New ECV rules at MK?

[catra121]

FYI...we arrived on Tuesday 9/6 and went to MK. I was able to take my ECV through most queues except Pirates and Peter Pan. On Friday we went back and that had changed. I had to transfer to a wheelchair for Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear as well. This was VERY hard for me as my boyfriend and I were travelling with my 21 month old daughter who then had to sit in my lap while he pushed the wheelchair and this resulted is significant pain for me. They said this new policy started that day (Friday). The wheelchairs were not conveniently located...especially for Buzz (over by Peoplemover). We couldn't ride Splash or Space Mtn so I don't know if the change impacts them as well. Just wanted to give a heads up to others so they can plan for this.

 

[tobikaye]

I think you got lucky on the Buzz the first time as it has been an attraction that you are supposed to transfer from an ECV to a WC for quite a while. The Haunted Mansion might be a new one though.

Disabilities FAQ found on main page of this forum: http://www.disboards.com/threads/disabilities-faqs-temporary-permanent-disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

MK Map for Disabilities: https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...inations/magic-kingdom/MK_GFGWD_June_2016.pdf

 

[gap2368]

I too think you just got lucky as I think you were always asked to transfer to a wheel chair for some rides. I know the few times I have needed a wheel chair and was alone the CM offers to push me thought the lines but I was going on space witch has a long line up hill I do not know if you can talk to the CM at the ride and see what they can do they maybe able to help you out with something or they may not but you can always ask. I have found that most CM want you to have a great trip and will do every thing they can to do this for you if they know what you need and they can do something for you.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know why a CM would have told you those are new changes.
The error was letting you bring the ECV into the line the first time and it's possible that instead of saying that was an error, the CM just said the policy changed.

Pirates and Buzz have been listed as needing to transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair for many years. Buzz Lightyear doesn't have space to store the wheelchair right there, so the area for them is across the path, near Peoplemover.
Haunted Mansion is not listed as one where you need to transfer. Work is going on there now on the facade, so that may have been the reason.

Space Mountain does require a transfer from ECV to wheelchair and has for as long as I remember. Splash Mountain is accessible to both wheelchairs and ECVs to the point of the stairs; at that point, there is a 'handicapped pull off' that leads to a waiting area by the exit.

Even though some people have posted that a CM has pushed a wheelchair for them in line, they are actually not supposed to do that. It's possible, you might find a CM who is temporarily not assigned to a position who can do it if it will only take a few minutes. But, plan that there will be no one outside of the people you are with (or a kindly stranger) to push.

 

[LilyWDW]

Buzz has always been listed as a transfer to wheelchair as others mentioned so I agree that I think that you got lucky there that first day.

Haunted Mansion has been doing some exterior work and it's possible that said work is what caused the change for that specific day. Since we have no other reports but this one, I am going to think it was a one time or one day issue.

 

[gap2368]

I

Even though some people have posted that a CM has pushed a wheelchair for them in line, they are actually not supposed to do that. It's possible, you might find a CM who is temporarily not assigned to a position who can do it if it will only take a few minutes. But, plan that there will be no one outside of the people you are with (or a kindly stranger) to push.

I think the only time they offer to push you is if you are alone. I know when I went to space to go on ( the wait was less then 10 minutes ) the CM asked if I could push my self in line I told her that I was not sure she then said that she could get someone to push me it took maybe 5 minutes and a Cordinator came out to push me on the way in he stopped briefly and said in the walkie-talkie I am ( some number) I asked him what that meant he said that was we are pushing a gust through the line. On another trip I needed a wheel chair for just a few hours I had a FP for space some thing they offered to push me though the line and again the Cordinator said the same thing in the walkie-talkie I said something like oh that ment you are with a gust he was kind Of surprised I know and he told me some other codes they used like nothing confidential things. Like the lost child coda and maybe one other but forgot them now. So I know for space they do this if some one is available but I think it really has to do with the up and down of the line and also you have to use a wheel chair

 

[SueM in MN]

I think the only time they offer to push you is if you are alone. I know when I went to space to go on ( the wait was less then 10 minutes ) the CM asked if I could push my self in line I told her that I was not sure she then said that she could get someone to push me it took maybe 5 minutes and a Cordinator came out to push me on the way in he stopped briefly and said in the walkie-talkie I am ( some number) I asked him what that meant he said that was we are pushing a gust through the line. On another trip I needed a wheel chair for just a few hours I had a FP for space some thing they offered to push me though the line and again the Cordinator said the same thing in the walkie-talkie I said something like oh that ment you are with a gust he was kind Of surprised I know and he told me some other codes they used like nothing confidential things. Like the lost child coda and maybe one other but forgot them now. So I know for space they do this if some one is available but I think it really has to do with the up and down of the line and also you have to use a wheel chair

Other people have posted they were alone and asked if anyone could push them, but were told no.
That's been posted frequently on different board I go on. So, even though your experience was that a CM pushed you, I would not count on getting a CM to push a wheelchair, even if alone.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Other people have posted they were alone and asked if anyone could push them, but were told no.
That's been posted frequently on different board I go on. So, even though your experience was that a CM pushed you, I would not count on getting a CM to push a wheelchair, even if alone.

That's been my experience, unfortunately. When I was at Test Track, they told me I had to transfer to a wheelchair but since I was solo, I asked if someone could push me. They said "No", so of course, that meant TT was a no-go for me. My only concern is exactly what is the "new" policy, if there is one. Are ALL attractions now wheelchair only? Or are most still ECV-friendly?

 

[gap2368]

I was only talking about space mountain where the CM offered to help me. I do not think they do this at other rides at TT they let my friend come in with me to push me even though she did not have a FP and I did.

 

[SueM in MN]

That's been my experience, unfortunately. When I was at Test Track, they told me I had to transfer to a wheelchair but since I was solo, I asked if someone could push me. They said "No", so of course, that meant TT was a no-go for me. My only concern is exactly what is the "new" policy, if there is one. Are ALL attractions now wheelchair only? Or are most still ECV-friendly?

There has been no change.
Most lines are still ECV friendly. You can check the park maps, the My Disney Experience app or signs in front of the attractions.
The wheelchair symbol means it is accessible to all.
If you need to transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair, the symbol will show an ECV with an arrow to a wheelchair.

 

[LilyWDW]

That's been my experience, unfortunately. When I was at Test Track, they told me I had to transfer to a wheelchair but since I was solo, I asked if someone could push me. They said "No", so of course, that meant TT was a no-go for me. My only concern is exactly what is the "new" policy, if there is one. Are ALL attractions now wheelchair only? Or are most still ECV-friendly?

I say with about 99.9% confidence that there has been no change. The OP only mentioned 2 "additional" rides on that second day that required a transfer, one of which is an attraction that has always been that way. The other attractions has been having a lot of exterior work done, including in the queues, for awhile now so it is very possible that day there was an issue with getting ECVs through.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Buzz Lightyear has not ALWAYS been a transfer ride. They allowed ECVs in the line until about 4 or 5 years ago. A CM got hurt at Buzz by an ECV. Between that and the lack of storage because the number of ECVs keeps increasing, they were rather forced to make that change.

MY experience... I have had CMs help me many many times as I cannot self propel due to other medical issues. I have had a CM help me from where I leave my ECV (rather across from Buzz Liteyear) into a WC and take me in the line at Buzz. I have had them take me on Sp Mtn, POTC, TT and a few others. There have also been times that a CM took us (party of 2) because my travel companion could not push me due to their own medical issues. According to my CM friends/family working in attractions, there is no rule about them not being able to push you. They just cannot help you transfer other than to literally offer a hand (which is optional, they can do that but do not have to.) When people are turned down, maybe they are short staffed. But it can and does happen. I have experienced it. And it has nothing to do with Disney's rules.
HM may be a new change.... I have always been allowed to take my ECV in before.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides the other reasons already listed, when ECVs were allowed in Buzz Lightyear, we experienced several times when the exit was partially blocked by ECVs parked there. People who could walk could get by them, but there was not space for us to push DD's wheelchair past them. The CM had to do some "move this one a little bit, then move this one, then move the first one again to clear the path enough for us to get out.
I had heard that was considered a fire evacuation issue.

I want to clarify the 'not supposed to' statement. The CMs who are assigned a position can't just leave their assigned position to push someone. That was what I meant by 'not supposed to.'
I did mention there might be a CM without an assigned position who might be able to.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Besides the other reasons already listed, when ECVs were allowed in Buzz Lightyear, we experienced several times when the exit was partially blocked by ECVs parked there. People who could walk could get by them, but there was not space for us to push DD's wheelchair past them. The CM had to do some "move this one a little bit, then move this one, then move the first one again to clear the path enough for us to get out.
I had heard that was considered a fire evacuation issue.

I want to clarify the 'not supposed to' statement. The CMs who are assigned a position can't just leave their assigned position to push someone. That was what I meant by 'not supposed to.'
I did mention there might be a CM without an assigned position who might be able to.

Most attractions have one or more CMs assigned to the "strollers" position. They can leave that assigned position to help a guest. Those assigned what Disney terms a "safety critical" position cannot just leave their location.

 

[gap2368]

not trying to get into an argument about this but I was only talking about space and one time I did have to wait a supple of minutes for someone to come to help me. I think space is the only ride that dose this and it sounded like if is a safety thing since it is so steep ( I had a guest infant of me roll back and hit me 2 or so years ago) but like I have been saying the only attraction I know of ( and I do not use wheel chair a lot ) is space and every time ( I think 3) that I have been alone they have always ( one time the CM really did not give me a chance to say no) they have offered to push me. I did ask a friend who is a full time wheel chair user this yesterday she normally goes with a someone but they split up and she said they offered push here too. I do know that other attraction will not push you ( unless you have a CM that is just being extra nice is change position and going thought the line and no one is infant of you and offered to help you.

but if anyone has a problem at disney I would increadge them to talk to a CM most of them will go out of there way to help a guest have a more magical trip another thing that I was thing is that the OP could get a return ticket so they would only need to have there DD on there lap a very short time ( 10 minutes instead of 30 or what ever the line is ) or is the child can walk the mom can hold her hand while dad pushes the chair for the show time. and all rides do have return time tickets incase the DAS is not working.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Anybody know would I be allowed my power wheelchair in the line for HM?

 

[gap2368]

power chair are considered wheel chairs so yes

 

[lanejudy]

I think this post has run it's course. Unless we receive more reports of changes at HM, I would assume the OP ran into a 1-time odd situation that could not accommodate ECVs at that time.

As has long been the suggestion -- if you need help with a manual wheelchair in queues, you most certainly can ask for assistance. Whether or not they can accommodate that request will depend on the situation at that time, so be prepared if they say no.

There is detailed information about accessibility for specific attractions/queues in the disABILITIES FAQs thread pinned near the top of this forum.