Rides at Disney

[brandon1022]

My 8 year old son, who is in a wheelchair, has been granted a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation. We will be going in June and are very excited. Anyway, I have been looking to see what he will be able to do ride wise since he will not be able to get out of his chair. Do the attractions that allow wheelchairs accomadate all types of manual chairs?

Thanks,

Alicia

 

[BillSears]

All types? There are probably some unusual types of wheelchairs that would be too long or something to fit on some of the rides. But the rides that allow you to stay in your wheelchair should be able to take any normally configured manual wheelchair.

If your son can do transfers there are also alot of rides he could do. I can't walk at all but I can transfer to almost all of the rides using my arms to lift myself from the seat of the chair to the seat of the ride. It's not much harder then getting in and out of a car.

Even if he can't transfer he should have a great time. WDW is probably the most wheelchair friendly place I've ever been.

 

[BillSears]

Here is a great post about various rides and how to handle them with a wheelchair.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=818020

 

[Karalynn]

My dd was almost 6 when we went in January, and she is in a wheelchair also. We were able to transfer her out for most rides, if that is a possibility for you, everyone was very accomodating. The shows we kept her in her chair and pulled up to the accessible seating areas. My only complaint about that is that it was so far away she probably didn't really see details too well. I'm sure if I had asked they would try and get us closer if they could, but I didn't really think of it until after!! I agree with the pp that Disney is so accessable!! You will have a great time, and they will make you feel welcome whatever your needs may be! Have fun!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sure if I had asked they would try and get us closer if they could, but I didn't really think of it until after!

Many of the attractions have at least some seats at the front as well as seats at the back. The seats at the front are very limited, though, so it's very possible they will be already filled or they are saving them for people with disabilities related to vision. But, it never hurts to ask.
In general, the movies have seats only in the back. Shows with some seats in the front as well as the back include:
At MGM
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Beauty and the Beast
Fantasmic - a few seats and be prepared you may get wet. The movies are projected on screens of mist. The wind blows the mist toward the audience at times.

At MK
All Wheelchair seating for Tiki Birds is at the front

At Epcot
Turtle Talk (although the children sitting on the floor will be in front of the wheelchair, they don't obstruct the view much).

At AK
Pocohontas
Flights of Wonder
All the wheelchair seats at Festival of the Lion King are in the front row

If you haven't checked out the disABILITIES FAQs, you might want to look at that too.
My DD's wheelchair has been on the wheelchair accessible car of every attraction that has one. I don't have time to measure the dimensions right now, but can.
Soarin' requires a transfer, but I'd HIGHLY recommend that attraction as one to ride if you can. It's an easy tranfer with lots of time to transfer in and out, the ride itself is gentle and it is totally wonderful.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I use an electric wheelchair full-time and can't sit up without complete support. Our last trip to Disney World I spent about 10 hours researching wheelchair accessible rides. I didn’t transfer for any rides and still had a fantastic time.

When the map says ECVs must transfer-it is talking about the 3 wheeled scooters or the chairs Disney rents NOT electric wheelchairs or manual chairs. Here is a list of rides that you can drive your wheelchair directly onto without transferring, sorted by park:

Magic Kingdom---

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: (note-this ride doesn't fit all electric chairs--my standard Invacare Action electric wheelchair didn't fit-and the shooter is hard to reach, especially with contractures)

Stitches Great Escape (note-the bars that come down on the shoulders could be painful, especially if they are drawn up like mine-I haven’t ridden it-this ride has got a lot of bad reviews)

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Takes you through several classic scenes-awesome-easy access)

it’s a small world (easy access)

Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)

Main Street U.S.A.-Railroad-steam train ride (I loved it. Round trip is best, there are scenes along the way. I am not sure if all stops are accessible so get on at Main Street)

Jungle Cruise (recently converted)

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (too short for some chairs)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible. There are always spaces for wheelchairs with seats for family members adjoining
(Storytime with Belle, etc. all children sit on the floor up front)

Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island are impossible for wheelchairs (you can do a roundtrip on the raft that goes to Tom Sawyer Island)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM, they're marked on a map- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait


Epcot—

Ellen’s Energy Adventure (easily accessible-cute Jeapordy style beginning that then takes you back in time to Dinosaurs)

Journey Into Your Imagination (easily accessible-really cute/fun ride with a fully accessible interactive special effects playground afterwards)

Living with the Land (informational tour about various climates and agriculture)

El Rio Del Tiempo (accessible-boat ride tour of Mexico)

The Living Seas (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access. At your own pace viewing of a live sea aquarium and the new Crush attraction)

The World Showcase (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access)

Street shows are hard to see unless you arrive a little early to sit in front

All the Character Greeting Areas and all shows (including Innoventions) are wheelchair accessible (*note: The Kid cot fun stop crafts will be difficult to do unless you have a tray on your wheelchair because the table and chairs are low and the supplies are scattered)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave-- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

MGM Studios—

Great Movie Ride (note-this ride doesn't fit all wheelchairs-my standard Invacare action electric wheelchair didn't fit and I had to ride sideways)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible

MGM has a lot of good shows.

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Fantasmic-(The best nighttime/overall show in my opinion).

Animal Kingdom-

Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)

Triceratop Spin (note: I never rode this ride and I am not sure if it accommodates electric wheelchairs or just manual ones)

Kilimanjaro Safaris (mild thrill ride with a guide that drives you through authentic habitats to view real exotic animals-best experienced in the morning. Note: This ride is bumpy. You may need to back in to the ride vehicle.)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible (*some areas of the Boneyard are not. *Conservation is listed as accessible but I didn’t visit it.)

All the nature trails are accessible and have beautiful wildlife. There are many exhibits-a few viewing areas are a little difficult to get to.

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Remember all shows are wheelchair accessible-don't miss the nighttime shows-especially Fantasmic-and don't miss Festival of the Lion King.

I went to Disney World on my wish trip. GKTW is awesome and completely wheelchair accessible. Even the carousel has a spot for wheelchairs to ride and the arcade is built so people in wheelchairs can reach the buttons. There is a nature trail and pool that also accomodates wheelchairs. I am sure you'll have a fantastic time!

Christamae

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)
...

Kilimanjaro Safaris (mild thrill ride with a guide that drives you through authentic habitats to view real exotic animals-best experienced in the morning. Note: This ride is bumpy. You may need to back in to the ride vehicle.)

Wildlife Express train ... you will have to back into the train. Each train can accomodate 3 wheelchairs or ECV's at one time (more if people are able to transfer), although the 3 spaces are in separate train cars.

Kilimanjaro Safaris - Don't HAVE to back in to get on board the vehicle, but many people find it easier

 

[SueM in MN]

Stitches Great Escape (note-the bars that come down on the shoulders could be painful, especially if they are drawn up like mine-I haven’t ridden it-this ride has got a lot of bad reviews)

We have been on this with DD's manual wheelchair. The CM pulled the bar down to where it was comfortable for DD and you can also not use it at all. This isn't a ride, it's actually a sort of theater in the round show with an audioanimatronic character in the center. Some of the show takes place in near total darkness. The bar that comes down actually has some of the special effects - smells, "Stitch breath", etc. It is sort of a silly attraction. Not something we will go one every time, but glad we did it once.
It's kind of smelly and gross - just the kind of thing a lot of 8 yr old boys think is funny.

Main Street U.S.A.-Railroad-steam train ride (I loved it. Round trip is best, there are scenes along the way. I am not sure if all stops are accessible so get on at Main Street)

All the stops are accessible; the easiest is at Mickey's Toontown. That has a farily flat ramp because the train is at "street" level. The Frontierland and Main Street stations are at 2nd story level and have long, fairly steep ramps to get to the station.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (too short for some chairs)

My DD's wheelchair fits fine - the total measurement of her wheelchair is 27 inches wide and 49 inches long from the tips of her toes when she sits in the chair to the back of the backpack she carries on the wheelchair.

Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island are impossible for wheelchairs (you can do a roundtrip on the raft that goes to Tom Sawyer Island)

The Treehouse is impossible, but when my DD was little (and her wheelchair was narrower) we did go on Tom Sawyer's Island. It is possoble to go there with a manual wheelchair, although some areas (like in the caves) may be too narrow and paths are bumpy.

The Living Seas (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access. At your own pace viewing of a live sea aquarium and the new Crush attraction)

There are escalators to get from one floor to another, but there is a small elevator at the far end of the building from where you enter. If you can't figure out where it is, ask a CM.

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave-- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Because you have to arrive to the wheelchair viewing areas early and can't leave, we usually just find a spot. The show takes place in the lake that is in the middle of World Showcase. There are several barges parked in an area of the lake. The low part of the show takes place there and most of the fireworks are set off near those. Find a spot along the water and just park along the fence. The views are different depending on where you are, but none are bad.

Great Movie Ride (note-this ride doesn't fit all wheelchairs-my standard Invacare action electric wheelchair didn't fit and I had to ride sideways)

My DD's wheelchair fits. It is a little tight, but she is facing forwards.

Triceratop Spin (note: I never rode this ride and I am not sure if it accommodates electric wheelchairs or just manual ones)

It's the same setup as Aladdin, but with a different theme. My dd's manual wheelchair fits fine.