Scooter users first trip to WDW next week

[arby333]

I will be going to WDW next week for the first time. I will be travelling with a companion but still I have hesitations about my trip. I use a Racal Scooter 245 for outings and am taking it with me. I have a lift in my van for transporting it. I can do some walking with a cane but am limited. What advice do you have for someone in my situation?

I have been lurking here all day and just registered. You have some excellant posts and I have already learned alot. What are attractions/rides that will be fully acessible so I will know to hit them for sure. We are planning on going to MK one day and then either AK or Epcot another. We will be there 4 days but I will need a day to rest in between. Any hints, suggestions or advice will be much appreciated.

I can't wait to go, it is snowing here and NOT in Orlando!

arby

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Of Animal Kingdom and Epcot I would suggest Epcot aas the better choice. I will assume you have either handicap plates or a hang tag on the van.

Medical parking is very close to the actual entrance to Epcot. For the Magic Kinghdom wyou will have to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center and then take either a monorail or ferry to the Magic Kingdom. My oersonal opinion is getting on and off the ferry boat in an ECV is easier than using the monorail as no backing up is needed.

Many of the attractions can be easily accessed, at least to the boarding area. tractions allow you the option of either taking the ECV on or parking and walking. If you park and walk on, make sure they know how to put the scooter in freewheel so they can move it to the exit area for you. Some attractions you do have to go in at the exit side.

I have never had any problem in parking; just make sure you take your key with uyou, and do not leave anything in the basket of value which m,ght accidentally vanish.

The largest problem I have noticed at WDW with a scooter is becoming invisible to others. If you are not used to it, it can be very disconcerting. People tend to look up and out and not down, and will trip over the scooter.

Anyway, enjoy yourself.

 

[mhopset]

Have to agree to Chesire! I think you would like EPCOT much more than AK. You will be fine, the busses if you take them are easy to get on and off of with your scooter.

Have a great time and WELCOME TO THE DIS. Let us know how your trip went.

T.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have to disagree with the others. I far prefer Animal Kingdom. I love the animals and the shows and don't really care to do the rides. There is tons to see and do for someone in a wheelchair or scooter. Festival of the Lion King is not to be missed. Tarzan is loud and rocking and the parade is the best parade with all sorts of imaginative creatures. The music rocks!
Watchout for idiots who are paying no attention to others and tend to jump in front or even stop smack dab in front of you. If you hit them they will blame you no matter what. Otherwise have a blast and enjoy.
I'm a 5 year vet of scooters and now use a power wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES and here's some pixie dust for a great trip!
I have to agree with everyone who has posted:
Epcot is easy to get around with a wheelchair or ecv because of the wide, mostly smooth walkways.
AK has some challenges; the walkways are narrower and are "themed" to be bumpier at times (sort of primitive, since you are supposed to be in the wild). You can go on almost everything at AK though without leaving a wheelchair or ecv.

Here's a link to the DIS page about mobility disabilities. If you scroll down, you will find a list of rides/attractions for each park that have Mainstream lines (where you can stay on your ecv and use the regular line). There are also lists of rides where you can stay on the ecv and ones where you must transfer.

 

[arby333]

Thanks to all who have posted replys so far. Insteresting three for epcot and one for AK. Hmmmmm, I am an animal lover though. But, I am looking for ease of getting around. Thanks especially for the parking tips. I do have a disabled passenger plate on my van. Let me make sure I understand. No matter where I park at MK I will have to board transportation to get to the entrance gate. At epcot I can park right at the front gate. Are these correct statements? And at AK what is the situation about parking? I have been a scooter driver at least partly for the past 10 years. More and more use as the disease progresses. So I am used to unaware folks walking in front of or into me. However, I have never been in a large crowd like I anticipate WDW to be.

Well, thanks again for the info and keep it coming. You are already helping the butterflies disappear as my trip to WDW quickly approaches.

arby

BTW, Lisa, in my life before RA I was an ASL interpreter. RID CT

 

[SueM in MN]

No matter where I park at MK I will have to board transportation to get to the entrance gate.

That is correct. People who are staying at a WDW resort can use the bus transportation, which drops you off right at the turnstiles. Everyone else uses the parking lot at TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center). From the TTC, you need to board either the monorail or the boat to get to MK.

At epcot I can park right at the front gate.

Yes. Close to the entrance.

And at AK what is the situation about parking?

The AK bus area and parking areas are set back at least 300 yds (my very rough estimate) from the entrance. The handicapped parking area is at the front of the lot, so it is the closest you can get to the entrance. It's quite a hike for someone who needs to rent a wheelchair or ecv at the park.

IMHO, the worst park for getting around is MK. The paths are narrow, there are a lot of strollers and there seem to be more people on their first trip who are just in awe of what they see (and are not watching at all).

 

[JudithM]

Arby, you have received very good thoughts, opinions, ideas for your upcoming trip to WDW. On my last several trips I have used an ECV/scooter. Since it is snowing where you are, you might forget how warm the Florida sunshine can get . I suggest you bring a white (or light color) towel from the hotel room to cover your scooter. It can get quite warm when you are not sitting in it & it is in the sun.

I've been thinking about your question about which park - EPCOT or AK - to do on the second day. AK usually closes about 5 -6 p.m. EPCOT remains open until 9 p.m. or so. Any chance you might be able to do both? Just take your time ... I am not an animal lover (plus allergies to many animals), but I love the AK. I love EPCOT, too, so maybe I am not a big help .

Or another thought ... maybe on the day you do not go to park, you could visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know it is not the AK park, but you could at least get a glimpse, a feel for the animals.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[ditzy]

All of the parks are scooter friendly but the newer the park or resort, the more accessible it is. MK, the oldest, has many curbs and cobblestone paths and has small handicap washrooms. AK, the newest has no curbs, wider doors, automatic or airport-type doorless entrances and large handicap washrooms with sinks.

 

[Talking Hands]

Arby,

I am sorry you had to leave interpreting because of RA. There are never enough good interperters. I guess you can tell by my name that I sign. I am hard of hearing and currently in an ITP. Use interpreters when I need to understand and interpret for others as well. Not certified yet of course. First hurdle is in March when I take the Fla QA written exam.

I have fibromyalgia, diabetes, neurofibromatosis, and osteoarthritis so I do have some challenges but I refuse to let them stop my. Fortuntately signing keeps my hands more flexible. My arthritis affects my back and legs far more so I use the chair to go distances but once I get there I can interpret.
Btw I find Disney so relaxing that I am actually able to do more not less.

You will have a great time in Disney. If it isn't too depressing check out the interpreters. They are a great bunch. Ask at guest service for a schedule. They are at MK Mon and Thurs, EPCOT Tues and Fri and AK on Sat.

 

[sneezy1956]

Another thing to watch out for while at Disney is the sun. Sitting in the ECV all day in the Florida sun can be painful. Make sure you put on plenty of sun block and if you are sun sentive from RA meds like I am get a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) that allows you to wait out of the sun.

Have fun and let us know how you enjoy your trip

 

[cupcake]

I suggest planning your day so that you do shows first and animals later on in the day. I did the Safari first and then the trail was just packed with oblivious people who kept walking into my scooter and blocking any chance I had to see anything. It was very pleasant, however, later in the day.

Cupcake

 

[Nanajo1]

I vote for AK. There are so many things to see and do. The shows, FOTLK, Wonders of flight, Tarzan Rocks to name a few. The "walking" trails are great for an ECV. You got good advice re sun block. I would add to remember your hands. While driving the hands are out there and also I put a towel over my knees to protect them from the constant sun. This is the same towel I use to cover the seat .
Have a great trip.