Half day at MK solo in a chair... your thoughts,tips and tricks

[oneandonlytara]

Hi all,

It's been a little bit since I've posted, but I'm headed to the World in just under a month. I will be with four other family members. We will be staying off-property at a townhome that's been rented as some of my family will be there for a month, but myself and a cousin are flying down for a week.

As it stands currently, we have nailed down one day to do Animal Kingdom. It is the one park I've actually never been to. When I was last in Disney, no one else wanted to go and instead we did a day at Epcot. Prior to that visit, I was in WDW before AK was open.

No one else is really interested in doing another Disney day though, so I was considering doing half day at MK solo because it is my favourite park. I'm in an electric chair and unable to transfer myself so I'd likely just stick to rides and shows where I can remain in my chair. Here's kind of an itinerary I've been thinking of

• Lunch at BOG if I can nab a reservation. I'll probably wait to look into this til I'm actually down there and know a day I'll want to go. If it works out, yay. If not, there's plenty of QS places.
• Small World
• Jungle Cruise
  
• Carousel of Progress (probably my favourite "ride" at WDW next to Splash and Big Thunder... but I know I can't do those two if I do this solo day )
  
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• The tiki room
  
• Mickey's Philharmagic (something I wanted to do our last trip, but completely slipped my mind. I've never seen it, but I've seen Youtube videos and it looks adorable)
  
• Eat a Dole Whip (again, I wanted to do this, too... but I forgot all about it)
  
• Ride the Riverboat
• do some pin trading
• Watch Happily Ever After

And just generally hang out and enjoy the park. I plan on bringing my Kindle so that I can also maybe just find a bench to wheel beside and just read/people watch for a bit. Maybe I'll monorail over to the Grand Floridian/Poly if I get bored and check those out, since I've always wanted to!

I've thought about getting there for around noon (or whatever time I can possibly grab a BOG reservation) and being in the park til Happily Ever After ends. I've got a solution thought up in case I need to use the restroom, but typically if I know I'm not going to be able to use a restroom, I just limit fluid intake and ensure I go right before leaving home. I've done things similar where I'm alone away from home/anyone who can assist for 7-8 hours and I've been fine, so I'm pretty confident I can manage this if I play my cards right. I'm not afraid to ask cast members for help if I need it either with things like carrying food to a table.

Can anyone think of anything I should do? Have any tips?

 

[gap2368]

the hall of presidents and the mupit show next to it ( very fun)

the river bot might be closed

 

[kaytieeldr]

That seems like a lot for a half day. But really, if you want to visit Animal Kingdom, why not?

 

[oneandonlytara]

That seems like a lot for a half day. But really, if you want to visit Animal Kingdom, why not?

I probably won’t get all of those done, no, but they’re all the things I know I can do without needing to transfer.

 

[Tiggerish]

The Under the Seas - Journey of the Little Mermaid ride, the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Pooh ride all have cars where you can remain in your wheelchair. The Little Mermaid car, the back opens up to become a ramp and you just drive yourself into place. The Buzz and Pooh rides are a little different and my power chair has too low of a clearance (the bottom of my chair is too close to the ground) to use them but most people have no problem.

I have gone to the Magic Kingdom many time by myself, in my chair. It has the most non-transfer rides, three shows, afternoon parade plus fireworks. Since there is not a half day ticket, so you have already paid for the full day, there is plenty to do as long as you want to stay.

There is a set aside area for mobility devices viewing of the fireworks and it has good views. It is on the Tomorrowland side in front of the garden area that is used for the dessert party. It is not a large area and can get full, so you do have to get there 45 minutes or more early. Also, I am a firm believer in adult incontinence underwear products.

Many of the quick service restaurants have a line marked with the handicapped wheelchair symbol, that line is wider and usually has a way me to get my chair turned around after I have my tray. Also cast members are more than willing to carry your tray.

 

[Staren]

Don't forget about the mobile order option at many quick service locations now. That makes for a nice easy quick line when you pick up your food, and you can either find a nice out of the way spot, or choose your order while in line for something else.

 

[oneandonlytara]

The Under the Seas - Journey of the Little Mermaid ride, the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Pooh ride all have cars where you can remain in your wheelchair. The Little Mermaid car, the back opens up to become a ramp and you just drive yourself into place. The Buzz and Pooh rides are a little different and my power chair has too low of a clearance (the bottom of my chair is too close to the ground) to use them but most people have no problem.

I have gone to the Magic Kingdom many time by myself, in my chair. It has the most non-transfer rides, three shows, afternoon parade plus fireworks. Since there is not a half day ticket, so you have already paid for the full day, there is plenty to do as long as you want to stay.

There is a set aside area for mobility devices viewing of the fireworks and it has good views. It is on the Tomorrowland side in front of the garden area that is used for the dessert party. It is not a large area and can get full, so you do have to get there 45 minutes or more early. Also, I am a firm believer in adult incontinence underwear products.

Many of the quick service restaurants have a line marked with the handicapped wheelchair symbol, that line is wider and usually has a way me to get my chair turned around after I have my tray. Also cast members are more than willing to carry your tray.

Thanks for the reminders about the little mermaid and buzz! I forgot those are also ones I don't have to transfer for. I remember riding them my last trip, but then looked at the list of rides I don't have to transfer out for and both of them were listed under "transfer to wheelchair," and I couldn't remember if I transferred out of my chair and into another to ride them.

Funny you mention adult incontinence products... that's exactly what I do as well.

 

[Tiggerish]

but then looked at the list of rides I don't have to transfer out for and both of them were listed under "transfer to wheelchair," and I couldn't remember if I transferred out of my chair and into another to ride them.


That is because these rides do not allow ECVs in the line, those people have to transfer to a wheelchair. However, power wheelchairs are allowed and do not have to transfer.

 

[oneandonlytara]

but then looked at the list of rides I don't have to transfer out for and both of them were listed under "transfer to wheelchair," and I couldn't remember if I transferred out of my chair and into another to ride them.


That is because these rides do not allow ECVs in the line, those people have to transfer to a wheelchair. However, power wheelchairs are allowed and do not have to transfer.

Thanks for the refresher on what that meant. It's been a few years, so my park knowledge is a tad rusty combined with all the new things to see and do.