Walls in HM Queue

[Trinitys Ghost]

This is what I was thinking as well. Guests in wheelchairs and ECV's miss quite a bit with the current system in the HM. I also think there is a move to remove the negative stigma that people in wheelchairs and ECV's skip the lines.

For a second there I was questioning the comments above, as my mom is handicapped, but can walk short distances. When she visits and we go to WDW and specifically the HM, she either takes an ECV or wheelchair, and hobbles on a cane (with me at her side) in through the Servant's Quarters and to the room with Master Gracey's portrait, just prior to the stretch rooms. She doesn't miss anything in the attraction, only the walk (or roll, as it were) up to the HM doors.

However, this accomodation (and queue addition) sounds like it'll be better for those who have more trouble getting out of their carts/vehicles (who would normally be loaded at the exit), as the line would include them. Am I correct?

Either way they're loaded though, I think the CM's will still have to slow or stop the ride to get certain guests on. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[janoimagine]

I didn't think the servants quarters hallway connected to the portrait room? I thought it entered just after the stretching rooms? :shrug:

 

[Tom]

For a second there I was questioning the comments above, as my mom is handicapped, but can walk short distances. When she visits and we go to WDW and specifically the HM, she either takes an ECV or wheelchair, and hobbles on a cane (with me at her side) in through the Servant's Quarters and to the room with Master Gracey's portrait, just prior to the stretch rooms. She doesn't miss anything in the attraction, only the walk (or roll, as it were) up to the HM doors.

However, this accomodation (and queue addition) sounds like it'll be better for those who have more trouble getting out of their carts/vehicles (who would normally be loaded at the exit), as the line would include them. Am I correct?

Either way they're loaded though, I think the CM's will still have to slow or stop the ride to get certain guests on. It's the nature of the beast.

Based on some of the previous comments in this thread (and in others I've read), it sounds like they are indeed making accommodations for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs in the refurbished queue.

Disney's current literature indicates that guests may transfer from their wheelchair/ECV to the ride vehicle, but it doesn't indicate where. I've never seen a wheelchair or ECV inside the building, so perhaps everyone must get out of their chair outside and "hobble" in. :shrug:

I didn't think the servants quarters hallway connected to the portrait room? I thought it entered just after the stretching rooms? :shrug:

I thought so too. Perhaps they have a secondary corridor for guests who wish to see the pre-show.

 

[startraveler]

Okay, here's how it works. I use a wheelchair and need the assistance two people to make the transfer to the ride-car. For a while, you entered the regular line for one switch and then at one point they pulled you out and you stood in another line behind the hearse. A wheelchair cannot get past the turnstiles. A CM would come and get you and take you to the exit - one group at a time. You wait in the dark hallway for the special car which has been modified to have a little bit larger opening. They then stop the ride (yes, I am that playful spirit) and we take as long as we need to load. They don't rush us. The last couple of times they have not asked us to use the regular line and taken us directly to the area outside of the exit to wait. I miss the graveyard, whatever happens inside until the loading area. One time it was really slow and the CM took me in a side door to the stretching room and when it was over we went back out the same door and to the exit to load. I would love to see the whole attraction, but honestly can't see how this would work. I have to get on and off at the same place OR a CM would have to move my wheelchair from the loading area to the exit area. Unless they have come up with a car that the wheelchair can load onto -- like Nemo at Epcot or Toy Story Mania -- I can't see how this can work. It bothers me that whenever I get on the ride I interrupt everyone else's ride, but I'd like to keep riding as long as I can. Several rides have now become impossible for me to transfer into in MK. Not complaining. WDW is the best place for me to vacation. Oh...and for those who think this is line jumping. I've seen people in the regular line behind me board and exit while I'm still waiting for the special car...some time the line for that car can get long. Hope this clarifies. Have fun!!

 

[Tom]

Okay, here's how it works. I use a wheelchair and need the assistance two people to make the transfer to the ride-car. For a while, you entered the regular line for one switch and then at one point they pulled you out and you stood in another line behind the hearse. A wheelchair cannot get past the turnstiles. A CM would come and get you and take you to the exit - one group at a time. You wait in the dark hallway for the special car which has been modified to have a little bit larger opening. They then stop the ride (yes, I am that playful spirit) and we take as long as we need to load. They don't rush us. The last couple of times they have not asked us to use the regular line and taken us directly to the area outside of the exit to wait. I miss the graveyard, whatever happens inside until the loading area. One time it was really slow and the CM took me in a side door to the stretching room and when it was over we went back out the same door and to the exit to load. I would love to see the whole attraction, but honestly can't see how this would work. I have to get on and off at the same place OR a CM would have to move my wheelchair from the loading area to the exit area. Unless they have come up with a car that the wheelchair can load onto -- like Nemo at Epcot or Toy Story Mania -- I can't see how this can work. It bothers me that whenever I get on the ride I interrupt everyone else's ride, but I'd like to keep riding as long as I can. Several rides have now become impossible for me to transfer into in MK. Not complaining. WDW is the best place for me to vacation. Oh...and for those who think this is line jumping. I've seen people in the regular line behind me board and exit while I'm still waiting for the special car...some time the line for that car can get long. Hope this clarifies. Have fun!!

Excellent explanation - thanks!

So, when you say you wait in the dark hallway, are you talking about the no-man-land between load and unload, or do you actually board the vehicle at load or unload?

 

[startraveler]

I wait in the corridor people exit through. It's kind of dark and damp.
I board in the unload area. After everyone gets off, they stop the ride. I load. Then I ride around to the load area where everyone else loads. It works. When I exit my wheelchair is there waiting for me. Everyone else gets off. They do need to stop the ride again for me to transfer off.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Maybe the new queue will have a giant green hand projected on a wall telling you to go this way

 

[startraveler]

:roflol:

 

[Tom]

I wait in the corridor people exit through. It's kind of dark and damp.
I board in the unload area. After everyone gets off, they stop the ride. I load. Then I ride around to the load area where everyone else loads. It works. When I exit my wheelchair is there waiting for me. Everyone else gets off. They do need to stop the ride again for me to transfer off.

Sorry you have to go through all of that, but at least you get to ride HM! Sounds like that's not the case for some other attractions

 

[startraveler]

Yes I do. Don't be sorry. MK is older and didn't really consider special needs when it was being planned. I do think though that they were way ahead of the ADA in making accommodations. They continue to try to make my experience as good as others. I'm sure MK will eventually begin to match the newer parks in accessibility. For sure the new Fantasyland. And I'm confident that I will be able to ride Dumbo again after many years. The last time I rode I got my feet stuck on something in the car. My attendant couldn't get me out, the CM said she couldn't help. Thought the fire department would have to come in. The ride was halted. Luckily there was a woman in line that worked with disabled children in school -- she jumped in and helped. I got out but haven't had the nerve to try it again.

 

[Trinitys Ghost]

Based on some of the previous comments in this thread (and in others I've read), it sounds like they are indeed making accommodations for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs in the refurbished queue.

Disney's current literature indicates that guests may transfer from their wheelchair/ECV to the ride vehicle, but it doesn't indicate where. I've never seen a wheelchair or ECV inside the building, so perhaps everyone must get out of their chair outside and "hobble" in. :shrug:

I thought so too. Perhaps they have a secondary corridor for guests who wish to see the pre-show.

The Servant's Quarters hallway (complete with bells to each of the "rooms") goes from the mausoleum area (that's outside where ECV's and wheelchairs are placed to one side) into the room with Gracey's portrait, the fireplace and such. We usually have to wait a few minutes in the Servant's Quarters prior to being let in.

So...the HM has not one but two ways handicapped guests can get on to the ride. I agree with those who say the folks loading at the end are missing out. They are indeed.

 

[Tom]

The Servant's Quarters hallway (complete with bells to each of the "rooms") goes from the mausoleum area (that's outside where ECV's and wheelchairs are placed to one side) into the room with Gracey's portrait, the fireplace and such. We usually have to wait a few minutes in the Servant's Quarters prior to being let in.

So...the HM has not one but two ways handicapped guests can get on to the ride. I agree with those who say the folks loading at the end are missing out. They are indeed.

Gotcha. I've been in the Servant hallway before (that's how we went in during the KttK tour), but I didn't remember it coming out in the pre-show holding room. Perhaps it does.

However, it was quite obvious that wheelchairs and ECVs could not travel through that corridor. So, it sounds like guests who are 100% wheelchair-bound don't have the option of seeing the pre-show, because it would require them to leave their chair and walk at some point.

I don't think that will change after the queue refurb, since chairs still won't be able to navigate the load queue. Not sure what good it will do to add accessibility to the outdoor queue, if the bottleneck still exists inside.

 

[ToTBellHop]

If they want to make this ride wheel-chair accessible, I wonder how they can do so w/o closing the ride? The inside queue from the stretching galleries to the Doom Buggies isn't accessible and I don't know how they could make it so without a ride closure. Granted, the folks at WDI are far more clever than me...

 

[Tom]

If they want to make this ride wheel-chair accessible, I wonder how they can do so w/o closing the ride? The inside queue from the stretching galleries to the Doom Buggies isn't accessible and I don't know how they could make it so without a ride closure. Granted, the folks at WDI are far more clever than me...

They probably wouldn't be able to do that one without a closure. They'll have to tear out the switchbacks in the queue and just make it one straight shot, since the speedramp can't get any narrower, and they can't move the wall that forms the left side of the queue (as you enter it).

I'm not sure what the area looks like in the void between unload and load, but perhaps they could put a 36" door in the wall on the right (as you come out of the stretch rooms) where wheelchairs could go into that area and wheel around to unload. But that's only if there's at least 36" of walkway between the ride track and the wall in that area.

 

[ToTBellHop]

They probably wouldn't be able to do that one without a closure. They'll have to tear out the switchbacks in the queue and just make it one straight shot, since the speedramp can't get any narrower, and they can't move the wall that forms the left side of the queue (as you enter it).

I'm not sure what the area looks like in the void between unload and load, but perhaps they could put a 36" door in the wall on the right (as you come out of the stretch rooms) where wheelchairs could go into that area and wheel around to unload. But that's only if there's at least 36" of walkway between the ride track and the wall in that area.

I would think something like the latter would be necessary. If they just opened everything up w/o switchbacks, I think it would be downright dangerous for everyone involved. People get so pushing when there aren't clear switchbacks (e.g. Soarin') and you add low lighting and people could get hurt (for example, the way people currently push out of the stretch galleries to get to the front of the narrowed final queue would be dangerous if we added wheelchairs to the fray).

 

[Zippity Boo Yah]

i cant wait to see the finished results.

 

[unkadug]

For a second there I was questioning the comments above, as my mom is handicapped, but can walk short distances. When she visits and we go to WDW and specifically the HM, she either takes an ECV or wheelchair, and hobbles on a cane (with me at her side) in through the Servant's Quarters and to the room with Master Gracey's portrait, just prior to the stretch rooms. She doesn't miss anything in the attraction, only the walk (or roll, as it were) up to the HM doors.

However, this accomodation (and queue addition) sounds like it'll be better for those who have more trouble getting out of their carts/vehicles (who would normally be loaded at the exit), as the line would include them. Am I correct?

Either way they're loaded though, I think the CM's will still have to slow or stop the ride to get certain guests on. It's the nature of the beast.

I just want to say I love your avatar!

Okay, here's how it works. I use a wheelchair and need the assistance two people to make the transfer to the ride-car. For a while, you entered the regular line for one switch and then at one point they pulled you out and you stood in another line behind the hearse. A wheelchair cannot get past the turnstiles. A CM would come and get you and take you to the exit - one group at a time. You wait in the dark hallway for the special car which has been modified to have a little bit larger opening. They then stop the ride (yes, I am that playful spirit) and we take as long as we need to load. They don't rush us. The last couple of times they have not asked us to use the regular line and taken us directly to the area outside of the exit to wait. I miss the graveyard, whatever happens inside until the loading area. One time it was really slow and the CM took me in a side door to the stretching room and when it was over we went back out the same door and to the exit to load. I would love to see the whole attraction, but honestly can't see how this would work. I have to get on and off at the same place OR a CM would have to move my wheelchair from the loading area to the exit area. Unless they have come up with a car that the wheelchair can load onto -- like Nemo at Epcot or Toy Story Mania -- I can't see how this can work. It bothers me that whenever I get on the ride I interrupt everyone else's ride, but I'd like to keep riding as long as I can. Several rides have now become impossible for me to transfer into in MK. Not complaining. WDW is the best place for me to vacation. Oh...and for those who think this is line jumping. I've seen people in the regular line behind me board and exit while I'm still waiting for the special car...some time the line for that car can get long. Hope this clarifies. Have fun!!

Thanks for the explanation...and never feel bad about interrupting the ride for you to load/unload...I love ANY extra time I can get inside the HM! :wave:

If they want to make this ride wheel-chair accessible, I wonder how they can do so w/o closing the ride? The inside queue from the stretching galleries to the Doom Buggies isn't accessible and I don't know how they could make it so without a ride closure. Granted, the folks at WDI are far more clever than me...

A Yale man should never sell himself short! Especially one born on March 9th. :lol: :wave:

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the explanation...and never feel bad about interrupting the ride for you to load/unload...I love ANY extra time I can get inside the HM! :wave:

Agreed 100%. Poster should not feel bad for pausing a ride just so he can enjoy one of the few attraction in the park that's accessible.

And I too enjoy the moments in HM when we're not moving. There's just so much to take in (even after however many hundred times I've ridden it) - it's almost like a tiny backstage pass

 

[imagineer boy]

The only thing I don't like about the HM stops is that they cut ALL the audio and play the very unthemed "playful spooks" spiel. Really kinda ruins the atmosphere.

But it would be nice to take in the deails, like have a stop in the attic. Wouldn't you know, every time I've been stopped on the HM has been during the most uninteresting parts. :lol:

 

[Tom]

The only thing I don't like about the HM stops is that they cut ALL the audio and play the very unthemed "playful spooks" spiel. Really kinda ruins the atmosphere.

But it would be nice to take in the deails, like have a stop in the attic. Wouldn't you know, every time I've been stopped on the HM has been during the most uninteresting parts. :lol:

Hmmm. I guess I don't recall whether or not the show audio continued to play while stopped. Seems like silence would stick out in my mind - because that would be very awkward. I know the voiceover stops, since it would get out of sync if it continued, but the music continues....I think.

I also thought the "playful spooks" spiel was also Paul Frees - is it not?