Frozen Ever After ECV/wheelchair transfer

[Buntington]

I found a couple of older threads...how was the transfer for you from an ECV/wheelchair onto the Frozen ride? My 88yo grandmother would like to ride it. She can't walk on her own but she can stand with assist, and normally uses a walker but will be in a scooter at Epcot due to the long distances. Is there a big drop between the platform and the ride? Do they still only have the sliding board to help with transfers? Pics please if you have them. Thank you. She wants to do Spaceship Earth too but at least that ride looks like it has a more accessible vehicle to transfer into...

 

[The Hunchback]

Spaceship earth is do-able if she can use her walker for a short distance up a slight incline. I have not done the new Frozen, sorry.

 

[Buntington]

She won't have her walker-she'll be in a scooter.

 

[DisneyOma]

There's a big drop down into the seating on Frozen, as it's still the same vehicle setup as Maelstrom. So you have to go way down to get in, and way up to get out. I've never seen a sliding board at WDW. Of course they can have them - but I've never seen one, and I've been at least a dozen times.

 

[The Hunchback]

I have never seen cast members allow an ECV all the way into the handicapped loading area of Spaceship Earth. Maybe it can be done by manual wheelchair? Cast members may have a manual wheelchair just for that purposes. Would not surprise me if they did but I have never seen it. Spaceship Earth is one of the best attractions in DW. Hope she finds a way to ride it.

If it were me, I would be bringing the walker along. There are several attractions that will require short walks. Disney sometimes allows electric wheelchairs on attractions but not ECVs anymore.

If renting ECV from an outside vendor, walker clips can be requested to help carry it. I have seen walkers bungy corded to the back of seat on Disney ECVs too.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is there a big drop between the platform and the ride?

1) Yes.
2) The boats are the boats previously used - they did not change them for the "Frozen" ride.
3) There is a big step-down to get into the craft, and she might need a lot of help from CM's.

 

[Buntington]

Thanks, this is very helpful.
The disability info for Spaceship Earth says you have to transfer, but it doesn't say you have to be able to walk. She could transfer to a manual wheelchair without a problem and then we could push her up to where you get on the ride. There are no Epcot rides on this list that say you have to be able to walk to get on them. We will be renting a Disney ECV so if we did bring the walker, we'd have to strap it on somehow and that just seems like a hassle if she can just transfer into a manual wheelchair at the ride. There are only a couple of rides she wants to go on where she'd have to do that.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/
(the Frozen ride isn't on here so I don't know when this was last updated)

Will CMs assist with transferring for the step down? Or is it better to just skip it even though it is disappointing? She's 88 and this may be her last trip to Disney ever, so we were trying to hit some of her favorite rides/experiences, and she always rode Maelstrom so she wants to see how it has changed. We will have my husband with us and he could also assist. I'd be more worried about her getting out of the ride than getting on, though.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Thanks, this is very helpful.
The disability info for Spaceship Earth says you have to transfer, but it doesn't say you have to be able to walk. She could transfer to a manual wheelchair without a problem and then we could push her up to where you get on the ride. There are no Epcot rides on this list that say you have to be able to walk to get on them. We will be renting a Disney ECV so if we did bring the walker, we'd have to strap it on somehow and that just seems like a hassle if she can just transfer into a manual wheelchair at the ride. There are only a couple of rides she wants to go on where she'd have to do that.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/
(the Frozen ride isn't on here so I don't know when this was last updated)

Will CMs assist with transferring for the step down? Or is it better to just skip it even though it is disappointing? She's 88 and this may be her last trip to Disney ever, so we were trying to hit some of her favorite rides/experiences, and she always rode Maelstrom so she wants to see how it has changed. We will have my husband with us and he could also assist. I'd be more worried about her getting out of the ride than getting on, though.

It's been my experience that CMs will not help you transfer in and out of rides (I've always read that they are not allowed to due to the liability on Disney's end).

Both of my parents were in wheelchairs and we always had to assist them onto and off of rides, buses, monorails, etc. We always had a large group so someone helping was never a problem.

For Spaceship Earth you can bring the wheelchair up to a certain point and then she will have to get up out of the chair and take some steps to get into the car. You will have to assist her with that.

I hope she has a great time!

 

[smidgy]

I was able to push my husband all the way to the ride entrance in a manual wheelchair. at that point he had to get out to transfer. it is a big drop down to the boat. he had major back surgery and is very wobbley on his feet. add to that he has very low vision. they were very patient with us. I told hime which way the boat was facing and held his one hand and tried to help guide him to where his feet were on the seat. then he slowly sat down.
I must say, it was a bit nervewracking, and he was only 61 at the time. maybe it would be easier with 2 people with her. one get in first to help from inside the boat, the other to help her from the outside?

 

[gap2368]

There are some times a CM will give your there arm to help you balance some but I would not count on it. ( and itbis up to the CM but they can not help you in or out of any thing) For space ship earth they can let your bring a wheel chair up they can slow it stop the walk way but they try not too

 

[DisneyOma]

1) Yes.
2) The boats are the boats previously used - they did not change them for the "Frozen" ride.
3) There is a big step-down to get into the craft, and she might need a lot of help from CM's.

3) The CMs may offer an arm for balance, but if someone needs a lot of help, it's not going to come from the CMs. They are not trained for that, nor is it safe for them to do it. Lifting, lowering, propelling - all have certain pitfalls if not done properly. We have training every year at work (school setting) for assisting students with mobility issues. The liability situation at WDW for this would be astronomical, IMO.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have been offered an arm and even a hand up from Jungle Cruise.

But for any other ride, my husband has been the one to help me.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

3) The CMs may offer an arm for balance, but if someone needs a lot of help, it's not going to come from the CMs. They are not trained for that, nor is it safe for them to do it. Lifting, lowering, propelling - all have certain pitfalls if not done properly. We have training every year at work (school setting) for assisting students with mobility issues. The liability situation at WDW for this would be astronomical, IMO.

1) Yes, they MIGHT offer an arm.
2) But, as mentioned, they are not supposed to do so.
3) The CM could injure themselves.
4) WORSE, if the guest slips and falls, they might sue for carelessness (as has been attempted before).
. . . alas, human nature is what it is,
. . . and many times it is not kind nor reasonable

 

[dismom57]

We were offered a slide at FEA in September, but did not use it. It was similar to the one we have used at Kali. We have perfected a two man lift for Splash and Pirates, FEA is similar. But we have DS 120 lbs and only 55 inches. At SE we enter at the WC entrance and take chair up the exit ramp. They can slow the ride for the transfer.

 

[jo-jo]

I was able to push my husband all the way to the ride entrance in a manual wheelchair. at that point he had to get out to transfer. it is a big drop down to the boat. he had major back surgery and is very wobbley on his feet. add to that he has very low vision. they were very patient with us. I told hime which way the boat was facing and held his one hand and tried to help guide him to where his feet were on the seat. then he slowly sat down.
I must say, it was a bit nervewracking, and he was only 61 at the time. maybe it would be easier with 2 people with her. one get in first to help from inside the boat, the other to help her from the outside?

My DH has bad knees that don't bend well, but we did as you. I went in the boat first to help. Wish there had been another person at the end of the ride to help get out.


I'd also suggest maybe a small flashlight to help with the lighting.