power assist on BTMRR?

[KPeveler]

I am getting a wheelchair with power assist wheels, and I am already planning my next Disney World trip with it!!

anyway, the only ride I can think of that would cause problems is BTMRR... When I get out of my chair, i will turn the wheels OFF (which keeps it from rolling away when i get up), but it can only be moved short distances easily without turning the wheels back ON. this shouldnt be a problem when i transfer for things like RnR or Buzz when they move the chair 100 ft or so. it MAY cause problems for them going up the hill at BTMRR, since they move the chair from one platform to the other.

Do you think I will have time to teach the CM how to operate my wheels? they will need to turn them OFF AND SET THE BRAKE when they move them. Otherwise even the vibrations from the trains coming in, or anyone even bumping the chair will cause it to start moving.

Has anyone used a power chair on BTMRR? I would think that these also cannot be "driven" by a CM, as they are MUCH harder to drive than a ECV. Can a CM get something that heavy up the hill o n free-wheel? I just don't want to find my chair broken or rolling around cause a CM doesn't know how to operate my wheels...

thanks!

 

[BillSears]

The solution for this is very easy. You just have to ride twice!!!!!

When I've riden BTMRR sometimes the car comes back to the same side and sometimes it goes to the opposite side. It all depends on how many cars they have running. On the times when I get sent to the opposite side they often just have me ride twice so I end up back at the side with my wheelchair.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Every time I have done BTMRR I got a double ride to come back to the same platform. There is no way they can move an ECV or Power Chair or chair with power wheels from one platform to the other. Also, I'm not sure but I think the inner track requires stairs to exit.

 

[KPeveler]

the last three times i have been there, they have taken my manual chair and moved it (and everyone else's manual chair) to the "upper" track, so i only rode once. once they dragged it with the brakes on, another time they just shoved it and let it hit a wall - needless to say i prefer when they do not do this.

now i know to say that they cannot move my wheelchair, as the power assist wheels take special training (which is true!)

once i even saw them driving ECVs from one exit to another...

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

At some rides, you'll have no other option than to let CM's move an aid. Don't know about BTMRR, as I can't do that one.

I can speak for other rides and powerchairs though. There always is enough time to give the CM a quick explanation of what to do and not do so they can safely move an aid. If need be, they can make the time or you can inform them before your car/clam/whatever actually already is there that you need to explain how to handle the chair once you're out of it.

To give you an example; at Soarin' I drive up right in front of the seat I'll be in and transfer out of my powerchair. Before doing this, I'll set the chair at the lowest speed. The CM's don't know how to change the speed. I explain how the joystick works and how they can switch off the power after moving it, and turn it back on after the right. I also tell them not to hit any other button what so ever as it's a very sensative chair. It can be a dangerous chair if they were to. This takes me about 30 seconds to a minute of time. They always take the time to listen (also at the other rides I transfer for) and respect the info I give them and act accordingly.

I believe that explaining how an aid can be moved best is the safest way to avoid any problems, damage etc. It avoids situations in where they try to do their best but might possibly damage the aid simply because a lack of knowledge.

 

[KPeveler]

you CAN move the power assist wheels on free wheel, just like a regular manual chair, so short distances on flat ground shouldnt be a problem. i was just anticipating them moving it uphill... which would be a heavy prospect!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I am very not pro using free wheel if not absolutely needing it. It isn't the easiest as you've stated and if you ask me, a higher risk of damage. I had to have it done after my chair died on me the last december trip (airline wrecked the power cords, nice....) and believe me; it's a great way for possible damage or giving those pushing it a hernia.

Let alone the exercise that gets into getting my chair into freewheel and out of it again. It is HARD work for any person doing it. And using it means always having to check the settings after I get back to make sure no accidents happen when I use it. With the not great positions of the switches involved in my chair, I like to not use the freewheel.

Setting a chair at the lowest speed, giving the basic explanation, if need be let the CM practice while I'm looking, gives me the safest feeling and until so far the best results. For me, the chair and the CM's involved.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

In December they were no longer allowing you to ride twice if you were using an ECV or WC, they said it was a new rule. This happened every time we went to ride that trip, so it wasn't just the CM's one of the times.

I was shocked because we were just there at the end of Sept and were allowed to ride through twice as we have in the past, except one time when one train was stopped we ended up back on the side we started at.

I don't like that 1/2 wall and gate they have put up either.


Suzanne

 

[KPeveler]

i dont like the wall at all - i felt like i was being put in jail! i was very crowded and people behind me kept hitting me...

I am sure everything will be fine, but it is nice to learn whether i should try to explain how my wheels work, or just tell them they cant take it away...

 

[Talking Hands]

They have always let me go 2x and they did not move my PWC. Since it is very difficult to get it into free wheel mode I will not allow them to do that. And I certainly do not want an inexperienced person driving the PWC in that narrow area.

 

[Carnator]

I use my own ECV. We went the 1st week of Feb. We went to MK 3 days that week and averaged 2-3 rides on BTRR per day. It seemed everyday if not everytime was different. I was told I had to transfer to wheelchair and leave ECV outside the exit. Was told there were no more wheelchairs and had to leave ECV outside the exit and walk the rest of the way. Was told to bring ECV in (like in the past). Was told I could stay on and ride twice. Was told had to get off on the other side and go back to the 1st exit and get my ECV. Was told I could only ride it once and ECV would be on the other side. Had to get off other side and ECV would be there (it wasn't). Was told to ride it twice, but when we got around after 1st ride was told had to get off.

Don't mind how they do it just want some consistency.