Haunted Mansion Changes

[Cheshire Figment]

I went over to Haunted Mansion today. Afterwards I spoke with a supervisor there to discuss changes to accessibility.

Currently there are two major changes in place, with possibly more to come.

First of all, the main line is no longer a mass of people but is a queue with chains to form a serpentine. Instead of going directly to a special waiting area, people in wheelchairs/ECVs go through the regular line until close to the entrance, then out a gate to a waiting area behind the hearse. A CM will ask if you can stand for at least five minutes and use the moving sidewalk.

If the answer is yes, you will be asked to park your ECV/wc of to the side and will be escorted into the Servant's Quarters and then into one of the stretch rooms.

If the answer is no you will be escorted through the exit. The moving belt at the exit has been widened, and there is also an area off to the side. The belt can be slowed down or stopped if needed. There is still a requirement to transfer. However, since they reopened last week they have found by the belt being wider they have been able to reduce the slowing or stopping by about 50%

The Imagineers are still trying to work out a way to get a standard wheelchair into a special Doom Buggy; it looks as if this will be able to be working in the near future. They do not expect to be able to put in a power chair as a fast locking system can work for a standard wheelchair but they would not be able to clamp the power chair wheels.

I was also told that if a person has a vent, oxygen, IV or other item which can be detached from their chair and still operational and the person can transfer they will be able to bring the equipment along.

Also Service Dogs can be brought along.

More on this at a later date.

Incidentally, there are now five Jack Skellington's in the Mansion. Also, they do not have any plans to set up a Haunted Mansion Holiday as they have in DisneyLand.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Can I add that I was on the ride 2 days ago and it was being poorly handled with the new access. I was told by 2 different cm to go through the line and since I saw 2 people in w/c behind us and a person in front of us I went ahead with it thinking maybe they changed the entrance. However, when I got close to the front I saw a w/c being lifted over the turnstyles (!) for someone and we were stuck ourselves, blocking every one else, getting dirty looks and wondering what to do. My husband ended up going in and finding someone and we backed up through the line to the entrance we were supposed to go through to begin with. I am not sure what they did with the poor guy with the full leg cast. Ugh.
This was not the only ride we had issues with and I hope to write more later after we recoup. I showed different cm our GAC and they appeared to read it but then would send us the wrong way or tell us something wrong. We were in a few difficult situations and was told by a cm to make sure the employees actually read it. That is hard to do when they appear to be reading it when you show it to them, short of saying, "do you understand what this means?"

 

[seabee]

If Buzz can have the special WC carts I don't see how the mansion couldn't. I would love that. My husband likes that ride, but since his accident has not been able to go on it, it would be great if he could.

I don't know how I feel about it getting the "holiday makeover". I wish I would be able to see it before they add that stuff.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the update, Cheshire Figment.

First of all, the main line is no longer a mass of people but is a queue with chains to form a serpentine. Instead of going directly to a special waiting area, people in wheelchairs/ECVs go through the regular line until close to the entrance, then out a gate to a waiting area behind the hearse. A CM will ask if you can stand for at least five minutes and use the moving sidewalk.

That is basically how it was long ago before they changed the line for Fastpass. Those in wheelchairs waited in the line until close to the turnstiles; there was a chained area with a wheelchair symbol on it on the right side of the line at that point. You waited there until a CM came and opened the chain to let you into the waiting area in the courtyard by the hearse.

If the answer is no you will be escorted through the exit. The moving belt at the exit has been widened, and there is also an area off to the side. The belt can be slowed down or stopped if needed. There is still a requirement to transfer. However, since they reopened last week they have found by the belt being wider they have been able to reduce the slowing or stopping by about 50%

One of the problems with boarding at the exit was that you were in the path of people who were trying to get out, so I can see that the increase in the belt size would be helpful.

The Imagineers are still trying to work out a way to get a standard wheelchair into a special Doom Buggy; it looks as if this will be able to be working in the near future. They do not expect to be able to put in a power chair as a fast locking system can work for a standard wheelchair but they would not be able to clamp the power chair wheels.

I can see that might be a problem. Because of the area in the ride where the doom buggy goes down an incline, they need to be able to have the wheelchair stay put more than if it was just a flat path.

If Buzz can have the special WC carts I don't see how the mansion couldn't. I would love that. My husband likes that ride, but since his accident has not been able to go on it, it would be great if he could.

Buzz Lightyear is easier because it doesn't have the backwards 'hill' that Haunted Mansion has. It sounds like they just have not been able to work it out quite yet.

 

[Shorty82]

If Buzz can have the special WC carts I don't see how the mansion couldn't. I would love that. My husband likes that ride, but since his accident has not been able to go on it, it would be great if he could.

I don't know how I feel about it getting the "holiday makeover". I wish I would be able to see it before they add that stuff.

Buzz is level throughout. The Haunted Mansion has slopes and there are parts where the Doombuggies go at an angle. I can see the slopes causing problems for making an accessable Doombuggy.

 

[dclfun]

I'm glad to read about the changes even though I don't think I'll ever be able to access this attraction again. The day we were there and it reopened I'll admit to being a little teary over not being able to share the excitement with everyone else. I really don't see how a person not able to transfer from a w/c can be accomodated but for those using a manual w/c, I sure hope so! Thanks for the updates!---Kathy

 

[Barbday62]

In Disneyland they ask you wait in the normal que then split off near the front and ask if you can do a short walk then escort you right in. We made the mistake once of saying yes because my husband can do short walks and short stands. They never mentioned the moving sidewalk at the end of the ride is a steep slope up. He nearly fell trying to hang on to the top.
One thing we learned is question them about the short walk and moving sidewalks.

Now we ride his wheel chair into the ride, transfer to the ride then they take us back out the elevator backwards every time. Its funny watching the elevator room shrink instead of grow.

 

[Shorty82]

Now we ride his wheel chair into the ride, transfer to the ride then they take us back out the elevator backwards every time. Its funny watching the elevator room shrink instead of grow.

Now there's one think you'll never see at WDW. Unlike in DL's Mansion WDW's stretching room is not an elevator. The floor stays in the same place and the ceiling rises.

 

[alizesmom]

We can carry Alize to the doom buggy if the walk is slowed. Will his wheelchair be there where we get off? I'm trying to visualize the logistics. Karen

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, you will board at the exit; they will not move the wheelchair (other than take it off the moving belt).

 

[SueM in MN]

We can carry Alize to the doom buggy if the walk is slowed. Will his wheelchair be there where we get off? I'm trying to visualize the logistics. Karen

This is how it was and I don't think they would have changed this part:

Just beyond the exit area there is a covered hallway/alcove. It is about 20 feet from the end of the moving walkway. If the person can walk or be carried into the ride, their wheelchair would be parked there and would stay there while you are in the ride. So, it would be waiting for you when you get off.
If the person can't walk or be carried, the wheelchair can be brought onto the walkway, even parked touching the ride car. After you get on, the CM will move the wheelchair back to the 'alcove'. It would stay there while you are in the ride.

 

[Hook's Girl]

Incidentally, there are now five Jack Skellington's in the Mansion. Also, they do not have any plans to set up a Haunted Mansion Holiday as they have in DisneyLand.

Thank goodness, Holiday Haunted Mansion is just weird.


Good to hear that it is more accessable, bummer though that people confined to chairs aren't experiencing the Stretch Room. Great improvements overall though!

 

[shovan]

With the supposed very good news about the haunted mansion that Kevin was given. Only to find out it was totally erroneous, I am really just feeling totally ticked off!!!! I just don't believe that Disney Imagineers couldn't figure out a way to make HH have an accessible car! Tipping or not! It can be done!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

With the supposed very good news about the haunted mansion that Kevin was given. Only to find out it was totally erroneous, I am really just feeling totally ticked off!!!! I just don't believe that Disney Imagineers couldn't figure out a way to make HH have an accessible car! Tipping or not! It can be done!

Let's see. To make a car in which a regular wheelchair could be used you would have to do the following:

1. Get the car into the ride vehicle.
2. Turn it so it is facing forward.
3. Lock it down since there are hills. (Might be an extra problem as Disney rents out both standard and wide wheelchairs, and people who have their own may have other non-standard widths.)
4. Allow a second passenger in the vehicle.
5. Have restraint system that will work for both the person in the wc and the other person.
6. Be able to do the boarding and exit in a reasonable length of time.

And then of course you would have to consider other than standard wheelchairs, such as transport chairs that don't have the large wheels or power chairs.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Let's see. To make a car in which a regular wheelchair could be used you would have to do the following:

1. ...
2. ...
3. ...
4. ...
5. ...
6. ....

OR

Send out Disney's film crew with professional grade video & sound equipment to ride every less accessible ride.

Build a small theatre at each park like the one at innovations. High definition wide screen, surround sound. Restrict entry to those who cannot transfer to ride vehicles. Show films of rides. If theatre is popular, expand to theatre at each ride.

Mostly, I can't transfer from my chair to ride vehicles. I still remember riding Space Mountain, Big Thunder & Spaceship Earth in my youth. I accept that it is not practical to provide access for me, But I pay the same entry as everyone else. It would be nice if I could ride all the rides, if only in Virtual form.

Andrew

 

[livndisney]

Can I add that I was on the ride 2 days ago and it was being poorly handled with the new access. I was told by 2 different cm to go through the line and since I saw 2 people in w/c behind us and a person in front of us I went ahead with it thinking maybe they changed the entrance. However, when I got close to the front I saw a w/c being lifted over the turnstyles (!) for someone and we were stuck ourselves, blocking every one else, getting dirty looks and wondering what to do. My husband ended up going in and finding someone and we backed up through the line to the entrance we were supposed to go through to begin with. I am not sure what they did with the poor guy with the full leg cast. Ugh.
This was not the only ride we had issues with and I hope to write more later after we recoup. I showed different cm our GAC and they appeared to read it but then would send us the wrong way or tell us something wrong. We were in a few difficult situations and was told by a cm to make sure the employees actually read it. That is hard to do when they appear to be reading it when you show it to them, short of saying, "do you understand what this means?"

We too had this experience just this weekend. I KNOW the CM did not read the GAC as I had bearly gotten it out of my pocket and it was folded. When we came out it was clear they still had no clue how to assist the w/c guests as the w/c line was LONGER than the other line.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Andrew, your's is at least a Novel approach!

 

[SueM in MN]

OR

Send out Disney's film crew with professional grade video & sound equipment to ride every less accessible ride.

Build a small theatre at each park like the one at innovations. High definition wide screen, surround sound. Restrict entry to those who cannot transfer to ride vehicles. Show films of rides. If theatre is popular, expand to theatre at each ride.

Mostly, I can't transfer from my chair to ride vehicles. I still remember riding Space Mountain, Big Thunder & Spaceship Earth in my youth. I accept that it is not practical to provide access for me, But I pay the same entry as everyone else. It would be nice if I could ride all the rides, if only in Virtual form.

Andrew

I LOVE your idea, but I'd add to it - make it also a simulator like Star Tours where motion can be added to go along with the ride or a non-motion option is available for those who would like the experience, but can't deal with the motion.
Although, maybe that isn't necessary if the video and the sound are good. After all, you feel like you are moving in the 360 movies in China and Canada without anything moving at all.

There are many rides that I know my thrill seeling DD would love to go on, but they are not appropriate for her for one reason or another.
We can still lift her onto things like Spaceship Earth, but there are some (like Peter Pan ) that we can no longer take her on because it is too hard. There are also others like Space Mountain, Big Thunder, EE and Rock N Roller Coaster that she would love, but we decided are just too dangerous for a number of reasons.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Also Service Dogs can be brought along.

They were allowed before, too, but not in the stretching room - you had to go through the exit and load there. Is it still that way or are service dogs now allowed in the stretching room?

 

[dclfun]

Unless there is some crowd control, I wouldn't want to bring my SD into the stretching room. Too many people in the dark who would step on her, or in the case of a frightened child, would want to grab her for comfort! I LOVE Andrew's suggestion. I had added to Bill's thread about his letter to WDW that a provision, IMO, should have been made at Soarin' for guests who cannot transfer to at least have had a place to view the movie. Having a virtual theater or a virtual reality headset provided would relieve my long hours of waiting for my family to enjoy everything I no longer can access because I can't transfer and would greatly enhance my time in the parks. Seems like a great project for an imagineer that would put Disney on the cutting edge. ---Kathy