First Time using electric Wheelchair at WDW.

[Sbaldewicz]

First, sorry for so many questions. This is my first time going with a mobility device (and first time posting) and I am very nervous. I have a Jazzy 1120 electric wheelchair. I would like to transfer to rides (ie not ride in my wheelchair) when it is possible as I am able to walk, just not for long distances and the though of navigating my chair onto rides is causing a lot of anxiety. Is this allowed?

I know many rides load and unload in different place, with a chair how does this work. Will they move my chair from the different locations. Am I able to load at the exit? I see some rides require that you transfer from an ECV to a manual wheelchair, does this mean I will need to transfer, or is an electric wheelchair not considered an EVC and allowed in the line?

I am very nervous about not being able to take my chair in lines with me as I am Pooh sized and don't want to not fit in their manual chair, additionally with my condition(s) I am concerned about my ability to move myself in a manual chair.

I am sorry if this has been asked before, I am not the greatest at searching the forums.

Thank you!

 

[gap2368]

First, sorry for so many questions. This is my first time going with a mobility device (and first time posting) and I am very nervous. I have a Jazzy 1120 electric wheelchair.

1 I would like to transfer to rides (ie not ride in my wheelchair) when it is possible as I am able to walk, just not for long distances and the though of navigating my chair onto rides is causing a lot of anxiety. Is this allowed?

2 I know many rides load and unload in different place, with a chair how does this work. Will they move my chair from the different locations.

3 Am I able to load at the exit? I see some rides require that you transfer from an ECV to a manual wheelchair, does this mean I will need to transfer, or is an electric wheelchair not considered an EVC and allowed in the line?

4 I am very nervous about not being able to take my chair in lines with me as I am Pooh sized and don't want to not fit in their manual chair, additionally with my condition(s) I am concerned about my ability to move myself in a manual chair.

I am sorry if this has been asked before, I am not the greatest at searching the forums.

Thank you!

1 yes you can transfer into any ride intact at some if you can transfer you may get on sooner ( like at IASW)

2 yes they will move your chair and it will be waiting at the exit for you.

3 for the most part no there are a few that you will go to the exit ( BTMRR space ship earth and jungle cruse are a few that come to ming) a few latter in the line you will be directed around steps but this is well into the line ( splash TSMM are two that do this)

4 most lines at disney you can take your wheel chair in and I do believe your is conceded a wheel chair so you will be able to take it with you so do not worry about it. ( just a side note and I do not know how big you are but the wheel chair at disney are large ones but I do not see unless there is just a ride or 2 that I am not thinking of that you would have too but I really can not)

enjoy your trip.

side note for the rides ( for number 3) that you will enter in the exit they will give you a return time ticket ( about the size of an business card) with the time that you can return on it. so if the wait for big thunder moutian is 60 minutes you will return in 50 minutes ( is is wait time -10 minutes and I think not sure but I think you will have an hour winds to return )

 

[gap2368]

also I do not know if you saw the thread at the top for information on disabilities ( not all will play to you but look at the first post is has an index of things http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/ this will help you with what rides you need to go thought the exit what rides have stares will you will need to by pass thing like this. but when in sought at disney just ask the cast member that will be out side each ride what you need to do and they will let you know.

 

[Sbaldewicz]

Thank you, @gap2368 ! This has all been very recent, when we booked the trip a year ago I did not have any mobility problems, so this whole ordeal has been nerve wrecking.

I'm so happy to hear they use larger manual chairs just in case I do need to transfer.

Thank you again for your help!

 

[gap2368]

also I think as fair as rides go you will be fine you may have some problems with just walking ( or rolling) around when it is crowded people will cut you off ( I know for my self I have a vision problem and it may look like I see you but I do not) but some people are not watch where they are going so be prepared to stop at very crowded times like after fire works or parades you may want to stay where you are for 5 to 10 minutes and let the main crowd leave. ( I do this all the time to avoid the crowds) I do not know when you are going and how crowded with will be I know some times are more or less then others but just be patient and go slow when need too.

 

[SueM in MN]

First, sorry for so many questions. This is my first time going with a mobility device (and first time posting) and I am very nervous. I have a Jazzy 1120 electric wheelchair. I would like to transfer to rides (ie not ride in my wheelchair) when it is possible as I am able to walk, just not for long distances and the though of navigating my chair onto rides is causing a lot of anxiety. Is this allowed?

For the attractions that have wheelchair accessible ride cars, it is your choice whether to transfer or stay in the wheelchair and use the accessible ride car.

When you come near the boarding area, you should be asked whether you plan to stay in the chair or not. My daughter brings her manual chair to WDW and we are asked each time. It might be important for you to know where they will have you park the wheelchair and how far away that it. If that distance is an issue for you, speak up.
Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, especially posts 18-21 which do list attractions that have wheelchair accessible ride cars. Those threads also have information about the regular ride vehicles and what type of transfer is involved.
If you have limitations on stepping down or are unsteady, you may want to stay in the wheelchair, at least for some of the attractions which would have difficult transfers. I would recommend staying in for Jungle Cruise.

I know many rides load and unload in different place, with a chair how does this work. Will they move my chair from the different locations.

As long as you brought the wheelchair into line with you, it will be editing for you at the unload area.

Am I able to load at the exit?

If you mean, go automatically to the exit instead of getting in line, the answer is no.
In most cases, guests using wheelchairs will wait in the regular line with the other guests. If there is something that makes the line not accessible (like stairs) or the boarding/unload area not accessible (like loading and u loading on different sides of a track), there will be an accessible path that takes care of those things.
Sometimes it means waiting in line and having a wheelchair pull off before boarding. For a very few attractions, the line was not able to be made accessible and they have a separate accessible entrance.

I see some rides require that you transfer from an ECV to a manual wheelchair, does this mean I will need to transfer, or is an electric wheelchair not considered an EVC and allowed in the line?

Power wheelchairs are considered the same as manual wheelchairs as far as lines and accessible ride cars are concerned.
ECVs are not as manouverble, have a bigger 'footprint' and are not balanced the same as either manual or power wheelchairs. That is why they are not always able to go in the accessible lines.

I am very nervous about not being able to take my chair in lines with me as I am Pooh sized and don't want to not fit in their manual chair, additionally with my condition(s) I am concerned about my ability to move myself in a manual chair.

I am sorry if this has been asked before, I am not the greatest at searching the forums.

Thank you!

If you are concerned about your ability to move yourself into a manual chair, some of the transfers might prove very difficult to you.
Even if a transfer is doable, it does take a certain amount of energy. We use the accessible ride cars as much as possible to save energy for the attractions that don't have the option and require a transfer.m
The CMs are very good for the most part about giving directions for entering an accessible ride car with a wheelchair.
If you are able to drive your wheelchair into an accessible van, most of the transfers into accessible ride cars would not be much different.

 

[SteveMouse]

Does Pirates require a manual chair in line, or will a CM move an electric chair to the unload area?

 

[Carnator]

Manual chair

 

[gap2368]

Does Pirates require a manual chair in line, or will a CM move an electric chair to the unload area?

If you are asking about an ECV what you would see at the local store to help people that need something shop then yes ( I think) pirates you you need to use a manual chair and it will be waiting for you when you get off. If you have a power chair the ones with a joystick then you can use this in line and it would be waiting for you when you get off

 

[SueM in MN]

Does Pirates require a manual chair in line, or will a CM move an electric chair to the unload area?

ECV, no. Your choices would be to park it and walk or park and use an attraction wheelchair.
Manual or Power wheelchair, maybe.

The unload area for Pirates is actually one floor down and in another building from the load area.
The distance is pretty far and requires using a small elevator, which ECVs are not able to use (size and requires a sharp turn).

Because of the distance, time to travel and the elevator, they prefer that even manual wheelchair users switch to one of the attraction wheelchairs if possible. We do keep our daughter's own manual wheelchair and the CMs bring it to the unload area. I have not heard of people bringing a power wheelchair into the Pirates line, but personal manual wheelchairs are on a case by case, so if power wheelchairs are allowed, it would also be case by case.

FYI - if someone chooses to park their Mobility device and walk in line, you will park it close to the black Pirates of Caribbean sail.
The exit ends up in the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar (going up the speed ramp) or by the strange shaped building to the left of that (using the elevator)