Electric Wheel Chair and Train in MK

yooperfan

Hi HO, hi ho, it's off to work we go
Joined
Jul 4, 2000
Does anyone know if you can take the electric wheelchairs on the train that circles the MK or do you have to leave it and come all the way around. My 85 yr old father-in-law is going to be with us and the doctor says he has to use a wheel chair even though he can get around slowly with a cane most of the time. We would like to be able to take the train from frontierland to the front gates when we leave the park. Thanks for any input.
 
Hi I beleave there is a ramp that they use to get it up and on the train but I could be wrong.
I have seen std. wheelchairs on there befor.

hope this helps.


Ron
 
First of all will you be using an ECV or an electric wheelchair. Is he currently using an electric wheelchair? You know Disney only rents ECVs not electric wheelchairs so you would have to rent that offsite. Also few places will rent an electric wheelchair to someone who doesn't normally use one. They will rent an ECV. I know that manual wheelchair that can be folded up can be loaded on the train but I don't know that the trains have a tie down to allow chairs to travel with the user in them.
I doubt ECVs can be handled but if a manual wheelchair can be used then there is no reason that an electric wheelchair cannot be done the same provided they can tie it down.
Maybe someone on the Disabilities board ccan tell you for sure.
 
As lisapooh mentioned, an electric (power) wheelchair is different than an ecv (commonly called a scooter).
As far aas i know, none of the companies will rent a power wheelchair to someone who doesn't normally use one at home. Your FIL would be more likely to rent an ecv. Follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES Board. You will find info there about how/where to rent an ecv or manual wheelchair from an outside company. It's cheaper than renting by the day from WDW and you will always have it available that way.
For the train, manual wheelchairs can be loaded on the train and either folded up or tied down so the occupant can stay in them. My DD has ridden the train many times in her manual wheelchair. THe ramp is on the side of the train station closest to City Hall. According to the park map information, ecvs can't go on the train. I have never seen a power wheelchair on the train. They used to have a clamp that locked onto the large back tire of a manual wheelchair, but I don't remember if it was still that way the last time we rode. If it is, a power wheelchair couldn't be tied down.
If you are thinking of an ecv for him, you may want to think about how comfortable he will be driving it. It gives a lot more independence, but some people are nervous driving them. It takes a little practice to get comfortable. MK is the busiest and usually most crowded park. He might be happier being pushed in a wheelchair there.
 
Thanks for the clarification on the different equipment. This is all very new to us and I guess we'll just have to learn as we go along. Any inconvenience will be worth it, though, as my father in law is really looking forward to the trip. I actually think he is more excited about spending the whole week with us than the parks themselves.
 
I rode the train at Chrismas in my electric wheelchair. There was ample room, and tying it down was no problem.

I don't know what Disney policy is, but in my opinion, there was enough room for an ECV.

You should also note that Disney's policies on carrying ECVs might apply only to the ECVs rented at the Park. A couple of years back, I was allowed to ride my off-site ECV all the way to Conservation Station even though official Disney policy was no ECVs. (I think ny rented ECV was shorter than Disney's own)

Andrew
 
The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities and the park maps list the MK train as something where an ecv rider would need get out of the ecv and leave it at the station. That means a round trip, either getting out and riding in the train seat or switching to a manual wheelchair. The Conservation Station train at AK is listed as wheelchair and ecv accessible.
The park maps have little symbols to tell if it is completely accessible (pic of wheelchair), accessible for wheelchairs only (pic of stick person moving from an ecv to a wheelchair) or you must get out for the ride (pic of stick person getting up from wheelchair).
Andrew makes a good point about the SIZE of the ecvs. I read a post from some Universal Studios CMs where they explained why ecvs are not allowed on some rides where power or manaul wheelchairs are. There are many variations in the size of ecvs; how wide they are, how long they are (the "footprint":size of the space they take up). They indicated trying to get all the ecvs to fit the rides would be almost imposssible because there is so much variation. One ecv might fit and another might not, so it's easier just telling people with ecvs they can't go on. Most ecvs tend to be owned and rented by people who are ambulatory, but maybe unsteady or can't walk long distances, so the assumption is that someone using an ecv could get out for the ride.
Wheelchairs (either manual or power) tend to have fairly similar footprints. In the US, 2 major brands account for most of the manual and power wheelchairs sold (Quickie and Invacare). So, it is easier for those wheelchairs to fit in the rides. Most people with power wheelchairs are not able to walk at all or at least not well enough to board rides, so without their wheelchairs being able to get on the ride, they can't go.
 


Hi,

I also can verify that electric/motorized wheelchairs can go on the Disney Railroad. I went to Disney in May with a friend who uses a motorized wheelchair, and we rode the train, getting on at the Main Street station. We were right behind the engine, in the front of the first car. I remember we had to wait awhile to get a train, since the first one that came already had people in the front car. The conductors were very friendly and helpful, too! :)

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We also can verify that a power chair can go on the train. We have a Jazzy 1120 power chair and we used each station at least once w/o any problems. We were not required to be locked down. We also saw them turn away a Disney rented ECV that wanted to go on when we got off.
 
Well, if the 1120 can go on I know my 1103 will fit sice it is part of the mini-Jazzy line. I haven't been on the train in years. I know what I'm doing this trip. Train ridee here I come.
 
lisa, the easiest stop to get on and off is the Mickey's Toontown Fair (or whatever they call it now) . That stop is pretty much on level ground and they use a small ramp to get you on the train. The station at Main Street has a ramp, but it's fairly steep with a turn. That stop is better for getting off than getting on. The stop at Frontierland is not quite as bad.
Have fun.
 

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