Wheelchairs & new Haunted Mansion

[dclfun]

It's rather sad to me not to be able to at least see the stretching room. That area was accessible to me before and then I exited through a door while the rest of my party enjoyed the attraction. Oh well...one less thing someone can do if they can't transfer, so in effect for myself and other such guests, the enhancement has made it worse and now totally non-accessible.---Kathy

 

[Shorty82]

Maybe someday they will fix that and get a buggy that is like the one in Nemo!

A Nemo like buggy won't work. Both Nemo and the Mansion use the Omnimover system but Nemo stays at the same level the entire time while the Mansion goes up and down. My understanding is that the slopes is what has caused problems for the Imagineers to design an accessable buggy for the Mansion

 

[Belle1997]

Just a note of Caution to any one affected by the sun. Yes the queue is big enough for wheelchairs and scooters to get in. But and a big but. When we leave the queue to stand by the hearst there is no shade!!!! We waited more than 15 minutes in the blazing sun. So if crowded wait, to do this ride in the evening. I was not impressed that there is no cover area. But there is for people who can walk. I do not mind waiting, but I know a lot of people are to avoid direct sunlight, do to medical conditions and medication. The wait was way too long in the sun. Also just around the corner where the exit is is shade too. I could see it but not touch it hehe.

 

[shovan]

This all sounds very disappointing indeed! Sounds like Disney Imagineers have gone backwards in handicapped accessibility on this one! No stretching room, no accessible car & a queue for the disabled in the sun!

Sue, Hope you are having a good trip! Anxious to see pics of the doombuggy. Did it allow a sliding transfer or did you still lift your DD & down into the seat?

 

[SueM in MN]

This all sounds very disappointing indeed! Sounds like Disney Imagineers have gone backwards in handicapped accessibility on this one! No stretching room, no accessible car & a queue for the disabled in the sun!

Sue, Hope you are having a good trip! Anxious to see pics of the doombuggy. Did it allow a sliding transfer or did you still lift your DD & down into the seat?

The waiting line was what I thought it would be. They basically put it back the way it was before Fastpass (no Fastpass available anymore for HM). When we waited by the hearse, it was only a few minutes. We were there in the afternoon and were able to wait in the shade - because of the position of the sun related to the roof over the 'main' line, there was about a 10 foot shaded area along the side of the area we were in. It would not seem to be that difficult for them to add something to shade that area though.

While I was waiting for DH and DD to finish the 2nd time, I was able to talk to the CM at the exit for a few minutes. He did say that WDW would like to make all the rides have a wheelchair accessible car, but have just not been able to do it on some. The 2 rides he thought would never have a wheelchair accessible car were Splash Mountain and Pirates (both because of the drops).

The HM doombuggy would allow a sliding transfer for someone who can do that. My DD can't do a sliding transfer, so DH lifted her in. If I put her in, I would have her do a stand (with me holding her up) and pivot. She can do that quite well.

I don't know if this link will work, but I uploaded a picture of the transfer doombuggy to the DIS Board's member photo pages.
Here it is:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/21507

If this link doesn't work, check out my member gallery on the photo post pages:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/

I think the bright reflective thing near the floor of the doombuggy might be why they call it the 'red car'. I think it is a reflector of some kind so the CMs can see exactly which car it is.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I don't know if this link will work, but I uploaded a picture of the transfer doombuggy to the DIS Board's member photo pages.
Here it is:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/21507

It worked for me!! Thank you sooooooooooo much for posting this!

 

[Donnababe]

It worked for me!! Thank you sooooooooooo much for posting this!

Yes, thank you. This looks like a fairly easy transfer for me as long as they stop the ride. All being well I should be able to grab the rail, (with someone holding it) stand, pivot and slide. Yay!

 

[SueM in MN]

trying to directly post photo
kind of small, but it did work

 

[soarinfan]

I'd love to know what the updates were. Is the ride much different?

 

[SueM in MN]

Some of the things were not changed at all (which was really good). I'll post some spoilers down a bit so people who don't want to know won't see them.






Spoilers




We did not go into the stretching room, so I can't give first hand experience about that. I have read that they updated the sound system in there so that it sounds like the 'ghost host' is moving around the room.

To the ride, they added some cool things in the beginning. We only rode once, so I'm sure there are many more things I didn't notice.
Where there were eyes on the wallpaper before, now the eyes blink and look around. There is also a room with stairways over your head and there are glowing footsteps that appear and disappear like a ghost is walking above you (like in the Marauder's Map in Harry Potter). The fortune telling ball was upgraded and looks more real. They made big changes in the area where the bride was before. Now, you see her husbands and her in their wedding portraits - you also see what happened to each one. I won't say more, but that part was really cool.
There are a lot of little things that we noticed that we were not sure whether they were there before or not, so, I would say it was really well done.

 

[KPeveler]

ok, i leave in 5 days (yay!) and i am still very confused about the HM accessiblity. I know that if you cannot walk some, you cannot do the stretching room. i know that if i use my wheelchair up to that point, I can walk through the stretching room and queue indoors to the doom buggies (in fact, i really should walk!)

my questions is about the outdoor queue. can i use my chair in the outdoor queue, and then have a CM wheel it to the exit? do they leave the chairs outside or are they covered (don't want to come back to a soaking chair!) thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

From the main line, people with wheelchairs and/or ECVs are moved to a side line. You are asked if you can transfer. If the answer is yes, you are told to park near the exit and are taken in to the Servent's Quarters. From there you are led directly to one of the stretch rooms. When you exit the building you are at the parking area for wheelchairs and ECVs.

 

[KPeveler]

that works! if the line is only 5-10 mins i will park my chair and then stand in line with my cane, but it is nice to know what to do when the line is too long for me to wait in!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Do you mean 5-10 minutes from going into the queue to getting into your doom buggie, or from the entrance to the stretching room? Because I would think that just from entering the stretching room to getting into the doom buggie would be about 5-10 minutes.

Have a great trip!!

 

[PrincessWendyBird]

OK, I am still confused a bit about this. Please forgive me if I'm missing the obvious here. I would really like to see the stretching room with my kids this year. We've done the exit load the past few visits. I can transfer, but I have trouble with standing/walking for any length of time. Can I stay in my wheelchair in the stretching room? If not, can I stay in my chair up until the stretch room? Will it be waiting near/at the exit area? Also, how long does the stretch room part last? I'm really thinking about just giving it a try, but I don't want to pay the price later. Hope this makes sense - thanks!!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

OK, I am still confused a bit about this. Please forgive me if I'm missing the obvious here. I would really like to see the stretching room with my kids this year. We've done the exit load the past few visits. I can transfer, but I have trouble with standing/walking for any length of time. Can I stay in my wheelchair in the stretching room? If not, can I stay in my chair up until the stretch room? Will it be waiting near/at the exit area? Also, how long does the stretch room part last? I'm really thinking about just giving it a try, but I don't want to pay the price later. Hope this makes sense - thanks!!

they will not let you be in the stretching room in your wheelchair. IF you can walk they will take you through the back up a hall and into the stretching room the stretching room takes less that 5 minutes I would say, when the doors open everyone moves en masse to the boarding area that whole process takes about another 5 to 10 minutes.
That is the only way to get to see the stretching room. ANd be advised it is very dark and crowded in there.

 

[BroganMc]

Or you can do what I did (2x) in October... ask to transfer to a Disney manual chair. Then the CM will push you and your group through the Servant's Quarters to the Stretching Room.

I have the same issues with walking and standing. I use a powerchair and had done the stretching room pre-renovation. So I asked to do it again. The CM had to check with more knowledgeable staff and returned with a manual chair.

I don't know why they won't let powerchairs or other manual chairs in. The pathway is similar with perhaps one extra hallway to return through. It would have been easier for the CM to just hold the door and let me drive through in my powerchair. Maybe they thought I'd damage something.

Also, if you have a GAC they just usher you directly to the wheelchair line by the hearse. (Another change I don't quite understand. Why make every wheelchair enter the main queue for 20 feet then pull them off to the side? You aren't in the line beyond the first beyond. Not like you can see anything new.)

 

[PrincessWendyBird]

Thanks for the quick responses! We always take my manual chair to WDW. But, I'll have to think this one over. There is major nerve damage to my legs and feet, but we are slowly repairing some of the damage. (emphasis on SLOWLY) So, the newer forming nerves can cause pain with even a slight brush. The dark and crowded has me re-thinking this a little.

Thanks for your suggestions, at least I now know my options. On a side note, I discussed this with my mom, who is going with us. She admitted she's always disliked being closed in during the stretch room. So, the problem may have solved itself! I just miss seeing the stretch room... but at least I can still ride! Counting my blessings. Thanks again!

 

[KPeveler]

i can walk and stand with only moderate pain (which i experience sitting or standing) for up to 20-30 minutes, as long as i am not injured. i will be using my chair all the time for most everything, so i figured i could make this ride my "walking" time and save some trouble

i leave in 3 days!

thanks for the info

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you mean 5-10 minutes from going into the queue to getting into your doom buggie, or from the entrance to the stretching room? Because I would think that just from entering the stretching room to getting into the doom buggie would be about 5-10 minutes.

Have a great trip!!

The stretching room presentation is about 5 minutes and may not start directly when you get in there. So you will have 5 to 10 minutes plus whatever time it takes you to walk to the stretching room. Then also to walk thru the boarding area and board.

Can I stay in my wheelchair in the stretching room? If not, can I stay in my chair up until the stretch room? Will it be waiting near/at the exit area? Also, how long does the stretch room part last? I'm really thinking about just giving it a try, but I don't want to pay the price later. Hope this makes sense - thanks!!

My expereince with DD is the same as Mickiethepooh;
Since DD can´t walk, her wheelchair is brought right up to the ride car and after we load her, the CM takes the wheelchair to an alcove just beyond the exit moving walkway. It remains in the building in the exit area.
If you can walk, they will have you park you wheelchair or ECV in a covered area outside the building, but with a roof and building wall on one side, so it is well protected. It will most likely be in exactly the same place as you left it.

they will not let you be in the stretching room in your wheelchair. IF you can walk they will take you through the back up a hall and into the stretching room the stretching room takes less that 5 minutes I would say, when the doors open everyone moves en masse to the boarding area that whole process takes about another 5 to 10 minutes.
That is the only way to get to see the stretching room. ANd be advised it is very dark and crowded in there.

We have had the same experience in the past and also when we went to Haunted Mansion twice in early October.
After waiting in line until the hearse, a CM directs you to a place just in front of the exit. Another CM comes out and asks if you are able to stand and wait in the Stretching room. We tell that CM that DD is not able to stand OR walk. In October, we asked if it would be possible to bring DD´s manual wheelchair into the stretching room and then back out for boarding at the exit. I explained that I knew people had done that before and that we were willing to wait if it was not possible at that time. The CM told us that if DD could not walk, our only option was to carry her in, hold her during the stretching room presentation and then carry her thru the regular boarding process. Since DD is 5 feet tall qnd about 90 pounds, we said that was not possible. The CM said if we could not carry her qnd she could not walk, we would have to skip the stretching room. She said they had allowed wheelchairs into the stretching room at times in the past, but that there was a safety assessment done during the renovation and they were no longer allowed to let anyone into the stretching room unless they could walk or were small enough to be carried in and board thru the regular line.
We had also asked the CM who let us into the hearse area and I had opportunity to talk for a long time to the CM at the exit (since I got off at the end of our ride and the cars didn´t stop so DD and DH went on the ride a second time). Both of those CMs told me the same thing.
I even offered to come back at a different time, but they said it would not matter; the ride CMs were instructed that "Risk Assessment" had determined wheelchairs of any kind could no longer be allowed in the stretching room. Another option would have been sort of a "baby swap", with DH seeing the stetching room and ride by himslef, then me doing it by myself, then baring thru the exit with DD (so DD would still ,iss the stretching room).
So, 3 different CMs told us the very same thing, at different times.

Or you can do what I did (2x) in October... ask to transfer to a Disney manual chair. Then the CM will push you and your group through the Servant's Quarters to the Stretching Room...................
Also, if you have a GAC they just usher you directly to the wheelchair line by the hearse. (Another change I don't quite understand. Why make every wheelchair enter the main queue for 20 feet then pull them off to the side? You aren't in the line beyond the first beyond. Not like you can see anything new.)

I don´t know if they have changed things since we went in October or if the CMs who let you do that were not aware of the changes the CM told us about. DD had her manual wheelchair and the only option we were given was to carry her in or do a "baby swap" as I mentioned above, since DD can not walk (not offered one of their manual wheelchairs even as a possible option).
The hearse area is pretty close to the entry into the building; since people are brought into the building in "batches" for the stretching room, I think the idea is that once the person using a wheelchair or ECV gets to the hearse, they would probably be in the next "batch" anyway. This is no different than it was before (it´s back to way it was before they had changed the line to having a Fastpass line a few years ago).

So, you can ask, but I would expect not to be allowed to bring a wheelchair into the stretching room. Maybe you will, but very likely not.