ECVs in queues

[mikipe2]

Hi All,

I'm going to Universal for the first time in early February, and need to use an ECV/mobility scooter.
I'm just checking if anyone has had any experience with ECVs in the Universal parks queues. (There's heaps of info available for WDW, but not Universal).

The official Accessibility Guide available on the website basically says that manual wheelchairs are allowed in the queues, but not ECVs, and you need to transfer to a manual wheelchair. However having virtually toured the parks with Google Maps Street View, I couldn't see any wheelchairs outside the attractions to transfer into.

Any info would be useful.
We're staying onsite, and hence using the Express lines where-ever available, if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance.
Mike.

 

[Krustycarnie]

There are red transfer chairs to transfer into at every attraction. they are usually just hidden

 

[mikipe2]

Awesome, thank you!

Such a silly little thing, but it helps put my mind at rest.

Thanks.

 

[lachica]

Completely OOT - I don't really remember all the rides my grandmother rode the ECV on but there were several she rode all the way through... The most memorable was The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, I had to get the ECV in and out of the attraction elevator since she can't reverse to save her life, and its so narrow.

But what I was going to mention since you are staying onsite, you can rent the ECV cheaper at the hotel than at the parks. Not to mention the perk of not having to return it everyday at the park and having it in your room. You can reserve them straight from the hotel concierge prior to arriving to make sure they have it ready for you.

 

[mikipe2]

Thanks lachica!

I'm already hiring an from an off-site company for the length of the trip (also doing WDW for the first time).

So was your grandmother able to take her ECV in the queues, rather than transfer to a wheelchair?
Mine's a smaller model that should be able to fit if a wheelchair can fit.
And what does OOT mean?

Mike.

 

[phamton]

You will be able to take an ECV through most of the queues but not all of them. On the rides where the queues don't accomdate an ECV, then there will be transfer wheelchairs available there. Also any ride that has stairs (such as Men in Black and Mummy)there will be an elevator for you to take. The ride attendant should direct you to any elevators but the signs are pretty visible.

 

[mikipe2]

Thanks phamton!

Do you know if there is anywhere that says which queues allow ECVs and which don't?

 

[lachica]

I don't know if you already read the Universal Orlando's Rider's Guide for Rider Safety and Guests with Disabilities; but here is the link for it:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Images/riders_guide_tcm13-10940.pdf

OOT was a typo, it was supposed to be OT - off topic.

I honestly don't remember all of the queus but the ones I remember were: Poseidon, Twister, Troley, Jimmy Neutron.

 

[mikipe2]

Thanks lachica,

Yeah I've read the riders guide before. The main thing I took away from that was the section re: ECVS:

Guests Using Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV’S) & Electric Wheelchairs
We apologize, but none of the ride vehicles or attraction queues at Universal Orlando will accommodate Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV’s) or electric wheelchairs. At those rides which can accommodate manual wheelchairs, guests may transfer from their ECV or electric wheelchair into a manual wheelchair that is provided at each location.

However looking at it again, they have a special symbol next to some of the rides that means "ECV users must transfer to a manual wheelchair". Maybe those are the only queues that won't allow ECVs (eg too narrow/wind-y), and the rest do.

After a quick look, the rides that have that symbol are:

IoA:
The Cat in the Hat
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Caro-Seuss-el

USF:
Earthquake (/Disaster?)
Jaws
Men in Black
E.T. Adventure

Does that sound similar to the rides your grandmother needed to transfer at? (No problems if you can't remember)

So hopefully that means that all the rest allow ECVs all the way through...

Thanks again for your help.
I guess I'll find out in a few weeks anyway!

Now I'm off to Google Maps street view to see if I can see those red wheelchairs near the above listed rides .

Thanks
Mike.

 

[phamton]

I think the reason that it says none of the queues will accommodate an ECV is because of the vast difference in the sizes and types of ECVs. If yours is close in size to a wheelchair, then most queues will be OK with your ECV. I've seen many ECVs at MIB queue and most ECVs at MIB can fit on the special ECV car on the ride itself, just not all. I hope that makes sense.

 

[mikipe2]

Yeah, I've got almost the smallest type of ECV you can get, so if any can fit, mine should.

Thank you again phamton and lachica, for your help! I'm glad there are good options available. Now I can just sit and countdown to the trip .

 

[disneynutsss]

i was there in may of 2009 and i remember that on MOST of the attractions in US/IOA you have to transfer to the wheelchairs. i think they were just implementing this "new" procedure, as i know in the past the ecv's/wheelchairs would be able to go through the express lines or through exit hallways to get in and most of the personnel was confused about whether or not to let an ecv through. i believe that there were only a very small handful that would allow you to stay on your ecv.

but i have to say this... the simpsons attraction - although the queue is absolutely large enough for an ecv (been there, done it), they make you transfer to a wheelchair - so, basically someone in your party has to push you UPHILL!! i think this is COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!! we skipped that attraction all together!

another thing i remember is that when the ecv was allowed to go through, we got no help whatsoever. we got lost in all these baron, dark hallways in the mummy. wasted a good half hour!!

wow, i forgot how frustrating that part of the trip was! lol

 

[mikipe2]

Wow, thanks for sharing your experiences!

I guess I'll have to report back about what system(s) they're using in February :S.