Any pics of DL POTC wheelchair loading area?

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Hello all. We are taking a trip to DL in August with my disabled adult brother. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. I have the attraction access guide from DL so I've got a pretty good handle on which rides are doable for him, but I'm still not sure about POTC. I know the wheelchair entrance is the exit, and basically my dh and I would need to lower him into the boat and lift him out. What I'm trying to picture is how far down that would be, and what angle, etc.

It's been a few years since I've been on the ride, and I can't picture it as well as I'd like. I'm sure it would be some heavy lifting, but it's actually the ride my brother would be the most excited about. If it's not going to be doable, I'd prefer to know before we go, in order to not get his hopes up too much. We are willing to work harder for this ride compared to the rest he will go on, but I don't want to have completely unrealistic expectations.

So, I was wondering if anyone happened to have a picture of the wheelchair loading area, especially the actual boat in relation to the "dock" area.

Thank you for any help you may have!

[KPeveler]

Hi there - I don't have any photos now, but since I have a little time before your trip, I will see if I can get over there in the next couple weeks to take some pictures. If I remember properly, you can get a wheelchair through the rails to the boat, but he would be facing the boat. There is no way to do a sliding transfer on this ride.

I will see if I can get some photos for you!

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Thank you - that is very kind of you!

[BillSears]

I can tell you the boat doesn't get as close to the dock compared to the MK(WDW) version. Also the boat seems to be lower down.

I can make the transfer in and out of the boat at the MK but I didn't even try to do it at DL.

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Originally Posted by BillSears

I can tell you the boat doesn't get as close to the dock compared to the MK(WDW) version. Also the boat seems to be lower down.

I can make the transfer in and out of the boat at the MK but I didn't even try to do it at DL.

Thank you - that is good to know. I seem to remember it being more than a small step down into the boat. Well, we won't get our hopes up, but we will make a final decision when we see it in person. I hope he can ride it, but if not, there are plenty of other amazing things he can do and enjoy.

[jmartinez1895]

I found this photo on allears.net. I'm not sure if it's what you are looking for, but I thought it might help. http://www.allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/potc2.jpg

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Originally Posted by jmartinez1895

I found this photo on allears.net. I'm not sure if it's what you are looking for, but I thought it might help. http://www.allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/potc2.jpg

Thank you so much! I had never seen those ride vehicle pics on that site before. I really appreciate the link -very helpful!

[jmartinez1895]

I am happy that it helped you out. I stumbled across the DL ride photos while looking for something else one day.

[OrthoDad]

We live in the SW, we have a teen-age son with CP, in a wheelchair, and we go to DL regularly. POTC is a little bit difficult for us to load him, but the CM's have always been great there...they give us plenty of time, and we've been able to do it, usually with a careful two-person lift.

I honestly can't remember what the boat loading was like at WDW. To be honest, the ordeal of wheelchair access to that queue turned us off, and we haven't been there for years. Plus, the DL version of the ride is MUCH longer, with more scenes, and basically all around better, IMHO. So, when we go to WDW, we don't ride POTC.

We're going back to DL in May; I'll try to get some pics for you of the dock.

One other warning, the wheelchair line for POTC is frequently longer than the mainstream queue, so plan accordingly.

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Originally Posted by OrthoDad

We live in the SW, we have a teen-age son with CP, in a wheelchair, and we go to DL regularly. POTC is a little bit difficult for us to load him, but the CM's have always been great there...they give us plenty of time, and we've been able to do it, usually with a careful two-person lift.

I honestly can't remember what the boat loading was like at WDW. To be honest, the ordeal of wheelchair access to that queue turned us off, and we haven't been there for years. Plus, the DL version of the ride is MUCH longer, with more scenes, and basically all around better, IMHO. So, when we go to WDW, we don't ride POTC.

We're going back to DL in May; I'll try to get some pics for you of the dock.

One other warning, the wheelchair line for POTC is frequently longer than the mainstream queue, so plan accordingly.

Thanks, Orthodad! I'm glad to know that you didn't feel rushed during loading at DL. Of course, nothing is for sure until we get there, but I'm thinking that, with dh and myself working together, we can get him on the ride.

Have a great trip in May!

[Scuttle]

Just wanted to add....

We were just there, and were using a mobility stroller as a wheelchair, so it may be different for an actual wheelchair, but, they had us enter using the left side of the queue lines, and follow the line all the way to the bottom, just like everyone else. Once the ride was over, they wouldn't allow us to go up the flat escalator, but instead we went out a side door, up an elevator, and out a side exit that was an exit beside the building.

GL finding out the information about the lift/transfer. I am sure that someone will have what you are looking for!

[KPeveler]

Originally Posted by Scuttle

Just wanted to add....

We were just there, and were using a mobility stroller as a wheelchair, so it may be different for an actual wheelchair, but, they had us enter using the left side of the queue lines, and follow the line all the way to the bottom, just like everyone else. Once the ride was over, they wouldn't allow us to go up the flat escalator, but instead we went out a side door, up an elevator, and out a side exit that was an exit beside the building.

GL finding out the information about the lift/transfer. I am sure that someone will have what you are looking for!

This is true in WDW, but in DL you go in the exit and come out the same way.

Also, the wheelchair queue is largely outdoors in Disneyland (they only have a few wheelchair parties in at a time), and often in direct sunlight, so plan ahead! August can be very hot, and it can be a bit much.