barnum42
New Member
The myth that wheelchair users can jump to the front of all lines and take their friends with them seems to still be alive so I thought I’d list my experiences of travelling with a wheelchair user.
My mother has arthritis and a back problem that limits the time she can spend on her feet. So now she uses a wheelchair from which she can transfer to ride vehicles.
We have only travelled off-season so I can not say with any certainty how things may be different at busy times.
MAGIC KINGDOM
Alien Encounter – soon to be Stitch. Same queue. In the pre-show you take the front row. In the main theatre there are a few positions where there is a gap to park the wheelchair under one of the restraints.
Timekeeper – It was not open, but other Circle Vision shows have no special queue and you need to find a gap where standing people will not obscure your view.
Buzz Lightyear – Same queue but at the load bay you have to go along a corridor to the exit area and wait for a CM to board you. This takes longer than no wheelchair.
Carousel of Progress. Same queue, wheelchair spots at front of theatre.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Same queue that must be done standing up.
Small World, Peter Pan, Snow White, Winnie the Pooh – Same queue for all rides.
Philarmagic – Same queue wheelchair spots at the back.
Hall of Presidents. Same waiting area. If memory serves the wheelchair spots are at the front.
Liberty Square Riverboat – Separate boarding ramp that takes you to the exit level. Never seen a queue for this, so no real advantage here.
The Haunted Mansion. You wait by the hearse for a CM. If you can stand through the stretch rooms they will gather several groups together and take them in through a back entrance. Otherwise you wheel to the exit area and board there. Possibly a slight time saving on busy days, but off-season it can take longer.
Splash Mountain. Same outdoors queue, until the point you get to the stairs when you are directed to the exit area. You have to battle against people leaving the ride heading to the photo shop. This short cut will save a few minutes, but nothing drastic as most of the queue can be outside.
Thunder Mountain & I think Space Mountain has separate entrances so these are probably queue jumpers.
Country Bears – Same queue. Wheelchair spots at the front.
Swiss Family Treehouse. Never going to happen!
Tiki Rooms. Same queues, can’t recall where the specific wheelchair spots were, but it’s a small theatre.
Jungle Cruise. There is a separate queue, but you can only board the specific boat for wheelchair users. This can leave you with a big wait. Said boat has never been full on my trips and tops up with riders from the regular queue. Depending on how busy the day and how lucky you are with your timing you can save time here. Or it may take longer.
Prates. Wait in the same queue. You have to fold your wheelchair and stick it in the back row. At the end they have a lift (elevator) so you don’t have to try your luck with the moving gangplank.
Parades – three locations for wheelchair users and up to three party members.
Castle Show – Not a hope, even at almost six foot I can’t see through some kid’s head when it’s plonked on it’s parent’s shoulder. Never mind how a wheelchair user can get on.
Fireworks – No luck here. People pack in and unless you get a spot on one of the bridges in advance wheelchair users are at a disadvantage. I found a spot in the town square with a grass spot in front so at least people would not stand in front. It limited the view of the castle but at least Mother was not looking at people’s backs again.
EPCOT:
Spaceship Earth – Separate queue area by the exit ramp. When several wheelchair parties have gathered a CM will fetch everyone and load them at the exit area. Off Peak this takes longer than just walking straight on.
Universe of Energy – Same wait area. Wheelchair spots at the back of the vehicle.
Mission Space – Same Queue.
Living Seas – Same Queue
Living with the Land – Separate queue so this one can be a queue jumper. But only the one wheelchair per boat.
Circle of Life – Wheelchair spots at the back.
Imagination – Same queue.
American Adventure – You are taken straight upstairs in a small lift / elevator and watch the acapella group from up there. Which is a shame because you feel a little separated from everyone else. Wheelchair spots are at the back.
China and Canada circle vision – no wheelchair spots you just need to pick an area where nobody is standing in the rows around you.
Illuminations – Three viewing locations for wheelchair users. I squish up on the floor in front of the chair and watch through the railings.
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS
Muppet Vision 3D – Same queue, wheelchair spots at the back
Indiana Jones – Same queue, wheelchair spots at the back
Sounds Dangereous – Queue? What queue? If it had one it’s in the same place. Wheelchair spots at the back.
Animation Tour. Same Queue with a strong risk you get to the front and the limited wheelchair spaces are full, in which case you have to wait for the next show. This one, even off peak can take longer. Wheelchair spots at the back of the Mushu and draw it yourself sections.
One Man’s Dream – Wheelchair spots at the back.
Little Mermaid – Same queue wheelchair spots at the back.
Great Movie Ride – When you hit the cinema area you bypass the switchback queue and go to the front, so you may save a bit of time, but I doubt we ever did. I know Mother had to get out of her wheelchair once and I think on another she stayed in the wheelchair.
Beauty and the Beast. Same queue, Wheelchair spots at the back, plus a few at the front.
Fantasmic. Same queue, Wheelchair spots at the back. When these fill up – and they do there is an elevated standing area for the rest and their parties.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Festival of the Lion King – Same queue, we have turned up when regular seating was available but the wheelchair spots were taken. Wheelchair spots are the end of the rows at ground level.
Pochahontas – Only went the once and I think the wheelchair spots were at the back and front.
Tough to Be a bug. Same queue area, wheelchair spots in the back. Worth transferring out of the chair for this one.
Safari. Same queue, but when you get to the regular loading bay you go straight on to the wheelchair bay where they have extra space to store the wheelchairs for those who transfer. They have two or three special vehicles for wheelchairs, so the wait here can be longer than the regular queue. For those who can not transfer from their wheelchair the vehicles can take a single wheelchair and have it secured in place.
Train to Rafiki’s Same queue, there is a separate holding bay for wheelchairs who are loaded firsts where you back into the end of each carriage.
Affection Section – they have some well-worn chairs into which you transfer to save your own from being nibbled by goats.
Flights of Wonder. Same queue (well, not so much a queue as a throng) though CMs will guide wheelchairs through the crowds. Seating is at the font and the back.
Kali Rapids – Mother did not ride this, but I once saw that they have a static dock so people who need a little longer to load can still ride.
Tarzan Rocks – Same queue, most wheelchair spots are at the back, but there are a few to the right in front of the rollerblade tack and the front, also at the right.
Dinosaur – Same queue, except when you get to the stairs there is a lift / elevator.
The various trails – whilst bumps and with slopes they can easily be navigated on a wheelchair.
The Parade - there are three spots for wheelchair users and up to three of their guests
My mother has arthritis and a back problem that limits the time she can spend on her feet. So now she uses a wheelchair from which she can transfer to ride vehicles.
We have only travelled off-season so I can not say with any certainty how things may be different at busy times.
MAGIC KINGDOM
Alien Encounter – soon to be Stitch. Same queue. In the pre-show you take the front row. In the main theatre there are a few positions where there is a gap to park the wheelchair under one of the restraints.
Timekeeper – It was not open, but other Circle Vision shows have no special queue and you need to find a gap where standing people will not obscure your view.
Buzz Lightyear – Same queue but at the load bay you have to go along a corridor to the exit area and wait for a CM to board you. This takes longer than no wheelchair.
Carousel of Progress. Same queue, wheelchair spots at front of theatre.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Same queue that must be done standing up.
Small World, Peter Pan, Snow White, Winnie the Pooh – Same queue for all rides.
Philarmagic – Same queue wheelchair spots at the back.
Hall of Presidents. Same waiting area. If memory serves the wheelchair spots are at the front.
Liberty Square Riverboat – Separate boarding ramp that takes you to the exit level. Never seen a queue for this, so no real advantage here.
The Haunted Mansion. You wait by the hearse for a CM. If you can stand through the stretch rooms they will gather several groups together and take them in through a back entrance. Otherwise you wheel to the exit area and board there. Possibly a slight time saving on busy days, but off-season it can take longer.
Splash Mountain. Same outdoors queue, until the point you get to the stairs when you are directed to the exit area. You have to battle against people leaving the ride heading to the photo shop. This short cut will save a few minutes, but nothing drastic as most of the queue can be outside.
Thunder Mountain & I think Space Mountain has separate entrances so these are probably queue jumpers.
Country Bears – Same queue. Wheelchair spots at the front.
Swiss Family Treehouse. Never going to happen!
Tiki Rooms. Same queues, can’t recall where the specific wheelchair spots were, but it’s a small theatre.
Jungle Cruise. There is a separate queue, but you can only board the specific boat for wheelchair users. This can leave you with a big wait. Said boat has never been full on my trips and tops up with riders from the regular queue. Depending on how busy the day and how lucky you are with your timing you can save time here. Or it may take longer.
Prates. Wait in the same queue. You have to fold your wheelchair and stick it in the back row. At the end they have a lift (elevator) so you don’t have to try your luck with the moving gangplank.
Parades – three locations for wheelchair users and up to three party members.
Castle Show – Not a hope, even at almost six foot I can’t see through some kid’s head when it’s plonked on it’s parent’s shoulder. Never mind how a wheelchair user can get on.
Fireworks – No luck here. People pack in and unless you get a spot on one of the bridges in advance wheelchair users are at a disadvantage. I found a spot in the town square with a grass spot in front so at least people would not stand in front. It limited the view of the castle but at least Mother was not looking at people’s backs again.
EPCOT:
Spaceship Earth – Separate queue area by the exit ramp. When several wheelchair parties have gathered a CM will fetch everyone and load them at the exit area. Off Peak this takes longer than just walking straight on.
Universe of Energy – Same wait area. Wheelchair spots at the back of the vehicle.
Mission Space – Same Queue.
Living Seas – Same Queue
Living with the Land – Separate queue so this one can be a queue jumper. But only the one wheelchair per boat.
Circle of Life – Wheelchair spots at the back.
Imagination – Same queue.
American Adventure – You are taken straight upstairs in a small lift / elevator and watch the acapella group from up there. Which is a shame because you feel a little separated from everyone else. Wheelchair spots are at the back.
China and Canada circle vision – no wheelchair spots you just need to pick an area where nobody is standing in the rows around you.
Illuminations – Three viewing locations for wheelchair users. I squish up on the floor in front of the chair and watch through the railings.
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS
Muppet Vision 3D – Same queue, wheelchair spots at the back
Indiana Jones – Same queue, wheelchair spots at the back
Sounds Dangereous – Queue? What queue? If it had one it’s in the same place. Wheelchair spots at the back.
Animation Tour. Same Queue with a strong risk you get to the front and the limited wheelchair spaces are full, in which case you have to wait for the next show. This one, even off peak can take longer. Wheelchair spots at the back of the Mushu and draw it yourself sections.
One Man’s Dream – Wheelchair spots at the back.
Little Mermaid – Same queue wheelchair spots at the back.
Great Movie Ride – When you hit the cinema area you bypass the switchback queue and go to the front, so you may save a bit of time, but I doubt we ever did. I know Mother had to get out of her wheelchair once and I think on another she stayed in the wheelchair.
Beauty and the Beast. Same queue, Wheelchair spots at the back, plus a few at the front.
Fantasmic. Same queue, Wheelchair spots at the back. When these fill up – and they do there is an elevated standing area for the rest and their parties.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Festival of the Lion King – Same queue, we have turned up when regular seating was available but the wheelchair spots were taken. Wheelchair spots are the end of the rows at ground level.
Pochahontas – Only went the once and I think the wheelchair spots were at the back and front.
Tough to Be a bug. Same queue area, wheelchair spots in the back. Worth transferring out of the chair for this one.
Safari. Same queue, but when you get to the regular loading bay you go straight on to the wheelchair bay where they have extra space to store the wheelchairs for those who transfer. They have two or three special vehicles for wheelchairs, so the wait here can be longer than the regular queue. For those who can not transfer from their wheelchair the vehicles can take a single wheelchair and have it secured in place.
Train to Rafiki’s Same queue, there is a separate holding bay for wheelchairs who are loaded firsts where you back into the end of each carriage.
Affection Section – they have some well-worn chairs into which you transfer to save your own from being nibbled by goats.
Flights of Wonder. Same queue (well, not so much a queue as a throng) though CMs will guide wheelchairs through the crowds. Seating is at the font and the back.
Kali Rapids – Mother did not ride this, but I once saw that they have a static dock so people who need a little longer to load can still ride.
Tarzan Rocks – Same queue, most wheelchair spots are at the back, but there are a few to the right in front of the rollerblade tack and the front, also at the right.
Dinosaur – Same queue, except when you get to the stairs there is a lift / elevator.
The various trails – whilst bumps and with slopes they can easily be navigated on a wheelchair.
The Parade - there are three spots for wheelchair users and up to three of their guests
