? Keys to the Kingdom Tour via ECV

[2Poodles]

We'll be visiting WDW for one week May 11th thru 18th staying at the Riverside. My 76 year old Mom will be using an ECV from Walker due to severe arthritis in her knee. We were there last May and again in December 2001. The Christmas decorations, MVMCP, Candlelight Processional were absolutely beautiful and wonderful.

This vacation I was thinking of booking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Has anyone been to this or one of the other tours using an ECV? Are ECV's allowed on the tours?

Also I would like to thank all of you on the Disability Board regarding information on renting ECV from offsite. We chose Walker in December and were very happy with them. The ECV was more comfortable than Disney's ECV's, the long walk from the bus drop off to the park was made easier for Mom, she took the ECV everywhere and had no problems with it. By the end of the day Mom had more energy than her two daughters 46 and 52 years old. We were tired but Mom still had alot of energy left.

Thanks again for your help. We will never rent an ECV from Disney again.

 

[teri]

This thread may be helpful to you:
http://198.65.131.237/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15249&highlight=tour

 

[Talking Hands]

Yes ECVs are allowed on the backstage tours. According to ADA they must provide access. Please tell them when you book the tour that your mother will be using an ECV. That way there are no surprises. I have taken and ECV then a power wheelchair on various backstage tours and there has never been a problem.
I have only seen a problem when guests have not notified Disney in advance. This happened on the Backstage Magic Tour I went on. I had informed Disney when I booked the tour that I used a power wheelchair. A couple arrived both using rented ECVs. The bus only has tiedowns for 2 wheelchairs or ECVs. They had not told anyone they would be using ECVs. Well they were told that only one could bring the ECV since I had informed them prior that I needed to use one. They were not happy but Disney stuck to it. Only one was able to brig the ECV. The pregnant wife ended up walking.
Actually Disney is excellent in providing needed accommodations when you notify them of your needs in advance and will do their best to accommodate you on the spot if you don't let them know but that is not always possible.

 

[SueM in MN]

Looks like you go the info you needed. Glad to hear you had such a good experience in december renting an ecv.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have not had any problems on any tours. The only potential problem last year was on a tour where there were three people with ECVs. However, they knew about it in advance, and in addiiton to the bus they had a lift-equipped van for the third person. The one who had the most difficult time used the van. I, and the third person, who both used the bus were able to transfer to regular seats after the ECVs were loaded so we did not have to worry about tie-downs.

A few years ago I took Backstage Magic. At one point in a warehouse-type building we did have to go up (and down) a large flight of stairs. At that time I did not use an EVC, so I don't know if there was elevator access to that area. I have not had any problems on any other tours (and I take quite a few of them).

 

[Talking Hands]

No it doesn't have stairs but the group went up with a castmember and the guide took me another way and let me peek into the area they were viewing from above.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I confirm what everyone else says - there is usually no problems with ECVs.

Where the backstage tour includes 'backdoor' access to rides however, the normal ride access restrictions apply. I have been on a toor that included rides on the people mover, pirates and haunted mansion. Each of these require transfer to the ride car which I cannot do - so I had to skip these parts of the tour. I did the rest though, and still enjoyed it.

Andrew