Spaceship Earth/Wheelchair

[allie_to_you]

For Spaceship Earth, you just go in the exit to load a wheelchair passenger. Will they stop the ride so we can see if we can possibly transfer my DH from his wheelchair into the ride vehicle? We've never tried to do this before, but if it's possible, he'd love to ride. I have to assist him because he has no use of his legs at all, so not sure if I can maneuver him up out of his chair and in & around the entrance of the ride vehicle and then out again.

 

[RaySharpton]

For Spaceship Earth, you just go in the exit to load a wheelchair passenger. Will they stop the ride so we can see if we can possibly transfer my DH from his wheelchair into the ride vehicle? We've never tried to do this before, but if it's possible, he'd love to ride. I have to assist him because he has no use of his legs at all, so not sure if I can maneuver him up out of his chair and in & around the entrance of the ride vehicle and then out again.

Hi, allie. Here is a link to WDW:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/spaceship-earth/

Sue posted this in her FAQ and maybe she can help when she sees your post:

Spaceship Earth - some guests MIGHT be able to make this. Would require a transfer to a wheelchair, stopping the wheelchair close to the ride car on the moving walkway and a transfer into the ride car. They do have one transfer car with a wider opening. The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped for guests boarding at the accessible boarding spot.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Ray.

I don't have time for a long reply right now, but you can bring the wheelchair up right to the ride car if needed.
Be sure to tell them you need the ADA CAR, which is the one with wider opening. In our experience, they don't always bring you to that one unless you specify.
They will slow the moving walkway and it is moving the same speed as your ride car. You board where the control is and they will stop the moving walkway if you are running out of time.

 

[Mary976]

Be sure to tell them you need the ADA CAR, which is the one with wider opening. In our experience, they don't always bring you to that one unless you specify.

Yep, that's what happened to us. DD uses a wheelchair but we're not always offered the ADA car unless we ask for it.

As far as the transfer goes, if I am remembering correctly (and it's possible I'm not), it's more involved than just a regular sliding transfer. DD can do a slide into the Haunted Mansion, for example, but I think Spaceship Earth was more like transferring into the front seat of a car.

Mary

 

[SueM in MN]

Yep, that's what happened to us. DD uses a wheelchair but we're not always offered the ADA car unless we ask for it.

As far as the transfer goes, if I am remembering correctly (and it's possible I'm not), it's more involved than just a regular sliding transfer. DD can do a slide into the Haunted Mansion, for example, but I think Spaceship Earth was more like transferring into the front seat of a car.

Mary

I would agree with that.
Haunted Mansion has more space to work with, since the front of the Doombuggy actually moves away, so the opening is wider.

link to bigger picture of Doombuggy:
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/member-galleries/p21507-hm-transfer-doombuggy.html

These pictures show the waiting area and boarding area for Spaceship Earth:

I can’t find the picture I have of the ADA car - the only difference is that the door opens slightly wider.
So, I would agree with Mary that it is pretty similar to getting into a car door.

In both Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth, you can place the wheelchair where ever it needs to be in relationship to the ride car, even touching.

After the guest has gotten out of the wheelchair, a CM will move it off the moving walkway and will bring it back when you return. You will probably need to be a bit directive to the CM - they don’t know how close you need it or in what position, so you need to direct them.