Disney World is one of the more accessible vacation destinations in the U.S. In fact, they offer many wheelchair-accessible rides.
Some rides may require a transfer while others may offer a modified ride vehicle for guests who are unable to transfer or are more comfortable remaining in their wheelchairs.
It’s certainly worth noting that accessibility isn’t just about wheelchairs. For example, many disabilities are less visible or do not significantly impact mobility.
Certainly, Disney provides accommodations for guests with a variety of disabilities and accessibility needs.
Examples include handheld assistive listening devices or audio description and captioning. Disney even has a guide for guests with cognitive disabilities. The guide includes information about break areas, rider switches and also companion restrooms.
Guests with mobility needs may choose to use a wheelchair, electric scooter or electronic conveyance vehicle (ECV) for getting around the park.
In addition, guests can rent a stroller, wheelchair or ECV near the entrance of any of the parks in the Walt Disney World Resort. Wheelchair rentals can be charged daily or for the length of stay.
It’s also possible to rent from a third-party company or bring your own personal wheelchair or mobility device. Disney reserves areas of its parking lots for guests with handicapped parking permits. To park in a disability parking lot, the vehicle must have a valid disability permit.
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Does Disney World have wheelchair-accessible rides?
Yes, Disney does have wheelchair-accessible rides at each of its Florida parks. They also make an effort to communicate accessibility information to guests through guide maps, signage and within the My Disney Experience app.
With this in mind, it’s also a good idea for guests with disabilities to visit Guest Services to find out what accommodations may be available.
Finally, cast members can often make suggestions or offer assistance that you may not have considered.
Do wheelchairs skip the line at Disney?
Not exactly. However, Disney offers a service that allows guests with any disability that makes it difficult for them to wait in long lines to wait the posted standby time for the ride outside the queue.
This certainly could include guests who use wheelchairs. However, some wheelchair or ECV users may not need or qualify for the service.
The service is called Disability Access Service, or DAS. Guests can register for this service through one of two options. Pre-registration can be completed through a live video chat with a cast member 2-30 days prior to your park visit.
The other option is to visit Guest Services at any of the Disney parks and register in person. Note that DAS registration is not offered at the Disney Springs Guest Relations location. Registration is effective for 60 days, so it will cover most trips.
Once registered, DAS allows guests to make reservations for select attractions using the My Disney Experience app. Return times can be requested one at a time.
Once you’ve experienced one attraction, you can request a return time for another one. Walt Disney World offers Disability Access Service on any show or ride that might require a wait time.
Visit the Disney website to learn more.
How many rides at Disney World are handicap accessible?
A few attractions offer modified ride vehicles that allow guests to remain in their wheelchair or ECV and others require a transfer.
Disney categorizes rides into the following accessibility descriptions for wheelchair users:
1. Must Be Ambulatory rides:
For rides in this category, guests must walk or be assisted by other members of their party to experience this attraction.
In particular, there are only two rides in this category and they’re both older rides at Magic Kingdom with narrow queues that have tight turns.
Magic Kingdom:
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Read Also: Disney World Hacks: 33 Park Tips & Tricks From a Disney Blogger [2023]
2. Must transfer to a wheelchair and then ride the vehicle rides:
ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair to access the boarding area. They will then have to make a second transfer to the ride vehicle. These rides include …
Magic Kingdom:
- Barnstormer
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Space Mountain
EPCOT:
- Mission: SPACE
Hollywood Studios:
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Animal Kingdom:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
3. Must transfer to standard wheelchair rides:
On these rides, ECV users must transfer to a wheelchair in order to experience the attraction.
Magic Kingdom:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- It’s a Small World
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney World Railroad
EPCOT:
- Living with the Land
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Hollywood Studios:
- Toy Story Mania!
Animal Kingdom:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- TriceraTops Spin
Read Also: The Ratatouille Ride at EPCOT: Tips for Riding, What You Should Know
4. Must transfer from wheelchair rides:
Guests will need to transfer from their wheelchair or ECV to board the ride vehicle on these rides.
Typically this means that the queue is accessible, but guests will need to transfer into the vehicle once they arrive in the boarding area.
Magic Kingdom:
- Astro Orbiter
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Haunted Mansion
- Mad Tea Party
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tron Lightcycle
EPCOT:
- Frozen Ever After
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Hollywood Studios:
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Animal Kingdom:
- DINOSAUR
- Expedition Everest – The Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Kali River Rapids
- Na’vi River Journey
5. May remain in wheelchair rides:
This one’s pretty straightforward – no transfer necessary on these attractions:
Magic Kingdom:
- Jungle Cruise
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Carousel of Progress
EPCOT:
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Animal Kingdom:
- Wildlife Express Train
Although there are only five rides that allow guests to remain in their wheelchair or ECV, Disney has a ton of shows that fit into this accessibility category.
At Magic Kingdom, these include Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor and also Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
At Animal Kingdom, there’s Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… And Beyond!
At Hollywood Studios, guests can remain in wheelchairs for Fantasmic!, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision 3D and also Beauty and the Beast, Live on Stage.
At EPCOT, there’s no need to transfer for Impressions de France, Reflections of China, Turtle Talk with Crush or The American Adventure.
Do you find the Disney World theme park accessible? Do you have tips to share? Let us know in the comments.
ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair – Question: Will there be standard wheelchair there to transfer to or do I also have to bring a standard wheelchair in addition to my electric scooter?
Hi Kathy, there should be wheelchairs staged at the ride for this purpose.