size of transfer wheelchair at rides?

[MarfEm]

I am planning my first trip to Disney (I'll be 40) with my DD for her 18th b-day and she'll be bringing her friend, a week long trip in Feb 2013 at Art of Animation in Lion King (DD request).

I will be bringing my mobility scooter, but want to know how big the wheelchairs are where I have to transfer out of my scooter into a wheelchair to get to the ride.

I can walk/stand for about 20 minutes, but my stamina beyond that is dicey. I am larger pooh-sized (as it's callled here) and are worried that I won't fit in the wheelchair. Can anyone help? Can I take my scooter part of the way and walk part of the way?

Thanks,
MarfEm

PS: this forum is awesome, I have less worries reading about everyone's experiences and have a little more confidence in taking-on a Disney trip with my disabilities.

 

[SenecaWolf]

I am a fluffy Pooh size myself and the only problems I had with the wheelchairs is that they seemed pretty rickety. My bottom fit just fine but they were pretty difficult to push along. The most difficult time I had was on Pirates. My DD16 was having a pretty rough time pushing me even with me helping because the wheels werent cooperating well. My suggestion, try out a couple before you head to the queue.

You scooter will have to wait at the front of the ride on only a couple of the rides which can be a little ways away from the exit. The one's that come to mind are POTC, RnRC and ToT. After the wheelchair incident at POTC I didnt even try the ones at RnRC and ToT, just got a FP and plodded along and let people by me. I just had DD go get the scooter for me and bring it over because even with my crutches I also don't get very far.

Fortunately Disney is the most accomodating park I have EVER been to and you will be able to take your scooter pretty close to most of the boarding areas.

Sue's sticky post can give you WAY more info about specific rides etc... Enjoy your first trip! I just had mine in April and already going back in August LOL

 

[peemagg]

Most of the chairs that I have seen and used were the normal 18" seat size. I wear a size 22-24 and fit in the chair. It is a little tight, but I fit.

 

[MarfEm]

yeah, I was afraid of that, 18" probably isn't going to work. Hmmmm, I guess I will ride what I can and people watch when I can't.

 

[SenecaWolf]

Most of the chairs that I have seen and used were the normal 18" seat size. I wear a size 22-24 and fit in the chair. It is a little tight, but I fit.

My bottom fit into the chairs when we went in April and I am definitely bigger than a 24. There are some chairs that are wider so don't rule it out yet, MarfEm

 

[MarfEm]

My scooter seat is being ordered in 22" wide, and the arm rest attach at the back of the seat. The isssue is squishing my legs and having the arms/sides of the wheelchair putting excessive pressure on my thigh muscles. Maybe I'll bring a small tape measure and check-out some of the wheelchairs. Sitting in a chair that's too tight can trigger severe leg cramping and burning, so I would rather deal with the usual pain when walking if the distance is reasonable for me.

Thanks for the info everyone.

It's funny to search for ride videos that include the entrance and lines!!

 

[SueM in MN]

My scooter seat is being ordered in 22" wide, and the arm rest attach at the back of the seat. The isssue is squishing my legs and having the arms/sides of the wheelchair putting excessive pressure on my thigh muscles. Maybe I'll bring a small tape measure and check-out some of the wheelchairs. Sitting in a chair that's too tight can trigger severe leg cramping and burning, so I would rather deal with the usual pain when walking if the distance is reasonable for me.

Thanks for the info everyone.

It's funny to search for ride videos that include the entrance and lines!!

If you are looking for ones with the entrance and lines, check out post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That's the sticky the others posted about and it is located near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
In post 3, there is a link to a really neat interactive video someone made that shows the entrance, part of the line, the boarding area and part of the attraction for most things at WDW. Parts are outdated - like Toontown doesn't exist anymore, but it's still a great help.

Some attractions have different size wheelchairs, but the standard will be smaller ones. When you tell a CM you need a wheelchair for in line, you can ask if they have ny larger ones - they may know that a larger one is inside the line and how long it should be until it is back.