Walt Disney World - Epcot

EPCOT was built in 1982, before ADA was in effect. As a result there are a few challenges the wheelchair traveler and their companion will be required to deal with. Still, Disney has done an admirable job of accommodating special needs.

You can get to EPCOT via car, monorail, bus, by foot from nearby resorts, and by boat. The Monorail arrives from the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian resorts, and from the Transportation and Ticket Center. As you arrive at the EPCOT platform, look for the elevator to get down to the ground floor. The ramp is fairly steep.

There is a very large parking lot (11,000 spaces), with plenty of accessible parking.

The boat comes from Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), from the Swan & Dolphin, Boardwalk, and Yacht & Beach Club. The boat dock at the International Gateway, located between the United Kingdom and France World Showcase areas. You can also walk from these areas as well.

Disney buses will deliver you from the other parks and resorts. Be prepared for a little distance to get into the park. You will not pick up your bus at the same place you got off.

Restrooms throughout the park are accessible. Companion restrooms are available at most of the regular restroom areas. There are few exceptions but it should not take more than a couple of minutes to get to a companion restroom.

Restaurants throughout the park are accessible as well.

EPCOT is divided into two areas, Future World and World Showcase. Both areas are fairly flat and have wide pathways. There are a few exceptions to this. Some of the World Showcase "worlds" are exhibits, cafes, or shops. They are accessible though some will be hard to navigate through some of the shops. Other "worlds" include attractions that are listed below.

Then there a few other attractions that are wheelchair friendly only if you are able to transfer. These include:

• Spaceship Earth - We have not visited this ride since major renovations have occurred. Previous visits taught us to enter the ride through a special accessible door on the side of the ride.
  
• Mission:SPACE - the high-ntensity ride required you to transfer to a seat that has a shoulder harness. You will be tipped backwards and experience high-speed spinning. The low-intensity version is the same ride but with out the spinning.
• Test Track - there is an area to practice transferring to the ride, which requires s step-down into the vehicle. The ride includes some stop-and-go motions, along with high speeds.
  
• Soarin' - Height restrictions apply. Can cause motion sickness.
• Maelstrom - fairly tame ride located in the Norway showcase.. At the end of the ride is a film that can be skipped if you want to.
  

Then there are those attractions that you can stay in your wheelchair. These include:

• Innoventions East and West - a series of hands-on technology exhibits. Lower wheelchair accessible exhibits are attractive to smaller children, so prepare yourself for a wait.
• Universe of Energy - wheel onto the ride. A brief film is presented before the ride begins and some cast members will ask you to get closer to the doors which makes watching the film very uncomfortable as you have to look nearly straight up to see it.
  
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends - board a wheelchair "clam" to enjoy the ride. Companion warning: don't board until cast members give you the okay and prepare to de-board first. A moving walkway is provided and there is typically no need to stop the ride as there is usually plenty of time and space to board. There is only one wheelchair accessible "clam."
• Turtle Talk with Crush - sit off the side or in the back. Children are invited up front and are encouraged to ask Crush questions.
• Living with the Land - wheelchair accessible boats are available. Look for the special accessible entrance to board the ride.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Audience - Wheelchair seating available in the rear of the theater. For those with feeling in their lower extremities, transfer to a seat to enjoy the special effects.
  
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment - wheelchair accessible vehicle is available, but you may have to wait for it. The ride exits into ImageWorks (see below).
  
• El Rio del Tiempo - located in Mexico, you can board a wheelchair accessible boat. If you have the ability to transfer, it is recommended as you will much more comfortable than sitting above everyone else.
• The American Adventure Show - ask cast members for seating assistance. You will be escorted upstairs in advance of the show. Position yourself near the balcony to enjoy the pre-show singers. Seating in the theater is for the wheelchair traveler and one companion.

There are few other attractions we have not been on (yet) so we can't properly evaluate them. Our favorite park guide, Passporter, provides the following accessibility suggestions:

• Cool Club - sample free Coke beverages from around the world and purchase Coke memorabilia.
  
• Circle of Life - a film with Pumba and Timon explaining the earth and environment.
• ImageWorks: Kodak "What If" Labs - an interactive playground with hands-on equipment. The wheelchair accessible exhibits may be in use by children, so be patient.
• Reflections of China - Showing a 360° film showcasing China. Because the theater is an all-standing, theater, wheelchair travelers may not be able to see the complete film.
• Impressions de France - 200° film showcasing France.
• O Canada! - 360 film showcasing Canada. The theater is an all-standing theater, so wheelchair travelers may not be able to see the entire film.
  

Illuminations is a fireworks and special-effects show every evening at park closing. Wheelchair seating is available at various areas around the lagoon. Ask cast members for the locations. Arrive 90 minutes early to secure your spot.