Logistics With ECV @ MK

[mary01]

At issue is the transportation from the parking area to Main Street. I understand the monorail was designed with a steep incline which is difficult to negotiate with a scooter. I can walk that if the ECV could be run up the ramp (by son) is it acceptable, is there space aboard for the ECVs? And, what about at the other end for unloading?

As an FYI, I am not totally incapacitated but have osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease which makes walking very painful.

When we were there before (1977) it seems we took an open tram at some point in the getting from the parking area to the ferry. Are the trams equipped to load ECVs? Would the ferry be a better choice than the monorail?

And finally the parking situation. I have a hang tag for handicap parking but I thought I saw on one of these boards that the designated area is not choice as far as relative distance to where we want to end up.

I would appreciate help in understanding what has worked the best for the WDW veterans.

Thanks for listening,

Mary01

 

[SueM in MN]

We've just been to WDW with my DD's manual wheelchair, but I'll start you out and I'm sure some ecv users will come into the discussion.
Monorail: the ramp to get from ground level to the loading ramp is steep. No one would care who drives it up the ramp. There is room in the monorail cars for ecvs to be transported. When you get to MK, there is an equally steep ramp to get from the train entrance to ground level.
Ferry boat: You might be able to use the boat; that depends on the water level. If the water is too low, the dock will be too high relative to the boat.
Parking: The regular parking areas have trams to get to the TTC (where the monorails and boats are). Only foldable manual wheelchairs can go on the trams. You would need to park in the handicapped area or in the regular area close enough to the TTC that you would not need a tram.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[desianne]

I don't know if this will be much help but I also have arthritis and use a cane to walk. I always rent an ECV at the parks because I can't walk very much. The ramp is very steep to the monorail and it usually wears me out since you can't rent the ECV until you get in the park. I tried the handicapped parking once but since I don't have an ECV with me the walk to the park entrance turned out to be longer than the walk from the regular parking lot to the tram so we have never use handicapped parking again. It's not that close. I don't think they realize that not everyone who is handicapped is in a wheelchair. If I was sitting down I wouldn't care how far it was! Sorry, I got off track. I think you could call ahead to ask about the ECV and the monorail, they are always very helpful

 

[Andrew_Bichard]

You should have no problems.
With a 'disabled' permit you should be able to park up close to TTC, close enough to ride over to Monorali or ferry in your ECV, and close enough for rest of your family to walk.

Ramp up to monorail platform at both TTC and MK is no steeper that your average wheelchair ramp - only a problem for manual wheelchair users with no-one to push. No problem for ECVs.

Plaatform to monorail train is by short portable steel ramps that CMs will put in place for you. Again no problem for ECVs. Each monorail has a couple of spaces big enough for ECVs - CMs will direct you to these.

If you choose to use the ferry to cross, again no problem. The ferries TTC to MC are big (a bit like car ferries) and dock at concrete ramps. You just drive your ECV off, whatever the water level.

The water level problem mentioned in another post applies only to the much smaller ferries that connect MK with GF, Polynesian, FW, & FW Campground.

Andrew

Andrew

 

[Michigan]

Andrew you must have some kind of ramps in the UK. It's not your ordinary ramp per US standards. Some ECV users say they have a feeling of falling off not so much going up I don't think but going down. Which is my oldest DD's favorite part in her manual chair she waits for everyone to get off the ramp then goes as fast as she can.

 

[mary01]

Thanks to all for your input.

I was really getting concerned about accessibility for both the ferry and monorail. I would have preferred to rent an ECV inside the park but since it is "first come, first served" I couldn't leave it to chance of having one.

Andrew, thanks for the detailed information on the ramps.

We arrive there next Thursday. I will let you know how it worked out.

Thanks again to all.

Mary

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree about the ramps. An average one in the UK must be much higher than an average UK one.
As for the ferry docks, if the ones going into the MK from the TTC are accessble all the time, that is good news. We have not used that particular one for a long time. Because we stay on WDW property, we choose to take the bus to MK (a good option because it drops you off right at the park entrance).
We have taken the MK to WL ferry and were told by the boat CM that all the docks on the big lake were permanent docks which were sometimes not accessible due to water level. The MK to WL dock had a sign which indicated it was not open to whelchairs or ecvs due to water level. We were able to get on because DD is pretty light and has a manual chair. The docks by Epcot and Boardwalk are floating and the waterways are small canals where the water level can be controlled.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[desianne]

I have always rented an ECV inside the parks and never had any trouble although maybe it depends on the time of year, how crowded the parks are. Also when I tried to take the boat across the lagoon at Epcot I was told I couldn't because it was electrical. Are you sure you can take an ECV on the ferry? Also I think you can call up the day you go to reserve an ECV. I think I was told that.

 

[lisapooh]

That's ridiculous. They must provide access. They better not tell me I can't take my power chair on the boat at EPCOT. So far they haven't and they better not even try.

Pooh Bear

 

[SueM in MN]

I have seen ecvs on those boats at Epcot, so I don't think that is a problem. We haven't been on the boats that cross the water inside WS lately, but have been on the ones that go from MGM to BW and from BW to Epcot.
The only problem I am aware of is the water level. When the water is very low, some of the docks are too low in comparison to the boats. When that happens, the ramp to get on the boats is too steep to get an ecv or power wheelchair on.
We've been told by CMs that WDW can control the water level to some degree by controlling how much water enters their canal system. It's harder to control on Bay Lake (by MK) because the lake is so big. We were also told that some of the docks are better able to adapt to changing water levels than others. The bottom line for the boats is, don't count on using them.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[Puffy2]

If you have an ECV , don't be afraid to use the monorail - my friend and I used it with the ECV and it was very easy : the Cast Memeber at the monorail station will provide a ramp for you to ride up onto the train with. A little tricky but certainly not impossible (you can do it!!) . You ride the monorail in a "handicapped" monorail car so the car is certainly big enough to hold the ECV. (One hint: I found that turning the key to OFF once you are aboard is helpful as the ECV we had tended to "move" when the monorail rounded curves, etc...) Once you get to MK, have a companion or someone riding in your car notify the Cast Member that you need the ramp again to get off (they should know this already as I am told they radio ahead, but some CMs needed a little prompting... Then you carefully back off - this is NOT hard, you can do it and the CM will help you by letting you know if you are coming on the ramp correctly.
The ramp at the MK , I did NOT find it steep for the ECV - I think this is because ECVs are heavier than regular Wheelchairs. I didn't notice a thing as far as going down or riding up the ramp. EASY EASY You can do it!!!
One tip, cross the train tracks inside the MK at an angel as not to get a wheel stuck in the track.
The track is only on Main St. Have Fun.

Contemporary Tower Club 2000
Polynesian Concierge 2001

 

[Safari Steve]

If the water levels are too low, it is perfectly legal for WDW to ask you to use alternate transportation, as long as they provide it. No one is saying that wheelchairs and ECVs (I know you don't like the term, but no one would get it if I called them "iron-on bunny pants") can never be taken on boats at WDW, just that for the safety of those using the chairs, it is best that Monorails or busses be used instead. If the dock is too far above the boat for you to safely board, what should they do? I understand that getting around can be a little frustrating, but you don't have to be so confrontational.
I hope that the rains start soon, because when the water levels get really low (like they almost did last year) no one can use the ferries, because they end up sitting on the bottom of the lagoon. I'm doing my rain dance down here... hope it works.

Flamingoes get their pink coloration from the shrimp that they eat. Shrimp are pink because, of course, they eat flamingoes.

 

[lisapooh]

Steve,
If I am confrontational it is because I have found that if I am not I am taken advantage of and treated poorly. If you read the post fully you would have noted she was told that she could not take it on the boat in Epcot because it was electric. That is a ridiculous reason and I would definately be confrontational if given such a lame reason. Now if the castmember were to tell me that the eater levels are too low I would be fine with that. But unfortunately some castmembers choose to give ridiculous reasons instead of just stating the truth.
As to the term ECV, you can call those pieces of junk rented by Disney anything you want. Don't call my power wheelchair one though and don't treat me with the attitude that I use my wheelchair as a convenience. I have been refused the Pooh Ride because a castmember decided my power wheelchair was a mere ECV and I had to transfer to a manual wheelchair. If I could use a darn manual wheelchair I would have one in the first place. Plus the fact, that there is no reason for me to transfer to go through that line as the power wheelchair is able to go through it with no problems. It even fits on the ride vehicle quite easily although I am fine with transferring with the help of my sticks.
Now Pirates is another matter and I don't even try to go on that ride unless I have someone to go with me and push the wheelchair.
Castmembers need to be honest with handicapped guests on why they cannot do something. Don't make up excuses that come off as ridiculous. For those of us using power wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs and scooters and travel independently, it just won't cut it. It's our legs that don't work, not our brains, ( and in my case the ears don't work too well either )
Now about that exit at your ride. A bit wider please. I don't want to kill my fingers. The only one wide enough barely is the left hand exit.

Pooh Bear

 

[mary01]

I promised to report on using the ECV @ MK. Please click on Goofy's Pal for my posting.

Thanks

Mary 01