Nemo ride in Epcot - is it wheelchair accessible?

[PattnFmly]

Or do you have to transfer? Having a hard time finding the answer to this one. DBro is quadraplegic and is very difficult to lift and maneuver, plus with his spasticity, his legs may not fit very well in that particular vehicle. Just wondering if they have a special car that we can just drive him right on? Like in It's a Small World .. only I guess he'd be facing sideways from the look of the vehicles? Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

yes, there is a wheelchair car.
Here's a link to a past thread that shows pictures of the accessible ride car.

All rides are riding sideways on the Nemo ride, so he will be facing the same way as everyone else.

For the attractions that are listed as wheelchair accessible, this is the size requirement for wheelchair spaces in ride cars from the ADA Guidelines for Amusement Park accessibility:
Openings on rides that provide wheelchair spaces must be at least 32 inches wide. This minimum width is necessary for passage of a wheelchair or mobility device.

Wheelchair spaces must have a clear width of 30 inches minimum and a clear length of 48 inches minimum, measured to at least 9 inches above the floor surface.

 

[livndisney]

I am pretty sure they have "wheelchair" Clams where you can stay in your chair. I think you back the chair in so you are facing out (same direction as everyone else).

 

[PattnFmly]

Thanks for the quick responses! Another thing he can get excited about! We hesitate to "talk up" things to him until we know about them for sure! He'll be so excited!

 

[mrsksomeday]

My b/f has CP and is in a motorized wheelchair. He loved the ease of loading on this ride, wishes there were more like it. I hope your DBro has a great time!!!

 

[tinkandpan]

My dad is paralyzed fromt the waist down so he does not have the option of transferring. This ride was beyond terrific for wheelchair loading. In fact, it loaded so great with him that he was able to go on with my 5 year old son (who doesn't always listen to directions for the quick load) with no problems and plenty of time (unlike Buzz where you sort of have to hustle to push in and then jump the extra passenger).

There is only one accessible clammobile- you will wait on the regular line until you get towards the beginning and then they will pull you to the side. The ride slows to a crawl as the accessible clam pulls up. The front rolls down and to the side for a ramp which the CM will push the chair up and then if you have another passenger- they will walk on (or perhaps they went on first). Then the front of the clam rotates so that you are facing forward like the other passengers. Same procedure for exit.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Yes there is a accessible clam and don't let the loader tell you other wise, we made that mistake DW stayed behind while my sons and I went on because she was told whe would have to transfer from her chair onto the moving clam, so she opted out and the clam that was next to the one we got on was the wheelchair access one. Needless to say I was less than pleased.
Lesson learned: get a Handicap Map at the enterance to each park they have what is required to get on each ride.

 

[Michigan]

Yes there is a accessible clam and don't let the loader tell you other wise, we made that mistake DW stayed behind while my sons and I went on because she was told whe would have to transfer from her chair onto the moving clam, so she opted out and the clam that was next to the one we got on was the wheelchair access one. Needless to say I was less than pleased.
Lesson learned: get a Handicap Map at the enterance to each park they have what is required to get on each ride.

I had a CM tell me pretty much the same except he said that my girls that are in wheelchairs couldn't use the wheelchair claim because if the ride stopped they wouldn't be able to walk down the 2 flights of stairs to exit. After I explained to him that anyone riding in that claim should not be able to walk down 2 flights of stairs he still told me he didn't care those were thet rules. I told him I needed a supervisor. He got one and my girls went on the ride no problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

I had a CM tell me pretty much the same except he said that my girls that are in wheelchairs couldn't use the wheelchair claim because if the ride stopped they wouldn't be able to walk down the 2 flights of stairs to exit. After I explained to him that anyone riding in that claim should not be able to walk down 2 flights of stairs he still told me he didn't care those were thet rules. I told him I needed a supervisor. He got one and my girls went on the ride no problem.

That's very strange because the whole ride is on the same level as the entry. You never go up or down.