Take me through entering the parks w/ ECV

[HenDuck]

Hi there.

We will be using an ECV for my dad when we visit the world.

Can any of you experienced visitors tell me what to expect when we take him through security and the entrance gate? Will he have to get off the ECV?

Also, which would you recommend at MK - taking the ferry or the monorail?

TIA!

 

[KPeveler]

all bags have to be searched, but he should not have to get off the ECV. it will help if bags are out of baskets and off the back of the scooter, so he does not have to struggle with them when he gets there. if other family members have the bags, he should be able to skip that part entirely...

he waits in the normal line, adn then they send him through the gate when he gets to the front, and everyone else goes through the turnstile right there...

so really nothing different, except he is sitting

 

[Carnator]

He shouldn't have to get off his scooter for security. I have been dozens of times and never had to. Some scooters have pouches on the back or strapped on tote bags. Sometimes they have checked them most of the time not. If he dosn't have any bags he won't even need to go through security bag check. There is always an entrance for anyone not carring bags.

As far as the monorail vs ferry, which every one he prefers. I like the monorail myself.

 

[toocherie]

I haven't been asked to get off the ECV, but if I was wearing a fanny pack I have been asked to remove it and put it up on the table, along with any bags on the ECV. Epcot seems to be the one to ask for this more often than the other parks.

When you approach the ticket turnstiles, your Dad should go towards the middle and the CM will open the gate in the middle and let him pass through on the ECV, take his ticket and scan it. I have never had to do the finger scan, but I also have an Annual Pass, so don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[cmesq61]

Hi there.

We will be using an ECV for my dad when we visit the world.

Also, which would you recommend at MK - taking the ferry or the monorail?

Don't know where you are staying. We stay at the Poly for the convenience of the monorail and ferry (I am in an ECV). I prefer the ferry--the big paddle boat--from the TTC to MK, but the monorail is also extremely convenient. I just personally like the wind in my face on the boat!

 

[ireland_nicole]

we also prefer the ferry; a little slower, but no ramp to deal with (either waiting for the small one to get on/off, or the really big steep one. It's very easy loading and unloading on the ferry.

 

[toocherie]

for future reference, which resorts are accessed by the ferry? I know that some of the ones that go to Boardwalk can't accommodate ECV's?

 

[SueM in MN]

for future reference, which resorts are accessed by the ferry? I know that some of the ones that go to Boardwalk can't accommodate ECV's?

The boats that serve the Epcot area resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin) are accessible to wheelchairs and ECVs.
Some ECVs with very low bumpers can't get onto the Friendship Boats that go across the World Showcase Lagoon. The park rental ECVs won't go on those boats (this is a picture of the park rental ECV)

The small boats that serve Grand Floridian and Polynesian are not accessible (you need to step down into the small boat). There are larger boats that serve Wilderness Lodge. Those are usually accessible, but occasionally may not be if the water level is very high or very low.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713
Post 8
Sometimes the boats cannot load disabled guests due to very high or low water levels. Usually the captain can either shift the weight of the boat or load in a certain order the guests so as to get the boat to the right height. That is very in depth and very well written out by Sue. Disney rental ECVs cannot go on the Friendship Boats at Epcot but regular ECVs can.

Boats
These boats are wheelchair/ECV accessible:

* Boat to and from the TTC to MK
* The large boats that go to resorts at MK are usually accessible, but may not be if the water level is very high or very low (which doesn't happen often). They do provide alternate ways to get the the parks if this happens.
* Friendship Boats at Epcot, MGM and the Epcot resorts

Side Note about boats: At Disneyland I was the last disabled guest allowed on the Mark Twain because of the water level. I had to wait for the boat to unload but then the boat was too high. The rafts also have disabled guests wait for the boat to level and have a ramp. My ECV is all terrain and can handle jumping curbs. I loved off roading on Pirates Lair though most of the island is not ECV accessible except around the water edge, the bathroom at the fort and the stage area.

 

[HenDuck]

Thank you for your helpful replies.

This will be our family's first time having an ECV with us. I think it will make a world of difference for my dad, but there are a lot of things that we will have to do differently with it.

Thanks again!

 

[bidnow5]

I have a back pack firmly attached to the back of my seat that doesn't come off without taking the seat off. Never had a problem my wife opens all the zippers the guards look inside and I am off. One time I went through by myself and the guard offered to open the backpack for me then he closed it for me. I use both the monorail and the ferry depending on my mood I find both to be very easy