The elevator isn't specifically to get to the boarding area for Soarin'. You enter the Land on the second floor and have to get down to first floor for most attractions. Every single time we have been in that building (which is a lot of times in the 20 years we have visited WDW), the CM stationed at the door has seen DD's wheelchair and told us which way yo go for the elevator, so it's not a problem.
Here's what I posted about Soarin' on the Theme Parks Board earlier that should answer all your questions about Soarin':
My DD uses a wheelchair. She can't walk or stand unless someone holds her because she has little balance. She went on Soarin' a number of times during our recent trip and we found it to be a very easy transfer.
There are no steps anywhere in the line or getting on the ride. There are some ramps going up and down in the queue, but no steps at all.
There is a
picture on this page that shows the seats. They are 3 rows in each section; there are 3 sections in the theater. You are lined up before going into the theater and then follow the CM into the theater when it's time to go in (the first row follows the CM directly, the people in the second row follow the first row, etc).
The seats are steady when you get into them and the seat is about the same distance from the ground as a regular chair. The seats look hard in the picture, but are made of a thick mesh and feel sort of like lawn chairs. They are upright when you are getting in and out (like the picture shows), but the whole row tips back a bit as it rises up to the ride position, so that you ride in a bit of a recline.
You would be able to keep your cane to get into the ride car, then either have someone else in your party just lay it on the ground or give it to the CM. You have quite a bit of time to get into your seat and get settled and the CM walks along each row before your "trip" begins to make sure everyone is in OK and has seat belts fastened correctly. We never felt hurried getting on or off.
You will come back to exactly the same place at the end of the ride - in fact, some people with sandals will be leaving their shoes right there on the floor under their seats.
For EE, I have not been on, but DH was. The boarding area is level and a wheelchair/
ECV could be pulled up as close as needed to the ride car (that is the case for most attractions). Then he could transfer and the CM would take both the wheelchair and crutches, etc. aaway from the boarding area for you and park them a safe distance away. They usually would bring the wheelchair back when it's time to get off (they keep track of the cars that people using wheelchairs are in), but I'd make sure someone else in your party is able to get to to it if necessary to position it the way he wants.
There is a ride car for EE that has an opening door (like the practice one outside the ride). The regular cars don't have an opening door; having it would give him more room to manouver his leg inside.
