MK/Epcot rides OK for someone with mobility issues

stacey_LI

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
149
Is there a list of rides in MK and Epcot somewhere for people who have difficulty with walking and getting up and down from sitting to standing? Going at end of May with DD and my mom, and trying to figure out what rides would be appropriate for mom who walks with a cane (slowly) and has significant difficulty getting up and down, especially from low surfaces, as well as trouble with steps. She will have an ECV. Thanks for any insight!
 
Not aware of a list.

All boat rides may be a challenge for her. Pirates and Small World are difficult in MK for me. In EPCOT, Frozen and Mexico may be tough. I have husband enter boat after me and push me up if needed. There are steps in Toy Story but if she stays on her ECV, they will direct her around them.

Ask a cast member at the attraction entrance if she can remain on ECV for the line. That will be the easiest for everybody. For most shows she can stay on the ECV the whole time.

Some rides you must step onto a moving walkway and then into ride car. Some walkways can be slowed, others cannot. If you are doing EPCOT first, Spaceship Earth can be slowed to a crawl or stopped. It is a good first time experience. I am not sure which walkways can be slowed at MK. Someone will chime in and let us know. Peter Pan gives me a challenge but I just push fast and jump in and then hurry to jump out. Standing up in that one is not too bad. Hope this helps some.
 
Here is the list from disney on rides at each park and what you will have to do to ride them. Disney is fun even for people in wheel chairs. if you have a question about a ride ask. Enjoy your trip

Services for Guests with Mobility Disabilities

Attraction and transportation access help Guests with mobility disabilities enjoy as carefree a visit as possible.
Attraction Access Categories

Walt Disney World attractions offer access for Guests with mobility disabilities in the following categories:

  • May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
  • Must Be Ambulatory
  • Must Transfer from Wheelchair/ECV
  • Must Transfer to Wheelchair
  • Must Transfer to Wheelchair, Then to Ride Vehicle
May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV

These attractions allow Guests to remain in their wheelchair or Electric Conveyance Vehicle (ECV) during the experience.

Magic Kingdom Park

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park



Must Be Ambulatory

These attractions require Guests to walk by themselves or be assisted by members of their party.

Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park



Must Transfer from Wheelchair/ECV

These attractions require Guests to transfer from their wheelchair or ECV—by themselves or with assistance from their party—to a ride vehicle.

Magic Kingdom Park

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Blizzard Beach

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Park



Must Transfer to Wheelchair

Guests must transfer to a wheelchair provided at the attraction if their wheelchair or mobility device exceeds the standard overall dimensions of 30" by 48".

Magic Kingdom Park

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Park

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park



Must Transfer to Wheelchair, Then to Ride Vehicle

These attractions require Guests to transfer to an available wheelchair at the attraction, then to transfer from the wheelchair to the ride vehicle.

Magic Kingdom Park

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

Is there a list of rides in MK and Epcot somewhere for people who have difficulty with walking and getting up and down from sitting to standing? Going at end of May with DD and my mom, and trying to figure out what rides would be appropriate for mom who walks with a cane (slowly) and has significant difficulty getting up and down, especially from low surfaces, as well as trouble with steps. She will have an ECV. Thanks for any insight!
I used a cane this past August and had the easiest trip I have ever had. cane made it a lot easier getting up and out of the boats. there is a special load/unload at Spaceship Earth. not at parks you listed at Toy Story ride I was able to walk the line with cane and use the new track instead of waiting for special car thus avoiding steps. all rides that have steps not counting step down boat rides have a way to avoid the steps with the exception of tree house at MK
 
I used a cane this past August and had the easiest trip I have ever had. cane made it a lot easier getting up and out of the boats. there is a special load/unload at Spaceship Earth. not at parks you listed at Toy Story ride I was able to walk the line with cane and use the new track instead of waiting for special car thus avoiding steps. all rides that have steps not counting step down boat rides have a way to avoid the steps with the exception of tree house at MK
I think most people with mobility problems find Disney very easey to get around and do things at, at lest this has been my exsprince with people I know with mobility problems. Glade you had a good trip.

just an FYI the third track at TSMM dose not have stars so the CM will sometimes send people in wheel chair ECV that way if they can transfer.
 
Here you go - here's a list from the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow a link in my signature.

See post 28 of this thread for more information on attractions with moving walkways. Guests without a mobility device /obvious need (cane, walker, etc.) will need to explain their needs to the CMs at the attraction to use the accessible boarding area. The are no stairs and moving walkways can be slowed or stopped at the accessible boarding spot.

Guests may park their wheelchair or ECV with the strollers and walk in line if they wish. But, be aware:
  • Take the ECV keys with you. Remove and backpacks or items you are concerned about anyone taking.
  • The distance walked in some lines is much longer than it appears, so even if the wait is short, the distance may be long.
  • Wheelchairs and ECVs parked with the strollers may be moved by CMs as they keep the area straightened.
  • Some attractions involve a wait without any seats unless you have a wheelchair or ECV (see post 22 of this thread).

For MK, this is a list of attractions with accessibility information. Guests using wheelchairs can access all attractions to the point of boarding. In some cases, the boarding area will be somewhere other than the regular boarding area. If there is a different boarding area, CMs will direct you where to go.
All queues, with a few exceptions, are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding. I put those in bold that guests would be able to stay in the wheelchair or ECV for the line.
The ones that have a wheelchair ride car are in blue, so those lines are wheelchair, accessible, but are not ECV accessible unless it is in blue bold. The guest with an ECV would need to be able to transfer to a wheelchair to use these wheelchair cars.
The ones just in black regular type are ones that require a transfer that may be difficult.

  • Magic Kingdom Railroad - about a 12 inch step up into the train car. The train station at Main Street is on second floor level. There is no elevator. If walking, there is a fairly steep set of steps. Guests using wheelchairs and ECVs go up a steep switchback ramp on the right side, as you face the station. ECV users will park their ECV and leave it at the station (I have sometimes seen very small ECVs on the train).
  • Astro Orbiter - about a 12-15 ins step over the side of the car and the seat is very close to the ground. List says to see a CM for assistance with elevator. ECVs can't go up elevator to platform. Wheelchair may in certain circumstances (I.e. If person can't walk).
  • Big Thunder Mountain - fairly level step in, but opening is narrow. The regular queue includes some fairly steep ramps. Wheelchair/ECV access is thru a side entrance and you may be given a return time to come back to ride. Guest needs to ride twice in a row to return back to the same side as they boarded on, where their mobility device will be waiting.
  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - about 4-6 inch step up into ride car. Moving walkway, which can be stopped or slowed. ECVs have been seen in the line at times, but need to be taken outside after boarding if they were allowed in line (very small inside parking area)
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Dream Along with Mickey (show on the castle stage)
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant - about a 6 inch narrow step over the side of the ride car. Has one transfer Dumbo where the side of the Dumbo can be swung away for an easier transfer. It is a very low seat to transfer into.
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle. This has allowed ECVs in the past, but is listed as must transfer to wheelchair. Check with the CM at the entrance for your options.
  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Hall of Presidents
  • The Haunted Mansion - has a moving walkway, which can be slowed or stopped and a wheelchair can be brought as close to the Doombuggy as you need. Floor almost level with moving walkway.
  • it's a small world - about a 12 inch step over the side of the boat, then about 10-12 inches down to the seat and about 10-12 inches down to the floor. This is a link to a thread about Small World with pictures, showing the wheelchair boat: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2711435
  • Jungle Cruise - about a 6 inch step up to the top of the boat and then about a 10 inch step down into the seat of the boat and another 10-12 inches down to the floor.
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • Mad Tea Party - about 6 inch step up over the edge of the saucer, then about an 8-10 inch step over the side of the teacup - narrow opening
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - narrow opening with about a 6 inch step over the side of the carpet.
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - about a six inch step up into the honeypot
  • Mickey's Philharmagic
  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Pete's Silly Sideshow - meet and greet
  • Peter Pan's Flight - moving walkway which can't be slowed or stopped. Floor of pirate ship is almost level with moving walkway. The new Fastpass and regular line is wheelchair and ECV accessible to a point about 30 feet from boarding. Wheelchairs might be able to be brought closer for boarding, but there will still be a walk involved.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean - This attraction has a very long queue - even without a wait, you will be walking a long distance if you dont bring a wheelchair into line. Guests with ECVs can park the ECV and borrow a wheelchair to use in the line. About a 6-8 inch step over the side of the boat, about 6 inches down to the seat and another 8-12 inches down to the floor. Steep moving walkway to get back up to ground level at the unload area. There is an elevator down a small hallway to the left
  • Prince Charming's Regal Carrousel - there is a chariot, but it is a step up and a few steps to get to it.
  • Princess Fairytale Hall - Princess Meet and greet
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - wheelchair can be brought up to the train car. There is an ADA car with a wider opening.
  • Space Mountain -step over the side of the ride car
  • Splash Mountain - Regular line has a flight of stairs. about a 15 inch step over the side of the ride car with a narrow opening.
  • Stitch's Great Escape! -not a ride car, but is a wheelchair spot where you can experience all the special effects
  • Swiss Family Treehouse - MANY flights of stairs, some are twisting, most are narrow and many are steep. Not accessible
  • The Barnstormer - must transfer, step over the side
  • Tom Sawyer Island - island is not accessible, but guests in wheelchairs can go on raft over to island
  • Tomorrowland Speedway - low car with step over side to get in and seat close to ground level. This is coded by WDW as accessible, but may not be ECV accessible.
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority - not accessible; the station is at 2nd floor level and there is a very steep moving walkway to get there and back down. Ride load and unload includes a moving walkway which is not stopped. Small step up into ride car
  • Town Square Theater - meet and greets
  • Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid - does have moving walkway, which can be stopped or slowed

In addition, guests MIGHT be able to make a transfer onto the ride car for Haunted Mansion if they can transfer from a wheelchair. It is not that difficult of a transfer because it has a level floor and the transfer car has a door wider opening. You can park a wheelchair as close as you need to park by the ride car with the moving walkway closed. The guest would need to explain what is needed to the CM. Here is a picture of the transfer doombuggy.
2590PA040149.JPG


*This is a link to the DIS site (wdwinfo) page which has links to more information about each attraction.
*Link to MK attraction blog post with pictures from touringplans.com.

disABILITIES
Link to disABILITIES FAQs thread

Spaceship Earth: We are all passengers together.
Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans......John Lennon
Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. Dr. Maya Angelou
trip report link in Memory of eternaldisneyfan, who lived these words: Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr
SueM in MN, Aug 12, 2010EditHistoryDeleteReport
#18+ QuoteReply
 
See post 28 of this thread for more information on attractions with moving walkways. Guests without a mobility device /obvious need (cane, walker, etc.) will need to explain their needs to the CMs at the attraction to use the accessible boarding area. The are no stairs and moving walkways can be slowed or stopped at the accessible boarding spot.
Guests may park their wheelchair or ECV with the strollers and walk in line if they wish. But, be aware:
  • Take the ECV keys with you. Remove and backpacks or items you are concerned about anyone taking.
  • The distance walked in some lines is much longer than it appears, so even if the wait is short, the distance may be long.
  • Wheelchairs and ECVs parked with the strollers may be moved by CMs as they keep the area straightened.
  • Some attractions involve a wait without any seats unless you have a wheelchair or ECV (see post 22 of this thread).

For Epcot, this is a list of attractions.
I put those in bold the guest would be able to stay in the wheelchair or ECV for.
The ones that have a wheelchair ride car, I put in blue bold. The guest would need to be able to transfer to a wheelchair.
The ones just in black regular type are ones that require a transfer that some guests would not be able to make.

Imagination 3D movie - 3D movie, see map for current movie
Imagination! - about a 6 inch step up
Innoventions
The Seas Pavilion including:

  • Bruces Shark World
  • Nemo ride - less than 6 inch step up into ride car. There is a moving walkway which can be stopped.
  • Turtle Talk
The Land Pavilion including
  • Living with the Land (there is a new wheelchair boat, which is ECV accessible. The old wheelchair boat was not accessible to ECVs) - small step up into boat
  • Circle of Life
  • SOARIN - very easy transfer. Ride has seats similar to lawn chairs in rows. Guests who choose to walk in line will find it is a very long walk - over 1/4 mile to get from the line entrance to boarding and a similar distance to get from the unload area out again.
Spaceship Earth - some guests MIGHT be able to make this. Would require a transfer to a wheelchair, stopping the wheelchair close to the ride car on the moving walkway and a transfer into the ride car. They do have one transfer car with a wider opening. The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped for guests boarding at the accessible boarding spot.

Test Track - step down into the ride car and down to the low seat. There is a wheelchair transfer spot (the seat belt check area), but this spot may not work for some guests. It involves a step over the side of the ride car, similar to stepping over the side of a bathtub.

Universe of Energy - Ellens Energy Adventure - small step up

Mission: Space - about a 4-6 inch step up into the space capsule. Sort of narrow opening.

This is a link to the Epcot Future World page on the DIS site (wdwinfo)

These are the World Showcase attractions, with a link to the WS page on the DIS site.
Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico - about a 10 inch step down side of the boat, down to the seat and then down again to the floor
Reflections of China - guests stand for the show. There are lean rails that you can lean forward or back against, but nowhere to sit unless you have a mobility device.
American Adventure
Impressions de France
O Canada!
-guests stand for the show. There are lean rails that you can lean forward or back against, but nowhere to sit unless you have a mobility device.
 
Also from the disABILITIES FAQs thread - this is post 28 about moving walkways

Attractions with moving walkways: Guest with wheelchairs, ECVs and mobility devices do NOT need a Disability Access Service (DAS) card to board in the accessible area. Guests without a visible disability would need to explain their need to a CM.

MK

Haunted Mansion - The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped, but only if you are boarding at the unload area. We just rode it in October 2014 and it was stopped at our request so that DD could board. It was also stopped for exiting when we were finished. (We have been on it many times in the past and have always had it stopped - I added this recent info because some people have posted in the past that it did not stop). There is a transfer car with a wider opening that makes transferring in easier for some guests, but no wheelchair accessible car.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority - there is a steep ramped moving walkway to get to the second floor station. There is also a moving walkway to board and exit and a moving ramp to get back down to the ground after riding. I would notrecommend this attraction for anyone with trouble on moving walkways. These moving walkways can NOT be stopped and are sort or slippery and very steep metal ramps if they are not working and are stopped for any reason.

Buzz Lightyear - Can be slowed or stopped, but only if you board at the unload area. They will normally slow it and only stop if slowing is not enough. There is a special wheelchair accessible ride car that a wheelchair can be rolled onto. Some of the CMs are so efficient at getting a wheelchair into the car that they can load it with just a slight slowing of the moving walkway.

Pirates of Caribbean - steep moving walkway to get back from the underground exit to ground level (like an escalator without steps). There is an elevator to the left of the moving walkway, down a short hall. It brings you out into a sort of deserted looking semi-backstage area near the restrooms. Pirates has a very low boat that is a big step down to get into and a big step up to get back out.

Space Mountain - steep moving walkway at the exit. There should be a way to avoid this with a wheelchair, but I have not ridden it with DD and her wheelchair, so I don't know for sure how.

Peter Pan - can only be stopped in emergency, and stopping requires an evacuation of the attraction.
Sometimes, it is possible to have the CMs stop this attraction for the very first or very last ride of the day. Because of how this ride operates, they can only stop it for boarding if there are no other guests on the ride. For the first ride of the day, they would load guests with disabilities with only a small number of other guests on the attraction (the number who would fit in the cars on the stopped walkway) before starting the walkway. At the end of the ride, they would stop the ride and all guests get out before re-starting the moving walkway. (This information is from an area supervisor at MK).

Voyage of the Little Mermaid - the moving walkway csn be stopped or slowed and there is a wheelchair accessible ride car. Guests with mobility devices or who need extra time board at the unload part of the moving walkway. This is much longer than the regular loading part and allows much more time for getting into the ride clamshell.

Epcot

Spaceship Earth - you enter at the exit; there is a waiting area for people with wheelchairs, ECVs and special needs. The wait is sometimes long and they tend to load people with special needs in 'batches', so keep your group together while you wait. They usually slow the walkway, but it can be stopped completely if absolutely needed.

Where's Nemo - does have a moving walkway. It can be slowed way down and stopped completely. They will usually only slow it, but can stop it on request. There is a special wheelchair accessible ride car.

The Land Building - the building is on a hill and you enter on ground level on the top of the hill. There is a long steep ramp down to get to the level where you will find escalators or stairs to get down to ground level where the rides are. There is also an elevator on the far left side of the building. Look for the Garden Grill restaurant and head left, around a corner. This thread explains access for the rides in The Land (page 2).

American Adventure - does not have any moving walkways, but the access to the building is on ground level and the access to the theater is on 2nd floor. If not using a wheelchair, there are stairs or an escalator to get upstairs. With a wheelchair or other visible mobility need, you can use the elevator to the right of the building entrance. (see the thread I linked in The Land).[/list]

Disney's Hollywood Studio
Has no attractions with moving walkways.

AK

Kali River Rapids - has a circular moving walkway for entry and exit. There is a separate loading area for guests with wheelchairs/ECVs/special needs. You wait in the 'regular' line until just before getting to the boarding area, when you are sent to a different boarding area. In this area, they can 'trap' a boat for boarding; the boat stays in place and you don't use the moving walkway.

List of attractions with STAIRS: Guests with ECVs, wheelchairs and other mobility devices do NOT need a DAS to use the accessible areas that bypass these stairs. Guests without a visible disability would need to talk to the CM.

MK
Splash Mountain - there is an accessible bypass just before the stairs that sends guests to a waiting area near the exit

WDW Railroad at Frontierland and Main Street- there is a ramp at both stations, but it is steep and winding

Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse - stairs are winding, steep and narrow

Tom Sawyer’s Island - the island is not considered accessible. There are narrow spots and places with stairs in the fort. A very narrow child's chair may be able to get around.

Big Thunder Mountain RR - has no stairs, but has some very steep ramps, which I think people remember as stairs.

Epcot
American Adventure - stairs to get to the 2nd floor for the show. By the stairs, there is an escalator, so you can avoid the stairs. There is a small elevator for guests with wheelchairs, ECVs and other mobility devices. See a CM to use it.

O Canada - there are stairs to reach the 2nd floor level shop area and the entrance to the movie. You can avoid that by following the path thru the garden on the right side of Canada as you face the shops from the front of Canada

At DHS
Beauty and the Beast - show is in a theater with stairs to get down to the seats. Most of the wheelchair/ECV accessible seating is in the back rows. Guests without mobility devices can sit in the rear to avoid the stairs. To get down to the wheelchair accessible seating in the front rows, there is a very steep ramp with many switchbacks.

Toy Story Mania - has stairs just after the point where guests pick up their 3D glasses. There is a ramp that bypasses the stairs.

Indiana Jones - stairs in the amphitheater to go down to the seating. You can sit in one of the back rows.

Fantastmic - stairs in the amphitheater to go down to the seating. Very back row is for wheelchairs and ECVs. Several rows ahead are for guests with special needs. There is very limited accessible seating for guest with wheelchairs in the front row; access is by a steep ramp.
There is a ramp all the way from front to back on the far right as you face the stage. This area is the Fantasmic dinner package seating and guests who are not part of that ‘program’ are not allowed in that area before the show.

For Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur - stairs in the boarding area. Guests who can’t do the stairs use an elevator just to the left as you leave the preshow area.

Festival of the Lion King - theater has stadium seating with some seats up many stairs. Much of the ground level seating is for guests with special needs.

Nemo - stairs in theater to get down to seating or sit in stadium seating in the very rear of the show. Back row is for guests with wheelchairs and ECVs, but you can sit in the front row of the stadium seating. There is a small amount of accessible seating for wheelchairs and ECVs in the middle and very front of the theater with access via a ramp.

disABILITIES
Link to disABILITIES FAQs thread

Spaceship Earth: We are all passengers together.
Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans......John Lennon
Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. Dr. Maya Angelou
trip report link in Memory of eternaldisneyfan, who lived these words: Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr
 











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