Friendship Boats and ECVs

[Enorto1]

My mom and I are traveling down and renting an ecv from an of site vendor for the first time. We rented a transferable scooter. The plan as it stands now is to drive to Wilderness Lodge to check out Guyser Point and then take the boat from there over to Fort Wilderness to see Hoop-Dee-Doo.

Is the boat between Wilderness and the Fort ecv accessible?

 

[gap2368]

I do not think this boat is. I know when I was at FWBgoing to the MK they made a stop st the counteerary to drop someone off the boats that go between the hotels are smaller. You can buss but will have to transfer buss

 

[bushdianee]

I stayed at WL 2 years ago and had a scooter. We were going somewhere, I don't remember where. The boat that normally goes where we were going is the smaller one but the bigger boat took us to where we needed to go. I would ask the driver.

 

[gap2368]

I stayed at WL 2 years ago and had a scooter. We were going somewhere, I don't remember where. The boat that normally goes where we were going is the smaller one but the bigger boat took us to where we needed to go. I would ask the driver.

This is problem what happens with the people going to the contrary last April

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I thought those were called "Motor Launch Boats." And if they are, no they are not ECV or wheelchair accessible.

Friendship boats, on the other hand, are ECV accessible.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I don't know what the boat from OKW to Disney Springs counts as, but I was definitely able to get my ECV on there last year. We'll be using it again in a few weeks.

I'd like to know whether I can get on the friendship boats at Epcot.

 

[Enorto1]

I don't know what the boat from OKW to Disney Springs counts as, but I was definitely able to get my ECV on there last year. We'll be using it again in a few weeks.

I'd like to know whether I can get on the friendship boats at Epcot.

The friendship boats at Epcot are ecv accessible.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The friendship boats at Epcot are ecv accessible.

From what I remember, yes they are, but not by Disney Scooters.

 

[mamabunny]

Boats from WL to MK - or - MK to WL = every other one is accessible.
Boats from FW to MK - or - MK to FW = every other one is accessible.

Boats from WL to FW - or - FW to WL = We have found no set schedule - just seems to be whatever equipment is running that day (I personally think it depends on how busy/full FW is)

@Toffeewoffy - Yes, Friendship Boats at Epcot are definitely accessible

 

[Simba's Mom]

From what I remember, yes they are, but not by Disney Scooters.

If you mean the boats across the 7 seas lagoon, the scooter I rented from the International Gateway Entrance went on it just fine.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

If you mean the boats across the 7 seas lagoon, the scooter I rented from the International Gateway Entrance went on it just fine.

I've never taken a scooter on it. So I don't know from personal experience.

But I swear I read something about Disney scooters not fitting on one of the boats, but others seemed to fit just fine.

Maybe Disney changed the boats or the scooters.

 

[tobikaye]

There are two size boats that go between MK and WL and MK and FW. The large one can accommodate an ECV, but the smaller cannot. I do not remember if the boats that circle for CR-WL-FW (or CR-FW-WL) have two sizes or just the smaller boat.

OP: To make it easier, I would just take the bus from WL to FW. It drops off at the Settlement and only takes a few minutes. You will have to wait for it to arrive though. I have been lucky and not waited more than 10 minutes. You could also walk/scoot from WL to FW, if that is an option both of you could handle. It is a paved path that would be about a 10-15 minute walk.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I've never taken a scooter on it. So I don't know from personal experience.

But I swear I read something about Disney scooters not fitting on one of the boats, but others seemed to fit just fine.

Maybe Disney changed the boats or the scooters.

And this is where I read it. Post #8

And this is what it says:

The Disney Park Rental ECVs can not get on the Friendship Boats in the Epcot Lagoon. The bumpers keep locking up on the connecting ramps, and they have been trying for months and cannot solve the problem. This only applies to the Disney park rental ECVs.

 

[lanejudy]

I'd like to know whether I can get on the friendship boats at Epcot.

Do you mean within EPCOT, the boats on World Showcase Lagoon? According to SueM's info in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, the in-park ECV rentals cannot go on the Friendship boats that cross the lagoon within EPCOT (between countries). Something about the bumpers being too big. Those boats are otherwise accessible to wheelchairs and other ECVs.

The Friendship boats traveling between HS and EPCOT are accessible.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Do you mean within EPCOT, the boats on World Showcase Lagoon? According to SueM's info in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, the in-park ECV rentals cannot go on the Friendship boats that cross the lagoon within EPCOT (between countries). Something about the bumpers being too big. Those boats are otherwise accessible to wheelchairs and other ECVs.

The Friendship boats traveling between HS and EPCOT are accessible.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks, but I don't know why you think I hire a park scooter! I get one from Florida Mobility Rentals: a 3-wheeler which goes everywhere!

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks, but I don't know why you think I hire a park scooter! I get one from Florida Mobility Rentals: a 3-wheeler which goes everywhere!

No, I don't really pay attention to who rents from what vendor. This question got kind of confusing with different lagoons, multiple types of boats, and various ECV models... and I was only trying to clarify.

 

[Weedy]

I worked in Watercraft (boat transportation) at Disney a million years ago (early 80's). At the time the boats that ran between the resorts by the Magic Kingdom were "Launches" and "Cruisers".
The Cruisers are wheelchair accessible depending on the docks and water level in the lakes. There are only two cruisers. The launches are not accessible.

Cruiser



Launch

 

[tobikaye]

At the time the boats that ran between the resorts by the Magic Kingdom were "Launches" and "Cruisers".

THANK YOU! I was going blank on the boat names and it was driving me nuts.

 

[Weedy]

The Friendship boats are at EPCOT (center) and Disney Springs (The Disney Village).
Showing my age lol

 

[Simba's Mom]

And this is where I read it. Post #8

And this is what it says:

The Disney Park Rental ECVs can not get on the Friendship Boats in the Epcot Lagoon. The bumpers keep locking up on the connecting ramps, and they have been trying for months and cannot solve the problem. This only applies to the Disney park rental ECVs.

Wow! I guess I was lucky!
But regarding ECVs and the boats from WL, I wonder if it would make WL less desirable for people with ECVs to stay since some of the transportation will take longer.