What if I need more time to get on and off rides - updated thread.

[SueM in MN]

This is an update of a previous thread on this subject. Since the old thread was started in 2002[/URL], some of the information is no longer current (although much of it has not changed).
I am going to pull out the information from that thread that is still pertinent to make this new thread.

List of attractions that have moving walkways:

• MK
• Haunted Mansion - I posted an explanation about how boarding works on this thread. The moving walkway can be slowed or stopped, but only if you are boarding at the unload area. We just rode it in May 2010 and it was stopped at our request so that DD could board. It was also stopped for exiting when we were finished. There is a transfer car with a wider opening that makes transferring in easier for some guests, but no wheelchair accessible car.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority - there is a steep ramped moving walkway to get to the second floor station. There is also a moving walkway to board and exit and a moving ramp to get back down to the ground after riding. I would not recommend this attraction for anyone with trouble on moving walkways. These moving walkways can NOT be stopped and are sort or slippery and very steep metal ramps if they are not working and are stopped for any reason.
• Buzz Lightyear. Can be slowed or stopped, but only if you board at the unload area. There is a special wheelchair accessible ride car that a wheelchair can be rolled onto.
• Pirates of Caribbean - steep moving walkway to get back from the underground exit to ground level (like an escalator without steps). There is an elevator to the left of the moving walkway, down a short hall. It brings you out into a sort of deserted looking semi-backstage area near the restrooms. Pirates has a very low boat that is a big step down to get into and a big step up to get back out.
• Space Mountain - steep moving walkway at the exit. There should be a way to avoid this with a wheelchair, but I have not ridden it with DD and her wheelchair, so I don't know for sure how.
  
• Peter Pan - can only be stopped in emergency, and stopping requires an evacuation of the attraction.
  Sometimes, it is possible to have the CMs stop this attraction for the very first or very last ride of the day. Because of how this ride operates, they can only stop it for boarding if there are no other guests on the ride. For the first ride of the day, they would load guests with disabilities with only a small number of other guests on the attraction (the number who would fit in the cars on the stopped walkway) before starting the walkway. At the end of the ride, they would stop the ride and all guests get out before re-starting the moving walkway.

• Epcot
• Spaceship Earth - you enter at the exit; there is a waiting area for people with wheelchairs, ECVs and special needs. The wait is sometimes long and they tend to load people with special needs in 'batches', so keep your group together while you wait. They usually slow the walkway, but it can be stopped completely if absolutely needed.
• Where's Nemo - does have a moving walkway. It can be slowed way down and stopped completely. They will usually only slow it. There is a special wheelchair accessible ride car.
• The Land Building - the building is on a hill and you enter on ground level on the top of the hill. There is a long steep ramp down to get to the level where you will find escalators or stairs to get down to ground level where the rides are. There is also an elevator on the far left side of the building. Look for the Garden Grill restaurant and head left, around a corner. This thread explains access for the rides in The Land (page 2).
• American Adventure - does not have any moving walkways, but the access to the building is on ground level and the access to the theater is on 2nd floor. If not using a wheelchair, there are stairs or an escalator to get upstairs. With a wheelchair or a GAC, you can use the elevator to the right of the building entrance. (see the thread I linked in The Land).

• Disney's Hollywood Studio
  Has no attractions with moving walkways.

• AK
• Kali River Rapids - has a circular moving walkway for entry and exit. There is a separate loading area for guests with wheelchairs/ECVs/special needs. You wait in the 'regular' line until just before getting to the boarding area, when you are sent to a different boarding area. In this area, they can 'trap' a boat for boarding; the boat stays in place and you don't use the moving walkway.

 

[eelderm1]

NOTE FROM MODERATOR:

This is an update of a previous thread on this subject. Since the old thread was started in 2002[/URL], some of the information is no longer current (although much of it has not changed).
I am going to pull out the information from that thread that is still pertinent to make this new thread.

First thing is to pull out the last 3 posts from the old thread (which were all made today).

END OF NOTE FROM MODERATOR

Just wanted to tell of my experience. I am 35 yo old female. I walk with a cane. I limp and have a some what slow and unsteady gait due to weakness in my right leg because of reacurring tumors on my right tibia. I have had the tumor removed (twice) and now have had a knee replacement and a radical resection of my tibia. My disabilities are not easy for other people to see. Last summer we went to WDW and I did have a Doc note. I went to Guest Services and explained my worries about the moving walkways. I was walking with crutches at the time. GS did not offer me a GAC. He said that the moving walkways cannot be stopped for me on any rides. He said they may be able to slow them down on some rides. At Peter pan they said they could not even slow it for me. I almost got stuck in Small World due to the low seats. I did go through the handicap line in HM but again noone would slow the walkway. So now I guess I will just avoid Small World, Peter Pan, HM, POC, and Buzz. I dont know of any other way to get a GAC. Let me know if you have any ideas of how I can get one. I was thinking of maybe bringing my xrays to show my bionic leg. LOL. Anyway this year and from now on I will be using a scooter and a cane. Maybe the scooter will get cast members to help me . Thanks for reading and thanks for any tips . Sorry for the long post.

 

[livndisney]

This is an old thread, but I think I can explain. A GAC does not slow down the moving sidewalks. Disney's answer to mobility needs is to rent a wheelchair or ecv. Slowing down or stopping a walkway is not usually an option. (Stopping the walkway can shut down the entire ride and have to evacuate people. It may also mean time to reset the ride.) It is not a case of the CM's not wanting to help you, they don't have the ability. (PeterPan is one of the non-stop rides-if you are there first ride in the morning or last ride at night it has been reported it "may" be able to be stopped. But you need to speak with the Cm's.)

An ECV may help with It's a Small World as you can wait for a wheelchair boat and not have to transfer.

Just wanted to tell of my experience. I am 35 yo old female. I walk with a cane. I limp and have a some what slow and unsteady gait due to weakness in my right leg because of reacurring tumors on my right tibia. I have had the tumor removed (twice) and now have had a knee replacement and a radical resection of my tibia. My disabilities are not easy for other people to see. Last summer we went to WDW and I did have a Doc note. I went to Guest Services and explained my worries about the moving walkways. I was walking with crutches at the time. GS did not offer me a GAC. He said that the moving walkways cannot be stopped for me on any rides. He said they may be able to slow them down on some rides. At Peter pan they said they could not even slow it for me. I almost got stuck in Small World due to the low seats. I did go through the handicap line in HM but again noone would slow the walkway. So now I guess I will just avoid Small World, Peter Pan, HM, POC, and Buzz. I dont know of any other way to get a GAC. Let me know if you have any ideas of how I can get one. I was thinking of maybe bringing my xrays to show my bionic leg. LOL. Anyway this year and from now on I will be using a scooter and a cane. Maybe the scooter will get cast members to help me . Thanks for reading and thanks for any tips . Sorry for the long post.

 

[eelderm1]

Oh ok, I guess I misunderstood some of the previous posts. I thought that some of the cast members did slow down some of the walkways for other guests, And I thought I read that HM was actually stopped for another guest. No biggie maybe it is something they use to do since this is an old thread. Just seemed like nobody cared that day at MK. At AK and DHS the cast members were very helpful and caring. Glad to hear about Small World! Maybe I can ride it this summer. That SW seat was just too low for me. I will also miss TTA. But I am thankful for all the WDW trips that I have had before the health issues. Thanks for your response.

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh ok, I guess I misunderstood some of the previous posts. I thought that some of the cast members did slow down some of the walkways for other guests, And I thought I read that HM was actually stopped for another guest. No biggie maybe it is something they use to do since this is an old thread. Just seemed like nobody cared that day at MK. At AK and DHS the cast members were very helpful and caring. Glad to hear about Small World! Maybe I can ride it this summer. That SW seat was just too low for me. I will also miss TTA. But I am thankful for all the WDW trips that I have had before the health issues. Thanks for your response.

This is how Haunted Mansion works:
People using ECVs enter the regular line and stay in the line with everyone else in line until just a little way before the line gets to the turnstiles before entering the building. Look for the black hearse on the right side of the line. There is a chained area with a wheelchair symbol near it. Wait there until a CM comes to let you into the exit courtyard.
At that point, you will have a choice of walking into the stretching room thru the "Servant's Entrance", which is a back door into the room. After watching the 'show' in that room, the guests continue on thru the room to the regular boarding area. The boarding area is dark and starts out wide, but gradually gets narrower and narrower to funnel people into a single file line for boarding. The guests kind of crowd thru the dark area to get to board. The CMs at that area can't slow or stop the moving walkway when you board at the usual boarding area (except an emergency stop). If the moving walkway is not a problem, it is OK to board there and the ECV will be waiting at the end where you left it parked.

The other choice is to skip the stretching room and just go on the ride by boarding at the unload area. The scooter can be brought close to the ride car for boarding or you can park it in the exit courtyard area and walk into the exit. The CMs normally slow the moving walkway, and that is often enough for most people. If you need it to be totally stopped if you board at the unload area, they can stop it for you, but you need to ask for what you need. It can only be stopped if you board at the unload area.
Here's a picture of a stopped Doombuggy.

It has always been the way I described, but CMs are not always clear to people (they usually ask, "Can you walk 200 feet" and don't mention that the moving walkway can't be stopped if you enter that way.

 

[Mary976]

OP-are you at all interested in riding Space Mountain? It can be a tricky one, or at least it was for my DD who uses a wheelchair. Although if that ride doesn't appeal to you, then you won't need to worry about it!

Mary

 

[lovetoscrap]

An ECV may help with It's a Small World as you can wait for a wheelchair boat and not have to transfer.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that the accessible boat can be used with an ECV-- you would have to transfer to a manual wheelchair.

I can't think of any rides (other than actual Transportation) that you can take an ECV on. You need to either park it and walk a few steps to the ride car, have someone help you transfer and then go park it for you, or transfer to a manual wheelchair. For Pirates you have to park the ECV outside and use a manual wheelchair for the entire length of the line and then transfer to the boat.

 

[livndisney]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that the accessible boat can be used with an ECV-- you would have to transfer to a manual wheelchair.

I can't think of any rides (other than actual Transportation) that you can take an ECV on. You need to either park it and walk a few steps to the ride car, have someone help you transfer and then go park it for you, or transfer to a manual wheelchair. For Pirates you have to park the ECV outside and use a manual wheelchair for the entire length of the line and then transfer to the boat.

To clarify, I did not say you could take the ECV on the boat-with the wheelchair boat you won't have to transfer to a SEAT in the boat(as that was the concern). I Guess I should have spelled out you can use the ECV then transfer to a wheelchair which can then be wheeled onto the wheelchair boat so the OP will not need to transfer to the low seat on ITASW as was the concern.

From Sue's attraction post:
Guests in motorized vehicles, ECVs, must transfer into an available wheelchair at these attractions (if you are already in a wheelchair, you can use it in the attraction and won't need to transfer:
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
"it's a small world"
Stitch's Great Escape!™
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts
Walt Disney World Railroad

 

[POOHsie]

I can't think of any rides (other than actual Transportation) that you can take an ECV on. You need to either park it and walk a few steps to the ride car, have someone help you transfer and then go park it for you, or transfer to a manual wheelchair. For Pirates you have to park the ECV outside and use a manual wheelchair for the entire length of the line and then transfer to the boat.

In MK, for the Jungle Cruise, there is one boat that will load an ECV. I've been on it a number of times. The loading process is cool. I wish someone had a picture of this boat with an ECV loaded. The only drawback is that there is (I believe) only one of these ECV-capable boats, so you have to wait for it to cycle around to the handicap entrance.

For rides where I transfer to a ride seat, I cannot park my ECV and walk a few steps. But I can transfer without assistance as long as I pull my ECV (or transfer-wheelchair) right up alongside the ride vehicle. The CM will take my ECV (or wc) until the ride is over, then bring it back alongside my ride seat upon return. I hold onto the ride vehicle, then transfer to the ECV (wc), again, without assistance. It really is no problem to handle this unassisted. Just always keep the CM informed of your capabilities and needs.

 

[SueM in MN]

To clarify, I did not say you could take the ECV on the boat-with the wheelchair boat you won't have to transfer to a SEAT in the boat(as that was the concern). I Guess I should have spelled out you can use the ECV then transfer to a wheelchair which can then be wheeled onto the wheelchair boat so the OP will not need to transfer to the low seat on ITASW as was the concern.

From Sue's attraction post:
Guests in motorized vehicles, ECVs, must transfer into an available wheelchair at these attractions (if you are already in a wheelchair, you can use it in the attraction and won't need to transfer:
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
"it's a small world"
Stitch's Great Escape!™
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts
Walt Disney World Railroad

I just want to clarify - my list ONLY included attractions with moving walkways.
On this list, only Buzz Lightyear has a moving walkway.

In MK, for the Jungle Cruise, there is one boat that will load an ECV. I've been on it a number of times. The loading process is cool. I wish someone had a picture of this boat with an ECV loaded. The only drawback is that there is (I believe) only one of these ECV-capable boats, so you have to wait for it to cycle around to the handicap entrance.

Wish and you will receive (although this is a wheelchair, not an ECV
There is one wheelchair accessible boat and it can also load some ECVs.

The platform in the middle of the picture is normally down in the boat. To load an ECV or wheelchair, it raises up (this picture shows it in the raised position and the CM is starting to turn it to the side of the boat. After it is turned, the part the CM's hand is on folds down to the dock to make a ramp.
After the wheelchair or ECV is driven on and blocked in place, the platform is turned again and lowered back to the floor of the boat.

This is my DD on the Jungle Cruise Boat in her wheelchair. The platform raises her a little higher so that she can see over the top of the other guests.

Only one boat is accessible, so it can be a while waiting for it, especially if there are other guests in front of you who also need it.
Because of that, they do ask that guests who are able to transfer do. Someone with difficulty stepping down may not want to transfer. Someone who has problems with walking distances may transfer just fine.
They do have some attraction wheelchairs for guests whose ECV won't work on the boat.

 

[kathleendsm]

It's interesting, I keep reading that they can't stop Peter Pan, but when I was on it a couple of weeks ago, they did! We happened to be in the "flying over London" part, and the ride ground to a halt. We probably sat there for 2 or 3 minutes while I quietly panicked about the height and clutched DS2, who has low tone and some special needs and I kept picturing him sliding right out.

I assume there was either an emergency or the ride had a malfunction, but I kept thinking "wait, the Dis people say Peter Pan can't be stopped!"

 

[SueM in MN]

It's interesting, I keep reading that they can't stop Peter Pan, but when I was on it a couple of weeks ago, they did! We happened to be in the "flying over London" part, and the ride ground to a halt. We probably sat there for 2 or 3 minutes while I quietly panicked about the height and clutched DS2, who has low tone and some special needs and I kept picturing him sliding right out.

I assume there was either an emergency or the ride had a malfunction, but I kept thinking "wait, the Dis people say Peter Pan can't be stopped!"

It would have been an emergency stop or malfunction. Sometimes people trip getting out or don't get out soon enough to make it before they run out of room.
With a malfunction, they would have gotten the guests out and shut down the ride though.

Cheshire Figment verified a short while ago with an area supervisor that the only stops Peter Pan can make are emergency stops (other than the 'first or last ride of the day scenario' I wrote about earlier.)

When you think of all the little kids on the ride, it makes sense not to stop it unless absolutely necessary