How To Tour the Parks – Visiting Epcot in a Wheelchair

Epcot is a great park to visit if you are a wheelchair user. Most of the attractions are accessible in some form and many allow you to stay in your wheelchair thanks to accessible ride vehicles. Here is a look at the accessibility of the major attractions.

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth is one of the few attractions that you enter through the exit. When you arrive let the Cast Members know that you need the accessible ride vehicle.  The ADA ride vehicle has a wider door. It was at the same level as my wheelchair so I was able to slide in and out pretty easily. The Cast Members can also slow down or stop the attraction if you need extra time entering or exiting.

Ellen’s Energy Adventure

Ellen’s Energy Adventure is located at the Universe of Energy. The pre show is in a theater but there is no seating. I recommend hanging out in the back since the floor is sloped. Once the movie is over you enter the room with the ride vehicles. The ones located in the back have a ramp that folds down so you can remain in your wheelchair. Cast Members will help you into the ride vehicle if you need assistance. Keep in mind that this attraction lasts about 45 minutes so plan accordingly.

Mission: Space

Mission: Space is another attraction that you have to transfer to experience. One of the simulators has a bench that makes transferring from your wheelchair a little easier.  The bench rotates out allowing you to transfer onto it and then it rotates back into the simulator. Once the ride is over the bench will rotate back out allowing you to get into your wheelchair. I’ve tired it with and without the bench and using it really does make the process easier. Just alert a Cast Member that you need to use it before entering the pre show area where you see the safety instruction video.

Test Track

I don’t know if this information will change after the Test Track refurbishment but this is how it worked before. If you are unable to step in and out of the ride vehicle you can load in the seat belt check area. A Cast Member will take you to a small lift that will take you down to that area of the attraction. You can then pull your wheelchair up to the car, sit on the side, and then lower yourself into the seat. Getting out was a little more difficult but my husband just helped me up onto the side of the car and then I was able to get back into my wheelchair.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

The Seas with Nemo & Friends has a wheelchair access vehicle so there is no need to transfer. Just let the Cast Members know when you get to the loading area that you would like to stay in your wheelchair. You will probably have to wait a few minutes for the accessible ride vehicle to cycle through. Once its there, a Cast Member will lower a ramp for you.

Living with the Land

Living with the Land has a separate wheelchair entrance that is to the right of the standard queue. There is a special boat that allows you to stay in your wheelchair. Loading and unloading is really easy.

Soarin’

You have to transfer to experience this attraction but it is pretty easy. Make sure to let the Cast Members know that you need to sit in the front row. The seats sit higher than my wheelchair so my husband usually helps me. There are arm rests on each side of the seat if you need to use them.

Journey Into the Imagination with Figment

Journey Into the Imagination has a wheelchair access vehicle. A Cast Member will lower the ramp for you and help you up if you need it.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

The Gran Fiesta Tour has a wheelchair boat almost like the ones at it’s a small world. But on this boat your wheelchair sits higher than the seats next to you. Make sure your breaks are working properly on your chair because they don’t put any sort of bumper behind your tires.

Maelstrom

I haven’t ridden Maelstrom in a while. The disability guide says that a transfer device is available. I would just speak with Cast Members about the process. I am going to attempt to try out the transfer process in June. I’ll let you know what I find out.

If you have any questions or advice you would like to share just leave a me a comment below.

Related articles

• How to Tour the Parks – Visiting the Magic Kingdom in a Wheelchair Part 2 (chipandco.com)
• Accessible Attractions – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (disneyonwheelsblog.com)
• Can you use a Stroller as a Wheelchair? (chipandco.com)

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