Wheelchair access?

[missypriss19]

My family is planning a trip to WDW in January 2008. My son and I have been twice before and I have finally talked my husband into going with us. He is confined to a wheelchair and states he doesnt want to sit around all day and watch us ride the rides. He is a very active quad. What I need to know is what rides he can ride from his wheelchair (We will probably rent him an elctric one for the trip) and what rides he can easily slide transfer to. Please help. I want him to enjoy the trip as much as we do.

 

[Shorty82]

The disABILITIES FAQ has a lot of information.

You might find you have a hard time renting an electric wheelchair if your husband doesn't usually use one. My understanding is that most, if not all, mobility rental places won't rent electric wheelchairs to anyone who doesn't use one normally.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Disney is the most accessible place I have found to date. Your husband definitely won't have to sit waiting for you guys all day long. A lot of the more sedate rides (Small World, Buzz Lightyear, Universe of Energy etc) and all of the theatres and shows will allow him to enjoy the attraction without having to leave his chair. For others, though, he will have to transfer.

As for ease of transfer, it really depends on what your husband is used to. To help you, here are some photos of a number of ride cars:
http://allears.net/tp/gal_ride.htm
And here's a useful website on wheeling Disney, with details on transfer procedure:
http://www.themouseonwheels.com/index.htm

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Mrsjvb]

each ride also has a little icon on the map which tells you what kind of mobility is needed. While many do require ambulatory transfer, there are still quite a few that do not. Plus he will be able to enjoy every show with a great view!

 

[BillSears]

... While many do require ambulatory transfer, there are still quite a few that do not.

I think there is only one ride that requires an ambulatory transfer. Peter Pan pretty much requires that you walk or be carried onto the ride. The others often do require a transfer but you don't have to be ambulatory. I've ridden just about every ride at WDW(including Peter Pan once) and haven't been ambulatory in over 30 years.

 

[Shorty82]

I think there is only one ride that requires an ambulatory transfer. Peter Pan pretty much requires that you walk or be carried onto the ride. The others often do require a transfer but you don't have to be ambulatory. I've ridden just about every ride at WDW(including Peter Pan once) and haven't been ambulatory in over 30 years.

The Tommorrowland Transit Authority, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Tom Sawyer Island are the only attractions at WDW that require one be ambulatory. The maps for the other three parks don't even have the "Must be ambulatory" symbol in their keys as there is nothing in those parks that require it.

The TTA requires it because of the sloped moving sidewalk used to get up to the ride, the Treehouse as it is all going up and down stairs, and Tom Sawyer Island because the island isn't wheelchair friendly.

Peter Pan is listed as being "Must transfer from wheelchair/ECV".

 

[DaDisneyMomma]

I don't know much about any of this myself BUT...I do know that I'm going in December and my travel agent told us that there is a place somewhere outside of Disney that rents the electronic chairs...If you get it in Disney, it's alot more costly but, the place our agent told us about only charges $150 for the whole week AND the company delivers it to your hotel the day you're supposed to be there and picks it up on the day you leave...If anything happens while you have it, they have a toll free number that you call and they come right to you and bring another one..... If you'd like...I could try and get the name of the place from my agent...may take a few days though, cause she's on vacation herself...guess where???? You got it...DISNEY!!

 

[Shorty82]

Sounds like you're talking about an ECV, not a powerchair. There's a BIG difference in the two.

There's a whole list of places that rent chairs and ECVs in the disABILITIES FAQ thread stickied at the top of the forum.

 

[missypriss19]

My spouse would like a powerchair not an EVC. EVC are to hard to transfer from if you cnat use your legs. He is well aware how to use a power chair. We have one at home but do not want to travel with it. If you have the places to rent from that would be great. All knowledge will be appreciated.

 

[Shorty82]

The disABILITIES FAQ I linked to in my first post in this thread has a list of providers. Since your husband normally uses a powerchair then you should have no problems renting one. They will want some basic information on his personal chair's settings so they can set up the rental as close as possible.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Tommorrowland Transit Authority, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Tom Sawyer Island are the only attractions at WDW that require one be ambulatory. The maps for the other three parks don't even have the "Must be ambulatory" symbol in their keys as there is nothing in those parks that require it.

The TTA requires it because of the sloped moving sidewalk used to get up to the ride, the Treehouse as it is all going up and down stairs, and Tom Sawyer Island because the island isn't wheelchair friendly.

Peter Pan is listed as being "Must transfer from wheelchair/ECV".

In the newest Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities that we just picked up, Peter Pan is listed as "Must be ambulatory." The new guidebook is dated 6/07, so this is new information.

I don't have time to post much right now (am on vacation with only a little internet access), but there is a lot you can do without moving from the wheelchair.

In general, the 2 newer parks (AK and the Studios) have the best accessibility. MK (since it is the oldest park) has the most things that require a transfer and some of the transfers are not that easy.

This trip report from eternaldisneyfan should be helpful. She is a very good writer with a lot of descriptions and many pictures. She and her sister pretty much stay in their wheelchairs, but still managed to have a great time. There is also a link to her trip report in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the thread list in case you loose track of this thread.

As for renting power wheelchairs, most of the companies do require you to be an experienced power wheelchair driver in order to rent one because they are driven with a joystick, which takes more practice to learn to drive.
I'm also assuming that if he is a quad, he probably has some specialized seating in his wheelchair; most of the rental companies that do rent power wheelchairs have just basic seating; nothing special and probably little/no ability to mount special seating owned by him (other than possibly velcro for holding a seat cushion).

 

[missypriss19]

The information that you gave me was wonderful. the website "the mouse on wheels" was great. great information about each ride and how to get on. I made copies and plan on showing them to my spouse. thank you again

 

[DaDisneyMomma]

Sorry my information didn't help...I tried...I hope you find what you're looking for and have a WONDERFUL trip!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

The information that you gave me was wonderful. the website "the mouse on wheels" was great. great information about each ride and how to get on. I made copies and plan on showing them to my spouse. thank you again

if you lose/forget the Mouse on Wheels website, there is a link to it in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.