Train with an ECV

[aubriee]

My 80 y/o mom uses an ECV when we go to WDW. I've just always assumed that there would be no way to get an ECV on the train, so we just always skip it. However her dad used to work for the railroad in West Virginia when she was a kid and the other day she got to talking about riding the train when she was younger and how much she'd love to get on an old fashioned train again. Is there any way to get her and the ECV on the MK train?

 

[Michigan]

She will have to transfer from the ECV to a standard wheelchair to be able to ride it.

 

[BroganMc]

They do have manual wheelchairs located at each train station for this purpose. My dad usually transfers from his ECV and just walks onto the train with me (I ride in my powerchair). We'll ride round trip so he can come back to get his ECV.

If your mom can manage a couple steps she could board the train and ride in a regular bench seat at the front. Otherwise she'd transfer to a manual chair and board the wheelchair loading section just behind the engine. There are seats there for a companion. Each train can carry two wheelchair passengers plus companion. The rest of your party will be directed to board the benches behind that.

One thing you may look into for a train nut is the Behind the Scenes tour on WDW Trains. You go to Magic Kingdom at 7am and get to ride the first train of the day around the track back to the roundhouse for an up close and personal look at these marvelous steam engines. They even let you climb into the engineer's cabin for a look around and photos.

Unfortunately ECVs are not allowed on the train, but I'm sure you can arrange to power a manual chair for the tour. There really isn't much walking. You mostly ride the train.

After the roundhouse, you ride back to Magic Kingdom for the opening of the park for the day.

I did the tour last year with my dad and brother. I rode my powerchair, of course, and couldn't climb up into the engine cabin, but my family could.

 

[SteveMouse]

The train is scheduled for refurbishment sometime in the next month or so- I don't remember the details. Check allears or other sources.

-steve

 

[GetGlowing]

Refurb: Walt Disney World Railroad 09/30/13 - 10/20/13

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a picture of the wheelchair accessible MK train car.

A small ramp folds down from the side so that the wheelchair can be rolled in.
The guest sitting in a wheelchair will be facing forward; at least one member if your party will sit across from you, facing the rear of the train. If there are several wheelchairs or you party is larger, the rest of the group will be asked to sit in another train car.

Although all the train stations are accessible, I would recommend the one in Fantasyland at Fairytale Circus. The entrance and exit at that stationare fairly flat and there is a large seating area where you can wait for the train.

The Main Street station has a very steep ramp with several switchbacks. The Frontierland station is not as steep, but still has several switchbacks and does not have much space for waiting.

If you are planning to go to AK, she might enjoy the wildlife train to Rafiki's Animal Watch. That train is accessible to both wheelchairs and ECVs. Here is a picture of the accessible car on that train.

Wheelchair or ECV users back into the train and all passengers ride facing sideways.