Newbie Questions

[IllumFan]

We are considering taking my MIL/FIL with us on our next Disney trip.

My MIL would definitely need an ECV as she can only walk very short distances.

1. I noticed that some rides require you to transfer from the ECV to a standard wheelchair. This is probably a silly question but I wanted to confirm that Disney provides the standard wheelchair at the ride entrance. I have never noticed them before. Do these standard wheelchairs accomodate people who are "pooh sized?"

2. For rides that require a transfer with a "moving" walkway such Haunted Mansion, do they stop the walkway for guests who can walk but move slowly or are slightly unsteady on their feet? I know my MIL could walk and enter the ride but I don't think she could do it on a moving walkway.

TIA

 

[McCall]

They do have WC's that you transfer too on the rides you mentioned. and they have the Large size one's. and If needed they will stop a ride with a walkway for a guest to board. or slow it way way down.

 

[mechurchlady]

Peter Pan does not stop, ever and is a hard stop when it does so they do not stop for guests. TTA is only accessible by a moving walkway up a steep ramp like an escalator but flat.

 

[scooby9932]

ITA with the PP. I use an ECV when I go and am "pooh sized" and have had no trouble using the standard wheelchairs they provide. I have seen some guests require a larger wheelchair, and while they don't have many, they do have them.

Just let the CMs at the moving walkway rides know that you'll need the walkway slowed down & they'll accomodate you. In fact, they have always asked me before boarding if I need this service.

Just remember that manuevering an ECV through the parks & stores can be frustrating, most especially at peak crowd times. If your MIL can try out using an ECV at a store, like Wal Mart or Target, first & practice backing up & working around tight corners, she should have no problem with a smaller ECV at WDW. Are you renting from an offsite company? Their ECV's are easier to manuever than the larger ones they have at the parks.

HTH!

 

[Leash]

1. They will have the wheelchair available at the line entrance but you may have to park the ECV with the strollers and walk a short distance, this was my experience with a couple of rides. I'm afraid I can't help with larger wheelchairs but I am "pooh sized" and fit in the wheelchair with no trouble.

2. On Haunted Mansion I was given options. The greeter at the start of the que asked me quetions to determine how far I could walk. He then gave me a color coded card to give to the grouper at the entrance once I went through the Fastpass que. I rode twice and with two different colored cards. The first time he asked if I could walk from the entrance to the front door, I said no. He gave me a card and I rode up and then waited for a bit. I rode into the stretching room in the ECV once all the other guest had gone in. I waited till everyone was out and then exited, a CM opened a rope and I rode around the line to the very end of the load area. There are special doom buggys that have more cut out on the side so they are easier to get in, once they came up the CM's stopped the walkway so I could board. When we were done we stayed in our doom buggy and went through backstage to the load area where they stopped the walkway again and got back on the ECV. We went back through the que and rode the stretching room in reverse (weird) then exited through the Fastpass line.
The second time around I wanted to try to save time and just walk the line. I went in same as before but parked the ECV outside the front door, then walked the ramp into the parlor. Walked the line and got in a regular buggy without slowing the walkway. Got out at the normal exit again without slowing the walkway, then DH had to go back up to the entrance and get the ECV and drive it around to me.

After all was said and done the first trip took a lot longer but hurt much less (recently dislocated knee in an immobilizer). My advice is talk to the CM's about what you need and they will help as best they can.

We are considering taking my MIL/FIL with us on our next Disney trip.

My MIL would definitely need an ECV as she can only walk very short distances.

1. I noticed that some rides require you to transfer from the ECV to a standard wheelchair. This is probably a silly question but I wanted to confirm that Disney provides the standard wheelchair at the ride entrance. I have never noticed them before. Do these standard wheelchairs accomodate people who are "pooh sized?"

2. For rides that require a transfer with a "moving" walkway such Haunted Mansion, do they stop the walkway for guests who can walk but move slowly or are slightly unsteady on their feet? I know my MIL could walk and enter the ride but I don't think she could do it on a moving walkway.

TIA

 

[IllumFan]

Thank you everyone for the help. I've been spending more time in this forum trying to plan this trip and get as much information as possible.

It has given me a much greater appreciation and understanding of the challenges and issues faced by those with disABILITIES.

Also, everyone on the board has been so genuinely helpful to one another.

Thank you.