The Haunted Mansion: Tips For Guests Needing Mobility Access

One attraction I always head for at the Magic Kingdom is The Haunted Mansion. Unfortunately, a few years ago, I started experiencing mobility issues. My problems began when I was preparing for my Disney World trip. However, there was no way I would cancel or postpone my trip. I immediately arranged to rent a mobility scooter and was ready to do my thing, aided by a recently purchased cane.

During this trip, I understood I needed to adjust my expectations to a new reality. That reality was what my body was capable of doing at that time. I had a mobility scooter which saved me from trying to walk the parks all day long. But I rode all the roller coasters, stepped up and down from all attraction conveyances, and did everything I wanted. However, I was most concerned with stepping onto and off the moving walkways at The Haunted Mansion and PeopleMover, which I’ve addressed in a previous blog post.

Transitioning From A Stable Surface To A Moving Walkway Was Challenging For Me

Transitioning from a stable surface to a moving walkway was challenging for me. I hadn’t mastered the cane yet to assist with my balance, so I was unsure how to proceed. Fortunately, my son was to my non-cane side and helped steady me onto the walkway and into a Doom Buggy ride vehicle. Conversely, when I was trying to leave the walkway at the end of the ride, I sought his assistance again.

However, all that concern and hassle is now a thing of the past, discovered during my most recent trip. The Haunted Mansion is easily accessible if you ask a Cast Member for guidance. They will slow or stop the moving walkway so you can walk on it without fear of losing your balance. Additionally, you can ask for the use of the Transfer Access Vehicle, a modified Doom Buggy.

Let’s Start At The Beginning

I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s start at the beginning. The outside walkway to the Haunted Mansion resembles cobblestones delivering a bumpy ride for wheelchair or mobility scooter riders. Unfortunately, these uneven surfaces make walking with a cane, rollator, or walker more difficult. Just be careful if you must do so.

There is one thing that you should know. The manner of handling wheelchairs and ECVs at The Haunted Mansion can be changeable. Sometimes Disney’s official procedures are inconsistent and can change with little notice.

I’ve read about these inconsistencies and have heard them from several people. As previously mentioned, ask questions and listen to the attending Cast Members. They’ll know the most current, hassle-free, and safe process for getting you into and out of the attraction.

Going Through The Haunted Mansion Queue And Pre-Show With A Wheelchair Or Mobility Scooter

All wheelchairs and mobility scooters go through the queue and pre-show and may remain seated in their conveyance device. On my last trip, I stayed with my ECV during the pre-show (also known as the “Stretching Room“). However, when entering the “Stretching Room,” a Cast Member informed me to stay to the rear along the right side.

Additionally, you can advise the Cast Member that you want to skip the pre-show. Instead of the pre-show area, the Cast Member will direct you to the ride exit (unloading room), where guests in wheelchairs and ECVs will board a Doom Buggy.

However, I stayed for the pre-show. Afterward, I was directed to a hallway when leaving the “Stretching Room” through a hidden exit door. The hallway led to the ride exit area for boarding. This option included anyone in my group (six people or less) accompanying me.

Save Yourself The Hassle And Ask For The Transfer Access Vehicle At The Haunted Mansion

When entering the waiting line, save yourself the hassle by asking for the Transfer Access Vehicle. This allows the wheelchair or mobility scooter to be brought in and remains at the attraction exit. You can park right outside the exiting area, or you can bring the mobility device up to the Doom Buggy if necessary. 

However, that alternative is limited to manual wheelchairs, rollators, and walkers. So I walked the short distance and got into the Doom Buggy from where I parked the ECV. The attending Cast Member stopped the moving walkway so I could walk to and enter the Doom Buggy at my pace.

The Transfer Access Vehicle for the Haunted Mansion is a modified Doom Buggy. It is a regular Doom Buggy with the side cut down, creating a larger door opening. However, you’d still have to be able to step up and down from the Doom Buggy as necessary. A Cast Member cannot physically assist you, obviously for liability issues. Other people in your group can help you if need be. There is no rush, so take all the time that you need.

Once the ride finishes, you’ll exit in the same unloading room area. The Transfer Access Vehicle will stop in the same place where you boarded. For easy retrieval, your ECV or wheelchair will remain where you left it upon entering. It sounds more complicated than it is, but the procedure is straightforward.

Entering The Regular Boarding Queue Using A Cane, Crutches, Rollator, Or Other Mobility Aid

You may leave your ECV or wheelchair at the main entrance deciding you’re ambulatory enough to walk in. Additionally, you may enter the regular boarding queue using a cane, crutches, rollator, walker, or any other mobility aid. After that, the procedure is the same, except when exiting the “Stretching Room.”

After the pre-show, the doors will open, letting Guests not requiring specific mobility access move to the Doom Buggy main boarding area. Subsequently, it necessitates going onto a moving walkway before stepping into an available Doom Buggy.

You Can Ask A Cast Member To Slow Down Or Stop The Moving Walkway At The Haunted Mansion

However, when using a cane or other device at the regular boarding area, you can ask that the moving walkway be slowed down or stopped. It makes getting into the Doom Buggy easier, but you’ll still have to step up about ten inches for boarding. Also, the area’s light is dim, so be extra cautious when walking and boarding.

When the ride is over, the Cast Member at the attraction unloading area may not notice you need assistance if you entered at the beginning of the regular queue. They’ll not know if the walkway needs to stop or slow down for you to leave the Dune Buggy.

It’s my guess, but if you don’t leave the Doom Buggy immediately, a Cast Member will notice you. I’m sure they’ll stop the ride making provisions for you to exit safely. However, if you came through the main entrance, you’d have to return to where you parked your wheelchair or ECV. So it could be a considerable distance to walk before returning to it.

Summing Up

Here’s another attraction you can experience that considers mobility access. There’s a lot of information in this post. I understand that it can be confusing when first reading it. However, don’t let it intimidate you. In practice, it’s uncomplicated.

Always ask a Cast Member for assistance if you have questions or concerns. Just because you rely on a wheelchair, ECV, or any other mobility aid doesn’t mean your enjoyment should be limited.

I don’t know this as a fact, but I’m sure there have been numerous occasions when Guests using a rollator or walker have requested and bypassed the regular boarding queue. Instead, they may have felt more comfortable boarding where ECVs and wheelchairs go.

A Cast Member may have already suggested that you do so. However, I’m sure a Cast Member may accommodate you in whatever you decide is best for you; all you have to do is ask!

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