New accessible vehicles and Disneyland

[eternaldisneyfan]

I love Disney World! We even drove from California to Florida a few years ago to experience the magic.

I went to Disneyland in 2004. The trip wasn't very enjoyable. The CMs weren't as attentive, there were a lot fewer attractions, and accessibility was minimal. I heard about new transfer vehicles that allow wheelchairs to ride on classic rides like Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan's Flight. Or it might have said it was designed to make transfers easier. I would love to ride Peter Pan's Flight! How does this transfer vehicle work?

Help me get excited about Disneyland!

Thanks,
Christamae

 

[dclfun]

I just returned from Disneyland and no, there are no ride vehicles at HM or Peter Pan that accommodate a w/c. I didn't see much difference in the transfer vehicles either but apparently the bar raises higher to allow for an easier transfer. One nice thing about Peter Pan vs. the WDW version is that the vehicle can be stopped to give more time to board.---Kathy

p.s- one nice thing they DO have is an alternate experience. For instance on the subs and for the castle they have an area where you are able to follow along on a video screen. Here is a photo of the area in the sub attraction where a w/c or ECV would be parked. There's another bench on the other side of the open area, then a large video screen where you see the same "underwater" scenes as Guests who are on the subs.

 

[Disney4us2]

TSMM at DCA does have a wheel chair accessable car. As PP said, there are not any wheel chair vehicles at Peter Pan (or any of the Fantsyland rides) or HM. Jungle Cruise does have a wheel chair boat, if it is done with it's refurb. Small World also has wheel chair boat. I use an ECV and am able to transfer..... slowly. I have never had any problem with the CM's. They have all been great and try to accomodate me as quickly as possible.

 

[SueM in MN]

Haunted Mansion - I don't know for sure, but my guess is that Disneyland probably has the same type of ride car as WDW has. The WDW doom buggy is not wheelchair accessible. The side of the car is cut out a bit more to allow more room for transfer.

This is a picture of the WDW doom buggy.

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[WheelieBigDisFan]

Sorry, I meant to reply to this yesterday, but didn't get to it till now.
PP as mentioned above does NOT have a boat where a wheelchair can wheel right on. The boats are able to stop, and there is one special boat that has a raising arm to allow for easier transfer. This transfer is still hard as the boats are low to the ground, so getting into the boat is somewhat easy (gravity transfer), but getting out can be a challenge.
HM also does not have a doom buggy that a WC can wheel on to. I don't see this ever happening as when the doom buggy turns around, and at one point while turned backwards goes down a hill towards the graveyard scene a wheelchair would likely tip over backwards ejecting the wheelchair user. I am not sure if they have a new easier to transfer doom buggy. I know that when I transfer I usually get a bruise somewhere from lack of space (I am 6'0" tall). I either hit a knee, scrape my bum, etc getting into the doom buggy. I am also guaranteed to have the bar lower and smack my knees if I don't remember to cross my feet and lower my knees.
I will be at DLR on Saturday, so I will check out HM to see if anything has changed.
Mandy

 

[KPeveler]

I have learned that knowing what is available does help with the touring of the parks.

The transfer vehicles have a side that opens up, which means a person can slide over and not have to stand up or lift their rear end over the side of a seat. They end up looking like the pic of the Haunted Mansion ride car that Sue posted. A lot of them also have bars or handles which help with stability and transferring


The following rides have transfer cars (not designed for wheelchairs, but designed to ease transfer). Sometimes called TAV.
Dumbo
Peter Pan
Snow White
Pinocchio
Space Mountain (a transfer board is available)
Haunted Mansion
BTMRR (the side folds down)
Alice in Wonderland
Star Tours (there is a new seat which eases transfer)


The following rides can accommodate wheelchairs (but not ECVs)
Jungle Cruise
Winnie the Pooh
Disneyland Railroad (Main street station is not accessible)
Its a Small World
Buzz Lightyear
King Arthur Carousel


The following attractions can handle wheelchairs or ECVs
Castle "Accessible Experience"
Nemo "Accessible Experience"
Capt Eo
Innoventions
Disneyland Railroad (It depends on which train, the ECV, and the CM there)
Tom Sawyer Island (though there are some stairs here)
Tarzan's Treehouse "Accessible Experience"
Big Thunder Mountain ranch
Tiki Room
Mark Twain
All the character houses

You must be able to transfer for:
Indiana Jones
Pirates
Casey Jr Train
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Gadget's Go Coaster
Roger Rabbit
Storybook Land Canal boats
Matterhorn
Main Street Vehicles
Splash Mountain
Mad Tea Party (though they are working on a transfer cup)
Autopia


You must be able to walk up stairs for:
Tarzan's Treehouse
Columbia
Castle Walk through

 

[KPeveler]

At Disney California Adventure

The following rides have transfer cars (not designed for wheelchairs, but designed to ease transfer). Sometimes called TAV.
California Screamin (Green train, row 5 is a transfer car)
Aladdin Show (There are seats with a fold up arm to ease transfers if you dont want to stay in a wheelchair or there are no more spots)
Tower of Terror

The following rides can accommodate wheelchairs (but not ECVs)
Monster's Inc
Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Fun Wheel
Toy Story Midway Mania
King Triton's Chariot

The following attractions can handle wheelchairs or ECVs
Aladdin Show (there is only room for 1 person to sit with each wheelchair, the rest of the party must sit elsewhere)
Animation Building and all attractions
Muppet Vision
Disney Junior Live on Stage
Its Tough to be a Bug
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (the paths are accessible)

You must be able to transfer for:
Everything in Flik's Fun Fair
Soarin Over California
Grizzly River Run
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (some activities)
Golden Zephyr
Jumpin Jellyfish
Silly Symphony Swings

All lines at DCA are accessible, so wheelchairs are handled no differently than people without wheelchairs.

 

[dclfun]

Just an FYI also for anyone else who travels with a service dog. The accessible vehicle for Monster's, Inc. can accommodate a w/c but NOT also a SD. Same with the Small World boats. I could have ridden, but Skye would have had to be in another seating area held by another Guest. If I wanted to ride on Monsters, Inc with her I could do so if I could transfer. I wish they'd have told me this before I waited in line for 15-20 minutes. There may be others too, but these are the only ones I wanted to ride but could not. I was VERY disappointed about Monster's Inc. When you finally see an attraction that you can access in your w/c it's very exciting, but I'm not riding without Skye.---Kathy

 

[OrthoDad]

I think there are several things about DL that makes it easier for disabled folks to board rides.

That was a great post about the "transfer cars". We have found that makes a HUGE difference in getting our DS on the rides. Big Thunder was one where the transfer car really made it easy for him to transfer.

I think the ride systems at HM and PP are part of the reason why it's easier to load at DL. Both of those at DL can be stopped completely to allow disabled access. It's been a few years since we rode those at WDW, but it seemed like we had to be in a hurry to get DS in the car, since they didn't stop it but just slowed it down. Also, at HM, we didn't get to do the stretching room, although I hear they've changed that recently.

Pirates is another HUGE difference btw DL and WDW; the ride at DL is a lot better and longer, and they have nice disabled access through the exit (although this is one of those cases where the alternative disabled line often is longer than the regular queue).

Finally, Space Mt! This just makes me smile and happy every time we load it. It has an alternated disabled queue through the exit, which can also be quite long. But, they have a disabled car that slides over off the track so we can load, and then slides back into place for the ride. It's just awesome!

We love the intimacy of DL, and the shorter distances in the parks and to our hotel! Have a great trip!
Wade

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

I made a trip to DLR and DCA today as promised. I had a day full of ups and downs, which I will post in this forum a mini "trip report" (since it was really only one day).
I did not make it on HM today to see about the transfer car, but my friend and I plan on going back on Tuesday to check it out. I did have the opportunity to ride ST (Star Tours) and AUSA (Ariels Under Sea Adventures). I had to rent an ECV today (will detail why in my report) and when I rode ST they directed me up through the exit ramp of the Star Traders store. Previously when I rode ST I was always directed through a certain portion of the que to the double doors and finally to an elevator that took me up to the main loading platform. I would be last in line, board the car and transfer into the seat then the CM takes my manual chair back out the car and at the end of the ride returns it for me to transfer back into and I exit the opposite side. Today, with the ECV as said earlier I went up the exit. I guess because of the weight of the ECV I had to transfer to a manual chair they had on site and the CM pushed me down the ramp and sat on the seat on the far right side of the screen. Had to ask for some 3D glasses (the CM's on the exit side forgot) and enjoyed the new ride. Upon exit they brought the manual chair back into the ride, I transferred to the manual chair, got pushed up the ramp and transferred back to the ECV. It was difficult doing all those transfers from the ECV to Manual to Ride to Manual to ECV since I am recovering from a fractured hand.
I asked one of the CM's if there was a seat that had a moveable arm rest for ease of transfer, and he said that the arm rest on the entry side (far left side when looking at screen) in the front row has an arm that swings out of the way to aide in transfers. If you are able to enter through the main que then you should be able to have that arm move out of your way, if the CM doesn't offer to help, ASK.
When riding AUSA I again had to transfer from the ECV to a manual chair and the CM was able to load the manual chair into the WAV as kpeveler mentioned above. When loading/unloading the WAV they did not stop the moving walkway, so it made you feel a bit rushed go load quickly. Your AB companion (pusher?) loads first, so the CM helps you up the ramp into the ride. The ride itself was really well designed, and I found myself "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" through the whole ride.
The other ride I will comment on from today was TSM (Toy Story Mania). I told the CM I could not stand to transfer, and she thought I could not transfer...no...thats not what I said. When I have ridden this ride before with my custom manual chair they remove the seat for me, and I wheel right onto the ride, EASY! Today, for some reason I had to transfer from the ECV to the ride seat itself, IDK why they didn't have me transfer to a manual chair there at the attraction. If they try and ask you to do this transfer, DON'T. That was one of the hardest transfers I have EVER done. Request to use a manual chair and have the seat of the wheelchair vehicle removed so you can access it that way.
I will check out HM on Tuesday and update more then.
Mandy

 

[SueM in MN]

I think there are several things about DL that makes it easier for disabled folks to board rides.

That was a great post about the "transfer cars". We have found that makes a HUGE difference in getting our DS on the rides. Big Thunder was one where the transfer car really made it easy for him to transfer.

I think the ride systems at HM and PP are part of the reason why it's easier to load at DL. Both of those at DL can be stopped completely to allow disabled access. It's been a few years since we rode those at WDW, but it seemed like we had to be in a hurry to get DS in the car, since they didn't stop it but just slowed it down. Also, at HM, we didn't get to do the stretching room, although I hear they've changed that recently.

Pirates is another HUGE difference btw DL and WDW; the ride at DL is a lot better and longer, and they have nice disabled access through the exit (although this is one of those cases where the alternative disabled line often is longer than the regular queue).

Finally, Space Mt! This just makes me smile and happy every time we load it. It has an alternated disabled queue through the exit, which can also be quite long. But, they have a disabled car that slides over off the track so we can load, and then slides back into place for the ride. It's just awesome!

We love the intimacy of DL, and the shorter distances in the parks and to our hotel! Have a great trip!
Wade

You are correct that Peter Pan can't have the moving walkway stopped at WDW.
Haunted Mansion at WDW can have the moving walkway stopped - we have asked for a complete stop for at least the past 8 years or so. They usually don't stop the rides with moving walkways unless you ask and many can only be stopped at a particular car. So, if it just went by, you may have to wait one full ride circuit for it to return.
We have been on Haunted Mansion at WDW since the remodel of the line, so I can confirm that guests with wheelchairs can go into the stretching room.
After seeing the part of the show in that room, they are routed to the exit to board.

I made a trip to DLR and DCA today as promised. I had a day full of ups and downs, which I will post in this forum a mini "trip report" (since it was really only one day).
I did not make it on HM today to see about the transfer car, but my friend and I plan on going back on Tuesday to check it out. I did have the opportunity to ride ST (Star Tours) and AUSA (Ariels Under Sea Adventures). I had to rent an ECV today (will detail why in my report) and when I rode ST they directed me up through the exit ramp of the Star Traders store. Previously when I rode ST I was always directed through a certain portion of the que to the double doors and finally to an elevator that took me up to the main loading platform. I would be last in line, board the car and transfer into the seat then the CM takes my manual chair back out the car and at the end of the ride returns it for me to transfer back into and I exit the opposite side. Today, with the ECV as said earlier I went up the exit. I guess because of the weight of the ECV I had to transfer to a manual chair they had on site and the CM pushed me down the ramp and sat on the seat on the far right side of the screen. Had to ask for some 3D glasses (the CM's on the exit side forgot) and enjoyed the new ride. Upon exit they brought the manual chair back into the ride, I transferred to the manual chair, got pushed up the ramp and transferred back to the ECV. It was difficult doing all those transfers from the ECV to Manual to Ride to Manual to ECV since I am recovering from a fractured hand.
I asked one of the CM's if there was a seat that had a moveable arm rest for ease of transfer, and he said that the arm rest on the entry side (far left side when looking at screen) in the front row has an arm that swings out of the way to aide in transfers. If you are able to enter through the main que then you should be able to have that arm move out of your way, if the CM doesn't offer to help, ASK.
When riding AUSA I again had to transfer from the ECV to a manual chair and the CM was able to load the manual chair into the WAV as kpeveler mentioned above. When loading/unloading the WAV they did not stop the moving walkway, so it made you feel a bit rushed go load quickly. Your AB companion (pusher?) loads first, so the CM helps you up the ramp into the ride. The ride itself was really well designed, and I found myself "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" through the whole ride.
The other ride I will comment on from today was TSM (Toy Story Mania). I told the CM I could not stand to transfer, and she thought I could not transfer...no...thats not what I said. When I have ridden this ride before with my custom manual chair they remove the seat for me, and I wheel right onto the ride, EASY! Today, for some reason I had to transfer from the ECV to the ride seat itself, IDK why they didn't have me transfer to a manual chair there at the attraction. If they try and ask you to do this transfer, DON'T. That was one of the hardest transfers I have EVER done. Request to use a manual chair and have the seat of the wheelchair vehicle removed so you can access it that way.
I will check out HM on Tuesday and update more then.
Mandy

I dont know if you noticed, but we did get a response about what might have happened that took the wheelchair car at Toy Story Mania out of commission.
There is more information in this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2736165

Since they didn't offer the wheelchair car to you, it looks like it may be still out of service.

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

Sue, I still used the regular wheelchair car with accessible push button shooter, but rather than remove the bench seat that the manual wheelchair replaces they had me transfer with the bench seat still in place. If it wouldn't have been the wheelchair car I could understand this.
The transfer that I had to do went something like this: ECV to door of car, door of car to bench seat. Slide over on bench seat then friend entered car and sat on portion of bench that comes out (she had the accessible button shooter...I should have had her get in first so I could shoot without having to use my broken hand, LOL). After the ride they positioned the ECV again, I transferred up to the cut away portion of the car, then onto the seat of the ECV. It was really a two step transfer each way since there was no way to swing through with my butt right to the seat. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, I had to figure it out in my head first prior to trying to do the transfer. I would NEVER do that again...I know I sheared my butt on the way out.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's possible they are still using the wheelchair car, but just not doing the changeout to remove the seat for accessibility with a wheelchair. Depending on what the problem was that closed it down in the first place, a 'changeout' car may still be useable as a 'regular' car, just not able to be changed.

It's also possible they saw the ECV and just thought "ECV = able to transfer", since that is the case with the majority of people using ECVs. Since the changeover is time consuming, they do try to avoid it if they can.

It brings up a good point though - if things don't seem to meet what is needed,it's OK to say "this won't work" or to proactively say what is needed ahead of time and see if they can provide it.

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

Yes, I definitely know now that the transfer to the WAV won't be possible in the future, so if I am ever stuck without my manual wheelchair again I will ask to use a loaner manual from the attraction. I'm not sure if they were operating the WAV normally (removing the bench when a manual wheelchair (or small power chair?) needed to board, but it was not offered to me. Overall I love the ride, so I will be on it many times in the future. I just know now that the transfer(s) required to access the ride with the bench in place are not worth the outcome.
As far as ECV's and transferring goes, I think that more attractions should word their questions like Haunted Mansion does. Can you stand and walk for x length, can you stand to transfer, can you transfer independently or with help from a member of your party (since Disney CM's can't help transfer you).
If other rides did something similar it would help determine (quickly) what the guest needs to fully enjoy the ride. Maybe for TSM it would be: Green: can park wheelchair at accessible waiting area (the benched wall) and walk to accessible ride car. Yellow: needs wheelchair up to the door of the ride car, but can stand to transfer in. Red: needs WAV with bench removed. If in an ECV guest should transfer to manual chair at attraction and be loaded into WAV.
Anyways, my point is there is still room for improvement with understanding guests special needs when using a wheelchair, ECV and/or a GAC.
Mandy