How hard is it for pushing on the ramps for a wheelchair on monorail?

[Bete]

I've seen the ramps and I have to tell you they scare me with pushing a wheelchair up or down. I'm not in the best of shape, but I manage to push a wheelchair through the parks, but these taller ramps scare me at the monorails.

I'm considering staying at a monorail resort and it would be much easier to go to Epcot and MK using the monorail, but I'm very scared of the ramps. You have crowds to consider, as well as, the ramp situation.

How do you feel doing it? Have you had any bad experiences? Would you avoid it if you were out of shape?

Are there buses you can take from the monorail resorts instead as an alternative? I'm thinking about the Polynesian or the Contemporary.

 

[disney david]

I've seen the ramps and I have to tell you they scare me with pushing a wheelchair up or down. I'm not in the best of shape, but I manage to push a wheelchair through the parks, but these taller ramps scare me at the monorails.

I'm considering staying at a monorail resort and it would be much easier to go to Epcot and MK using the monorail, but I'm very scared of the ramps. You have crowds to consider, as well as, the ramp situation.

How do you feel doing it? Have you had any bad experiences? Would you avoid it if you were out of shape?

Are there buses you can take from the monorail resorts instead as an alternative? I'm thinking about the Polynesian or the Contemporary.

the poly and contemp and just in case you decide grand floridain all share a bus to dhs and ak and dtd.

 

[KPeveler]

Pushing on the MK ramp can be hard, but there is an elevator at Epcot so you don't have to push up that ramp. I am not certain about the TTC ramps. If I remember properly, they are up to ADA code, but only barely. If you avoid them at very crowded times, you can take a break.

If you turn a wheelchair perpendicular to the ramp, it is one way to take a break. This is what I do when I need a break.

Also, something to consider, my wife finds it more difficult to get me DOWN the ramps rather than up them.

 

[Chickenlady]

My DH says that the monorail ramps are nothing compared with the entrance and exit of space mountain. Of course, my DS (13) and I love space mountain, so DH pushes a lot! They don't let scooters in the line for SM, you have to transfer. Sad part is that DH refuses to go on SM, he just pushes.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The monorail station ramps at the MK, and for the MK line at the TTC, are steeper than allowed by the ADA regulations. However, they were built before the ADA. To attempt to modify them would require shutting down the monorails for at least three months.

The Epcot side ramps at the TTC are not as steep and have some flat areas for resting. At Epcot there is an elevator at the boarding side, and in all the Monorail Resorts there are elevators to the platform level.

 

[Bete]

I'm back at POP for this trip; since, it's just mom and I.

I'll save this resort experience for when hubby is along and we have our car. I was thinking about it; because, we received the 40% off pincode.

 

[Nanajo1]

Pushing on the MK ramp can be hard, but there is an elevator at Epcot so you don't have to push up that ramp. I am not certain about the TTC ramps. If I remember properly, they are up to ADA code, but only barely. If you avoid them at very crowded times, you can take a break.

If you turn a wheelchair perpendicular to the ramp, it is one way to take a break. This is what I do when I need a break.

Also, something to consider, my wife finds it more difficult to get me DOWN the ramps rather than up them.

I keep hold of the hand brakes so I can help my DH if the chair gets rolling downhill too quickly.

 

[zaksmom]

Yes, going down the ramp at MK monorail station is the most difficult. I kind of lean back and just hold on. I try to leave a little space between the front of the wheelchair and the next person. And usually someone sees this space and moves into it. The hardest thing for me is not running into people who step in front of me as the momentum keeps me moving down! When it is crowded, people don't realize that my son's feet stick out further than the seat of the wheelchair and trip over them when trying to step in front of us. This can be dangerous as it is hard for me to stop. The ramp leaving the monorail at the parking lot is better. We try to take the boat if we can. A couple of times (not recently) we've been turned away from the boat due to water level/ramp issues. Didn't really understand that. Another suggestion is to wait till everyone else leaves the monorail and go last (before the next train comes in) then you can take your time on the ramp. Have fun!

 

[barrysprot36]

We've always found it's easier to walk to the MK from the Contemporary or Bay Lake Towers when we have stayed there. From the Polynesian you could use the boat to MK, as long as the wheelchair user can transfer I think.

Caron

 

[dan-tot]

The ramp that they put in front of the wheelchair section is not that high. I have pushed my sister and now my brother on to the monorail with no problem. If people want to use the car as well they have to wait till you are in the car before the CM will let them on. When you get to your destination the other will off load the other people before you. You go down the ramp backwards and then you are on ground. I have had no problems with the ramps and I have done it numerous times. The one thing I noticed last year was the center section was taken out and grab bars were installed in the center where an island used to be.
I would say that the boat ramp for the boat that goes between TTC and MK is a little harder but not what is used to be. You will have no problem.

Dan-tot

 

[dan-tot]

I thought you were talking about the ramps on the monorail itself.
The ramp from the monorail to the entrance to mk is alittle steep if you do lock your arms and lean back you will have no problem don't bother about the people who scoot in front of you they are creating the problem not you.
The easiest way would be the boat. I know I said it is a little more difficult but when you are looking at the ramps to the monorail the choice would be better. When you arrive at mk it is a little slope up to the ticket entrance. The ramp going up to the platform of the monorail is steep. I have to work at really pushing the chair up the hill. So the boat would be the best way and you would not have to stay at a monorail hotel.

Dan