Rides with moving walkways

[BarbaraK]

Hi:

Our family will be visiting WDW the first week in October and one of our family members will be in a wheelchair. If we knew in advance which rides have moving walkways we can let the Cast Member at the entrance know we will need the ride stopped so my sister can board.
I know the Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear and Spaceship Earth have the moving walkways. Are there others I've forgotten?

Thanks for your help,

Barbara

 

[Densgirl]

Tomorrow Land Transit Authority comes to mind too. I'll post more as I remember them. There might be a list in the disabilities board below. They are incredibly helpful there. And POTC has a moving walkway on the exit but there is an elevator there. I seem to remember some part of Space Mountain too but once was plenty for DS on that ride.

 

[jann1033]

i think maybe imagination?? ( you come down an escalator and get on a circular track and into a big old style blue vehicle( kind of like the old horizon pods) then the doors atuomatically shut..think it's in epcot somewhere in case i have the wrong ride maybe someone knows the right name...I was thinking norway but that's a boat) i always lose my balance on those things due to "technical difficulties" in my nervous system and look like an idiot stumbling around so i remember it

 

[HeatherPage]

jann,

I think that's Spaceship Earth. I believe Journey into the Imagination has red cars (but it probably does have a moving platform).
Space Mountain has one after the ride (exiting).

Maybe the Peter Pan, Poohbear, Snow White rides also (?).

Not a moving platform, but the rocket ride at Tomorrowland you have to go up in an elevator.

 

[baileybelle]

This link has lots of info. Just keep scrolling down http://allearsnet.com/pl/mobility.htm

 

[oogieboogie]

Peter Pan has moving walkways, Winnie the Pooh & Snow White do not.

Space Mountain's exit takes you thru an escalator.

Pirates of the Carribean's exit is a moving walkway.

Journey into Imagination doesn't have a moving walkway.

When you go to the entrance of a ride, there's always a CM there. If the CM sees one of your party in a wheelchair, they'll direct you to the handicap loading area. Sometimes this means going thru the exit instead of the entrance. The CMs that man a ride are all pretty experienced at handling handicapped guests, you'll be fine.

Have fun.

 

[jann1033]

jann,

I think that's Spaceship Earth. I believe Journey into the Imagination has red cars (but it probably does have a moving platform).
Space Mountain has one after the ride (exiting).

Maybe the Peter Pan, Poohbear, Snow White rides also (?).

Not a moving platform, but the rocket ride at Tomorrowland you have to go up in an elevator.

no i don't think it's se.

it's in a building which is why i thought imagination( ruled most of the others out) but i could have the color wrong...i think the whole area is kind of electric blue but the escalator takes you down to the ride(not away from it like sm.) then you get on the giant circle moving sidewalk thing( already loopy from the escalator) and we had to walk the whole way across the moving thing to get to the car and they kept telling us to hurry...hurry?ahh, i'm just trying not to "splat" flat on my rear end!

 

[HeatherPage]

Are you sure Space Mtn is an escalator? (meaning with steps like they have at department stores) I thought it was just a moving walkway on an incline.

 

[jann1033]

Are you sure Space Mtn is an escalator? (meaning with steps like they have at department stores) I thought it was just a moving walkway on an incline.

i think maybe it starts as an escalator then finishes flat...but then again I thought the cars were blue so that shows how good my memory is at least i knw oit starts off up hill! urg my poor brain

 

[nygrl]

Are you sure Space Mtn is an escalator? (meaning with steps like they have at department stores) I thought it was just a moving walkway on an incline.

i am pretty sure space mountain isnt either one of these... from what i remember it is just an upward ramp.. and anyway all the cms are very expierenced with people in wheelchairs.. they will tell you exactly where to go to get on the ride!!

 

[BarbaraK]

Everyone:

Thanks for all the information. It always helps to know before hand so we can be prepared.

Thanks again,

Barbara

 

[joanchris]

My DD10 uses a wheelchair, and, if I recall correctly, there was only ONE ride (that we thought she'd like--not into thrills etc) that she would not be able to ride at all--the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. From the Passporter for Your Special Needs "You must be ambulatory to ride--there's a sharply inclined moving walkway to enter, then there's a moving platform" A bummer too, as I thought she'd really enjoy this.

 

[joanchris]

Use fastpass, or a CM will issue a written one, you need to be able to step down into the vehicle to ride and there is a steep moving walkway at the exit.--also from the Passporter for Your Special Needs. I recommend getting this book, as it has much information IN ONE PLACE about mobility (plus many other) special needs. While I didn't actually get tons of new information from this book, it was good to have everything in one place, supplemented with some of my own questions and answers that came from here!

 

[JRawkSteady]

Space Mountain is definitely an inclined moving walkway -

Kali River Rapids had a moving walkway too, going clockwise in motion

 

[SueM in MN]

For the moving walkway rides, here's a link to a past disABILITIES Board thread about boarding rides that would be helpful.

If you have a wheelchair or ECV (scooter) the CMs will have you board at the exit, where they can more easily control the speed of the walkway.

Peter Pan and the moving ramp that goes up and down to the Tommorrowland Transit Authority are the only things that can't be stopped. I would not recommend riding either of those if you are unsure about getting in. For Peter Pan, the new Passporter book says "there may be an area that is more accessible if you speak to a cast member." That is not exactly correct information; if you are traveling with a wheelchair or ecv, you are already at the most accessible location. If you are don't have a wheelchair or scooter, they may let you board at that area, but they still can't stop the walkway.

Peter Pan and the escalator that goes up and down to the Tommorrowland Transit Authority are the only things that can't be stopped. I would not recommend riding eiter of those if you are unsure about getting in.
For the other "moving walkway" attractions, the walkway can be slowed or stopped if you board at the exit. They usually will slow the walkway; if you actually need it stopped, ask. They can do only emergency stops if you are at the regular boarding area (and, trust me, you don't want to have an emergency stop.)
Here is a list of the "moving walkway rides".
MK

• Peter Pan (can only do emergency stop).
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Steep moving ramp to get up to boarding area; moving walkway at boarding and exit (can only do emergency stop).
• Pirates has a moving ramp to get back up to ground level after exiting. There is an elevator. If the CM doesn't point you towards it, ask.
• Haunted Mansion - you do miss the "Shrinking Room" by boarding at the exit.
• Buzz Lightyear
• Space Mountain

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth (board at exit)
• Journey into Your Imagination
• American Adventure area to get up to theater has stairs or an escalator (your choice). As you come into the building, there is an elevator to your right where wheelchair/ecv users can go up. As you wait for the theater to open, you are on a steeply ramped area. After the show, everyone exits via a steep ramp (non-moving).

Studio

• Rock N Roller Coaster doesn't have a moving walkway, but you have a limited amount of time to load.

AK
Kali River Rapids; Wheelchair users or people with special needs can board at a stationary raft. They have a very clever arrangement to “trap” the raft and hold it securely in place while boarding. It is not easy to transfer someone into the raft if they can’t walk (because of the fairly narrow door space and needing to step down narrow steps into the raft), but you can take as long as you need to transfer in and out. Once the boat is boarded, they “untrap” it and you go one your trip. When getting off, your boat will float past the normal unload point before being “trapped” so you can get off (so, don’t panic, you’re not going on another trip).

 

[michellex2]

They can do only emergency stops if you are at the regular boarding area (and, trust me, you don't want to have an emergency stop.)

Is an emergency stop dangerous? My mother is frail and in a wheelchair and can normally handle a short moving walk way. We did Peter Pan during our last trip and she was OK. However, very rarely (and unpredictably) she gets frightened in which case every thing takes much longer for her. In that circumstance it would at least be conceivable she wouldn't make it. Should I skip it this time around? (She really liked that ride, so would like to do it unless it is going to be dangerous for her or someone.)

 

[SueM in MN]

Is an emergency stop dangerous? My mother is frail and in a wheelchair and can normally handle a short moving walk way. We did Peter Pan during our last trip and she was OK. However, very rarely (and unpredictably) she gets frightened in which case every thing takes much longer for her. In that circumstance it would at least be conceivable she wouldn't make it. Should I skip it this time around? (She really liked that ride, so would like to do it unless it is going to be dangerous for her or someone.)

My DD can't walk and needs to be carried/lifted onto rides. The last time we rode Peter Pan, my DH was able to get on with her OK, but he ran out of space when getting off. He nearly ran into a wall when the moving walkway ran out of space. So, we don't ride Peter Pan with DD any more. It's too nerve wracking.
I'd probably suggest watching the boarding process for a while to decide if there is enough time and space for her to get in and out.

 

[BarbaraK]

SueM in MN

Thanks again for your help.

Barbara

 

[peter11435]

Here is a list of the "moving walkway rides".
MK

• Peter Pan (can only do emergency stop).
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Steep moving ramp to get up to boarding area; moving walkway at boarding and exit (can only do emergency stop).
• Pirates has a moving ramp to get back up to ground level after exiting. There is an elevator. If the CM doesn't point you towards it, ask.
• Haunted Mansion - you do miss the "Shrinking Room" by boarding at the exit.
• Buzz Lightyear
• Space Mountain

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth (board at exit)
• Journey into Your Imagination
• American Adventure area to get up to theater has stairs or an escalator (your choice). As you come into the building, there is an elevator to your right where wheelchair/ecv users can go up. As you wait for the theater to open, you are on a steeply ramped area. After the show, everyone exits via a steep ramp (non-moving).

Studio

• Rock N Roller Coaster doesn't have a moving walkway, but you have a limited amount of time to load.

AK
Kali River Rapids; Wheelchair users or people with special needs can board at a stationary raft. They have a very clever arrangement to “trap” the raft and hold it securely in place while boarding. It is not easy to transfer someone into the raft if they can’t walk (because of the fairly narrow door space and needing to step down narrow steps into the raft), but you can take as long as you need to transfer in and out. Once the boat is boarded, they “untrap” it and you go one your trip. When getting off, your boat will float past the normal unload point before being “trapped” so you can get off (so, don’t panic, you’re not going on another trip).

Everything here is correct except Imagination does not have a moving walkway.

 

[Chuck S]

no i don't think it's se.

it's in a building which is why i thought imagination( ruled most of the others out) but i could have the color wrong...i think the whole area is kind of electric blue but the escalator takes you down to the ride(not away from it like sm.) then you get on the giant circle moving sidewalk thing( already loopy from the escalator) and we had to walk the whole way across the moving thing to get to the car and they kept telling us to hurry...hurry?ahh, i'm just trying not to "splat" flat on my rear end!

Imagination pavilion USED to have a moving platform to load, but no escalators that I remember. Since the rehab, there is no longer a moving platform and the vehicles make a full stop. Wheelchair (not ECV) guests can stay in their chair, but may need to wait for the wheelchair car to come around.

World of Motion also had a moving ramp, but of course, that has been replaced by Test Track.

Living Seas used to have a ride that used a moving ramp, but the ride has been closed for a few years...though reportedly it has not been removed. If they re-open it after the rehab, wheelchairs can bypass the ride easily and enter the aquarium area directly.