I am seriously confused...HELP!!!

[disneegrl4eva]

Ive been reading the disabilities sticky and I gotta tell you Im more confused now than I was before I started reading it...what Im confused about is the boats...which ecvs can or cannot work on the boats....If I understand correctly, the newest WDW ecv carts cannot be driven on the smaller boats but can on the larger boat shuttles...what about ecv's from other companies like walkers, bv, Randy's etc.....also at the resorts, is there a special place to wait so that the bus driver can see I will need assistance in getting on the bus??? and another thing im confused about is the rides...which rides in which parks do you have to transfer to a wheelchair in queue and which ones can you go through the queue with? I hope you guys can help me with this because this will be my first trip to WDW (im a dedicated expert at DL) and I know what needs to be done by the back of my hand there and would hate to have to spend the majority of my day trying to figure out what I need to do once Im there you know what I mean??? I would appreciate any help you can give me

 

[SueM in MN]

It will make more sense when you get there.

.If I understand correctly, the newest WDW ecv carts cannot be driven on the smaller boats but can on the larger boat shuttles...

The ECVs that you rent in the parks can't be removed from the parks, so whether or not they can go on the boats doesn't matter at all.
Epcot park has some boats that go from one part of World Showcase to the other. Off site rental ECVs can go on those. There are also similar boats that go from Epcot to the Epcot resorts (BW, BC, Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin) and to the Studio. Those boats are accessible to ECVs and wheelchairs.

ECVs rented from an off-site company can go on the big boats that go between the Ticket and Transportation Center and MK. There are big boats that go between WL and MK - Any ECVs can go on them if the water level is right. If the water is too high or too low compared to the dock, then wheelchairs and ECVs can't be driven right on because the boat and the dock don't line up.
There are smaller boats that go between MK and Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Those boats have steps, so ECVs can't go on them and wheelchairs can only go on if someone folds the wheelchair and lifts it on.

Boats go between Downtown Disney and OKW, and DD and Port Orleans. Those boats are accessible to wheelchairs and ECVs.

also at the resorts, is there a special place to wait so that the bus driver can see I will need assistance in getting on the bus???

There are bus stops at the resorts, but they are usually roofed, but are just an area by the curb where people wait for the bus. You have to watch for the buses to come and when you see the one you want, point, nod or whatever you can do to get the driver's attention and let him/her know you want that bus. If you don't do anything, they usually will open the door and ask if you want that bus. Or, you can send another member of your party to the door to let the driver know you want to board.

and another thing im confused about is the rides...which rides in which parks do you have to transfer to a wheelchair in queue and which ones can you go through the queue with?

If you go to post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a link to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. That will tell you for each ride.
Also, post #6 of this thread about Epcot has a list of attractions where you must transfer.
The park maps and signs outside of each attraction will tell you which rides you need to transfer to a wheelchair. The icon shows a little picture of an ECV and a stick person getting out of the ECV and getting into a wheelchair. Those are the ones where you need to change to an ECV to go in the line.
For some of those, you may be able to bring a small ECV rented from an off-site company into the line. That is a decision made by the CM at the entrance. For those, I would plan to transfer, but it's possible the CM will let you stay in your ECV.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Hi, I am gonna try to help as best I can, so bear with me.

You cannot take the WDW ECVs out of the park. You can use the ferry to and from the MK, certain boats from some of the resorts (there will be a CM that can tell you if the boat is accessible). All buses we have seen will accommodate you, unless the lift/ramp is out of service (seen that once in 6 trips). There is an area near the back of the bus area that is usually marked for WC/WCV users and you just go sit and wait until the bus stops and the driver will come out to open the back door for you before other guests are allowed to board. If you want to ride the monorail, there is always an attendant there and they will direct you to the WC/ECV car and will pring out a portable ramp.

At the entrance to the ride, there will be a sign that shows you will need to transfer. I am going to try to list all those that you can ride the ECV right to the ride vehicle.

IASW: enter through the exit and go down the ramp there is an attendant
Jungle Cruise: enter through the exit you will see the WC sign
POTC: you must transfer to a WC or walk
BTMRR : enter through the exit
If we do HM, I usually get there when there is no line, because I can stand a very few minutes. You would have to transfer to WC though.
Riverboat: rode ECV right on
Hall of Presidents: rode into theater
TTA: not sure, I jsut usually walk right on
CoP: rode ECV into theater
Buzz: enter through exit in ECV
Monsters Inc: rode ECV into theater

Those are my regulars and I don't do the others enough to tell you about them.

EPcot
TT: enter through FP line
Soarin I think we went through FP line
Livin with the Land has HC entrance you can enter with ECV

I think that is all we ride at EP

DHS
GMR: ride ECV into ride room and transfer to back row of car
B&tB: CM send us to the front and we park ECV and walk a few feet to front seats
Little Mermaid: ride ECV into theater
Backlot Tour: rode ECV until we board trams and CM takes to exit area

I think that is all we do at DHS

AK

KS enter through FP (not sure)
I can't remember here, it has been over a year since we went to AK

Please let me know if I can help with anything else

Suzanne

 

[disneegrl4eva]

thank you both so much ...that helps me a bunch....anybody else that can add to this be my guest...

 

[mamaloya]

OK, I have to make a comment about the boats, specifically between MK and FW. The water level did not cooperate too much on my trip, but the skipper (is that what you call him) was great.

He would adjust the boat's line up with the dock by loading and unloading people until the boat was level so I could roll on or off easily. He was really great about it. Each time they did this. I guess if the water was TOO low, it would not work, but if it is high, just load everybody first and me last. He was also really funny and friendly. I have to say though that a lot of people were hesitant to get on before me until we explained what we were doing. KUDOS to the well mannered and considerate people out there!!

To the OP, don't sweat it. It will be great. The CMs were always so helpful letting me know just where to go and what to do. (well, except 2 out of a 10 day trip) Just ask if you don't know.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually at Epcot the regular lines at Soarin' and TT are accessible.

The only joker to the whole thing is that the Disney ECVs cannot get on the Friendships at the World Showcase Lagoon while any other ECV can. This is due to the very low bumpers on them that get hung up on the boarding ramps. I have been told by people at the Friendships that they have tried modifying the remps and that does not work.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually at Epcot the regular lines at Soarin' and TT are accessible.

The only joker to the whole thing is that the Disney ECVs cannot get on the Friendships at the World Showcase Lagoon while any other ECV can. This is due to the very low bumpers on them that get hung up on the boarding ramps. I have been told by people at the Friendships that they have tried modifying the remps and that does not work.

Thanks. I didn't know that about the Disney park ECVs. I did take a picture of the entrance to the Friendship Boats and noticed that the dock area is quite steep, which is probably why the Disney ECVs won't work there. If it was not so steep, the bumper would not get hung up.

 

[Earstou]

I've been at the Dolphin hotel the last few times, and if I remember correctly, they have a handicap symbol on the pavement where you wait for the bus.
I do know there is a curb cut at the waiting area that lines up with the back of the bus, so I would always park the scooter there (I think this is where the symbol is, too).
Have a good trip!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Actually at Epcot the regular lines at Soarin' and TT are accessible.

I didn't know that. They have always sent me through the FP line @ TT. One time we did the preshow and one time they took me on through directly to the ride area, doesn't really matter to me as long as I get to ride (TT is one of my favs). I wasn't sure about Soarin, because last time we went was the first time I have gotten to go on it and that is where the CM sent us, so that is where we went.

The only joker to the whole thing is that the Disney ECVs cannot get on the Friendships at the World Showcase Lagoon while any other ECV can. This is due to the very low bumpers on them that get hung up on the boarding ramps. I have been told by people at the Friendships that they have tried modifying the ramps and that does not work.

We haven't tried to ride these yet, but good to know this

Suzanne