Using a wheelchair at WDW on vacation

[pooh2001]

I am now in a wheelchair - my legs do not work like they used too
Hubby is great - can still push me around

I can transfer to a ride if there are rails to hold onto.
OR can I bring my wheelchair onto a ride?

We like MK and EPCOT

What rides can I do in the above Parks?

Thank you for your help !

 

[fabricmage]

I am now in a wheelchair - my legs do not work like they used too
Hubby is great - can still push me around

I can transfer to a ride if there are rails to hold onto.
OR can I bring my wheelchair onto a ride?

We like MK and EPCOT

What rides can I do in the above Parks?

Thank you for your help !

I can transfer to any ride that I care to ride. That said, I don't do the large roller coasters (Mine train is fine) and I haven't gone on Tron yet.
I find the bigger issue is if you can step down. Frozen, Pirates and Jungle Cruise require you to step down into the boat. I can get down but getting up requires me to haul myself up by the rails. That reminds me, I needed help and had to crawl out of the Space Mountain seat so was so embarrassed that I don't ride it anymore. My husband helps me. The CM try to help you where they can.

Most ride seats are narrow but I use caution getting in. I don't hold the ride up but make sure my feet are planted good before moving into my seat. 7 Dwarf Mine train seats are very narrow and don't have much leg room.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Don’t try Frozen. My sister has bad legs and there’s no rails to pull yourself up out of the boat upon exit. My husband and her older grandchild had to help her out and I had her scooter moved over literally a step away for her to sit. I would not try again.

 

[LoveToDisney]

My sister was able to be wheeled right next to the Soarin’ seat to be able to transfer but you would need someone to get you up out of your wheelchair and then after the ride they would need to help you stand to get back into your wheelchair.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Its a Small world at MK has a wheelchair boat so you can stay seated.

If you go to AK, the Safari has a way to tie down your wheelchair.

At HS, you can take your wheelchair on Toy Story at the alternate ADA ride area.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Jungle Cruise has a Wheelchair boat you can wait for. You stay in your wheelchair and they load you on. Sometimes you need to sign up for a return time.

 

[CarolynFH]

You can find additional help and guidance on the disABILITIES! forum. Lots of helpful people there!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I can transfer to any ride that I care to ride. That said, I don't do the large roller coasters (Mine train is fine) and I haven't gone on Tron yet.
I find the bigger issue is if you can step down. Frozen, Pirates and Jungle Cruise require you to step down into the boat. I can get down but getting up requires me to haul myself up by the rails. That reminds me, I needed help and had to crawl out of the Space Mountain seat so was so embarrassed that I don't ride it anymore. My husband helps me. The CM try to help you where they can.

Most ride seats are narrow but I use caution getting in. I don't hold the ride up but make sure my feet are planted good before moving into my seat. 7 Dwarf Mine train seats are very narrow and don't have much leg room.

This may be of some help. I not vouching for accuracy, but it sounds likely.

https://blog.wheeltheworld.com/your-guide-to-disney-world-for-disabled/#ride-accessibility

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can transfer to any ride that I care to ride. That said, I don't do the large roller coasters (Mine train is fine) and I haven't gone on Tron yet.
I find the bigger issue is if you can step down. Frozen, Pirates and Jungle Cruise require you to step down into the boat. I can get down but getting up requires me to haul myself up by the rails. That reminds me, I needed help and had to crawl out of the Space Mountain seat so was so embarrassed that I don't ride it anymore. My husband helps me. The CM try to help you where they can.

I used to have the most trouble with getting out of the Test Track cars. I'm really hoping that with this redo, that's one of the "issues" that gets corrected. Last time I went, it took 2-3 CMs to help haul me out. Although I'm sorry for others who've had that issue and embarrassment, maybe it will help you to know I felt so much better knowing I'm not alone! I haven't ridden Frozen in years, so I don't dare try it. And Pirates was OK, but for the entire time I was on the ride (it felt like an hour) I kept thinking about getting out and praying that I could without help. Jungle Cruise isn't bad because of the vertical rails on the sides.

 

[snowwite]

Don’t try Frozen. My sister has bad legs and there’s no rails to pull yourself up out of the boat upon exit. My husband and her older grandchild had to help her out and I had her scooter moved over literally a step away for her to sit. I would not try again.

I did ok on Frozen but only because my husband dragged me up out of it!

 

[goofyernmost]

I can transfer to any ride that I care to ride. That said, I don't do the large roller coasters (Mine train is fine) and I haven't gone on Tron yet.
I find the bigger issue is if you can step down. Frozen, Pirates and Jungle Cruise require you to step down into the boat. I can get down but getting up requires me to haul myself up by the rails. That reminds me, I needed help and had to crawl out of the Space Mountain seat so was so embarrassed that I don't ride it anymore. My husband helps me. The CM try to help you where they can.

Most ride seats are narrow but I use caution getting in. I don't hold the ride up but make sure my feet are planted good before moving into my seat. 7 Dwarf Mine train seats are very narrow and don't have much leg room.

I'll let you in on a little secret, getting out of Space Mountain seat is a challenge for anyone. I almost needed assistance the last time I rode it. I was in my 30's at the time and had no disabilities relating to strength and old age. So I wouldn't worry about that one at all.

On another topic having had experience pushing a wheelchair around WDW I can tell you is no easy task. The place might look flat but it is far from it. The person I was helping was probably 95 pounds, soaking wet, but by the end of the day I looked like shredded underwear. I advise considering a scooter. They are fun to drive and your husband will still be able to walk normally at the end of the day. That, of course, is your choice but I found it to be a godsend when I got to the point where I couldn't walk the parks anymore. And I found that there was nothing that I couldn't get to with just a short walk to the rides. They fit every queue with no problem.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I advise considering a scooter. They are fun to drive and your husband will still be able to walk normally at the end of the day. That, of course, is your choice but I found it to be a godsend when I got to the point where I couldn't walk the parks anymore. And I found that there was nothing that I couldn't get to with just a short walk to the rides. They fit every queue with no problem.

I agree 110%.

 

[chrisney]

I'll let you in on a little secret, getting out of Space Mountain seat is a challenge for anyone. I almost needed assistance the last time I rode it. I was in my 30's at the time and had no disabilities relating to strength and old age. So I wouldn't worry about that one at all.

On another topic having had experience pushing a wheelchair around WDW I can tell you is no easy task. The place might look flat but it is far from it. The person I was helping was probably 95 pounds, soaking wet, but by the end of the day I looked like shredded underwear. I advise considering a scooter. They are fun to drive and your husband will still be able to walk normally at the end of the day. That, of course, is your choice but I found it to be a godsend when I got to the point where I couldn't walk the parks anymore. And I found that there was nothing that I couldn't get to with just a short walk to the rides. They fit every queue with no problem.

I'm the push-ee and I agree 250% with getting a scooter. First, I can't propel myself in a wheelchair for any distance. Not a lack of arm strength, but of exertion and shortness of breath. Second, wheeling you will make WDW much less enjoyable for the person doing the pushing. Without gloves, it might even be physically painful. You will get less done, and will enjoy it less. Yes, it's pricey, but it seems that the ECV is worth it. We own two scooters, for me and my son, and rent another when we go to Animal Kingdom because it's a difficult park for the mobility challenged.

There is one queue that I know doesn't fit wheelchairs or ECVs. Space Mountain has a handicapped entrance on the left side 1/4 of the way around the diameter. I don;t quite see how it's ADA compliant since there is a ramp to get to the ride vehicle and while there are wheelchairs available, you must get yourself up the ramp, and down the ramp after. Because of our limitations, I can no longer ride since I can't do the ramp, and my "party" physically can't help me. I do not need help loading/unloading just with pushing up/down the ramp. Sometimes castmembers will help, sometimes not. The final incident was when I was left at the top with the cast member insisting that I had others in my party who had to wheel me down (to where their scooter and rollator were parked). VERY not typical, also very embarrassing.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, it's pricey,

Bottom line, I don't think all that pricey, unless renting on site from Disney. And if renting from off-site you have use of the scooter at the resort, or anywhere. Disney rentals are limited to the parks. I use Buena Vista Rentals. I think the DIS has a discount code available.

 

[Miffy]

Na'vi River Journey also has a boat that you have to step down into. Similar to Frozen.