Which park is most handicap friendly?

[always quiet]

We're going to Disney next month and I just found out that my SIL, her DH and their son, who has palsey, are driving up from Miami to spend some time with us. What parks are most handicap friendly? I was thinking MGM as there are lots of shows but aside from that, I'm afraid I'm clueless.
Any suggestions?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hmm... all the parks are handicap-accessible. Animal Kingdom is "better" in that it was built after the ADA went into effect and didn't need to be retrofitted - especially. Epcot's pretty good too. Magic Kingdom is okay, but Main Street is tough. I'm guessing your nephew is in a wheelchair? It's tough to navigate because of the trolley tracks in the street and that the curb 'cuts' were installed much later than the sidewalks were. But once you get past Main Street, you should be fine.
The people who write the Passporter series of guidebooks about Disney World recently came out with "Passporter WDW For Your Special Needs". I think this book would answer any question you can think of.
MGM does have, let's see, five sitting shows - Indiana Jones, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Beauty and the Beast, Lights Motors Action, Fantasmic! plus a daily parade,,, and Sounds Dangerous and Great Movie Ride where he'd be able to stay in a wheelchair. And of course Streetmosphere - impromptu street shows. Yeah, if transferring is a problem, MGM is probably your best bet.

 

[SueM in MN]

As a general rule, MK and Epcot are less wheelchair friendly because they were built long ago when there were fewer rules/recommendations in place about accessibility.
AK and MGM are both quite accessible, with many things you don't need to transfer out of the wheelchair for. For the things at those 2 parks that do require a transfer, the space is usually much larger and better planned out than at MK and Epcot where they sort of retrofitted things for accessibility.
For the attractions that do require transfers, a lot depends on his size and abilities. Someone who can walk a few steps can transfer to more attractions than someone who needs to be lifted. A child who is small enough to be lifted into rides can go on practically anything they are tall enough for (of course, you would need to consider whether it would be scary or too rough for them).

eternaldisneyfan made a nice list of the attractions where someone can stay in their wheelchair and experience the attraction without having to move out of the wheelchair into a ride car. I'm going to quote her list to give you a starting point. (I hope you don't mind, Christamae).

Ride accessibility:

I use an electric wheelchair full-time and can't sit up without complete support. Our last trip to Disney World I spent about 10 hours researching wheelchair accessible rides. I didn’t transfer for any rides and still had a fantastic time.

Here is a list of rides that you can drive your wheelchair directly onto without transferring, sorted by park:

Magic Kingdom---

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: (note:the shooter is hard to reach, especially with contractures)

Stitches Great Escape (note-the bars that come down on the shoulders could be painful, especially if they are drawn up like mine-I haven’t ridden it-this ride has got a lot of bad reviews)

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Takes you through several classic scenes-awesome-easy access)

it’s a small world (easy access)

Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)

Main Street U.S.A.-Railroad-steam train ride (I loved it. Round trip is best, there are scenes along the way. )

Jungle Cruise (recently converted-but you have to request the wheelchair boat)

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (too short for some chairs)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible. There are always spaces for wheelchairs with seats for family members adjoining
(Storytime with Belle, etc. all children sit on the floor up front)

Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island are impossible for wheelchairs (you can do a roundtrip on the raft that goes to Tom Sawyer Island)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM, they're marked on a map- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait


Epcot—

Ellen’s Energy Adventure (easily accessible-cute Jeapordy style beginning that then takes you back in time to Dinosaurs)

Journey Into Your Imagination (easily accessible-really cute/fun ride with a fully accessible interactive special effects playground afterwards)

Living with the Land (informational tour about various climates and agriculture)

El Rio Del Tiempo (accessible-boat ride tour of Mexico)

The Living Seas (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access. At your own pace viewing of a live sea aquarium and the new Crush attraction)

The World Showcase (all areas (accept Maelstrom in Norway) accessible, although some areas may have alternate access)

Street shows are hard to see unless you arrive a little early to sit in front

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows (including Innoventions) are wheelchair accessible (*note: The Kid cot fun stop crafts will be difficult to do unless you have a tray on your wheelchair because the table and chairs are low and the supplies are scattered)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

MGM Studios—

Great Movie Ride (note-this ride doesn't fit all wheelchairs-my standard Invacare action electric wheelchair didn't fit and I had to ride sideways)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible

MGM has a lot of good shows.

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Fantasmic-(The best nighttime/overall show. Note: Use the wheelchair seats in the back and get there early to ensure a good seat)

Animal Kingdom-

Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)

Triceratop Spin (similar to Aladdin's Flying Carpet)

Kilimanjaro Safaris (mild thrill ride with a guide that drives you through authentic habitats to view real exotic animals-best experienced in the morning).

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible (*the Boneyard is not. *Conservation is listed as accessible but I didn’t visit it.)

All the nature trails are accessible and have beautiful wildlife. There are many exhibits-a few viewing areas are a little difficult to get to.

The parade has a special wheelchair viewing area-ask a CM

I only transferred to rides when I was younger and stronger. The last trip I didn’t transfer to any rides and still had a fabulous, magical trip with the plentiful wheelchair accessible rides and awesome shows. Always carefully weigh out the risks of transferring.

I hope I helped.

Remember all shows are wheelchair accessible-don't miss the nighttime shows-especially Fantasmic-and don't miss Festival of the Lion King.

If there is anyway he can transfer, I would do it for Soarin’ in Epcot. The ride is awesome. Even I was able to do it. You can pull your chair right up to seat and the movements of the ride are smooth.

Have a great trip!


Christamae

 

[kaytieeldr]

Adding a couple of notes to the list Sue provided:

Magic Kingdom:
Winnie the Pooh: There is one Hunny Pot that is wheelchair accessible. Let the Cast Member know if your nephew can't transfer, he can wheel or be wheeled into this pot.
Jungle Cruise: Boat's name is Bertha. Only one that has been outfitted to accept wheelchairs, so if there are others ahead of you who can't transfer, you'll have a bit of a wait. On the other hand, since this queue does not fit wheelchairs, you wait in a separate line and will most likely get on faster than if you waited in line. If the Cast Member boarding your nephew doesn't say anything, tell him or her you heard this was actually three rides in one while the wheelchair is being boarded.

Animal Kingdom:
Nature Trails: Many Guests simply don't "see" Guests in wheelchairs (and I realize we're all still simply assuming your nephew uses a wheelchair; you haven't stated anything one way or the other) so you might want to take turns clearing a space for him at the viewing areas.

 

[SueM in MN]

(and I realize we're all still simply assuming your nephew uses a wheelchair; you haven't stated anything one way or the other) so you might want to take turns clearing a space for him at the viewing areas.

I guess since the original post said "handicapped accessible" we are making the assumption that wheelchair was what was meant.
A little more information would be helpful - like is it a child or an adult?
Does he use a wheelchair? If so, what kind - power, manual, a special needs stroller or transport chair?
How much mobility does he have? Does he have any limitations - balance, contractures?

 

[boosmom96]

We're going to Disney next month and I just found out that my SIL, her DH and their son, who has palsey, are driving up from Miami to spend some time with us. What parks are most handicap friendly? I was thinking MGM as there are lots of shows but aside from that, I'm afraid I'm clueless.
Any suggestions?

Thanks for starting this thread!! We leave in 2 days with my almost 9 year old DD in a wheelchair. (CP, very motorically delayed) and this was exactly the info I needed!! The new Pasporter guide was a bit of a disappointment for me. I didn't find it terribly helpful with my daughter' situation.
Good Luck with your nephew!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for starting this thread!! We leave in 2 days with my almost 9 year old DD in a wheelchair. (CP, very motorically delayed) and this was exactly the info I needed!! The new Pasporter guide was a bit of a disappointment for me. I didn't find it terribly helpful with my daughter' situation.
Good Luck with your nephew!

I was one of the peer reviewers and feel it tried to maybe do a little too much. Being the mom of a non-ambulatory wheelchair user, I would have liked more exact access information.

Are there any rides you really are interested in details about?

 

[Ali and boyz]

we found MK to be the worst if you had a high level of disability. We never went to AK because for us the heat always seems far worse there. don't know if it is because there is less rides more outdoor stuff less shade.

Although DS couldn't go on much at EPCOT it was nice for him to go round the worldshowcase. Best park for access and rides was Universal Studios and Sea World for feeling he was taking part in it all. Think there was only 2 rides he couldn't go on with his wheelchair. MGM was also good for him.