv at the last min. because you may be walking/scooting.

Thanks for the tip and the information!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

In May 2008, you could take ECV on International Gateway. I will say that they gave up some problems one day. We were told that the ECV were not allowed on the boats, which was odd. It was our last day (out of 15 days) we had gotten to Studios via the boats. And were headed back to our hotel from Studios to catch our ride to the airport. The CM made the person in the ECV ride back to Boardwalk hotel. The rest of us walked since we wouldn't just leave that person alone.

That was the only time we had trouble. So if you have reservations or on a time limit, don't leave where ever via boat with the ecv at the last min. because you may be walking/scooting.

The trip from International Gateway to Boardwalk is an easy - scoot vs. bothering witih a boat transfer.....especially if you have to wait for a boat.

I never even considered it the last time we stayed at BWI.

Besides, it's a lovely ride!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

In May 2008, you could take ECV on International Gateway. I will say that they gave up some problems one day. We were told that the ECV were not allowed on the boats, which was odd.

I have never been denied access to the Friendship boats which travel Epcot to DHS and all the resorts inbetween (in my powerchair). However this last trip, boat crews were refusing to let me ride on the rear deck & made me go inside. They were also limiting the boat to two ECVs/powerchairs for 'safety reasons'. In all of my many trips to WDW, staying at Boardwalk, I have never been told I could not ride.

Andrew

 

[Janell]

The trip from International Gateway to Boardwalk is an easy - scoot vs. bothering witih a boat transfer.....especially if you have to wait for a boat.

I never even considered it the last time we stayed at BWI.

Besides, it's a lovely ride!

You are right it is a lovely ride. The problem they had, was the person in a scooter was a women. Her husband had hurt his back while on vacation and the walk was really hard for him. He is an old fashion man and wouldn't have road on the boat with his wife. So he walked. I was told my leads and the manager of the boardwalk hotel, that she should have been allowed on the boat. I do now that only two ecv and or wheel chairs are allowed on one boat at a time. In this case, this women would have been the only ecv and or wheel chair on the boat. So there was no reason for her to be denied access to the boat.

And although it is a beautiful walk. Its up to the guest weather they want to walk or ride the boat.

 

[Janell]

I have never been denied access to the Friendship boats which travel Epcot to DHS and all the resorts inbetween (in my powerchair). However this last trip, boat crews were refusing to let me ride on the rear deck & made me go inside. They were also limiting the boat to two ECVs/powerchairs for 'safety reasons'. In all of my many trips to WDW, staying at Boardwalk, I have never been told I could not ride.

Andrew

I am glad you have never had to deal with this. I had heard they were no longer allowing scooters, power chairs or wheel chairs in the outside part of the boat. That is fine with me. Its a safety thing and I am all for that.

I was told by leads that she shouldn't have been denied access. Not sure what happened.

 

[SueM in MN]

The FW/MK route yes, the FW/WL/CR route no.

There is a link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (the thread is stuck near the top of this board). One of the posts in that thread is WDW transportation information and includes information and pictures of the different types of boats.
The larger boats can transport ECVs and wheelchairs unless the water level is extremely high or low. The smallest boats that HappyDznyCamper is talking about have steps to get in and can only transport folding wheelchairs that

I have never been denied access to the Friendship boats which travel Epcot to DHS and all the resorts inbetween (in my powerchair). However this last trip, boat crews were refusing to let me ride on the rear deck & made me go inside. They were also limiting the boat to two ECVs/powerchairs for 'safety reasons'. In all of my many trips to WDW, staying at Boardwalk, I have never been told I could not ride.

Andrew

Apparently, the 2 wheelchair/ECV limit is for fire safety and evacuation reasons. I don't know if it is new or not.
In the past, there seldom were more than 2 people using wheelchairs or ECVs who wanted to be on the boat at the same time. With the increase in use of ECVs, having more than 2 is probably been coming up more often.
They did previously allow wheelchairs and ECVs to be parked on the little 'deck' on the back of the boat. For the past few years, there have been designated spots inside the boat for wheelchair/ECV parking. These are off to the side and allow an aisle to be maintained for exiting. I was told keeping the aisle clear is a fire/evacuation code thing and is the reason that wheelchair and ECV users are not allowed to park on deck any more.

The park rental ECVs won't fit on the Friendship Boats inside Epcot. I have been told that it is because of the large bumper on the back of the park rental ECVs rubs on the ramp getting on the boat and prevents them from being loaded. (They are not allowed outside of the park, so this is not an issue for the Boardwalk boats).
We are just back from WDW and I noticed some off-site rental ECVs that had similar bumpers on the back. I don't know if that was the case with the person who was denied access with their ECV. Also a few of the heavy duty ECVs we saw (specifically the Dream Scooter, which is styled like a motorcycle with 3 wheels) were much wider than the park rental ECVs. Even though the park rental ones look wide compared to the 3 wheel or compact ECVs, I measured the width of one and it was just over 24 inches wide. I saw a couple of 3 and 4 wheel off-site rental ECVs that were very large compared to the WDW park rental ones. Those very large ECVs may not be able to get into the door of the boat and/or make the turn to go inside of the boat.