Confusion re transfers

[Sue & Co.]

I thought (from limited prior experience) that where the guide for disabilities said that you had to transfer from an ecv to a manual wheelchair for a particular ride that this is always just prior to loading but I have now read something which implied that on some occasions you do so at the beginning of the line. Normally I would not transfer from an ecv to a manual but would rely on walking with a stick when necesary as the distance is short, since if I am just with the children there would be nobody to push me. If this is correct for some rides please can anyone advise which this applies to as against those where you do transfer at the last minute.

thanks

Sue

Less than a week to go - yippee

 

[SueM in MN]

It does depend somewhat on the ride and why the change needs to be made (is it because the ride vehicle is not accessible for an ecv or something about the way from the boarding are to where you exit).
I know, for example, for Pirates, the switch is made when you first enter the queue because when we have gone on there with DD's non-folding manual wheelchair, that is where they always make us switch.
But, on the other hand, I know for the Great Movie Ride, I have seen people ride their ecvs into the boarding area and then either just transfer to the ride seat or to a manual wheelchair.

I'm sure you will get some more specific answers to this as more ecv users see it. Are there any rides you are especially interested to know about?

 

[Safari Steve]

The difference is that for Pirates, the load and unload areas are in different buildings, and an ECV/non-folding wheelchair will not fit on the boat, which is necessary to ensure that you and your chair end up together. An ECV might make it all the way through the Pirates queue with no problem, but there's no way to move it to the unload area.
At The Great Movie Ride, Universe of Energy, etc, the load area is the same as the unload area, however an ECV will not fit on the ride vehicle.

 

[Sue & Co.]

Thanks Steve, I was sure that for some things last time I had stayed in ECV until the last minute and thought maybe they had changed the rules but I didn't do Pirates last time so I wouldn't have realised it was different.

It is now less than 24 hours to go and I doubt I will be able to visit again so a big thank you to all of you who have helped with advice, I will let you know how I got on uupon return.

Sue

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Steve. I didn't have time to explain more.
For some rides, they can have you board at the exit and then ride thru to the regular boarding area, ride with everyone else and then get off at the exit with the people you just rode with. Since you boarded at the exit, your wheelchair/ecv will be waiting for you there. Haunted Mansion is an example of this type.
In Pirates, there is a "just barely high enough for the boats" to fit thru area area after the exit, so there is no way they could have you board at the exit and ride thru to the regular boarding. I can't think of any other rides off-hand that are like Pirates.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

On previous trips I have been told that on only manuals can go through the lines on some rides, because the turns are too tight for ECVs.

After a 'discussion' with a CM at Tower of Terror when I refused to transfer to a manual chair, he offered to escort me direct to the ride through the exit, bypassing the regular line altogether.

(The fact that my power wheelchair isn't an ECV and CAN make tight turns was a point the CM couldn't grasp - I suppose rules are rules!)

If you cannot use a manual, be insistent! Demand to see a manager if all else fails. I am certain they will find a way of getting you onto the ride.

Andrew

 

[Talking Hands]

Andrew I have had the same problem with castmembers seeing my power wheelchair in the same light as an ECV. I finally went to Guest Services and got a GAC with it stated that I am to be allowed to remain in my power wheelchair in line and not transfer to a manual wheelchair. Only exception to the is POTC where it is not possible so I just avoid that one unless I am accompanied by a family member who can push the chair.