Power Chairs On Rides Question

[GroovyWheeler]

I just saw the thread/reply about how you are able to take a power wheelchair on rides that don't allow ECVs (because they aren't the same as ECVs), and was wondering if this applies to "It's A Small World", too? Are there other rides that do allow power chairs on (like they do with manual wheelchairs), that don't allow ECVs on??? I'm definitely planning on taking a rental folding power chair (which is not much bigger than my one here at home) the next time I go to Disney World (which will most-likely be next year), so I was curious to know about it. It's hard for me to walk into boat-type rides, unless someone was hanging onto me/carrying me, so being able to take my power chair on "It's A Small World", would be awesome.

Thanks, Samantha

 

[pugdog]

We have taken DW's powerchair on,
Smallworld, Buzz, and Pooh, jungle cruise and several rides at EPCOT and some at MGM. Tried on Alladin but part of her tilt system was in the way of a bump on the ride and we were not able to ride.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have take my power wheelchair on Small World, BUzz and Pooh as well as rides in EPCOT, MGM and AK.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

I've heard this somewhere, but power chairs don't count as ECVs, do they?? Just as regular wheelchairs???

Thanks, Samantha

 

[SueM in MN]

There isn't much about power wheelchairs in the official Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. From what I have read, in general though, if a power wheelchair takes up the same space as a manual wheelchair, it should be able to go on those rides. So, it doesn't "count" as an ECV. The assumption is that someone who has a power wheelchair probably needs to stay in it; in general, someone using an ECV can walk, at least to some extent. There are also differences in the size, shape and stability of ECVs compared to power wheelchairs. Most ECVs are too long to fit in the wheelchair cars; many power wheelchairs are no larger than a manual wheelchair.
Here's a lin k to a thread that includes a list of attractions that someone else has ridden in her power wheelchair. (You'll see the worf "Invacare" listed in red - that's because I searched for that word, knowing that the OP of the list has an Invacare power wheelchair).

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Thanks Sue; I was just curious to know, as I'd never knew that before. My power chair here at home, if we were to take it, is one of those long power chairs like the Invacare ones, lengthwise, so I probably would've had trouble getting on some of the rides with it. However, since we were advised by my seating/mobility specialist from day one, to never take it on an airplane, I'll be pushing for a rental power chair that can fold like a folding manual wheelchair, the next time we go.

I was in an Invacare folding one, during the 2 months or so, my power chair was being fixed in 2003, and it was much smaller than my own. It was great to drive/maneuver, and my mom could easily lift into the back of her car, for the times that she didn't feel like driving my van (even though it was a little heavy to lift, once you removed the batteries). I was sad to see it go, once we got my own power chair back. But, it sure made a great folding power chair for travelling by car.

Samantha

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll be pushing for a rental power chair that can fold like a folding manual wheelchair, the next time we go.

You could also possibly bring your manual wheelchair and rent a power one from one of the off-site medical equipment rental companies. That works if your wheelchair is sort of an "average" size (width and length) seat and you don't have a lot of positioning needs. Or, if your seating system can be switched from your own manual wheelchair into the rented power one.
We looked into it a few years ago and again last year. My DD has a power Invacare wheelchair at home, and we would have been able to rent one. All they needed was the settings from her controller so that they could program the computer. We decided it wouldn't work for her though because her seat is very narrow for the length (14 inches wide by 18 inches deep). Her wheelchair cushion and back wouldn't fit on the wheelchair they could rent to us (besides, she needs other things like ankle straps that they also could not supply).
So, if your wheelchair is a sort of common size and you don't have a lot of special positioning needs, renting a regular power wheelchair in Orlando might work for you.