Which rides make you transfer to a manual chair?

[Biscuitsmom31]

DH uses an electric wheelchair. He might be able to transfer to more rides this trip if he's able to pull his chair right up the ride vehicle. However, transfering to a manual chair won't work for him. His power chair has a lift so he can raise it and stand up out of it but a manual chair is too low to the ground for him to get out of without a struggle. He is willing to do the transfer from the chair to the ride and back to the chair but requiring him to do additional difficult tranfers to and from the manual chair will wear him out.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Sorry that I cannot be of more help..however... a while back I was able to go to Disney's website and could print out if guests were able to remain in their chairs, or if they needed to transfer to another seat, etc... It was great because you would know what to expect for each attraction.

This link is for disabilities with Disney... Hope your answer is here!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainHomePage

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a link to the WDW GUidebook for Guests with disabilities in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

Even though a transfer to a manual wheelchair is needed for someone who is using an ECV, that is not usually the case for someone using a power wheelchair. One attraction that I know will be in-accessible to him is the Pirates of the Caribbean. You actually board and exit in different buildings and the wheelchair is slung onto the boat with you. Non-folding manual wheelchairs can't even go on that ride.

For rides that require a transfer to the ride car, many of the ride cars may not work for him. Some are low with narrow bench seats (like Pirates). And, even if he could get in, if he requires a rising seat to get out of his wheelchair, he may not be able to get out of some.

 

[jenbarnwell]

There are a lot of rides that put the ecv right on the ride. The boat ride by Soarin' in Epcot, the Backlot Tour, the Safari ride, but most that don't transfer you from the ecv to the ride directly!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are a lot of rides that put the ecv right on the ride. The boat ride by Soarin' in Epcot, the Backlot Tour, the Safari ride, but most that don't transfer you from the ecv to the ride directly!

There may be some smaller ECVs where this is the case, but for the attraction marked with an icon of someone getting out of the ECV and into a wheelchair (in the guidebooks, on park maps and on signs in front of the attraction), I would assume you might have to transfer to a manual wheelchair from an ECV. Whethere or not you have to would depend on your particular ECV and the particular attraction.
You can expect you will have to transfer from a park rental ECV to a wheelchair for those attractions because the park ECVs are very large and not as manouverable as the smaller ECVs.

Power wheelchairs are a different matter entirely. Most take up the same space (have the same "footprint") as a manual wheelchair and will fit anywhere a manual wheelchair fits.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry we're answering your questions from the other direction, Biscuitmom, but another attraction where he CAN stay in his chair is the Jungle Cruise. There is (or was, last year) only one boat so equipped, but he can ride the chair right onto a platform on the boat via a ramp; the CMs then turn the platform so it's facing front, then lower it so he's on the same level as the other Guests. If there is only one boat (and at Disneyland last year, they had to pull it into service for me), you may have to wait a bit.

Winnie the Pooh has a car that the CM can fold the seat and your DH won't have to transfer.

Rock 'N Roller Coaster has a car that has a door that opens (I can't climb over the side) but I don't think it can accommodate any type of wheelchair, and I think somebody here posted that this car doesn't 'work' for them, that they can't transfer into it and it's easier to go over the side



If you go to (Disneyphiles, close your eyes ) Universal Studios, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls has a seat in the back of one log that they can raise and lower. Your DH could transfer with little problem.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know that Journey into Imagination With Figment, It's A Small World, the Great Movie Ride, and Ellen's Energy Adventure all can take a person in a wheelchair or power chair without transferring.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I use an electric wheelchair full-time and can't sit up without complete support.

When the map says ECVs must transfer-it is talking about the 3 wheeled scooters or the chairs Disney rents NOT electric wheelchairs. 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:

Stitches Great Escape

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)

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible. There are always spaces for wheelchairs with seats for family members adjoining


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- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait
Spectromagic parade (nighttime parade of lights)

Wishes Fireworks does NOT have specified wheelchair seating

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 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- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave-- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait



MGM Studios—

Great Movie Ride

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- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

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

Kilimanjaro Safaris (mild thrill ride with a guide that drives you through authentic habitats to view real exotic animals-best experienced in the morning. Note: This ride is bumpy. You may need to back in to the ride vehicle.)

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.

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM- arrive 1-2 hours early for a seat and you cannot leave—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Flights of Wonder (bird stunt/aerial flying).

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 to 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. The seat is also elevated.

Good luck!

Christamae

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Thank you Christamae. You were a tremendous help. I appreciate your response. Thanks to everyone on this board. It's nice to know we're not alone in our situation.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

MGM Studios—

Great Movie Ride

Christamae

Also backlot tour

Andrew

 

[slkant]

I too greatly appreciate the information. I use a similar wheelchair, specifically a Permobil Chairman. My biggest concern (in terms of rides) is that it seems a bit larger than some powerchairs (or maybe it just looks that way). But it's nice to know which rides might be a possibility.
Sharon

 

[SueM in MN]

I too greatly appreciate the information. I use a similar wheelchair, specifically a Permobil Chairman. My biggest concern (in terms of rides) is that it seems a bit larger than some powerchairs (or maybe it just looks that way). But it's nice to know which rides might be a possibility.
Sharon

Someone here uses a Permobil. Can't remember who though.

My DD's manual wheelchair has been on everything that a wheelchair can be loaded onto (except the new Jungle Cruise boat). Her wheelchair fits fine on all the ride cars - the total measurement of her wheelchair is 27 inches wide and 49 inches long from the tips of her toes when she sits in the chair to the back of the backpack she carries on the wheelchair. In some cases, her wheelchair length is pretty tight, but would have lots of room on the sides.
That might help you decide if yours can fit.

 

[slkant]

Thanks for giving specific measurements. I don't think width will be an issue, but length may be. When sitting most comfortably, my length is something like 64 inches if I remember correctly. I can gain a bit more space if I adjust my tilt, move in footrests, etc. My gameplan is to just ride what I can and enjoy the smiling faces on my niece and nephew when I can't.

 

[Talking Hands]

I believe it is Kathy that uses a Permobil wheelchair. Hers is pretty long as she has a respirator attached. I would suspect if she can ride it you could. THere are plenty of shows and streetmosphere to enjoy especially at MGM. BTW the only ride that I have been unable to bring my personal powerchair up to the ride to transfer is Pirates of the Caribbean. I use a Jazzy 103 which has a very small footprint and is really no bigger than a manual wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

I believe it is Kathy that uses a Permobil wheelchair. Hers is pretty long as she has a respirator attached.

I think you are correct. I also think someone else's DH uses one.

 

[slkant]

This thread has been great. I would love to hear from somone who uses a bigger wheelchair such as the Permobil. I went to MGM for a day 10+ years ago when I had a manual wheelchair and agree that it is particularly well-suited to those who can't participate in rides as much and am glad that the other parks have similar attractions.