Transfer Question

[Firepath]

If the guide map says you must transfer from ECV to Disney wheelchair and then to ride, does that mean I have to transfer from my own manual wheelchair to Disneys? Is there something special about Disney wheelchairs?

 

[SueM in MN]

If the guide map says you must transfer from ECV to Disney wheelchair and then to ride, does that mean I have to transfer from my own manual wheelchair to Disneys? Is there something special about Disney wheelchairs?

No.
When it says that, they are only talking about ECVs.

It is a bit confusing because in some situations, the line is wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible and you do need to switch from an ECV to an attraction wheelchair (for example, Pirates of the Caribbean - although occasionally people have been allowed to use a backstage entrance to get to the boarding area).

In other cases, the line is ECV accessible, but there is a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle. If you want to use it, you can use your ECV in line, but need to transfer to an attraction wheelchair to ride in the wheelchair vehicle (for example, Small World and Little Mermaid).

The 4 icons used on park maps and attraction signs are:
- wheelchair: may remain in wheelchair or ECV (most frequent example is shows)
- wheelchair with person getting out: may remain in wheelchair or ECV for line, but all must transfer to a ride vehicle (examples, Mission Space, Test Track and Soarin at Epcot)
- ECV with arrow to wheelchair: line is not ECV accessible OR line is accessible, but there is a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle that guests must be in a wheelchair to use
- ECV with arrow to wheelchair with person getting out: line is not ECV accessible and ride does not have a wheelchair accessible ride vehicle. All guests must transfer to ride vehicle.

There are some wheelchair accessible ride vehicles that can be a tight fit. Buzz Lightyear and Magic Carpets of Aladdin at MK are 2 that are pretty tight.
posts 18-21 of disABILITIES FAQs thread gives more information.

 

[SteveMouse]

Though with Pirates, because the entrance and exits are in diffetent buildings, sometimes you end up with a different wheelchair than when you started, when using a Disney-provided chair. I’d confirm with the CM at the entrance about ensuring your personal chair could get moved over in a timely manner.