The best parts of a Disney vacation are the rides and entertainment (and the food, let’s be real). For some disabled Disney World guests, transferring out of their wheelchair into a ride vehicle isn’t an option, but there are still several things they can experience while still safely seated in their own chair.
We’re going to break down my family’s top ten rides and shows that allow wheelchair users to remain in their chair. Some of these rides require a standard wheelchair, but others can accomodate scooters and ECVs. Rides that require guests to use a standard manual chair on this list will be identified.
By no means is this an all-inclusive list of everything at the parks that’s wheelchair accessible. It’s strictly my family’s favorites.
10. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT (Standard Wheelchairs Only)
Remy’s is landing in the 10th spot specifically because we haven’t had the chance to ride yet, but we’re very excited for it. When you arrive, you let the cast member know you need to use the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, and they’ll direct you to an area where you can board your rat vehicle. The cast member will secure your chair with straps and send you on your way. There is room for one additional guest to ride with the wheelchair user in the car.
9. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Magic Kingdom (Standard Wheelchairs Only)
I wouldn’t say this is the most adventurous ride, but it’s a classic spinner ride, and my oldest kid has always adored it. There’s one wheelchair accessible vehicle. To use it, let the cast member know that you are unable to transfer. The back of the carpet folds out to make a ramp, and the wheelchair user rolls up the ramp and into the space where the back seat of the carpet would be on the other cars. Two guests can ride in the front seat of the wheelchair accessible vehicle with the wheelchair user.
8. Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Magic Kingdom
This is a fun show where guests follow Donald Duck as he tries to catch the Sorcerer’s Hat, featuring special effects like water spray and blasts of air directed at the audience. The wheelchair seating is in the back row of the theatre, and the row has room for at least one other guest to sit next to the wheelchair user.
7. Journey into Imagination with Figment in EPCOT (may not be accessible for all ECVs, but should be fine for some, Manual and Power Chairs are fine)
Figment is the mascot of EPCOT, and I may love this ride simply for the nostalgia related to the original Journey in Into Imagination ride from the 80’s and 90’s. There is a wheelchair accessible vehicle similar to the one for the Magic Carpets. The ramp folds down allowing access to the back row of the ride car, and the rest of the party sits in the front row.
6. Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom
This is a boat ride in Adventureland with cheesy jokes and Audio-Animatronics. One wheelchair can be loaded on the accessible boat, and the rest of your party will sit in the remaining seats on the boat.
5. Turtle Talk with Crush in EPCOT
This is like a cross between a group meet and greet and a show, featuring Crush from Finding Nemo. Crush interacts with the guests, answers questions, and asks the kids questions too. It’s one of my favorite interactive experiences, and great fun for elementary school age kids especially. There are marked wheelchair-accessible spots on the outside of the rows, and at the front. If you have a child in a wheelchair, you’re able to request that they get one of the front seats.
4. “it’s a small world” in Magic Kingdom (Standard Wheelchairs Only)
This was my very first ride ever at Walt Disney World, and I really love everything about it. I love the bright colors, and the catchy tune, and all the dancing dolls. One of the boats is wheelchair accessible. One thing to keep in mind here is that the wheelchairs load from the exit side, so when you go up to the ride, the cast member will direct you to the ride exit.
3. Fantasmic! in Hollywood Studios
This is one of the coolest nighttime shows in the parks. Everyone should see this at LEAST once. Accessible seating is along the back row, as the rest of the seats are situated around the water on stadium-like tiers.
2. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Hollywood Studios
This is by far my family’s favorite indoor show in the parks. My oldest loves to sing along. My wife and I love the jokes. The indoor snowfall is pretty great too. Guests can remain in ECVs and wheelchairs for this show, sitting either in the back or front rows. The larger ECVs are typically seated in the back. The front row is my family’s favorite, as it has extra leg room for taller guests.
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom (Standard Wheelchairs Only)
Easily my favorite family ride in Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests on bumpy ride to see wildlife up close. There are wheelchair tie downs on some of the trucks, and the wheelchair user will ride up front, directly behind the driver.
Access the Mouse 