Steep ramps at Soarin' - question

[lucas]

I will be visiting Epcot with my mom. She has emphysema but can walk on her own. Her only problem is walking up stairs or inclines. I would love for her to experience Soarin' but am afraid the steep ramps leading to the ride will be too hard on her. Any suggestions? Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[honugirl]

ECV or wheelchair. Either one might be a good idea for the trip since there is so much walking and you'd be surprised how much of an incline there can be to stuff at WDW. Have fun!

 

[mechurchlady]

There are lots of hidden inclines at WDW and DLR. Bridges, sloping paths, and lines come to my mind. I think she should get an ECV. My philosophy is that I can walk a block or even a mile but the pain, exhaustion and stess on my body would be so great as to hinder my experiences. I can do Wal-Mart but use thei ECV so that I not be in pain and trying to get from point A to point B. Same is true with any pulic area. Not sure if Soarin is one of the rides that has wheelchairs for person who need to transfer, I do not think so but then I am at nap time so I cannot remember much.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I will be visiting Epcot with my mom. She has emphysema but can walk on her own. Her only problem is walking up stairs or inclines. I would love for her to experience Soarin' but am afraid the steep ramps leading to the ride will be too hard on her. Any suggestions? Has anyone else had this problem?

You will have to get a wheelchair or ECV for her.

From the bottom of the entrance ramp of The Land to the entrance to Soarin' is well over 1/4 mile. Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is over 1-1/4 miles. There are hills (which most people don't notice).

If she argues pick a location a known distance away that she would have a problem with. Ask her if she would be able to walk there and gauge her response. A few years ago my mother, then only 91 and in very good health, came for a visit and I told her she had to use an ECV. When she argued I asked her if she could walk from her apartment to the subway stop nearby (about two long city blocks). Her response was "If I have to". I then asked about walking there and back three times in a row. She gave me a strange questioning look, as if I were crazy. I explained that the distance was less then once around World Showcase. She finally agreed. We left Epcot about 8 hours after we had gotten there; she was exhausted even with the ECV but still tells people how much she enjoyed the trip. (I to her onto Living With The Land, Soarin', Journey into Imagination With Figment, and The American Adventure. We had lunch shortly after arrival at Sunshine Seasons Food Court, stopped for a Coke at UK and had dinner at Alfredo's, so it was a slow day.)

 

[lucas]

Thanks for the responses.

Cheshire Figment, thanks for the advice. Yep, I'm afraid I'm in for a bit of trouble talking her into a wheelchair. Edited to add: 1/4 of a mile into Soarin'! Wow - thanks for that info.

 

[LauraVV]

There is SO much walking involved at Disney that ECVs are a must IMO if you have any issues with fatigue, inclines, steps, etc. Our Disney trip was my first real use of my new scooter. It was horrible to admit that I needed it. But I do. When I don't use it I kick myself in the batootie. I figure, we have a choice, we can live on our scooters or sit on a bench and let life pass us by.

BTW, Soarin' is FUN!

 

[cquick]

I think the WHOLE LAND PAVILION has been very poorly designed for people with disabilities.

You have to go up the steep hill to get INTO the building, then DOWN the ramp to the elevator. There is only ONE elevator which only holds 2 ECV's, or 2 wheelchairs. Then, at Soarin' you walk and walk and walk, and then WAIT on the steep incline to get to the ride.

Don't forget, you have to do the same thing ALL OVER AGAIN TO GET OUT!

Disney Imagineers should have made a separate entrance to the "entertainment level" of The Land. I believe that there is a level entrance to the side on the north.

WELL! that's my rant for today!

 

[lucas]

I think the WHOLE LAND PAVILION has been very poorly designed for people with disabilities.

You have to go up the steep hill to get INTO the building, then DOWN the ramp to the elevator. There is only ONE elevator which only holds 2 ECV's, or 2 wheelchairs. Then, at Soarin' you walk and walk and walk, and then WAIT on the steep incline to get to the ride.

Don't forget, you have to do the same thing ALL OVER AGAIN TO GET OUT!

Disney Imagineers should have made a separate entrance to the "entertainment level" of The Land. I believe that there is a level entrance to the side on the north.

WELL! that's my rant for today!

Not a rant at all. I totally agree! And last time dh and I were there, they had a broken escalator.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There is only ONE elevator which only holds 2 ECV's, or 2 wheelchairs

Actually, it can hold three or four wheelchairs/ecv's, depending on the size, the skill of the operatores, and whether the whole family has to ride the elevator with the ECV Guest.

Yes, I know not all Guests in wheelchairs can maneuver themselves; but many can, and for the short distance involved getting on and off the elevator, most people should be able to propel themselves (what if there was an emergency, say, crossing a street?).

This is not theory - I've been in that elevator with three other Guests on wheels.

Then, at Soarin' you walk and walk and walk, and then WAIT on the steep incline to get to the ride.

True, it's a relatively long distance from the attraction entrance to the ride vehicle - but it's not nearly as far as from the park entrance to the ride entrance, and few people complain about that. And steep incline is relative. Given its construction after the implementation of the ADA, I think the incline is 1/12 - one foot of incline/decline in every twelve feet of ramp.

 

[lucas]

True, it's a relatively long distance from the attraction entrance to the ride vehicle - but it's not nearly as far as from the park entrance to the ride entrance, and few people complain about that. And steep incline is relative. Given its construction after the implementation of the ADA, I think the incline is 1/12 - one foot of incline/decline in every twelve feet of ramp.

Oh we do complain about the walk thru the park entrance from where the buses drop you off. And the buses drop you off closer than where you have to walk back to them to return to the hotel. Especially when you are staying at POP Century - their bus pickup is about the farthest bus stop. But, Mom's problem isn't really walking. It is walking up ANY incline or stairs. I guess everybody is different. And I had forgotten about the incline into the Land.

 

[mechurchlady]

1/12 is 8.5% grade which gets me singing "steep grade ahead". That may not be much to you but to many of us it is conjuring being on the downgrade of the freeway with signs warning truckers about the steep grade. I raarely talk about my WDW experiences and most are gone but that was one place that I was like whoa man that is steep. That was 1998 and it may have changed but 8.5% is still a mountain to me.

 

[cmesq61]

Ditto to everything everyone said, both as to advice and rants. Do not get me going on the elevator and the people who cannot drive the ECV, thus making the wait so long!

Anyway--whatever you do, don't miss SOARIN. Not only is it an awesome ride, but it was so handicapped friendly (once you got there). I just loved it. i was the only one in my family who fell in love with it, although they all dutifully rode with me--over and over! LOL. As a handicapped person it was just so freeing.

 

[arminnie]

Hi Lucas!

I walk all over New Orleans (which of course you know is flat as a board). I can't imagine using an ECV in New Orleans. I can walk for miles.

But I've been known a time or two to get an ECV at WDW - because I needed it (post-pneumonia problems). It really is different there. Maybe my story will help convince her.

I'm 62.

Tricia II

 

[lucas]

Thanks for all the responses.

Update: Turns out Mom didn't come to Florida for our trip to WDW. She has been under the weather and flying down here would have been too much for her right now. Hopefully we'll get to go another time.

 

[mechurchlady]

Thanks for all the responses.

Update: Turns out Mom didn't come to Florida for our trip to WDW. She has been under the weather and flying down here would have been too much for her right now. Hopefully we'll get to go another time.

I am so sorry to hear that and next time stop by here and ask away. Prayers for mom and hugs for her great kid.

 

[lucas]

I am so sorry to hear that and next time stop by here and ask away. Prayers for mom and hugs for her great kid.

Thank you so much. Happy New Year!

 

[lucas]

I'm the OP. Mom couldn't make the trip last December, but guess what? We are gonna go for it this December!

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh, I wondered why this one popped up again.
Hope you have a great time.

 

[locolala]

I'm the OP. Mom couldn't make the trip last December, but guess what? We are gonna go for it this December!

Yay!! I'm so glad you guys are gonna try again this year. we'll be down there at the same time, so if you see a short chick with glasses in an ECV, followed by a loving DH, that'd be me

 

[daisyduck123]

And last time dh and I were there, they had a broken escalator.

Same with us when we were there in late July.