which is the best theme park for people in a wheelchair?
One vote for Epcot. What's yours?
I am in a wheelchair, and I would say Epcot because it has the largest number of rides that can accommodate a wheelchair (5 in total) plus they stop Spaceship Earth to make it easy for one to transfer to the ride. What do you think?
Fantastic question!
My grandmother who is a Disney fan and in a wheel chair would vote for EPCOT as well! I can only think of Malestrom, Test Track, and Mission Space being a problem.
I would give a very close second place to DHS just because of the shows and basically there are only three attractions that might give a wheelchair inhabitant pause.
I would also agree that Epcot is up there on the disabled access list. I have witnessed people in wheelchairs riding Maelstrom, for the record (not that it's worth riding, anyway). Also, who needs rides when you have the World Showcase?
Universal Studios Florida, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and SeaWorld must be up there, too, due to their abundance of shows.
From Rob P
Posted July 16, 2010 at 1:48 AM
I agree with Joshua and Anthony. EPCOT,Hollywood Studios and Seaworld are more navigable and have more attractions that are easier to access.
I once had a serious accident on the 3rd day of my 2 week trip to Orlando which left me on crutches. I know this isn't the same but it it did help me to recognise which Parks were more accessible to disabled visitors.Those Parks mentioned were a far more comfortable day than some of the others. Although that's not to say that they should be avoided. Getting around most of them can still be done. They are all largely on the flat and provide access for wheelchair users.
Are there any wheelchair users on TPI that have an opinion on this. Theirs would be far more valid than ours.
Daniel, as a person who now uses a wheelchair while at Disney World, maybe I can help. Are you able to transfer from your wheelchair? My 11 year old grandson Zachary helps me get up out of the chair so that's a big help.
If you can transfer, then you shouldn't have much trouble getting on any ride. On almost all rides they allow you to stay in your chair through the queue all the way up to the ride itself, then you transfer.
If you can not transfer, then you will be limited to which rides you can take your wheelchair on. As the others have stated, Epcot allows the most rides with your chair, off hand I don't remember them.
Have you checked out Disney's map for disabled people online yet? At guest services, you can get an actual map with all the rides listed showing the symbols if you need to transfer or are able to take your chair on the ride.
Is your wheelchair motorized? If not, then you may need someone to assist you, like Zachary helps me. If you have strong arms, you shouldn't have much trouble getting around. Magic Kingdom does have a few hills but Animal Kingdom has a long hill to get out of the park. Epcot and Hollywood Studios are okay.
Hope this helps you Daniel, if you have a question, just post it and I'll see if I can give you an answer. Oh yeah, I just remembered one other long hill, the one to get into Fantasmic at Hollywood Stodios.
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