Restaurants with a wheelchair?

[bouncycat]

Hi all, for one day in september, we're gonna have my aunt with us at MK who's in a wheelchair...we put on our ressie for Tony's that we have one wheelchair, and one really old person with us, who will be walking, just slowly, she's in her 80's. What should I expect from them? I know what to expect in the park, just not the restaurant. Thanks!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I guess my reply would be to ask the question- what do you need?
All the restaurants are accessible, some better than others. Since she can get out of the wheelchair it may work best to have her stay in the wheelchair while you are waiting and while you go to your table. Then she can transfer out of the wheelchair and sit on a restarant chair. If the wheelchair is foldable, it is very easy to find a spot to put it. Even if it's not foldable, the CM will be able to find somewhere to place it while you eat. That way you don't gave to worry about whether or not the table height works well with the wheelchair. Just let the CM know when you are checking in what you plan to do.
To get up to the restaurant, there is a ramp on the porch of the building closest to the railway station.

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks Sue...best info I can give you is that if she can stay in it, she'll want to stay in it. And transfer out as little as possible. She can walk, but it's VERY hard for her to. Plus she'll be transferring some most of the day for certain things. So it's up to her really I guess. She does have a manual chair, not electric, so it folds up normally. When we've gone out, I've seen her do both ways, transfer, and stay in it on different occasions. So I guess it just depends on how she feels at the time. I already sent my other Aunt the list of attractions that are accessable, and the ones she'll need to transfer on, and the ones in my opinion that she won't be able to do. So for the restaurant I guess we'll just have to see! Thanks!!

 

[Chuck S]

My Mom can transfer easily, but is more comfortable staying in her chair for meals at the parks. It really isn't a problem, unless the whelchair has a really high seat, though she will usually be higher than a standard dining seat. It works out well for my Mom, as she is just over 5'2"

For a tall person, I would recommend transferring, but if it is too difficult, try it first to see if they are comfortable with the height of the wheelchair. The arms of the chair likely won't fit under the table, especially if it is a Disney rental. If you are renting a chair offsite see if she can get one that has swing away arm rests, or half length arm rests so she can get closer to a table.

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks Chuck! she has her own chair, and she's like 4'9", so she's really short! I guess we'll take it by ear and see how she feels when we all get there, I was just trying to get a feel for what to expect. The other one going with us, is my great aunt, she's in her low 80's, she's NOT in a chair, but is of course slower then everyone else, so it'll be nice to have somewhere easy for her to walk into and sit down also. There's gonna be at least 7 of us total. It'll work out. Thanks for all the advice!!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

my aunt with us at MK who's in a wheelchair

The only problem you are likely to have (and not just at Disney) are table legs!! They always hide the legs with long tablecloths. Whenever I approach a table in my chair, I always have to lift the tablecloth first.

Andrew