The moment on a time (and ever following), I beloved to visit Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney Globe and appreciate the storytelling of Fantasyland. When I to start with started out checking out WDW, it often was an exploration to find out the accessible options and solutions for ideal receiving all-around and obtaining a great time though going to in my wheelchair.
It is a fantastic detail that as substantially as this land in Magic Kingdom may well be deemed typical and have a range of older points of interest, a whole lot has been made accessible for wheelchair end users and other persons with disabilities. In limited, there is a great deal to love in this article and accessibly-so.
Here’s my accessibility review of the remainder of Fantasyland (see aspect 1 listed here).
Twirling and Swirling
Here’s a lesson: really don’t make any assumptions about accessibility. Be confident to ask! I suggest this because my spouse and I had frequented Walt Disney Planet for years (at least 10) and constantly assumed that I would not be equipped to ride the Mad Tea Bash. It just looked like a motor vehicle I would not be in a position to transfer to from my wheelchair.
Each individual time we went by, it usually appeared like so substantially enjoyment and I was a bit sad (I know it is not a person of the E-ticket rides, but at times the most basic issues can convey out one’s internal baby). But then my partner claimed on our previous vacation: “hey, why don’t we just request?” And was he right! We spoke with a cast member who said they have a teacup that opens with an added large door and has a transfer bench for sliding more than the saucer and into the seat. It was outstanding, easy, and enjoyment! Now, I can swirl with the teacups at any time and just cannot wait around right until the following check out to do just that.
The accessible teacup has a broader door opening and an insert-on transfer bench
One particular of the more terrific matters about this discovery is the brilliance of the accessibility. Teacups rides weren’t traditionally accessible, however a sensible and imaginative Imagineer came up with a solution that is both equally exquisite and will work. It’s one more reminder that accessibility can be intelligent and amazingly very simple.
Author employing transfer bench to slide around from wheelchair
A (Also) Thrilling Coach Journey
As a massive admirer of the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, I couldn’t wait right up until the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coach attraction opened when it was getting developed. We viewed films about the design and preview glimpses, as the anticipation grew. Lastly, it opened in 2014 and we excitedly prepared our strategy to trip on our subsequent go to.
The movie theming of the attraction was unbelievable, commencing with the comprehensive queue and ready game titles. And the journey by itself was awesome from the swing of the mine practice automobiles to the restricted curves close to the mountain! But the access… that was just plain tough.
My effect is that they were so centered on the style and design of tiny very little mine coach cars that they forgot grown ups (and folks with disabilities) would want to journey this thrilling coaster. The cars and trucks are tiny and lower to the ground with tiny openings. When driving, I ask for the auto in the again that has the special automobile with a doorway that opens broader.
A cast member asks if I am Alright to transfer and then takes us aside to the last auto space. From there, they switch a take care of on the car or truck to open up the broader doorway and my husband aids me to swing from my wheelchair down to the edge of the car or truck. The obstacle arrives at the future section for the reason that the leg place is little and due to my childhood onset arthritis, I cannot bend a lot. Even though I’m not tall, I have to slide about, cram my legs down, then slide again into the seat. My partner then has to climb around me to sit beside me.
Side door open on past Mine Teach car or truck for tailored boarding
To be straightforward, the practical experience of the journey generally hurts mainly because I’m bending in a way that my overall body (strongly!) disagrees with. So, I am a single of the handful of riders who doesn’t complain how fast and quick the ride is simply because as a great deal as I like it, I am finished and completely ready to be back in my extra relaxed wheelchair when the train comes. Of class, just before this can occur we have to do the entire boarding point in reverse to de-board.
It is seriously disappointing that a rather new ride (see this post about available issues on newer sights) has these entry challenges and I can only feel that they forgot about accessibility until eventually it was created and then tried out to cram on a option (a wider door for transfer). Honestly, I feel it would only have been an inch or two extra leg place, and a slightly higher motor vehicle at the boarding spot that would have built this attraction flawlessly obtainable for wheelchair people.
Bouncing in the Honeypot
Do you will need a smackerel of honey? Then phase appropriate up to The Several Adventures of Winnie the Pooh wherever you can delight in lots of the ooey, gooey, sticky things! Commencing in the queue, attendees can perform honey game titles and perform in Rabbit’s yard.
As you solution the boarding space, convey to the solid member if you need to board with your wheelchair and they will pull you apart to hold out for the exclusive honeypot. This intelligent carriage opens with two sliding doorways and I can back again in with my wheelchair to park for the journey. The forged customers put on a seat belt and a stopper below my wheels to maintain it from sliding, because when they request if you want to bounce with Tigger… often say yes!
Writer with wheelchair on accessible Pooh automobile
Once tucked into the honeypot, we slide into the story of the quite blustery day and have adventures with Pooh and friends. A highlight for me is normally bouncing with Tigger and attempting to maintain up with his shenanigans!
Taking Flight in Style
It’s my solution joy in daily life to journey Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Properly, not solution to my husband, as I consistently ask him when we can go. (And now not you, since I just gave it away. Shh!) In any case… I really like Dumbo. I appreciate the movie, I appreciate his hope and his coronary heart, and I like how he defies unattainable odds to fly. Perhaps it’s my possess battles with incapacity or it’s possible it’s that feeling of flexibility I really don’t get in day to day lifetime from traveling by the open air.
We normally ride Dumbo a number of occasions through a stop by just by viewing wait instances and leaping into line when it’s approximated at 5 or 10 minutes. The line also moves very swiftly as people have the choice to wait around in the circus tent when their children engage in or neat off. When we get to the boarding spot, a forged member asks if I am Alright to transfer and I demonstrate that I just require an additional moment and the Dumbo with the accessible doorway. I then pull my wheelchair up shut as they flip up the facet and my partner will help me to transfer to the seat (which is a small low, but not undesirable). I then slide above and my partner joins me for an incredible flight!
The available Dumbo car has a swing up side door for less complicated transfer
That Dumbo has got type! He soars with the greatest of them and I get my giggles when having fun with views of the park from powering those people gorgeous ears.
Wrapping Up the Fantasy
When there are some bumps in the highway to accessibility with some Fantasyland points of interest, total, most of them are incredibly available for transfers or can even be ridden with a wheelchair. It is a fantastic pleasure to me that I can take part in so much of the Fantasyland stories alongside with my spouse.