Restaurant advice for those using wheelchairs?

[Mary976]

Hello all,

My teenage daughter and I are going to WDW in January. My daughter uses a manual wheelchair but otherwise is in good health and is able to transfer easily. The guidebook I've been using seems to indicate that pretty much every full-service restaurant is w/c accessible. Is that true, or are some better than others? I was at WDW a number of years ago and seem to remember some tight spaces in some of the smaller restaurants. Also, we heard that the Garden Grill in the Land rotates, and were wondering if she'd still be able to enter with her chair.

Thanks so much!
Mary

 

[missypriss19]

My family is also going in Janruary. I have been twice before and although my DH has not gone, he uses a wheelchair, my eyes are always open to obstacles. Some of the counter service places are small and crowded so take your patience with you. As for the Moving resturants there should be no problem. They move slowly. And once you roll on the slow moving floor you just go with the flow. Hope this helps.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information.

The only restaurant I can think of (including counter service) that has stairs to all the seats is Liberty Tree Tavern, but they have a section that is accessible from a ramp outside if needed. Some of the larger CS restaurants may have multiple entrances, some with stairs but others with ramps or ground level.

And they will allways do what can be done to accomodate a person is a wheelchair. Also you will have the option of her using the wheelchair at the table or transferring to a regular chair and parking the wheelchair.

 

[Camster0307]

My daughter is in a manual wheelchair and we've eaten at many restaurants over the past 9 years. Some restaurants may appear "tight", but the CMs do a wonderful job of accommadating us. One restaurant I always worried about was the San Angel Inn in Mexico/Epcot. The tables are close together, but we also make it work. That restaurant is now are traditional first night dinner!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I find it can be useful in seating if I tell them when I am making my ADRs that we have a wheelchair, or scooter. That way they know ahead of time and try to keep a look out on an accessible table for you since they know when you are coming, I mean they don't reserve a table as such, but if they know you are coming in 15 min. then as tables clear they kind of figure they will try to seat you at such and such a table.
Other wise they can't do any of that type of figuring till you show up in a chair and say, " oh by the way we need an accessible table."

 

[SueM in MN]

we alawys let them know when making the ADR that we have a wheelchqir in our party and also let them know when we check in.
Some places are tighter than others, but they will all try to accomodate you. A problem we have found is that some of the tables in full service restaurants are either too low, or have a decorative panel that makes it too low for DD´s wheelchair armrests to get under the table. We have sometimes solved that by removing her armrests and in China, we took several menus to prop the table legs on her side of the table to make it higher. Our DD can´t get out of her wheelchair, but if your can, transferring to a chair is a good option.

In general, we have not had a problem with table height at the counter service restaurants.

 

[PrincessWendyBird]

I am with Mickiethepooh and SueM! I always let them know when making our ADRs that I am in a wheelchair and need to stay in it during the meal. I am such a worrier, I even call back about 2-3 weeks before our trip to make sure it's noted. As stated above, Liberty Tree has a side entrance and they had no problem with a table for us. San Angel Inn is very tight, but the staff there really went out of their way to help us get situated without too much fuss. Good Luck and have a great trip!

 

[Marie14625]

The only place where it was a bit tight for us was at the Japan restaurant..the one where they cook at your table. We had 3 wheelchairs (I got out of my ecv at all the restaurants). In Japan it was more an issue that they thought they could not accomodate us.
Our best experience was at the House of Blues. When I made the ressie I told them we had 3 chairs. When we checked in, we were greeted warmly, in fact the girl at the front desk was the one I had talked to. She said, great, we already have a table ready for you...we put two tables together to make it easier. Another plus, I got to drive my EACV right down to the table, and then parked it over in a corner and plugged it in to charge.
Coral Reef was also good..and also let me plug the ECV in up by the front lobby to charge while we were there.