Few ??..touring MK/MGM wheelchair

[Crazy4mandms]

I am taking a friend to WDW for 2 days. She uses crutches but will use a non-motorized wheelchair when at MK/MGM. She can get up and walk around a little, but won't make it a whole day touring the park (I really don't want to have to take her crutches..that would be awkward to lug, no? I've never toured the world with someone in a chair (and she's never been before!) and was hoping to get some advice.....

I'm a pretty active 39ish age female...am I going to be able to push her for 2 whole days??? Anyone done this? (she weighs about 180).

I know most ride queues we'll be able to maneuver but what about those she can't?? What do we do??

The thing I'm most worried about is the parade and fireworks...where should we 'park'?

We are driving and her chair is small/lighter weight..we won't have to rent one and she doesn't want a motorized.

Thanks so much for any advice!!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Firstly, don't panic, Disney has you covered. WDW is the most accessible place I think I've ever been. As you've said, most of the queues are mainstream accessible, and those that don't will have an alternative entrance. See the greeter at any attraction you have access questions about, and they'll point you in the right direction. For parades and shows, there are designated wheelchair viewing areas, so you won't have to worry about people standing in front of her, blocking the view. All parade viewing areas are marked on the maps.

It is doable, my fella (who, I must confess, isn't exactly a body builder) managed to push me around for about 7 days last September, in a WDW rental chair (heavy, awkward and with a peculiar right veer) without any adverse effects (other than a little 'Pedestrian-Rage').

If she already has the chair, would you be able to take her out for a few trial spins around the block, so you can get the feel of pushing, and maybe build up the right muscles?

Sorry this is so garbled, today's not a good day, and the brain's fried. For more information, the FAQ at the top of this board has loads of useful stuff in it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If the chair is her own, she might want to talk to the supplier about the possibility of adding crutch holders to it. That way if she needs the cruthes when she is out of the cair they would be available, and they would not get in the way when in the chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is one post that has a lot of links, including links to the official Disney site's information about touring with disabilities. It's kind of basic information, but the "mobility" one lists attractions with Mainstream Access (where the entire lines is accessible thru the regular line). AK and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access. Epcot and MK are older and sometimes have alternate entrances because the regular entrance is not accessible. CMs at the entrance will help direct you.

All of the attraction are wheelchair accessible in some way, so that won't be a problem. What is different is whether or not staying in the wheelchair for the entire attraction is.
You will find a code on the park maps and also on a sign at the entrance to each attraction that shows 'how' it is accessible. The ones marked with a wheelchair symbol are ones you can stay in the wheelchair for the whole attraction. Those marked with a stick person getting out of the wheelchair mean you have to transfer to a ride car. Some of the ride cars are rather low and she may find having her crutches is helpful in making some of the transfers. You can get crutch holders to keep the crutches on wheelchairs when they are not needed. She may want to look into those.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Thank you all for your help!! I am going to ask her about the crutch attachment. She is pretty mobile most of the time...rarely ever uses the chair and uses just crutches (but we're both darn sure it ain't happening at the world!!) so getting out of the chair for rides won't be a problem, just spending the whole day touring the parks she can't handle. I think what I'll do is have her sign up here on the dis and check out this forum herself. No reason why we have to wait until after her trip to begin the addiction!! I'm heading off to browse this forum...thanks for all the positive response! I just love the DIS!

 

[Crazy4mandms]

oh, wait! An important question....on the rides that have separate queues for wheelchairs....how much of the theming will we miss?? For example, I wouldn't want to walk through a white hallway to get to the line instead of seeing all the magnificent details in the regular queues! Eek!

 

[Chuck S]

There are very few rides/attractions where you will see any back stage area. Perhaps Haunted Mansion, if she wants to do the stretching room...they will take her through a back stage hallway. Otherwise, she can load through the exit there. With crutches, I would recommend loading through the exit onto a stopped ride car.

The Stitch attraction will require you to use the regular entry, but an alternate back stage exit. Those are the only two that I know of at MK, I think MGM has themed all the w/c entrances and exits, on the few places where you use alternate access.

 

[Momelie]

And even the HM, the alternate entrance is themed, just like the front, but with different stuff - Master Gracie's bell pull set, for instance!

At places like Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Buzz, they just put you in at the exit, and let you ride through, so you don't miss anything.

Just about everywhere else I can think of is pretty well mainstreamed, or the wheelchair entrance is near the mainstream entrance. (Caveat - I know NOTHING about Tower of Terror, Mission Space or Test Track!)

 

[Chuck S]

Mission Space, Tower of Terror & Test Track take you through the regular queue.

 

[Twende]

I have pushed a wheel chair around several times and I am in no great shape and a bit older than you. It was very doable! We used the resort wheel chairs with some padding added to the seat and hand towels taped to the arm rests.

My only problem was the half day I had two wheel chairs to push. Now that was interesting!

We used the alternate entrance at Haunted Mansion. It was okay but I did miss the cemetery!

It seems to me that we also used another entrance at Pirates also.

There are great marked areas for parade and firework viewing.

Just have a great time!

 

[SueM in MN]

At many atttractions, you will go thru the regular line until just before it reaches the boarding area. At that point, the wheelchair users are pulled out of line and sent somewhere else to actually board. For example, Buzz Lightyear and Imagination, you wait in the regular until you can actually see the boarding area. At that point, you are pulled off for boarding.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

You might want to look at this site:

http://www.themouseonwheels.com

For information on ride entrances and transfers. If she's fine on her crutches, a fair bit of the information won't be that relevant to her (as it relates to transfer direct from wheelchairs), but you may find a few useful tipbits.

If you want to do Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, you'll have to find somewhere to park the chair, as she'll have to do it on crutches (unless she can bunny hop up 128 steps in her wheelchair ). It will be quite a taxing climb, but if she doesn't normally have to use the chair, and has conserved her strength in the rest of the park, you guys may be able to attempt it.

Have a great trip!

 

[Vijoge]

As a nurse who spends a lot of time pushing people in wheelchairs as well as a person who often uses an ECV for distances I have to vote "no" on pushing an adult in a wheelchair for two days. It will be exhausting.

My advice is for her to rent an ECV. Since she is able to walk with crutches she should be physically able to use the ECV and you'll both have a much better time, IMO.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Wow!! Thanks all for the info!!! I think for just about every ride we can probably park the chair and then have her crutch her way through the queues....she can go a pretty good stretch on those things! I really appreciate all the info! I guess I'm getting a little nervous as I've never toured WDW at such a busy time before so couple that with navigating for the first time with a wheelchair and it leads me to want to prepare myself! But I do have your wonderful info here (and TGM!!) so I think we'll be just fine (and we won't have our kids in tow this trip)!! Thanks again, all, so very much!! You've put my mind at ease!!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Just make sure she doesn't tire herself out in the queues unnecessarily. If it'd be a case of use the crutches through the queues and not be able to stay until fireworks / parade / EMH etc., or use the chair through at least the longer queues and stay for as long as you like, I know I'd opt for the second option. If it will let you have an easier, happier and more magical holiday to take the chair into queues, don't feel bad about doing it. Besides, they're mostly mainstream queuing (so no worry about feeling like you're 'queue jumping') and easy enough to navigate in a chair.

Good luck, have fun, and don't be afraid to ask for help!

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Besides, they're mostly mainstream queuing (so no worry about feeling like you're 'queue jumping') and easy enough to navigate in a chair.

Can you imagine how many people told us how 'lucky' we were to be able to queue jump!!! Not even knowing the facts of the matter (that disabled don't get the FOTL) I can't believe they would actually use the word lucky when referring to riding around WDW in a wheel chair! I'm sure my friend, as most others (except maybe those mid-20s ages whom I saw chasing each other in EVCs at Walmart yesterday..obviously not needing them) ) would rather leave it at home......