OneLittleSpark
A Michaelmusophobia Sufferer (please don't hate me
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2006
![scratch chin :scratchin :scratchin](http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/scratchchin.gif)
![rotfl :rotfl: :rotfl:](http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/rotfl.gif)
Actually, scratch that, I'll just wait until park closing
![Title :lmao: :lmao:](http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/lmao.gif)
I am curious about the wheelchair line there, out at DCA it has a bench for people to sit on, is the same true there?The route to the disabled load/unload area is just before the staircase and really does not cut down on the loading time at all. Also, it is possible for it to take longer in the disabled load/unload zone than n the main line.
The queue is very well themed which may work to keep his attention.
Since it is that far out you may want to do some work on your schedule to do DHS first thing one morning. Also January does tend to be fairly slow.
One thing is there may be heavy crowds beginning January 24th since the Super Bowl is in Tampa on February 1st.
Here's an overview picture someone took of the accessible loading area. It doesn't look like there are any benches in the area:cmwade77 said:I am curious about the wheelchair line there, out at DCA it has a bench for people to sit on, is the same true there?
Here's a link to a thread about Toy Story Mania (which turns out to be the thread we are on)Toy Story Mania does have wheelchair accessible cars. I haven't been on it so I don't know if it fits bigger wheelchairs. Here are my notes from our trip in 2006. I have Muscular Dystrophy, too.
I heard (but can't confirm) that they had a power wheelchair tip over backwards getting off of this attraction. It may have been because of the steepness of the ramp or may have run off the side of the ramp.Epcot jostle
Ellen's Energy Adventure: They refused to let my electric wheelchair on. I went back four times on three different days. It was always the same guy. We tried explaining it was not an ECV but an electric wheelchair. We showed him the disability guide. Nope. He said only manual chairs and something about an accident. Definitely a low of the vacation because it is the only ride we can all ride together and one of Dad's favorites. I would like to report the guy...
There are a limited number of wheelchair spots in the theater, so they do need to 'count' how many spots they will be needing. The wheelchair parking spots are at the ends of rows. Children sit on the floor in the front of the show and the first wheelchair seat is just behind and the rest are on the ends of rows. The legs on the rows get progressively longer as you go back further in the room - the first rows are fairly low.Turtle Talk with Crush:
There is a separate wheelchair line. It is to the left of the long line. You might be given a return time. A girl in a wheelchair was allowed to sit up front with the kids (towards the back) but the parent had to ask.
We've had no problem with parking DD's wheelchair right next to the ride seat, transferring her and then having the chair moved. If the CM asks us to park it, we just say that we need to have it right by the ride car.Soarin':
Cast Members request that you park by the pole and walk (or are carried) the few feet to your seat. They will allow you to park right next to the seat and move your chair if you request it.
The turn is pretty tight - this is another one of those original WDW rides with a boat that was designed for manual wheelchairs. The Hoverround wheelchairs are designed for use inside and have ability to make very tight turns.Living with the Land:
Two wheelchair boats with one spot each. No FP needed-separate wheelchair entrance. You may be given a return time. We had a slight problem being allowed on this ride. At first the cast member said they only allowed Hoveraround chairs (???) but after my mom explained that experienced drivers of electric wheelchairs can make very tight turns, he let us on. You may have problems depending on the CM. Those who have problems using steps can walk down the ramp in the wheelchair boat.
There are pictures of the Imagination accessible ride car in the Epcot FAQs thread too.Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment:
2 wheelchair cars with one spot each. The easiest wheelchair slot. Drive forward, the CM twists a platform and you face forward. At the end, the CM twists the platform and you drive off facing forward down a ramp. My chair was a tight fit. I took off my footplates. At the end, there is an effect that may cause a startle reflex.
There are limited numbers of wheelchair parking spots and wheelchair viewing is in the back.Honey I Shrunk the Audience:
Separate wheelchair entrance-no FP needed. You will probably be given a return time. Unless you transfer to a seat, you will not get all the effects.
This attraction has been updated to be 3 Caballeros. Wheelchair access used to be at the exit, but is now thru the main line. It still has a wheelchair accessible boat.El Rio Del Tiempo (Mexico):
2 wheelchair boats-one spot per boat. The seats are pretty low if you transfer. There is a separate wheelchair entrance. But if you have trouble walking do NOT park your chair outside because you will not be allowed in the wheelchair entrance. We got separated from my Grandma this way. She was fine but walking the cue would have been bad for mom because the line is on a sloped surface. There is space to park about 4 chairs by the ride and you can transfer from that point.
There are pictures of this in the Epcot FAQs thread too.The American Adventure:
You will be directed to seating in the very back unless you request the handful of seats up front (we sat in the back)
The wheelchair viewing spots are marked on the park maps.Illuminations:
Several of the wheelchair seating areas have trees blocking the view. The seating area by the Refreshment Port and by bathrooms (including Companion) does not and has a great view.
Some wheelchairs have parts that get in the way of fitting. This is a picture of the accessible ride car. Sorry, it's kind of dark for good pictures.Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin:
I did not fit even though I fit SueM's wheelchair measurements. My midline control was in the way. My sister almost fit but not quite. She might have fit without her desk.
For Small World, you will be in the regular line until about the first turn, when there is a gate with a wheelchair symbol to the left. At that point, you go down the exit ramp (half of the exit ramp is chained off for use by people with wheelchairs). THe boats are fairly similar to the ones on the ride in Mexico.Fantasyland
“it’s a small world”:
2 wheelchair boats with spots each. Enter through the exit.
Even though the wheelchair spots are at the back of the theater, the whole theater is rather shallow. So, everyone gets a close up view.Mickey’s Philharmagic:
!! The wheelchair spots experience all the special effects!
Even some manual wheelchairs have problems on this ride. There is a removable seat that they take out when someone using a wheelchair wants to ride. The brackets for the removable seats stick up and can hit the bottom of the wheelchair.Adventureland
Magic Carpet’s of Aladdin
Only accommodates manual wheelchairs. The device that secures the wheelchair goes between the front and back wheels and is about 6 inches tall. Batteries get in the way.
Toontown has a ground level station. The other stations are raised level - Main Street has a very steep ramped area on the right as you face the outside of the park (on the same side as Town Hall). Frontierland is not quite as steep.Accessible stations for the railroad are Main Street, Mickey's Toontown, and Frontierland. Two wheelchair spots.
In our experience, they took down the ropes marking off the wheelchair viewing area once the parade was over, so you might get people in front of you for the fireworks. Since the fireworks are overhead, that might not make a lot of difference.Spectromagic & Wishes viewing tip:
If you plan to watch both use the Spectromagic wheelchair viewing area by the partner statue. Then you are situated for a great view of Wishes-just turn around. They do make two rows of wheelchairs for the parade...
You may also get 'spit on' by the steam that powers the steamboat.Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)
Depending on when you are there, they may make you go thru the regular (standby line) if you don't have a Fastpass.Disney's MGM Studios
Star Tours:
There is a nonmotion ride available! I was thrilled to know this. There is a separate wheelchair entrance so no FP is needed.
You will feel the heat from some of the effects if you are in the front. There are not that many wheelchair seats up front; there are very many in the back. So, it's possible you may not be able to sit up front (doesn't hurt to ask though).Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular:
Ask to sit up front for a better view...stay after to meet Indiana Jones.
I believe the first row of the first car of every tram is accessible. We have never had to wait for an accessible car, just for the next car.Backlot Tour:
2 wheelchair spots...I don't know how many accessible trams there are. Mom walked up the ramp to transfer.
No longer at WDWJourney Into Narnia:
3 or 4 wheelchair spots-depending on the CM. We fit four (barely).
That is a very tight ride car. We have some difficulty even getting DD's manual wheelchair in.The Great Movie Ride
2 wheelchair trams with one spot each. I took off my footplates and extra bags and fit (barely) by backing in.
It's a quite steep series of ramps to get down to the front of the theater. The majority of the wheelchair/ECV seats are in the back, so get there early if you want to sit in the front.Beauty and the Beast:
Ask to sit up front for an excellent view. Those in ECVs may be asked to transfer.
The wheelchair spots are in the back row of the amphitheater. They are set up for almost every wheelchair spot to have a companion seat right next to it. If there are more in your party than 2, the rest of the party will be asked to sit in the seats directly in front of the wheelchair.Fantasmic!
CMs will direct you to where to sit (you can't pick). Wheelchair spots are marked and have a comfortable amount of space between them.
The tram and loading is very similar to the Backstage Tour at the Studio.Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safaris:
2 wheelchair vehicles with one spot each. I find it easier to back in.
This is similar to Aladdin's Magic Carpets and not all wheelchairs will fit.Triceratop Spin
This is the wildlife express train wheelchair car.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)
,
Christamae
We went on TSM last week. My son is 13 in a power chair and does not transfer(We lift him) TSM was one of the smoothest rides to load him on. We went in through the fast pass lane and then waited in line with other WC users. This line was fairly long. A young boy around 4 in a McClaren Stroller was loaded before us and they wheeled him in as well. People ahead of us using ECV's walked onto the ride. Probably the coolest feature was that the "cannon" to shoot the targets has a pull AND a large button on top that you can hit. My son has limited use of his hands and was able to operate the cannon by the button on top(This button was only in his car, not the rest of ours) Closed captioning on the video screen as well. Great ride. Photos of the ride are here.
http://s440.photobucket.com/albums/qq127/shermomof5/