Visiting Walt Disney World in a wheelchair can be tricky. Disney does a good job with getting information out there but I still learn something new on every trip. There are a few things that are not in the guide book and some things are constantly changing. In this article, and the ones to follow, I am going to let you know a few things that I have learned on my visits to Walt Disney World. Disney is a magical place and I feel like they go above and beyond when it comes to wheelchair accessibility. So let’s start with the Magic Kingdom.
Main Street U.S.A
Walt Disney World Railroad
The Walt Disney World Railroad has stations on Main Street, in Frontierland, and in Fantasyland. All of the stations are wheelchair accessible. On Main Street the ramp will be on your right when you are facing the train station from inside the park.
The front of the train has a wheelchair accessible car. Once you are at the train station a Cast Member will lower a ramp for you. There are two benches inside. Just pull your wheelchair next to one, lock your brakes, and you are ready to go. You can see a video of the process here.
Adventureland
The Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise is another wheelchair friendly attraction. Proceed to the wheelchair entrance that is to the left of the regular queue and let the Cast Members know that you would like to stay in your chair. There is one boat that is equipped with a lift. Wait times can vary depending on where the boat is or if there is another wheelchair user ahead of you.
Once you are ready to board, the Cast Members will help you onto the lift and then place some bumpers behind your tires to help keep you in place. Getting onto and out of the boat is easy but the Cast Members are more than willing to help if you need it. I have a video, its a little dark, but you can view it here.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
There is one carpet that is wheelchair accessible. They use a template to see if your wheelchair will fit. Unfortunately mine doesn’t and I don’t think most rigid chairs will. But if you have removable foot rests it might. Just ask the Cast Member for assistance and you can see if your chair will fit. If not you have to be able to transfer to experience the attraction.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is another attraction that you must transfer from your wheelchair to experience. Since there is a drop on the ride they don’t have a wheelchair boat. When you enter, use the queue to the left. Once you get there let the Cast Member know that you would like to sit in the back. The edge of the boat is wider there and makes it easier to transfer.
My husband and I had some help (thankfully Chip was there with us) but it is possible. You have to sit on the edge of the boat and then lower yourself down into the seat. To get out, I had some help getting back onto the edge and then into my wheelchair. The Cast Members bring your wheelchair to the exit for you and then you use an elevator to get back up to Adventureland.
Swiss Family Tree House
Unfortunately this is an attraction that you have to be able to walk to experience.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
For the pre-show, the Cast Members will show you to the front, this way you can see everything. Before they let everyone else in, a Cast Member will take you and your party inside. There isn’t really designated wheelchair seating but you will sit to the side of the benches. The nice thing is that you are right at the exit so you can get out easily.
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain is undergoing a refurbishment right now so the queue info might be changing but for now if you are in a wheelchair you enter through the exit of the attraction. There are a couple of train cars that have a transfer access vehicle so make sure you let the Cast Member know that you need one. The transfer access vehicle’s side opens and lowers making it easier to get on and off of the attraction.
Splash Mountain
For Splash Mountain, you enter through the standard queue. I have not been on this attraction recently because it is another one that is too hard to get in and out of. If you have the ability to stand and walk a short distance, it should not be too much of a problem, especially if you have someone there to help.
Tom Sawyer Island
Unfortunately, this is not a wheelchair friendly attraction. There is a pretty big step to get onto the raft so there is no way to get your wheelchair on it. The island itself is not really wheelchair friendly anyway so even if you were able to get over there I don’t think you would have much to see or do.
The Country Bear Jamboree
The theater has wheelchair seating in the front so you are front and center for the show.
Liberty Square
Liberty Belle Riverboat
On the side of the attraction near Frontierland, you enter through the exit. There is a ramp in place so that you can access the bottom level of the Riverboat. Hall of Presidents
The Haunted Mansion
The queue for the Haunted Mansion has been updated so that wheelchairs can now visit the Stretch Room instead of proceeding to the exit of the attraction. I was so excited about this! Once the pre show is over in the Stretch Room a Cast Member will then lead you to the exit of the attraction. If you can walk a short distance you can proceed onto the ride vehicles. If not let the Cast Member know that you need them to stop the attraction. There is a Doom Buggy that doesn’t have armrest on the side so you can get in and out easier.
The Hall of Presidents
The auditorium for the Hall of Presidents has a wheelchair seating area in the back. When you enter, the Cast Members will instruct you to enter through the doors on the far right. The seating area is raised a little so you have a great view.
So that get’s us through part of the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to Chip and Company for part two!
Related articles
- Can you use a Stroller as a Wheelchair? (chipandco.com)
- Wheelchair Friendly Attractions – Journey into Imagination (chipandco.com)
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