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Walt Disney World® with Disabilities

Park Facts for Disability Issues Updates 4/24/08

Hollywood Studios

 

You can stay in your wheelchair or ECV during these attractions:

  • Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey
  • American Film Institute Showcase
  • Beauty and the Beast - Live On Stage
  • Studio Backlot Tour
  • Fantasmic!
  • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
  • Muppet Vision 3-D 
  • Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage!
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid
  • Walt Disney:  One Man's Dream

These attractions require you to transfer into a wheelchair (available at no charge at the attraction) if you are in a motorized vehicle or ECV:

  • The Great Movie Ride  
  • The Magic of Disney Animation (You may be allowed to stay in your ECV, depending on the size of the crowd and the size of the ECV.)

These attractions require you to transfer from your wheelchair to the attraction seat:

  • Rock 'n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Star Tours
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

 

Wheelchair rentals:

Ø      The rental location for ECVs, strollers and wheelchairs is at Oscar's Super Service inside the Main Entrance to the right.  It looks like an old-fashioned gas station.

 

Wheelchair service locations:

Ø      Tatooine Traders at the Star Tours attraction

Ø      The Writer's Stop, which is a tiny snack, coffee and souvenir shop

Companion restrooms:  Most, if not all, of the restrooms throughout Disney have bathrooms allowing access by guests in wheelchairs.  You can find companion-assisted bathrooms at the First Aid Station, as well as at these locations:

  • Fantasmic! within the amphitheater area
  • Next to Soundstage 3.  It’s on the right side of this building.
  • Across from Star Tours
  • Across from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • By Rock 'n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • At the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show Theater just to the right of the main entrance

 

Attractions with FASTPASS:

 

  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Star Tours
  • Voyage of The Little Mermaid
  • Rock 'n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

 

Service Animal rest stops:

 

  • The Studio Kennel’s main entrance
  • By Star Tours at the backstage gate
  • To the left of the Courthouse (Washington Square) backstage
  • Near Soundstage 3, by the backstage gate. 
  • Backstage, close to the restrooms by the Animation Courtyard
  • Backstage behind the Theater of the Stars

 

Braille map:  You will find it inside the park by Guest Relations on the left side and just behind the Studio Information Board next to Starring Rolls Bakery.  

 

First Aid Station:  You will find this next to Guest Relations just beyond the Main Entrance. 

 

Animal Kingdom

You can stay in your wheelchair or ECV during these attractions:

  • Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Cretaceous Trail
  • Discovery Island Trails
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Flights of Wonder
  • Fossil Fun Games
  • It's Tough To Be A Bug!
  • Maharajah Jungle Trek
  • Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
  • Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends
  • Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Finding Nemo – The Musical
  • The Boneyard
  • Wildlife Express

These attractions require you to transfer into a wheelchair if you are in a motorized vehicle or ECV, and then into the attraction:

  • Affection Section in Rafiki's Planet Watch
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • TriceraTop Spin

These attractions require you to transfer from your wheelchair to the attraction seat:

  • DINOSAUR
  • Primeval Whirl
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Expedition Everest

 

Wheelchair rentals:

Ø       The main rental location for wheelchairs, strollers and ECVs is at Garden Gate Gifts inside the Main Entrance.

Ø       The Outpost Shop just outside the park has limited quantities of wheelchairs, but not ECVs.

 

Wheelchair service locations (You can have your wheelchair replaced here also, if they have any left):

Ø       Creature Comforts

Ø       Mombasa Marketplace

Companion restrooms: Most restrooms throughout Disney have bathrooms allowing access by guests in wheelchairs.  There are companion-assisted bathrooms at the First Aid Station and:

  • In Asia right near the Maharajah Jungle Trek
  • In Dinoland at Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures
  • At Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch
  • Discovery Island just opposite the Flame Tree Barbecue restaurant
  • At Expedition Everest near the area bathrooms 
  • In Harambe Village at the Mombasa Marketplace

 

Attractions with FASTPASS:

 

  • DINOSAUR
  • It’s Tough To Be A Bug
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Primeval Whirl
  • Expedition Everest

 

Service animal rest stops:

 

  • Primeval Whirl
  • DINOSAUR
  • Affection Section – Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • The aviary area at Maharajah Jungle Trek
  • The aviary area at Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
  • TriceraTop Spin
  • Kali River Rapids

 

Braille map:  After you enter the park, walk the path over the bridge.  The map is mounted in the shopping area near the Disney Outfitters store and near the Tip Board.

 

Manipulatives:  These are hands-on features around the animal enclosures.  They are designed for the sight impaired so that you can touch and feel items that teach you about the animals in that location.

 

First Aid Station:  You will find this is located in Discovery Island just behind the Creature Comforts.

 

Epcot

You can stay in your wheelchair or ECV during these attractions:

  • Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
  • Impressions de France 
  • Innoventions East & West (There are some attractions within these pavilions where guests in wheelchairs may need to transfer to an attraction seat.)
  • Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment
  • O, Canada!
  • Stave Church Gallery (inside Norway)
  • Reflections of China
  • The America Gardens Theatre
  • The American Adventure
  • Circle of Life
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Some ECVs may be too large, so you will be asked to transfer into a manual wheelchair.)

These attractions require that you transfer into wheelchair if you are in a motorized vehicle or ECV and then into the attraction:

  • Ellen's Energy Adventure
  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (inside Mexico)
  • Living with the Land

These attractions require you to transfer from your wheelchair to the attraction seat:

  • Mission: SPACE
  • Norway: Maelstrom
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • Soarin’ (inside The Land)

 

Wheelchair rental & service locations:

Ø       The main rental location is at the Stroller and Wheelchair store inside the Main Entrance to the left, near Spaceship Earth.  You can also rent ECVs here.

Ø       The International Gateway in World Showcase rents wheelchairs and ECVs.

Ø       The Gift Stop just outside Main Entrance has limited quantities of wheelchairs.  They do not have ECVs.

Ø       The Glas und Porzellan in Germany Pavilion is a replacement location only.

Companion restrooms:  Most, if not all, of the restrooms throughout Disney have bathrooms allowing access by guests in wheelchairs.  You can find companion-assisted bathrooms at the First Aid Station near the Odyssey Pavilion, as well as at the following locations:

  • On the east side of Spaceship Earth
  • Future World East just opposite of Test Track
  • Future World West just opposite of The Land
  • Germany Pavilion on the right side
  • Morocco Pavilion on the far right side
  • Norway Pavilion on the right near the Viking ship
  • Near the Canada Pavilion

 

Attractions with FASTPASS:

  • Mission: Space
  • Soarin’ (inside The Land)
  • Test Track
  • Living with the Land
  • Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
  • Maelstrom (inside Norway)

 

Service Animal rest stops:

  • To the left of Universe of Energy
  • By the gates toward the right side of Imagination!
  • At the Kennel main entrance
  • At the International Gateway just behind the World Traveler
  • Mexico on the right side by the gates
  • To the right of The American Adventure

 

Braille maps:  In Future World the maps are located by the Electric Umbrella restaurant and at the Guest Relations office.  In World Showcase a map can be found on the International Gateway walking path.

First Aid Station:  In the Odyssey Center by the old Odyssey Restaurant on the bridge between Future World and World Showcase.   

 

Magic Kingdom

 

Guest Relations:  Located in City Hall on Main Street.  

You can stay in your wheelchair or ECV during these attractions:

  • Ariel's Grotto
  • Castle Forecourt Stage: "Dream Along with Mickey" and special event shows
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Donald's Boat
  • Fairytale Garden
  • Galaxy Palace Theater
  • Judge's Tent
  • Jungle Cruise (Cast members may require you to transfer despite the official policy)
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • Mickey's Philharmagic
  • Mickey's Country House
  • Minnie's Country House
  • Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Pooh’s Playful Spot
  • Shrunken Ned's Jungle Boats
  • Toontown Hall of Fame
  • The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management
  • The Hall of Presidents
  • Tomorrowland Arcade
  • Town Square Exposition Hall 
  • Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

These attractions require you to transfer into a wheelchair (available at no charge at the attraction) if you are in a motorized vehicle or ECV:

  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
  • It's a Small World
  • Stitch's Great Escape!
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Walt Disney World Railroad

These attractions require you to transfer from your wheelchair to the attraction seat:

  • Astro Orbiter
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Cinderella's Golden Carousel
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Main Street Vehicles
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Snow White's Scary Adventures
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
  • The Haunted Mansion
  • Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

 

You must be able to walk to experience these attractions:

 

·        Swiss Family Treehouse

·        Peter Pan’s Flight (must step onto moving walkway, then onto ride vehicle)

·        Tomorrowland Transit Authority

·        Tom Sawyer Island

 

Wheelchair Rentals:

 

Ø      The main rental location is the Stroller & Wheelchair shop inside the main entrance.  The also have ECVs.

Ø      Mickey's Gift Station at the Ticket and Transportation Center has limited quantities of manual wheelchairs.  There are no ECVs here.

 

Wheelchair replacement locations:

 

Ø      Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland

Ø      Tinkerbell's Treasures in Fantasyland

Ø      Tomorrowland Light and Power Company Arcade

Companion restrooms:  Most, if not all restrooms throughout the Magic Kingdom have bathrooms allowing access by guests in wheelchairs.  You can also find companion-assisted bathrooms at the First Aid Station, as well as at these locations:

  • At Mickey's Toontown Fair
  • In the lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant
  • Next to Space Mountain
  • By Pirates of the Caribbean
  • By Splash Mountain
  • At the Transportation and Ticket Center East Gate
  • Next to the Pinocchio Village Haus

 

Attractions with FASTPASS:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Jungle Cruise
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Stitch's Great Escape!

 

Service Animal rest stops:  

  • Next to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant behind the gates, backstage.
  • Near Splash Mountain behind the parade gates, backstage.
  • Next to Pirates of the Caribbean behind the gates, backstage.
  • Near Pete’s Garage next to the restrooms and through the gate, backstage.
  • Between Carousel of Progress and the Tomorrowland Stage, backstage.

 

Braille map:  There are two here.  One is in City Hall where Guest Relations is located, on Main Street.  The other one is near the Tip Board, also on Main Street near the Hub.

 

First Aid Station:  This is located next to the Crystal Palace, which is a restaurant just off Main Street, U.S.A., at the Hub.

 

 

 

Plan a safe, fun & comfortable trip to Walt Disney World with this guide book!

 

 

READER REVIEWS:

"This book is truly a marvel and an absolute must for anyone planning or thinking about planning a trip to WDW with any type of disability. I would also recommend this book to those guests with small kids who would like to warn their children of potentially disconcerting or frightening aspects of rides. I would recommend this book to anyone going for the first time and who would like specific details on rides and dining options. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone. period."

 
Mike
(Mike is an attorney and a contributing writer to MouseExtra.com)
 
To view the full review Click here.

 

 

A Travel Writer's review:

 

"Stephen Ashley is a Disney guru! Walt Disney World with Disabilities includes the finest details, from hints for making room reservations to tips about which disability or phobia might be affected by each individual ride or attraction. Clearly, Ashley knows the parks inside and out. This book fills a glaring gap in Disney tourism literature and will help make the parks more enjoyable for every visitor."

 

Hillary Easom, Travel Writer

 

(Ms. Easom is a freelance writer featured in publications including Glamour Magazine, Caesars Player Magazine, Go World Travel, Cruise Magazine, InsideOut Travel, etc.)

 

 

 "Walt Disney World With Disabilities, by Stephen Ashley, is a marvelous enabler to adventure for those normally reticent to step out of the "safety zone" of the limits and boredom that often accompany physical disabilities.  Side-line spectating or only listening to stories about the fun experiences of others can give way to personal experience and enjoyment facilitated by the well-researched tips, advice, descriptions, warnings and encouragements that this user-friendly book offers. The attention to detail relieves the fear-factor of the unknown that the disabled normally have to deal with. The easy to use format describing just about every ride, attraction, restaurant, and venue found in the whole of Disney World, places empowering knowledge at the finger tips of every disabled and special needs visitor.  If you are fortunate enough to obtain a copy, you may find it to be a "master-key" to a world of safe Disney fun. Since my own mother is confined to a wheel-chair, I offer my personal thanks to Stephen Ashley for this amazing reference."
 
Dr. Richard Risi, Florida

 

 

"This book should be called Walt Disney World for Everyone! I think everybody should read this book who wants to go to Disney World. I started reading it as an Occupational Therapist, but I found myself to be really riveted by the wealth of information that applied to me personally and to my family. As a mother of 6 kids, I really believe that these are the things a mother really wants and needs to know. 

 

This book is so thorough.  Its an A-Z guide that has things you wouldn’t think to even ask about that were so helpful, and it will help parents make important decisions.  For example, you don’t want to spend time in lines for attractions that won’t be good for you or your kids.  The descriptions were so good that they really helped me know what would and wouldn’t be worth our time.  And those lines can be tough to wait in with impatient and tired kids!  The book helps you plan your day so you get the most out of your time, and it will save me hours of waiting in lines for rides that would have turned out badly. There’s so much useful information like this that will help our family be so much more comfortable.

 

I think it will also be fantastic for people with health problems.  My husband can’t do a lot of walking and there were services for him that I had no idea about. 

 

The authors really put themselves into this book – it’s not just a manual, but it’s so much more interesting and informative to read than anything else I’ve seen.  It’s very easy reading because it’s got a personal touch to it.  I couldn’t put it down.

 

Dina Carroll

Occupational Therapist

 

 

 

"In my opinion Walt Disney World with Disabilities is the best book out there for anyone with a health condition. We own several Disney guide books including another one designed for special needs at Disney. Nothing else I've read describes the way the rides feel as well as this book does. The writers really paid attention to every sensation and experience, and they share it all in an easy to read and understand style. It's also packed with useful and practical suggestions for the parks, resorts and dining.

I also highly recommend this book to parents who wish to choose appropriate rides and shows for their children. Really it's great for anyone who wants to know what a ride feels like before trying it.

I've gone to Disney many times over the years with my wife and kids. One of the things that I've found most challenging is deciding which rides are suitable for my children, and for me. It can be really confusing sometimes, because the Disney warnings are all encompassing. For example, many ride warning signs say that a person with back or neck problems should not ride. Yet some of these are fine for me. This book really gives you a sense of the true intensity and experience, and I find the descriptions to be right on target.

Conversely, there are rides that I thought would be fine, because there was no special warning posted by Disney, but I was shocked to find there were jolts or unexpected things that bothered my condition or scared my kids. I found that Walt Disney World with Disabilities reveals every one of these."

 

DLCI "TECHY LAW MAN"

Posted on Amazon.com

 

 

 

"It was easily the most comprehensive guide for going to Disney with a bad back.  It helps you know how to handle each ride.   In past visits to Disney I never knew if I could handle a ride and it was really hard to make a decision about trying it or not.  Reading this book has answered my questions more precisely than even asking Disney attendants or reading signs, and it’s helped me to know what I can and can’t do."

 

David

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