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Wheelchair and ECV Guide

Wheelchair and ECV Rentals Disney World

Rentals    Transportation     Accommodations     Attractions     Dining     Handicap Viewing areas     Tips

Wheelchair and ECV Rentals

Personal wheelchairs and ECVs are allowed at Walt Disney World. If you choose to rent, there are several options available.

Renting From Disney:

Rentals are good for the entire day, across all of Walt Disney World. You do not have to pay twice for an ECV rental if you park hop, as rentals are transferable between all locations.

Length of Stay ECV rentals are no longer offered at Walt Disney World.

Rentals are available on a first come first served basis. Reservations are not accepted, and quantities are limited.  Guests must be 18 years of age to rent wheelchairs. A photo ID is required. Wheelchairs are not designed to hold more than one person and have a maximum weight limit of 350 pounds.

Courtesy wheelchairs are available to travel from parking areas to wheelchair rental locations.

Wheelchairs: $12 per day or $10 per day for length of stay. A $100 refundable deposit is required if renting at Disney Springs or one of the Water Parks.

ECVs: $65 per day with a $20 refundable deposit. The deposit is increased to $100 at Disney Springs and the Water Parks.

Third Party Vendors:

You can also rent a Wheelchair and ECV from a third party vendor. There is one Walt Disney World featured provider – Scooterbug. Chairs from this company can be pre-ordered and sent directly to Walt Disney World Resort hotels. The benefit to renting from an approved Disney vendor is your Wheelchair and ECV can be dropped off with bell services at your resort.

There are some benefits to choosing to rent from a third party. These companies often have more chair options that may be more comfortable, they may also be less expensive than Disney rentals. Be aware that other wheelchair rental companies now have to meet with Guests for delivery and pick up of the chair. The downside is you have to be there to accept delivery of your Wheelchair or ECV.  This does however give you a chance to ask questions and get a mini lesson on how to use the ECV.

 

Transportation

Walt Disney World is a huge resort, and it feels like its own separate world. This means that there are lots of different ways to get around the enormous property. From buses to monorails, they each have their own methods of accommodating guests of all needs.

Buses

Disney Resort buses are handicap accessible as long as the wheelchair or ECV will easily fit onto the bus. The size limitation is 30″ x 48″. Wheelchairs and ECVs must be firmly secured by the bus driver. Guests may remain in the wheelchair or scooter, or transfer to a bus seat.

While wheelchairs and ECVs can be accommodated, there is sometimes limited space on board the bus. This means that you may occasionally have to wait to be accommodated if there are more than one or two guests with ECVs waiting for the bus. Bus drivers are typically very helpful in lowering a ramp and securing wheelchairs and ECVs. It may be useful to practice driving the ECV up ramps and practice parking maneuvers in order to make the bus boarding process go smoothly.

Boats

The ferryboat across Bay Lake from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom is handicap accessible.  The Friendship boats around the Epcot resorts are generally accommodating as well. Other boats may have limited accessibility. Boat accessibility is variable day by day.

Skyliner

Each Disney Skyliner cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests, including those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices.

Monorails

The Disney World monorail system is fully accessible. A Cast Member will bring a detachable ramp to help you get on board and exit the monorail.

Parking

Parking for Guests with disabilities is available throughout Walt Disney World Resort. A valid disability parking permit is required.

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Accommodations

If staying at a Walt Disney World resort be sure to request a handicap accessible room. These rooms will have modifications that will make your stay much more convenient. Depending on the resort, handicap modifications vary. Resorts will be accessible without any stairs, and they will include handicap accessible showers. Some may also include doors that can be automatically opened from the inside or that will stay propped open. There may be other modifications as well.

Pools at Walt Disney World Resorts are handicap accessible using a special chair pool entry system. In addition, many pools are zero entry pools, meaning a chair can be rolled right into the pool.

Walt Disney World Resorts offer ramps and elevators to create an accessible environment around the resort. While all areas my not be fully accessible, most areas are available. In particular, there are direct paths from the lobby areas to resort rooms.

Attractions

Many Walt Disney World attractions are completely accessible without having to transfer, but others require guests to transfer from the chair into the attraction. Some attractions are much more accessible than others. Our specific attractions pages also have this information and can be accessed by visiting each theme park page or clicking the links below.

The queues at Walt Disney World are mostly accessible meaning that having a wheelchair does not prevent you from waiting in the regular line. The attractions that do have a queue that is inaccessible require guests to use an alternate entrance and line. These separate queues are not always beneficial as there are generally a limited number of accessible ride vehicles and these can be slow-loading. If guests have a handicap that prevents them from waiting in lines, stop by guest relations for a Disability Access Service Pass.

Attractions Requiring Transfer

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Blizzard Beach

  • Slush Gusher
  • Teamboat Springs
  • Toboggan Racers
  • Snow Stormers
  • Runoff Rapids
  • Cross Country Creek
  • Teamboat Springs

Typhoon Lagoon

  • Castaway Creek
  • Crush’n’Gusher
  • Miss Adventure Falls

Attractions Requiring Transfer from ECV to Wheelchair

The following attractions require guests to transfer from and ECV to a wheelchair. Transfer wheelchairs are provided at each attraction.

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Blizzard Beach

  • Charilift
  • Melt-Away Bay
  • Ski Patrol Training Camp

Typhoon Lagoon

  • Surf Pool
  • Ketchakiddee Creek

Attractions that Require some Walking Ability

The following attractions require guests to walk some distance and may not be accessible for everyone. Some require just a few steps, but others include quite a bit of walking and climbing stairs.

Magic Kingdom

Blizzard Beach

  • Summit Plummet
  • Downhill Double Dipper

Typhoon Lagoon

  • Keelhaul Falls
  • Mayday Falls
  • Gangplank Falls
  • Humunga Kowabunga
  • Storm Slides
  • Bay Slides

Attractions with a Separate Handicap Accessible Queue

The following attractions feature and auxillary entrance that is handicap accessible. Cast members at the entrance to each attraction will direct you to the accessible entrance as well as provide any necessary instruction and answer any questions.

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Dining

Disney dining has many options. For table service dining, there should be no difficulty in pulling right up to the table. For other dining options or buffet style dining accommodations are available. Cast Members are normally willing to help. For buffet style dining it may be beneficial to ask for a table near the buffet line to avoid having to weave between a crowded dining area to get food. Guests in ECVs may need to transfer at certain locations where there is limited space for mobility.

Wheelchair and ECV Handicap Viewing Areas

Being in a wheelchair and ECV can put you at a distinct disadvantage for seeing stage shows and parades. Disney provides special viewing areas that are accessible and provide a good view. These areas are roped off  by cast members before the show and can only be used by handicapped guests and up to 6 members of their party. These viewing areas are available on a first come first served basis and may fill up. Cast members will be able to provide information on where viewing locations are and when they become available.

MouseForLess Tips

  • Decorate your Wheelchair/ECV for special attention and fun.
  • Bring a Towel or blanket to cover and/ or dry the chair.
  • Bring an umbrella. Florida weather can be unpredictable, and an umbrella is beneficial rather than an impediment in an ECV or wheelchair.
  • Be courteous, but assertive.
  • Ask for help! Disney Cast Members are very gracious and knowledgeable.
  • Practice before you get there! Know how to maneuver the wheelchair or ECV ahead of time.
  • Trained service animals are welcome in most locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort; however, they must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Please note that Cast Members are not permitted to handle service animals.
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