Going alone to Spaceship Earth in ecv/wc? Don't plan on getting on the ride.

[POOHsie]

I've read through you DISability FAQs about EPCOT, and looked at other posts, but no one has mentioned the experience I had at EPCOT Spaceship Earth this past summer of 2009.

I was alone that day in my ecv and went into Spaceship Earth through the handicap entrance. A CM had me transfer to a wc. I then got in a long line waiting to enter the long ramp up to the ride. As I was nearing the ramp, another CM asked "how many in your party," and I answered, "just myself." It was then that I was told that I couldn't go on the ride because the ramp up was too steep and a person alone in a wc may not be able to handle it safely. A companion was required. I was turned away.

I can handle bad news, and I accept that there are limitations because of my physical disability. But, really, this important rule should be stated in the handicap provisions of the ride information. I wouldn't have bothered to waste my time, and subject myself to a sad and humiliating disappointment. I felt like a second-class human. I don't think those Disney employees "felt my pain."

 

[BillSears]

I've gone up that ramp many times by myself in the past. If I was told that then I'd ask for a supervisor until the problem was solved.

 

[POOHsie]

I've gone up that ramp many times by myself in the past. If I was told that then I'd ask for a supervisor until the problem was solved.

This happened after Spaceship Earth re-opened after being closed for remodeling. I don't know if some rule may have changed when it re-opened or if I got a lousy CM. If I am alone again, I will ask the first CM I see in the HC area to explain what the rule for the ramp is ... and, if need be, go with your suggestion.

 

[BillSears]

This happened after Spaceship Earth re-opened after being closed for remodeling. I don't know if some rule may have changed when it re-opened or if I got a lousy CM. If I am alone again, I will ask the first CM I see in the HC area to explain what the rule for the ramp is ... and, if need be, go with your suggestion.

I haven't ridden SE solo since the rehab but I have done it since the rehab. I had my DD with me but she didn't push me up the hill. I really don't need help going up hills, I've been doing it for 33 years.

 

[POOHsie]

I really don't need help going up hills, I've been doing it for 33 years.

My feelings exactly. Maybe there was a recent incident with a solo wc rider at the time I was there. I don't know. Out of curiosity, I will ask next time, although I will be with DD.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, Lilyyyyyyy......

This makes no sense. The attraction itself was redesigned, but the access was not. The ramp, while possibly a tad steep, had NOT been changed. It has always had the same 'something' (drawing a blank on the word...) RISE! As Bill points out, the rise had never been too steep/sharp before the attraction was redesigned, and it is still not too steep/sharp - since no change was made to the ramp itself.

ANY time you are denied access to an attraction, your first response should be, "Please get me the Area Manager". I've given up on asking for the Attraction Lead except in very minor cases. Yes, it will delay you a bit; this doesn't matter to me as much as it might to many others, since I've been to Walt Disney World over thirty times. I'm willing to take time out of park touring to discuss issues.

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks for your "wisdom of experience." Good advice to save for future trips.

 

[BillSears]

I just got back from WDW and I tried out Spaceship Earth solo.

No problems at all. The CM didn't blink an eye as I wheeled up the ramp solo. I made the transfer easily and got off fine at the end.

There must have been someone who really didn't know what they were doing on the day you went.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just got back from WDW and I tried out Spaceship Earth solo.

No problems at all. The CM didn't blink an eye as I wheeled up the ramp solo. I made the transfer easily and got off fine at the end.

There must have been someone who really didn't know what they were doing on the day you went.

One other possibility is that you obviously look like someone who can get up the ramp by yourself.

I’m not sure if the CM thought that someone who transferred into one of the heavy attraction wheelchairs would not be able to get up the ramp. Those wheelchairs are not very well suited for self propelling on a flat surface, much less up a steep ramp.
If that is the case, the CM was not very tactful in how it was handled, but may have had concerns about the OP’s ability to make it up the ramp with the wheelchair.

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks to you all for your concern and comments. I don't have a look about me which might signal worries about my abilities. I have the invisible handicap look that able-bodied people describe.

I now know there isn't a policy against single wheelchair guests entering the ramp to the ride. As you say, it may have been a CM who was misinformed or lacked the proper information (new to job). Since I don't usually go alone to WDW, I wasn't armed with the best info, either.

Again, thanks for caring. Back to WDW mid-September (PORFQ). Can't wait!!

 

[Mary976]

One other Spaceship Earth comment...DD had a tough time with the transfer when we were last there. it wasn't until afterwards that I discovered (courtesy of this board) that there is a car with a wider opening to help with transferring. So if you need that, be sure you ask for it. The CM obviously didn't know to mention it to us.

Mary

 

[SueM in MN]

One other Spaceship Earth comment...DD had a tough time with the transfer when we were last there. it wasn't until afterwards that I discovered (courtesy of this board) that there is a car with a wider opening to help with transferring. So if you need that, be sure you ask for it. The CM obviously didn't know to mention it to us.

Mary

Another hint,
pick up a Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities when you arrive in the park. They are now in the map kiosks where you enter the park at every park (except they did not have them at MK out in the open on our recent trip).
The maps look the same as the ‘regular’ maps, but have a black band on the top and say they are for guests with disabilities.
You can also find them at Guest Relations and at the ECV/wheelchair rental place at the park.
They list the wheelchair/disability entrance (usually they say to get a Fastpass or use the regular line) and list which attractions have a transfer vehicle. I heard those vehicles referred to as the “ADA car” by many CMs, so I am sure if you ask for it that way or by “transfer car", they will know what you mean.