Disney World guests who need special accommodations often have questions before visiting the parks. We are setting out to help answer many of those questions before your visit. We want to help your Disney World experience be second to none!
Right from the onset we want to assure you that Disney has a wonderful Disability Guest Services team that help guests navigate not only the parks, but the hotels and property as well.
If you have additional questions after reading this post you can contact Disney’s Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or email [email protected]
The photo below is of Dave’s dad (in the wheelchair), Dave, his two daughters, and his son at Disney World way back in the late 1980s!
Can I rent a wheelchair at the four theme parks in Disney World?
Yes, wheelchairs can be rented from each of the theme parks at Disney World. There are few important things you need to consider.
First, Wheelchair rentals are on a first-come first-served basis. Unfortunately, Disney does not accept reservations in advance to rent a wheelchair.
If you arrive to the park and there aren’t any wheelchairs available, you will either need to wait until one arrives (turned in from a guest who has already used it), or simply go into the parks without one.
Parks do have a limited number of wheelchairs but if you are arriving early you will should have little problem of securing one.
Second, to rent the wheelchair, you will need to be at least 18 years of age and a photo ID is required.
Finally, the maximum weight is 350 pounds.
Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need a doctor’s note in order to rent a wheelchair.
Where are the wheelchairs located in each of the parks?
The wheelchair rental location is located just inside the entrance of the park you are going to visit. After you go through the turnstile to enter the park, move to the rental area and a Cast Member will help you with your rental.
Magic Kingdom Wheelchair Rental Location
Wheelchairs are located at Mickey’s Gift Station at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Wheelchair and Stroller shop located to the right of the turnstiles when entering the park.
Epcot Wheelchair Rental Locations
Epcot has two wheelchair rental locations. Wheelchairs are located at the rental location inside the Main Entrance and inside the International Gateway entrance.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wheelchair Rental Location
Wheelchairs in Hollywood Studios are located at Oscar’s Super Service to the right inside the Main Entrance.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wheelchair Rental Location
Wheelchairs are located just inside the Main Entrance at Garden Gate Gifts.
Other Disney Wheelchair Rental Locations
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water park– Wheelchairs are located at Beach Haus.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water park – Wheelchairs are located at Singapore Sal’s.
Disney Springs – Wheelchairs are located at Sundries Store that located behind the Coca-Cola store near the Orange Garage.
How much does it cost to rent a wheelchair at Walt Disney World?
Wheelchair daily rentals are $12 for the four Disney theme parks. You get a discount for multi-day rentals – it’s $10 per day.
For the two Walt Disney World water parks and Disney Springs, wheelchair daily rental costs are $12 and a refundable $100 deposit is required at these locations.
What if I will be at more than one theme park on a given day?
You will only need to pay for one wheelchair per day. When you return your wheelchair to the ticket counter you will be given a rental receipt. You can present this receipt at your next location for another wheelchair.
For example, if you will be in the Magic Kingdom on the first part of the day and then touring Epcot on the second part of the day, you will rent a chair in the Magic Kingdom in the morning. As you are leaving Magic Kingdom, you will receive a transfer that will allow you to pick up a wheelchair in Epcot without paying an additional time.
Please remember, guests cannot leave any park with a rented wheelchair. Before leaving the park, whether to go home, to your hotel, or to another park, guests must return the wheelchair before exiting.
What is the difference between Daily and Length of Stay wheelchair rentals?
Disney offers two options when it comes to wheelchair rentals. One is Daily rentals and the other is Length of Stay rentals.
Daily Rentals – As is implied in the title, guests can rent a wheelchair for one day only and pay a one day fee.
Length of Stay Rentals – Length of Stay rentals can be purchased for the entire length you plan to visit Disney World them parks. This can save you money and time. Please note that during peak times, this offer is not always available and is only transferrable between Disney Theme parks (not Disney Springs or the Water Parks).
Can I bring my own wheelchair to Walt Disney World?
Of course! Disney allows guests to bring their own wheelchairs into the theme parks, water parks, restaurants, Disney Springs and Walt Disney World resort hotels.
Are Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs) available to rent at the Disney Parks?
Yes, ECV’s are available at all Walt Disney World parks on a first come, first serve basis. Quantities are very limited so it is recommended to come early in order to secure one.
Important ECV information you need to know:
- Cost is $50 for daily rentals and guests are required to pay a $100 refundable deposit.
- There is a weight limit of 450 pounds for Disney ECVs.
- Guests are allowed to bring their own electric convenience vehicles to Disney World and use it throughout the parks and each Walt Disney World Hotel.
- ECV’s need to be stored in your hotel room as opposed to outside your room in the hallway or corridor.
I need a wheelchair. Where can I park my car?
If you are driving to the the theme parks, disability parking is available close to the park entrance. Disney provides a complimentary wheelchair from your vehicle to the wheelchair rental station as well as the regular trams.
What is the best way to rent a wheelchair from an outside vendor?
Disney has made renting a wheelchair, ECV or transportable scooters from a 3rd party quick and easy. There are two great companies that are recommended by guests.
The first is ScooterBug Rentals. ScooterBug will deliver your wheelchair to your Disney hotel and does not require a guest to be present at the time they drop off the chair. They will drop your wheelchair off with Bell Services and when you arrive at your Disney Hotel, you can pick it up there.
Another company that many vacationers have had a good experience with is Buena Vista Scooter rentals. They have a wonderful selection of ECV’s, wheelchairs and more. You can view the rental fee from each company and decide the best route for your needs but either company will provide great customer service.
If a guest has mobility issues we strongly recommend one of the rental companies to make sure your trip will run smoothly. Doing so will move you past potential long rental lines, are not not dependent on a specific return tim,e and overall just the best option for most people.
Walt Disney World Transportation Wheelchair Accessibility Information
Wheelchair access on Disney Busses
All bus routes are serviced by buses equipped to accommodate various types of wheelchairs and ECVs/Scooters as long as the mobility device fits the lift without being forced. Most buses can accommodate 2 mobility devices.
Disney Watercraft Wheelchair Access
Watercraft access will vary depending on the type of watercraft and existing water levels and conditions. Please contact a Disney Cast Member at the watercraft dock for information and assistance.
Monorail Wheelchair Access
Guests may access the Walt Disney World monorail system by using the elevators or ramps at the Transportation and Ticket Center at each destination.
Disney Skyliner Wheelchair Access.
Guests with mobility challenges may access this aerial gondola for a bird’s-eye view of various locations around the Walt Disney World Resort.
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
Wheelchair Accessibility at the Parks
Here are a list of attractions in relation to wheelchair/ECV accessibility:
Magic Kingdom
- Ariel At her Grotto – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Astro Orbiter – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Big Thunder Mountain – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Barnstormer – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Country Bear Jamboree Show – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Enchanted Tales with Belle – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Hall of Presidents – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Haunted Mansion – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- It’s a Small World – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Jungle Cruise – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Liberty Square Riverboat – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Mad Tea Party – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Peter Pan’s Flight – There is no wheelchair access. Guests must walk themselves or be assisted by others to experience this attraction.
- Pirates of the Caribbean – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Space Mountain – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Splash Mountain – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Swiss Family Treehouse – There is no wheelchair access. Guests must walk themselves or be assisted by others to experience this attraction.
- Tomorrowland Speedway – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover) – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Tom Sawyer Island – Guests must transfer from their wheelchair/ECV to an available wheelchair to experience the raft attraction.
- Under the Sea, Journey of the Little Mermaid – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Walt Disney’s The Enchanted Tiki Room – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Walt Disney World Railroad – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
Epcot
- Advanced Training Lab – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- The American Adventure – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Film – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Frozen Ever After – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Impressions de France – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Journey into Imagination with Figment – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Living with the Land – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Mission: SPACE – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Reflections of China – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Soarin’ Around the World – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Spaceship Earth – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Test Track – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Turtle Talk with Crush – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Alien Swirling Saucers – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Beauty and the Beast – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Disney Junior – Play and Dance – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Fantastic! – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-along Celebration. – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Muppet*Vision 3D – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Slinky Dog Dash – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Toy Story Mania! – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Walt Disney Presents – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Affection Section – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Avatar Flight of Passage – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- The Boneyard Dig Site – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Conservation Station – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- DINOSAUR – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Discovery Island Trails – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Expedition Everest – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Festival of the Lion King – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Finding Nemo – The Musical – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Walking Tour – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- It’s Tough To be a Bug – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Kali River Rapids – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Kilimanjaro Safaris – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Maharajah Jungle Trek – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
- Na’vi River Journey – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- TriceraTop Spin – Guests must transfer to the ride vehicle from their wheelchair/ECV
- Wildlife Express Train – Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV
Disney Access Service
Disney does a great job of providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all their guests. They have a program called, Disability Access Service or DAS for short.
Guests that are eligible can pre-register for DAS Advance with any Cast Member prior to arrival. Please contact Disney for more information on how this can assist your park experience.
You can expect to have a wonderful time at Walt Disney World if you or someone in your family is using a wheelchair. As with all things Disney, a little bit of planning can make your trip as enjoyable as possible!
Many things on our list of hidden things to do at Disney World are handicap accessible – be sure to check it out! Also, anyone in your party can keep an eye out for hidden Mickeys! It is one of our favorite things to do!