Question about using an ECV...

[annieb727]

Hi there...I have a question. I noticed that there are a few rides that if you are using an ECV, you must transfer to a manual wheelchair in order to navigate the queues...so what if you don't have someone to push you in the manual wheelchair? I am just SOL? See, it will be me, dh, ds5, & ds3. We'll have to do some childswapping...like RnR...I'll ride myself, then dh will go - but I won't be able to push myself in the manual wheelchair...so what will happen? And where can I find the list that tells me exactly which ones I'll do this with? I know when I was at DisneyLand, at Pooh, that's how they had it...I had to fight with the CM's everytime - no my four year old cannot push me in the wheelchair through the queue - and no, I can't stand and wait in line - that's why I have the ECV. No, I don't have GAC - I have the ECV.

Also, I have another question? I saw something about Auxiliary entrances for some rides, but is there a list? Anyone know which rides these are, and where those auxilitary entrances are located?

Thanks!

 

[madenon]

I was thinking about the same thing. Overhere "transfer needed from ecv" includes those in a powerchair. With me travelling solo in a powerchair, I was wondering about that. Eventhough I am bringing my own manual for the flight and back up, no way I'll be able to manouvre it through a line, let alone a manual that isn't mine (all other than mine are to heavy, so I won't be able to move them an inch) However, lovely as she allways is, Sue was able to tell me that;

- NO, no cm will push the chair for you
- this only applies to ecv's and not for normall sized powerchairs.

Anyhow, I was thinking, if you really want to do those rides; might it be an option to rent a powerchair for the trip? They are more flexible than ecv's are, and you would be able to enter more rides on your own or with the kids without DH.

 

[dclfun]

Even for the attractions with an alternate entrance you would still need to push a manual w/c through the alternate entrance queue. If you are doing a "guest swap" though you should be able to wait at the exit once you're there and then switch off with the other family member and child. I guess I'm not understanding why your husband couldn't push you through the queue- a child could sit on your lap, for instance if he was worried about keeping track of them in the line. An ECV is different than a guest's own power chair though as some attractions can accomodate a power chair but not an ECV- on the Pooh ride you would be able to ride in a power chair and drive that chair through the line. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyhow, I was thinking, if you really want to do those rides; might it be an option to rent a powerchair for the trip? They are more flexible than ecv's are, and you would be able to enter more rides on your own or with the kids without DH.

Sorry to say, but renting a power wheelchair is not an option for most people.
The only places to rent one are the off-site places and most will only rent a power wheelchair to someone who is already experienced using one (like someone who has one at home, but prefers to not travel with it).

There are a couple of reasons for this.
One is that power wheelchairs are more expensive than ECVs, so it is not cost effective for the companies to rent them out.
Another is that power wheelchairs look easy to drive, but do take quite a bit more practice to drive than an ECV.
The most manouverable power wheelchairs are even a bit harder to control without some practice. Because they have on set of large wheels and 2 sets of small swivel wheels, they turn very easily. That is great when you want to turn, but not so good when you are trying to go straight. DD turned a lot of complete circles in her new power wheelchair before she figured out just how much power to give it (compared to how her old one worked).
Part of her problem was solved by programming - things like how fast the computer on the wheelchair allows the motor to accellerate. Part was solved by getting the exact correct size wheelchair (if it's too wide, it's hard to push the joystick straight ahead to go straight).

This is probably way more than you want or need to know, but it's there anyway in case anyone is curious why they can't rent a power wheelcchair.

 

[madenon]

Sorry to read that, Sue! It seems like it is easier to rent a powerchair overhere than in the US. Hopefully I didn't get Annie's hope op for nothing.


(on the driving of a powerchair versus ecv; if you ask me it varies widely depending on both the ecv and powerchair. You're so correct on the staying in a straight line. Allthough that can be fixed with an extra aid in the joystick -haven't got a clue what the word is in english -. I've had a couple of ecv's, and tried out some powerchairs before I got the one I've got at the moment -torturedevice!- and the new one coming next month. It does require some other driving-skills, but on a whole I found the powerchairs to be easier to navigate than the ecv's. But than again, that will be influenced by personal likes, other driving-experience and the possibilities of each aid.)

 

[Barbday62]

In Disneyland we never transfer my husband to a regular wheel chair for any lines. When we went to WDW we only had to transfer him for Pirates. Kids can ride pirates so it shouldnt be a problem. It was tough for me to push him since he weighs a little more than me and there were small hills but we managed. I cannot remember any other line we could not use his power chair in at WDW. He didnt ride Rock in Roller coaster last trip so cant help you on that one. I just stood in the regualr line with out him. He is limited on fast rides now. By the way he uses a power chair and we had to rent one in Florida and I think they mentioned it needed to be rented to someone who uses them normally on the web site.

I can tell you where his disability is discouraging to us but we make do and I miss lots of big rides more and more. Things like Big Thunder dont have ques we can take his chair (At disneyland, i didnt even try in WDW) and he cannot ride that ride any more becauase his Muscular Dystrophy is getting to bad to hold himself up on that one) Anyway I wish he could just go on the line with me so we can be together while I wait to ride, then exit last minute. But it isnt wheelchair accessible. Its a bummer to have him sit out and wait for me so much of the time so I am more and more opting not to ride things with long lines.

Does this ruin our vacation? No way!! We are chosing to find other things to do because the disability is forever and yes not fair all the time but why let it ruin things for us. I think Disney does a terrific job letting us do as much as we can but we know we cant do everything and as disappointing as it is we are choosing to not let it ruin the magic we can have.

 

[annieb727]

Thanks for the replies - I dont' have a problem with dh pushing me while I hold ds3 inmy lap (or BOTH ds3 & ds5, but that mgiht be a bit crowded)...I was just under the impression if they can't ride on the ride, then they can't be in the line.

I don't see though, how they could refuse to let me go on the ride, if I can walk a short distance and easily transfer from my ecv to the ride vehicle...if the ONLY reason is because I can't push myself in the manual wheelchair and I can't walk/wait while standing thru the entire standby line. Would they allow entrance thru the exit or another means? It just doesn't seem fair just because someone chose to travel alone or cannot ride with another party for them not to be able to go on the ride...if the ONLY issue to riding is because of having to push themselves in a manual wheelchair.