Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom

The quintessential Disney park (in Florida) is truly a magical place for the wheelchair traveler and their companion.

From the transportation hub, you can arrive by bus, boat, or monorail. If you are driving a car, park at the Transportation Center where you can then catch the monorail or boat. The ramp to the monorail platform is very steep and can be exhausting. Those arriving by bus and boat will need to navigate a couple of slops in order to reach the security screening stations. Again, those arriving on the monorail need to be prepared for a fairly steep ramp that leads down from the arrivals area. After a long day of navigating the park, the ramp is daunting. There is no elevator to reach the platform. The only major difficulties one will find will be navigating Main Street and finding curb cuts. Avoid this area during a parade. Cutting through the stores. Otherwise, the layout of the park is fairly flat and easy to get around.

All restrooms are accessible throughout the park. Companion restrooms are located:

• near the Main Street railroad station
• tucked back between the Crystal Palace and Casey's Corner
• near the Pirates of the Caribbean
• tucked back between Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad
• at the entrance of Mickey's Toontown Fair
• in Tomorrowland between the Carousel of Progress and Space Mountain

Most of the rides and attractions in the park are accessible. In our experience, there are very few attractions that may not be suitable for the wheelchair traveler. It all depends on the mobility of the traveler. Attractions include:

• Main Street vehicles - riders must transfer and need to negotiate a few steps up into the vehicles or wagons
• Swiss Family Treehouse - users must climb stairs to enjoy this attraction
• Tom Sawyer Island - not accessible
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - must transfer to car. If you are unable to operate the gas pedal, have you companion enter first in order to drive.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority - moving walkways and queue lines are too narrow for wheelchairs. Must be ambulatory to ride.
  

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

• Pirates of the Caribbean - You can get pretty close to the boat, but may still have to walk a few steps.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - There are also health warnings posted which should be heeded.
• Splash Mountain - If you are able to transfer, you sit two to a seat; have your companion enter the boat first to sit behind you. Health warnings are serious, especially for the final drop. Expect to get wet.
• Haunted Mansion - Unlike Disneyland, this version will not stop the ride for you to get on. There are rumors of an accessible "doom buggy" but we didn't see it, nor were we offered it. Ask for directions at the entrance of the ride.
• Mad Tea Party - Cast members usually open the gates for others first, so you may have to wind your way around between the saucers in order to find an empty one, transfer from the wheelchair, and then have someone take the wheelchair away.
• Peter Pan's Flight - does not stop for boarding but uses a slow walkway.
• Snow White's Scary Adventure - Enter the ride at the exit.
• Space Mountain - Health warning posted for the high speed roller coaster.

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

• Walt Disney World Railroad - a special loading platform is provided. However, only one or two chairs fit on each train. If the space is already being used you will be asked to wait for the next train which could be anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of trains running and schedule. This also applies to Toontown station.
  
• Enchanted Tiki Room - Look for the accessible elevator to get up to the attraction. Seating areas are clearly designated and your companion(s) will be able to sit right next to you. All seating areas are good.
• Jungle Cruise - If you are willing to wait for the accessible boat, take it. You get the same tour as the others. If you are able to transfer, take any boat. Look for the accessible entrance near the passenger exit.
• Country Bear Jamboree - Accessible seating is in the front of the theater. Companion seating for one is available. Others in your party can sit elsewhere in the theater.
• Hall of Presidents - accessible and companion seating available.
• It's a Small World - if you are willing to wait, a wheelchair accessible boat is available. Otherwise transfer from your wheelchair to the boat.
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - There is a wheelchair accessible "honey pot" if you are willing to wait for it. There is also room for one other person.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic - Accessible seating in the front of the theater. Companion seating for one is available. Others in your party can sit elsewhere (best seating is at the rear and middle of the theater).
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - There is a wheelchair accessible space vehicle if you are willing to wait. Since the ride is popular, you may have to wait until the accessible vehicle is returned to earth.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - Wheelchair accessible seating is in the front of the theater with companion seating available.
  
• The Laugh Floor Comedy Club - Wheelchair accessible seating is in the front of the theater with companion seating available.
  
• Stitch's Great Escape - Wheelchair accessible seating at the rear of the theater. You will need to transfer from and ECV or large wheelchair to a regular size chair in order for the restrictive shoulder constraints to operate. During our one and only experience the cast members had a difficult time getting the constraints removed.
  

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:

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - transfer from ECV to wheelchair
• Diamond Horseshoe Saloon - wheelchair accessible
• Liberty Belle Riverboat - wheelchair accessible
• Cinderella's Golden Carrousel - must transfer from wheelchair
  
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant - must transfer from wheelchair
• Pooh's Playful Spot - childrens playground. Unknown accessibility.
• Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm - must transfer from wheelchair. Rollercoaster for children at least 3 years-old.
• Donald's Boat - wheelchair accessible wet playground for children
• Mickey's Country House and Judge's Tent - wheelchair accessible place to meet Mickey Mouse
• Minney's Country House - Minnie's in-home studio and office that is wheelchair accessible
• Toon Park - playground for children. Unknown accessibility.
• Toontown Hall of Fame - wheelchair accessible place to meet Disney characters
• Astro Oribter - must transfer from wheelchair into a rocket to enjoy a short spin. Motion sickness warning.
• Galaxy Place Theater - a seasonal outdoor theater that hosts shows and entertainment throughout the year. Wheelchair accessible.
• Tomorrowland Arcade - wheelchair accessible
  

On top of all that there are a few other "attractions" that are accessible or partially so:

• Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats - remote controlled boats. Since accessible stations are lower than the others, they are attractive to families with smaller children, so prepare for a wait to drive the boats.
• Frontierland Shootin' Arcade - Shoot at targets with electronic rifles. Again, accessible stations are very attravtive to smaller children, so be prepared for a wait.
• Ariel's Grotto - meet-and-greet characters here. Wheelchair accessible.
• Fairytale Garden - meet-and-greet characters here. Wheelchair accessible.

Restaurants throughout the park are accessible. On busy days expect to have difficulty finding accessible seating at self-service locations. Full service restaurants are ramped and fully accessible. Where restaurants offer buffets, assistance is rarely required as serving areas are lower and very accessible.