WDW Tom Sawyer Island boat transfer experience with wheelchair to flat areas.

[RaySharpton]

Las December 2019, I was denied access to the boat transferring guests from the mainland to WDW Tom Sawyer Island. I know I can roll around the stairs and barrels, but I just wanted to roll around where I could roll.

They denied my wheelchair use and said that I had to use a WDW wheelchair. My wheelchair is powered but is about the same size.

Does anyone have any recent experience or suggestions when I go in May 2019?

Walt Disney World attractions offer access for Guests with mobility disabilities in the following categories:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/

Tom Sawyer Island

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/tom-sawyer-island/


Accessibility and Other Information
Accessibility
Must Be Ambulatory
Guest Policies

• Supervise children at all times.
  Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/tom-sawyer-island/

 

[lanejudy]

I don’t have recent experience, but I suspect the requirement to use a WDW manual wheelchair is less about size dimensions and more about weight on the raft. Some power chairs are VERY heavy. Rather than a very specific rule “brands A B C are allowed but not brands X Y Z” it is a very clear cut rule.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[RaySharpton]

I don’t have recent experience, but I suspect the requirement to use a WDW manual wheelchair is less about size dimensions and more about weight on the raft. Some power chairs are VERY heavy. Rather than a very specific rule “brands A B C are allowed but not brands X Y Z” it is a very clear cut rule.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you, junelady. I agree. I wonder if I fold my wheelchair, will they allow it on the raft? I wonder if they allow non-foldable strollers or foldable strollers?

 

[lanejudy]

I wonder if I fold my wheelchair, will they allow it

Well, you could ask. I understand your particular powerchair is foldable and relatively lightweight, However it is still a powerchair. I believe WDW’s blanket rule about no powerchairs on TSI eliminates judgement calls by CMs about different brands and weight. Maybe it’s a rule that could use some updating due to modern mobility devices. But I can see why the rule is as it stands.

If you can transfer to fold your wheelchair, could you use a WDW manual chair? Maybe push it like a walker for a bit, then sit? You can’t get very far on the island with a wheelchair.

 

[RaySharpton]

Well, you could ask. I understand your particular powerchair is foldable and relatively lightweight, However it is still a powerchair. I believe WDW’s blanket rule about no powerchairs on TSI eliminates judgement calls by CMs about different brands and weight. Maybe it’s a rule that could use some updating due to modern mobility devices. But I can see why the rule is as it stands.

If you can transfer to fold your wheelchair, could you use a WDW manual chair? Maybe push it like a walker for a bit, then sit? You can’t get very far on the island with a wheelchair.

That is an excellent idea. Then I could sit down when I need to sit. And the wheelchair could act as a walker. I have my own walker, but your idea sounds the best. Thank you, lanejudy.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with lanejudy that it’s probably more weight than power.

I was going to poke around Tom Sawyer Island in November when we were at WDW, but it was closed.
We are going soon and I did plan to go there. It’s not accessible once you get about 200 feet past the dock, from what I remember. And, it’s not possible to go around the things like stairs. I had written a post with pictures a few years ago, but couldn’t find it. I’ll check again.

 

[RaySharpton]

I agree with lanejudy that it’s probably more weight than power.

I was going to poke around Tom Sawyer Island in November when we were at WDW, but it was closed.
We are going soon and I did plan to go there. It’s not accessible once you get about 200 feet past the dock, from what I remember. And, it’s not possible to go around the things like stairs. I had written a post with pictures a few years ago, but couldn’t find it. I’ll check again.

Hi, Sue. Thanks. I remember that post. I just haven't been on the island in such a long time, that I just wanted to get over their and roll around over to the covered fast food place. I forget the name. I could just relax for a while and look at the different views of MK from there. I think that I will just leave my wheelchair and use a WDW wheelchair as a walker and a seat when I need to sit down.

I miss those days when I could explore more using just my cane to get around.