How does TS dining work with an ECV?

[cosmicdaisy]

Now that we are making some headway in our dining choices...I started to wonder about my dad who will be using an ECV in place of his wheelchair while touring the parks. In my mind, I had him staying in his ECV while dining, as he would in his w/c. However, then I started to wonder about space, table height, ECV limiations (does the seat swivel, etc.). (obviously, I am not well versed at all on ECVs)

We are also a party of 5. Will that make it more difficult obtaining ADRs?

Here is what I know, for now (because honestly, these plans were just changed today...so who knows what next month will bring...but this is the happiest I've been with dining choices...even though I am aware we've picked some harder ones to obtain)

Arrival day, HDDR in w/c (unless I am mistaken we will need to request Tier 1 for this)

DHS for day two, California Grill dinner...sooooooo this will be a w/c as well so moving on, lol

EP for day three, I would love to procure a coveted Le Cellier ressie. We *plan* to take a break in the afternoon...so it's *possible* we could return to the park in his w/c instead of the ECV. However, on the more likely chance that a) we may not take a break and b) even if we do we will *all* prefer the ECV to his w/c....what am I looking at at Le Cellier?

MK for day four, final park touring day for my parents...I'm hoping for CRT breakfast. It would make the most sense to me since this will be how we start our day, for my dad to be in his ECV and not his w/c. (we (he) would prefer this to CP because of lack of a buffet line)


There are a few things that concern me when I think about the possibility of him transferring from the ECV to an available chair at a table.....well, maybe only one thing....STURDINESS. Now if there were a grab bar near by I'd think nothing of it, lol. But I don't recall seeing those in any of the TS establishments I've had the pleasure of dining in. I like to live with the philosophy that you can make anything possible. So, do I need to make transferring to a chair possible at TS restaurants?

One last thing, I guess OT...but did they eventually switch to the CM guided seating in all CS restaurants? The your-whole-party-will-be-seated-after-you-all-have-your-food thing?

Thanks so much!

 

[Chuck S]

If he is able to comfortably transfer to a seat, it would probably be more comfortable for him to do so, and then someone in your party could move the ECV to another area.

If he is unable to transfer comfortably or easily, he can remain in his ECV, but as you said, the table height may not be as comfortable. Are you renting the ECV offsite? Offsite rentals tend to sit a little lower and be smaller than the Disney model.

 

[Talking Hands]

Also I think castmembers assume if you are using an ECV you are able to transfer to a seat while if you are using a power wheelchair or regular wheelchair especially if it is yours that you will not be transferring.
You may have to wait longer for an appropriate table to be available as not every table is accessible.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

All ECVs have a small lever under the seat, which will allow the seat to swivel. Most will allow the seat to lock in place in any of the four cardinal directions.

Also, if he will be using a Disney ECV it will be much more difficult to maneuver than an off-site rental as they are all heavy duty and with four wheels, while almost all of the off-site rentals are three wheel.

 

[Nanajo1]

I tell the greeting CM at the restaurant that I will be riding my ECV to the table and tranferring to a seat. My DH then moves the ECV to an appropriate place. I find it more comfortable to sit in a chair. The ECV isn't at the right height and can be too big for some areas.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Do all the restaurants have a place for you to park your ECV outside of the restaurant? I can walk in to our table and thought it may be more convenient for everyone to do this.

 

[Nanajo1]

The restaurants have an area for ECVs and strollers. Usually I'm directed to the "parking" area when I check in at the restaurant. It's then I tell the CM I need to ride the ECV to the table and DH parks the ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

The restaurants have an area for ECVs and strollers. Usually I'm directed to the "parking" area when I check in at the restaurant. It's then I tell the CM I need to ride the ECV to the table and DH parks the ECV.

A good point - it's important to tell the CMs what you need (in Nanajo's case, to ride to the table).
They may assume that you can park the ECV in the parking area because most people do that. That is the easiest since you don't have to manouver around tables and chairs inside the restaurant. But, if parking and walking in is going to cause a problem for you, they won't know unless you tell them.
So, tell them what you need and they will figure out a way to make it happen - which may be driving it in, transferring to a chair and then having another member of your party move it for you.
If transferring is a problem, it may even mean staying in the ECV and turning the seat. Just let them know when you check in so that they can assign a table that makes that possible.

 

[cosmicdaisy]

Thank you all so much for your helpful responses!