Wheelchair Rides?

[DisneyWishes14]

In November, I will be traveling with a young man who cannot transfer from his wheelchair for any rides or attractions and I'm a little confused as to what he will be able to ride.

On the WDW, it lists rides and attractions on which guests "may remain in wheelchair/EVC". I'm assuming we are good to go with those.

It also lists attractions on which guests "Must Transfer from ECV to Wheelchair". These include rides such as it's a small world, Living with the Land, Toy Story Mania, etc. It says in the description that guests "must transfer to a wheelchair provided at the attraction". Does that only pertain to guests in ECVs? Or will guests in their own wheelchairs also have to transfer to a WDW provided wheelchair?

I'm just trying to get a sense of what he'll be able to ride before we go.

Thank you so much!

 

[gap2368]

Yes he can do the rides that guest in ECV must transfer from. Small world is one he can do if his wheelchair fits

 

[cobright]

"Must Transfer from ECV to Wheelchair" ... Does that only pertain to guests in ECVs? Or will guests in their own wheelchairs also have to transfer to a WDW provided wheelchair?

That whole list is poorly worded/explained and it has set people up to be disappointed in the past.

The particular language you bring up is supposed to relate specifically to rides that will not accommodate an ECV but will accommodate a manual wheelchair. T
The reality is that not all manual wheelchairs play happy with the ride vehicle. But... since they mention that they provide a manual cheelchair to transfer from your ECV into they didn't feel the need to also warn that you may be required to transfer from your manual wheelchair into their manual wheelchair.

My wife and I volunteered to help transfer a gentleman from his ultralight wheelie into the standard manual chair for the Nemo & Friends ride at Epcot a few years back. When he called ahead they gave him the boilerplate answer that a manual wheelchair would be fine but because he had the camber of his wheels angled out a bit more than usual it was a little wider than the ride platform and it wasn't going to work. After the ride I got out my trusty leatherman and helped him bring in his wheels a combined 2 inches or so and he rode the ride again without transferring.

ETA - Another point of contention is that powerchairs are not ECVs yet there is a chance, depending on the configuration of your powerchair that you may still have to transfer into a provided manual wheelchair.

It would be useful if Disney would include what criteria must be met to not have to transfer into their provided wheelchair. Sometimes the ride attended themselves don't know why they require it. We showed up with an electric chair that was shorter and narrower than the manual one they wanted us to use. It had a turning radius shorter than its own length and it can actually travel in any direction (it goes side to side, front or back, or any angle). I mean, it's their park so they decide but I think this list is crafted to be ambiguous on purpose.

 

[SueM in MN]

I will write more tonight, but basically, the ‘must transfer from ECV to wheelchair’ means that there is a wheelchair accessible ride car, but it is not ECV accessible. If the guest wants to use the wheelchair car, they would usually need to transfer to an attraction wheelchair.
Those marked with only a wheelchair symbol are wheelchair and ECV accessible.

You can find more information in posts 18-21 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is located near the top of the board or you can follow the link in my signature.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you all so much! I will take a look at the posts on the FAQs thread. I know he was able to ride Buzz Lightyear and small world on his past trip (8 years ago). I will make a list of the other rides that might be a possibility and then we'll just have to give it a try when we get there. Hopefully his chair will fit on most of the wheelchair rides. I really appreciate your help!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you all so much! I will take a look at the posts on the FAQs thread. I know he was able to ride Buzz Lightyear and small world on his past trip (8 years ago). I will make a list of the other rides that might be a possibility and then we'll just have to give it a try when we get there. Hopefully his chair will fit on most of the wheelchair rides. I really appreciate your help!

The ‘standard wheelchair’ size that things are planned for is 30 inches wide and 48 inches long. If his wheelchair fits into that size, it should fit into any of the wheelchair cars.
My DD’s wheelchair is 27 inches wide at the bottom by 46 inches long to the tips of where her toes stick over the footplates.
It’s a little hard to measure the width because she has a significant amount of camber in her wheels (bottom of the wheels tilted out which makes propelling it more efficient). Because of the camber, her chair is wider at the bottom than if it is measured up higher.
We have no problem with her chair fitting on any of the wheelchair accessible ride cars. Most have quite a bit more room than needed to fit her chair.

If his chair fit in Buzz Lightyear 8 yrs ago, he should have no problem. That is actually one of the tighter rides for length and has not changed in 8 yrs.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a real concise list of attractions for each park.
For all parks:
All character greetings are wheelchair and ECV accessible.
All wheelchair accessible attractions should be accessible to both manual and power wheelchairs as long as the wheelchair is no longer than 48 inches and no wider than 30 inches.
The extenuating factors for power wheelchairs would be weight (combined weight of driver and wheelchair 600 pounds or less) and how much clearance the chair has underneath. Some power wheelchairs have 2 inches clearance or less underneath. That may be an issue for some attraction cars, but most have gotten rid of protruding parts that might be an issue.

MK
attractions with wheelchair car (not ECV accessible)
WDW Railroad - front car. All stations accessible, but Frontierland and Main Street gave steep ramps
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Jungle Cruise (some ECVs might fit)
Liberty Square Riverboat - has ramp for wheelchair/ECV Access
Small World
Under the Sea - Journey of the Littke Mermaid
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear

show, location of wheelchair/ECV seating:
Enchanted Tiki Room - front row
Country Bear Jamboree - front row
Hall of Presidents - back row
Mickey’s Philharmagic - back row
Enchanted Tales with Belle - close to front
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - middle to front row
Carousel of Progress - first row

 

[SueM in MN]

Epcot
attractions with wheelchair cars (not ECV accessible)
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Living with the Land
Journey into Imagination
Grand Fiesta Tour starring 3 Caballeros in Mexico - similar boat to Small World

shows, locations of wheelchair/ECV seating
Turtle Talk - middle to front (kids sit on floor in front of benches)
Disney & Pixar Short Films Festival - back row
Reflections of China - 360 degree Movie with rails to lean against. We prefer to stand near the back
American Adventure - back row
Impressions de France - back row
O Canada! - 360 degree Movie like China

Soarin’ requires a transfer, but it is a fairly easy transfer. Each guest has an individual seat with a seat belt.
The seat is fairly close in height to an average wheelchair seat.
The wheelchair can be parked wherever you need it to be in relation to the ride seat. Nothing moves until everyone is sedated snd secured. We have not felt rushed getting on or off.

 

[SueM in MN]

Disney’s Hollywood Studio
attractions with wheelchair car
Toy Story Mania - wheelchair ride vehicle is not currently available, but will be again after it re-opens in the new Toy Story Land location

shows, locations of wheelchair/ECV seating
Frozen Sing-Along - very back and very front row. Guests with Fastpasses get first choice of location and may fill all of the front row seats for some shows
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - a few seats in the very front row; the majority are in the back row
Star Wars, Path of the Jedi - back row in small theater
Muppet Vision 3 D - back row
Voyage of the Little Mermaid - back row
Beauty and the Beast, live on Stage - very frontnand very back row
Disney Junior Live on Stage - this is the one we have not gone to for many years, do I am not sure. I believe it is back row
Fantasmic - a limited number of seats in front row,majority are in back row.

The information I have is that the 2 new Toy Story Land attractions will require a transfer and will not have wheelchair accessible ride cars.

Star Tours requires a transfer, but it is a fairly easy transfer and each guest has an individual seat with a seatbelt. The theater seat is pretty close in height to an average wheelchair seat. The wheelchair can be placed close to the seat for transfer and the attraction doesn’t move until all guests are seated and secure.

 

[SueM in MN]

Animal Kingdom
All wildlife trails are wheelchair and ECV accessible

attractions with wheelchair cars (not ECV accessible)
Kilimanjaro Safari - loading/unloading for guests with mobility devices is in a different area. The trams loading in that area have space for one guest to remain in their wheelchair each trip
Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch
TriceraTop Spin - similar to Aladdin’s Magic Carpets

Shows, locations of wheelchair/ECV seating
It’s Tough to be a Bug - very front row is accessed from the Fastpass line. Other seating in back of theater.
Festival of the Lion King - front 2 rows (only areas on floor)
Rivers of Light - front, middle and rear
Finding Nemo - a few seats in front row, 2 seats in middle. Majority of seatimg is in rear.

 

[married2mm]

Sue-they are amazing lists.
I'd just like to say we returned at the weekend and we're not rushed once by cms during any transfers.
In fact-the only moan was from a rude child, 'quit stalling and get off!!!!!'
His father got the death stare from me.

 

[BillSears]

The information I have is that the 2 new Toy Story Land attractions will require a transfer and will not have wheelchair accessible ride cars.

Star Tours requires a transfer, but it is a fairly easy transfer and each guest has an individual seat with a seatbelt. The theater seat is pretty close in height to an average wheelchair seat. The wheelchair can be placed close to the seat for transfer and the attraction doesn’t move until all guests are seated and secure.

Hey Sue, great list. I wanted to let you know that Star Tours has a front row seat with swing away armrest to make the transfer a bit easier. Last month the CMs asked if I wanted to use it and it made the transfer easier for me.

I sure hope they add something to make the transfers easier for the new rides. I realize they won't be roll-on but I was hoping for a swing away side door or something.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The ‘standard wheelchair’ size that things are planned for is 30 inches wide and 48 inches long. If his wheelchair fits into that size, it should fit into any of the wheelchair cars.
My DD’s wheelchair is 27 inches wide at the bottom by 46 inches long to the tips of where her toes stick over the footplates.
It’s a little hard to measure the width because she has a significant amount of camber in her wheels (bottom of the wheels tilted out which makes propelling it more efficient). Because of the camber, her chair is wider at the bottom than if it is measured up higher.
We have no problem with her chair fitting on any of the wheelchair accessible ride cars. Most have quite a bit more room than needed to fit her chair.

If his chair fit in Buzz Lightyear 8 yrs ago, he should have no problem. That is actually one of the tighter rides for length and has not changed in 8 yrs.

Oh my gosh, SueM, thank you SO much! This is amazing information and the lists are INCREDIBLY helpful! THANK YOU!! I am going to print the lists out and ask his mom what type of chair he has and the dimensions so we'll be really prepared before we enter the parks. THANK YOU!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I just found out that his mom is getting him a Convaid Safari 16, so it looks like his chair will fit on all of the wheelchair accessible rides - so excited!!! Thank you, again!

 

[SueM in MN]

Bumping to give list of wheelchair accessible attractions.

Attention: amycishere

 

[philharmagic fan]

This is a real concise list of attractions for each park.
For all parks:
All character greetings are wheelchair and ECV accessible.
All wheelchair accessible attractions should be accessible to both manual and power wheelchairs as long as the wheelchair is no longer than 48 inches and no wider than 30 inches.
The extenuating factors for power wheelchairs would be weight (combined weight of driver and wheelchair 600 pounds or less) and how much clearance the chair has underneath. Some power wheelchairs have 2 inches clearance or less underneath. That may be an issue for some attraction cars, but most have gotten rid of protruding parts that might be an issue.

MK
attractions with wheelchair car (not ECV accessible)
WDW Railroad - front car. All stations accessible, but Frontierland and Main Street gave steep ramps
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Jungle Cruise (some ECVs might fit)
Liberty Square Riverboat - has ramp for wheelchair/ECV Access
Small World
Under the Sea - Journey of the Littke Mermaid
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear

show, location of wheelchair/ECV seating:
Enchanted Tiki Room - front row
Country Bear Jamboree - front row
Hall of Presidents - back row
Mickey’s Philharmagic - back row
Enchanted Tales with Belle - close to front
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - middle to front row
Carousel of Progress - first row

You might want to check, but I think the carousel behind the castle can now hold a standard wheelchair

 

[SueM in MN]

You might want to check, but I think the carousel behind the castle can now hold a standard wheelchair

Thanks for the reminder.
I didn’t go thru the list to look again when I bumped it.

The carousel is now listed as wheelchair accessible (guest using ECV transfer to wheelchair). We noticed it on the park map, but didn’t get a chance to check it out on our trip in April. Our daughter was having a kind of tough time then and we didn’t spend much time each day in the parks.

 

[RaySharpton]

Magic Kingdom's Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carrousel)

It has been years since I have been on the Magic Kingdom's Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carrousel). This was new to me. On the other side of the main entrance is this sign.

I got to ride it by rolling my wheelchair across a fold-down ramp in front of the bench. The bench has an area that folds up allowing me to back up my wheelchair and still allow one space to sit on either side of me.

This is me to the right of the sign in front of the fold-down ramp. It is a recessed alcove area. One of the regular exits is to the right.

This is after the ramp is lowered. The Disney cast member is guiding me forward in my wheelchair and the bench will be on my left out of sight in the photo.

I am now in my spot and ready for a ride. The ramp is now folded up and the regular exit is to the left.

This is the view in front of me. I had two other guests sitting next to me.

And now the ride is over, the ramp is lowered and I am ready to roll off. Very fun.

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you Ray! As always, so helpful!

One question - did you alert a CM at the regular entrance, or did you just roll up and wait? We waited for about 15 minutes the last time we were there, but no one ever came over and so we went on without riding...

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you Ray! As always, so helpful!

One question - did you alert a CM at the regular entrance, or did you just roll up and wait? We waited for about 15 minutes the last time we were there, but no one ever came over and so we went on without riding...

No, I didn't. I just drove right up to it and I also waited for about three or four rides before someone going around checking riders asked me if I wanted to ride. I probably should have gone around and asked first.