Electric Wheelchair & Monorail Ramps/Hills in the Parks

[YodaGirl]

ETA: Just ordered a Magshock! Thanks for the help, everyone!

Hey, y'all!

Once upon a time I was pretty active over on the camping forums, but thanks to some newly diagnosed chronic illnesses over the last couple of years, it looks like I'm joining you all, too.

A little back info & what I'm leaning toward purchasing (suggestions are always welcome!):
I can walk, but long distances - and honestly sometimes short distances - can be an issue due to post-exertion malaise, dizziness, etc. My hope is to have my forearm crutches with me to use when necessary but to rely mostly on a wheelchair.

I would love a Fold & Go Magshock as it checks off almost everything that I need, but I really would prefer something that reclines. A headrest, standard or optional, is preferable. I'm also a bit pooh-sized, so 300+ weight limits are gonna be my best option. At the moment, I'm leaning towards a ComfyGo Mobility Majestic IQ-8000 or IQ-9000.

This is where I'm concerned:
The IQ-8000 & IQ-9000 have a climbing angle max of 6 & 10, respectively. How in the world would they be able to handle some of the hills in the parks, much less the monorail ramps?

Am I looking at it wrong? Is there something that I'm not understanding? The F&G has a max of 25, and even that seems low for the monorail ramps, per my recollection.

I'm totally new to all of this and am just trying to adjust to a new normal while trying to get my kiddos back to their favorite vacation spot. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Groot]

Go with the Magshock. It’ll be more comfortable in the long run. What the other model has that the Mag doesn’t is arm supports and if you have wide hips, can be uncomfortable.

As for the climbing angle, ALL powered mobility devices (both scooters and wheelchairs) will lose a bar or 2 climbing steep hills, but recover when you go downhill/ are on even ground again. Plus Epcot’s monorail station has an elevator to bypass the hill for people with limited mobility utilizing canes, walkers or rollators as well as somebody pushing someone else in a manual wheelchair, or if they’re self propelling themselves, or scooters or powerchairs with low batteries.

 

[RoseGold]

There’s an elevator to the monorail at Epcot. I’m trying to think of the most dramatic incline at Disney and I think it’s the boardwalk to World Showcase entrance. I guess the TTC ramps could be tough? You could always take the elevator at poly.

Im a broken record over here, but I always tell everyone to check out the Whill Ci2. It’s all my permanently disabled family member uses. If you need a solution for more than just Disney it’s worth going to a dealer and trying out these things, especially as a person of size.

 

[SueM in MN]

Where are you staying?
The only monorail station that has an elevator is EPCOT - the last time we used it for a mobility device, the elevator was for getting onto the monorail there, not getting off.
At the monorail resorts, getting on or off won’t be an issue.
Getting on or off the monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center or MK does include steep ramps. Using the ferry to MK would be a better option since you can roll straight on and off.

I agree with @RoseGold that the steepest slope at WDW other than the monorail ramps is probably the Boardwalk to EPCOT World Showcase. The bridge on the Boardwalk hotel side to cross the water is pretty steep. The slope on the Beach Club/ Yacht Club side is much less steep.

 

[YodaGirl]

Go with the Magshock. It’ll be more comfortable in the long run. What the other model has that the Mag doesn’t is arm supports and if you have wide hips, can be uncomfortable.

As for the climbing angle, ALL powered mobility devices (both scooters and wheelchairs) will lose a bar or 2 climbing steep hills, but recover when you go downhill/ are on even ground again. Plus Epcot’s monorail station has an elevator to bypass the hill for people with limited mobility utilizing canes, walkers or rollators as well as somebody pushing someone else in a manual wheelchair, or if they’re self propelling themselves, or scooters or powerchairs with low batteries.

I'm so glad I posted this question and that you responded. I hadn't even noticed the bars under the arms of the ComfyGo. *sigh* I really wish the Magshock reclined! I can go from being mostly okay to REALLY exaughsted fairly quickly and unpredictably. I was hoping I could find one that could recline. I guess finding a chair to check off all my wishes and in my price range is too much to ask for. Lol

So what I'm understanding about the hills and less steep ramps is that even though it says 6 or 10, it should make it (of course going with yhe magshock, it wouldnt be as big if a deal)? There's a nearby amusement park that has a couple of hills that are similar to the MK monorail ramp, so even if I'm not at Disney, that's still a slight concern for me.

 

[YodaGirl]

There’s an elevator to the monorail at Epcot. I’m trying to think of the most dramatic incline at Disney and I think it’s the boardwalk to World Showcase entrance. I guess the TTC ramps could be tough? You could always take the elevator at poly.

Im a broken record over here, but I always tell everyone to check out the Whill Ci2. It’s all my permanently disabled family member uses. If you need a solution for more than just Disney it’s worth going to a dealer and trying out these things, especially as a person of size.

That one looks really nice! Unfortunately, it's out of my price range.

I have thought of going to a local dealer, but the ones I'm looking at aren't sold locally. I briefly looked at a Pride Go Chair that is sold locally, but I'm not sure thats rugged enough for what I'm wanting...and no reclining option.

 

[YodaGirl]

Where are you staying?
The only monorail station that has an elevator is EPCOT - the last time we used it for a mobility device, the elevator was for getting onto the monorail there, not getting off.
At the monorail resorts, getting on or off won’t be an issue.
Getting on or off the monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center or MK does include steep ramps. Using the ferry to MK would be a better option since you can roll straight on and off.

I agree with @RoseGold that the steepest slope at WDW other than the monorail ramps is probably the Boardwalk to EPCOT World Showcase. The bridge on the Boardwalk hotel side to cross the water is pretty steep. The slope on the Beach Club/ Yacht Club side is much less steep.

We stay at FtW, so honestly the monorail ramps aren't a deal breaker. It's just kind of a tradition to ride them on arrival day and check out the monorail loop hotels. We'd be taking the boat from FtW to MK to get to the monorail. I'm thinking the smaller boats going to the Contemporary from FtW would be out of the question, even if it was folded?

This time around, we've considered not towing our camper and opting for a value resort instead.

When it comes to going to the parks, we tend to drive anymore, unless we're going to MK. It just seems easier/quicker than waiting for a bus.

 

[SueM in MN]

The smaller boats would not be a good option. Lifting anything, even folded, onto them is not easy.

 

[YodaGirl]

The smaller boats would not be a good option. Lifting anything, even folded, onto them is not easy.

Yeah. We've taken a folded, sit n stand stroller on them before. Not fun. I'm sure a folded wheelchair would be worse.

Thanks for the info!

 

[RoseGold]

As of December 2021, there is no boat to contemporary right now. Ft wilderness is running two kinds of boats to MK. One is big and fits quite a few rental scooters. The other is much smaller, and tough with a double stroller. You’d have to wait for the big boat, probably even with a manual chair.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I rented a Whill Ci at Disney before purchasing my F&G Magshock, and the Magshock is SO much better for me!! A huge bonus is the fact that I can ride around in the rain and not worry… which is pretty important in FL

I have a specialty foot plate on my F&G that my husband designed for me. It helps my hips to be much more comfortable when I have my feet out further than F&G’s extended footplate would allow. I don’t know if a more comfy position would help you with fatigue at all, but the F&G really is very comfortable to ride all day & is ergonomically supportive (which the Whill Ci was not- I was in a lot of back pain after 5 days in Disney with it).

Best of luck to you!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

Yeah. We've taken a folded, sit n stand stroller on them before. Not fun. I'm sure a folded wheelchair would be worse.

Thanks for the info!

Oh my, yes! I had rolled up to a small boat once not knowing that they didn’t have ramps. I told them no problem, I’d go catch the monorail (I was going to GF prior to the walkway opening), but a kind gentleman insisted on carrying it on for me. He took one step into the boat and nearly fell over backwards because of the instability while holding 50 pounds! I felt sooo bad!!! Never again.

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

The F&G is a beast (compared to most) handling trails and outdoor areas since you said you like to camp. It handles the incline you posted fine with me and all my luggage which is more than you weigh. It’s rainproof although the wheel bearings would need to be changed more frequently. Best part is that it folds and can be lifted into a regular vehicle instead of requiring an expensive lift or ramp. Forearm crutches tie easily onto the chair as well. I use Nite Ize gear ties. You’ll also want to consider getting anti-slip Tornado Tips for your crutches as the parks often have a glaze or slippery paint in many areas and bathrooms can be awful. The plastic lumber boardwalks when wet are awful too. Expensive, but they are basically gecko feet and much cheaper than falling.

Bus ramps can be really steep too. There are some Disney busses that have really steep ramps. You’ll definitely want to consider a chair that handles inclines well if you want to use your chair going up to the top of the paved trail at Clingman’s dome in the Smokies or to the main cave entrance at Mammoth Cave on that paved but steep slope.

 

[leo711]

Do any of the ecv rental places in Orlando have the bariatric folding chairs? We are staying off site and need to put the chair in the SUV. I am just under 300 pounds and worried the battery of the portables I have seen will run out quickly due to weight.

 

[RoseGold]

There are some Disney busses that have really steep ramps.

This is very true. I've seen many struggling on rental scooters, including one who couldn't do it at all.

 

[YodaGirl]

The F&G is a beast (compared to most) handling trails and outdoor areas since you said you like to camp. It handles the incline you posted fine with me and all my luggage which is more than you weigh. It’s rainproof although the wheel bearings would need to be changed more frequently. Best part is that it folds and can be lifted into a regular vehicle instead of requiring an expensive lift or ramp. Forearm crutches tie easily onto the chair as well. I use Nite Ize gear ties. You’ll also want to consider getting anti-slip Tornado Tips for your crutches as the parks often have a glaze or slippery paint in many areas and bathrooms can be awful. The plastic lumber boardwalks when wet are awful too. Expensive, but they are basically gecko feet and much cheaper than falling.

Bus ramps can be really steep too. There are some Disney busses that have really steep ramps. You’ll definitely want to consider a chair that handles inclines well if you want to use your chair going up to the top of the paved trail at Clingman’s dome in the Smokies or to the main cave entrance at Mammoth Cave on that paved but steep slope.

Thanks for all the advice! I'll look into those. I hadn't even considered anti-slip tips. Excellent point.

Clingman's Dome observation tower? Will it make it? We'd been planning section hikes of the AT when I rather quickly became unable to do it. I went up Clingman's Dome as a kid and had really wanted to take my kids. I chalked it up to something they'd have to do without me. It would be amazing if it could make it up there.

I'm claustrophobic, so while it's a relatively close trip, we've avoided that one. Lol