This is probably one of the best handicapped-accessible ride attractions in all of Walt Disney World in addition to Journey Into Imagination.  If you are on an ECV you must transfer to a wheelchair, but the wheelchairs at this attraction are very spacious and comfortable.  The handicapped “clammobile” is larger than the others, with one seat for a companion and a ramp that folds out onto the moving walkway.  The wheelchair is then rolled onto the ramp, the ramp is turned and “folded” back into the clammobile so that you are sitting facing the attraction and the cast members will push you onto and off of the attraction.  Thumbs up to Disney for this innovation!

 Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

A mobility-challenged individual on an ECV must be able to transfer to a seat or a wheelchair in order to ride this attraction.  If you are not able to step down into the boat, a wheelchair boat is available; however, the wheelchairs on this particular ride are VERY narrow and cut into your sides (at least if you are short and wide as I am).  It is very hard to get in and out of the wheelchairs if you are larger than probably a size 10 or 12 and a member of your party must push the wheelchair onto and off of the boat, which is not an easy task!  The attraction is very much worth the inconvenience, although I probably would not do it every time I go to the Magic Kingdom.

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

So far I have found the following restaurants to be difficult to navigate on an ECV:

Big River Grill, Boardwalk (indoor eating area only; outside eating is much easier to maneuver)

Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic Kingdom (even though they have a separate handicapped entrance, the tables are very close together and difficult to move between)

Grand Floridian Cafe, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (they will not allow you to use the ECV at the table, but they will allow you to ride it to the table and then have someone else in your party ride it out to the restaurant lobby and park it for the duration of your meal)

Coral Reef, The Seas With Nemo & Friends, EPCOT (because of the tiered seating to see the aquarium, you cannot use your ECV at the table, but they will let you ride to the table and then have someone take it back to the lobby for safe-keeping while eating)

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

PS — Please also check out my agency’s other blog on accessibility, www.AccessibleGetaways.com.

Easy access restaurants (using an ECV at the table):

Yacht Club Galley, Yacht Club Resort

Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge

Big River Grill, Boardwalk (outside eating only — it is very difficult to maneuver inside the restaurant)

Spoodles, Boardwalk

O’Hana, Polynesian Resort

Hollywood & Vine, Disney-MGM Studios

Mama Melrose’s, Disney-MGM Studios

Cape May Cafe, Beach Club Resort

ESPN Club

Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, Pioneer Hall, Ft. Wilderness Campground (must sit in Category 1 seating so that you will be on the main floor)

Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

PS — Please also check out my agency’s other blog, www.AccessibleGetaways.com

The handicap staterooms found on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are HUGE!  I was in 6154 on both the Wonder and the Magic and the balcony alone could have been used for a dance floor!  The one drawback on the balcony was that it was not clear (see-through) so someone short like me (4′10″) and using an ECV had to sit right next to the railing to see anything besides sky!  The extra room in both the stateroom itself and on the balcony was worth the sight-impairment though for ease of using an ECV or a wheelchair in the room.  Even the bathroom is generously sized although I am fortunate and do not need to use my ECV in the bathroom.

This handicap stateroom also had an extra storage room off of the living area for ease of storage since the closets are rather high and hard to reach for someone confined to a wheelchair or ECV.

TIP:  If you are traveling alone or a companion is not readily available, please ask for assistance in getting down a life vest from the top shelf of the closet before the mandatory fire drill at 4:00 pm before the ship sets sail on the first day of the cruise.

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC