Disabled Travelers Information - Epcot
Disney is great about keeping things accessible and offering assistance to those who need it.
Service Animals • Attraction Access • Hearing Disabilities • Mobility Disabilities • Visual Disabilities • General Information
WELCOME
Welcome to Epcot! This page outlines services and facilities available for Guests with disabilities who visit Epcot. When you arrive at the Park you can request the weekly Epcot guidemap, which contains additional information and an entertainment schedule.
Guest Relations
Guest Relations located inside the Theme Park provides a variety of services, including general information, priority seating for restaurants, ticket media information, Park guidemaps, entertainment schedules, and information on services for Guests with disabilities.
Theme Park Parking (Standard parking rates apply)
Guests with the ability to walk short distances and step up onto the courtesy trams should park in the main parking lot of Epcot. The courtesy tram will transport Guests to the Entrance Complex. Parking for Guests with mobility disabilities, or who are traveling with personal wheelchairs, is available adjacent to the Entrance Complex. Guests should inquire at the Auto Plaza for directions on parking options.
Shops and Restaurants
Most food and merchandise locations in Epcot are accessible to Guests with disabilities. Cast Members are available to assist Guests when necessary. Some counter-service locations have narrow queues formed by railings that may be difficult for Guests using wheelchairs. At these locations we suggest that a member of the party order and transport the food, or contact a host or hostess for assistance.
First Aid
The Epcot First Aid Station is located at Odyssey Center in FutureWorld.
Companion Restrooms
At Epcot, companion-assisted restroom facilities are located at all First Aid locations as well as:
Stamina or Endurance Concerns
Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in our queues. We strongly suggest that these Guests consider using a wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle, as the distance between our attractions is much greater than the length of our queues.
Smoking Restrictions
For the comfort and safety of all our Guests, smoking is prohibited in all waiting areas, attractions, stores, dining areas, restrooms, and locations designated for parade and show viewing.
Service animals are welcome in most locations throughout Epcot. All service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Guests should follow the same attraction entrance procedures as described for Guests using wheelchairs. Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride. In those instances, a member of the Guest's party must remain with the animal.
Designated "Break" Areas for Service Animals
Epcot allows Guests to use backstage locations for service animal relief areas. Please contact a host or hostess near the following areas for directions and assistance:
Service Animal Restrictions
Because of the nature of the experience, service animals are not permitted on the following attractions:
Because of the nature of the experience, Guests with service animals should check with a host or hostess for attraction and boarding information at the following attractions:
Methods of accessibility vary from attraction to attraction within our Parks. This site and Park guidemaps use Symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a host or hostess at each attraction before entering.
The following attractions provide access through the main queue:
Certain attractions require Guests to transfer from their wheelchairs to a ride system either by themselves or with the assistance of a member of their party. Walt Disney World® Resort hosts and hostesses are not permitted to physically assist Guests in transferring from their wheelchairs.
Auxiliary Entrance Limitations
Some attractions have auxiliary entrances for Guests with disabilities. These are intended to offer Guests in wheelchairs or with service animals a more convenient entrance to the attraction. Auxiliary entrances are not intended to bypass waiting lines. Guests with disabilities and up to five members of their party may enter through these entrances. The rest of the party should use the standard entrance.
A pad of paper and pens/pencils are readily accessible at each location for Cast Members to use, if necessary, to communicate with Guests. Cast Members with abilities in sign language can be identified with the appropriate language pin.
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive Listening Systems utilize a lightweight wireless device that receives an infrared signal (an invisible beam of light) from overhead transmitters at certain locations in order to amplify sound. These are recommended for Guests with mild to moderate hearing loss. Receivers are available at Guest Relations in Innoventions (east side). A $25 refundable deposit is required (must return item on the same day for refund).
Assistive Listening Systems operate at the following attractions: Universe of Energy:
Written Aids
Guest Assistance Packets containing dialogue, narrations, flashlights, and pen and paper are available at or near the performance areas or entrances for most shows and attractions. Guests should contact a host/hostess at the attraction for assistance.
Telephones
Pay phones equipped with amplified handsets are available throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. Consult the Epcot map for locations.
Pay phones equipped with a text typewriter (TTY) are available at:
A TTY is also available at Guest Relations in Innoventions (east side).
Sign Language
If requested, the Walt Disney World Resort provides Sign Language interpretation for our Guests at live Theme Park shows with a minimum of seven days notice. However, interpreted performances are currently available on a rotating basis as follows:
Guests can request this service by calling Walt Disney World Resort Information at (407) 824-4321 [voice] or (407) 827-5141 [TTY]. Guests will be contacted prior to their visit with an appropriate show schedule. Arrangements can also be requested for other events and shows with a minimum of two weeks notice. There is no cost to our Guests for this service.
Reflective Captioning
Reflective captioning is available at many theater-type attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort. This innovative technology utilizes an LED display to project desired captions onto an acrylic panel positioned in front of the Guests.
To use this system, Guests should contact a host or hostess at the attraction. This service is currently available at the following locations:
Video Captioning
Caption-ready monitors are available at many attractions. These monitors are designated with a "CC" Symbol and can only be activated by remote control. Activators are available at Guest Relations in Innoventions (east side) and require a $25 refundable deposit (must return item on the same day for refund).
Video captioning is currently available at:
NOTE: NOT ALL PORTIONS OF AN ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE MAY BE CAPTIONED.
Braille Guides Braille guidebooks are available at Guest Relations in Innoventions (east side). A refundable $25 deposit is required (must return item on the same day for refund).
Audio Tape Guides
Epcot has cassette tapes that give Guests a sense of direction and a brief description of the attractions. Audio cassettes and portable tape players are available at Guest Relations in Innoventions (east side). A refundable $25 deposit is required (must return item on the same day for refund).
Wheelchairs
Guests may bring their own wheelchairs or rent one at any of the four Parks. Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental wheelchairs may not be transferred from Park to Park.
Wheelchair Rentals/Replacements
Wheelchair Replacement Location
Guests who are unable to reach the wheelchair/stroller shop may rent a wheelchair at the Gift Stop to the right of the entrance turnstiles.
A limited number of Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must be 18 years of age or older to rent ECVs, and quantities are limited. NO RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. Guests should plan to arrive early. ECVs are available only on a same-day basis and may be used only in the Park where they are rented. ECVs will be held if Guests wish to leave and return to the same Park.
NOTE: ECVs are not available at the Gift Stop.
Guests planning to visit more than one Park on the same day should retain their wheelchair deposit ticket from the first Park they visit. This will enable them to obtain a replacement wheelchair on the same day, if available, at the next Park with no additional charge.
NOTE: Wheelchairs or ECVs may not be available at the second Park.
Walt Disney World® Resorts also offer wheelchair rentals to their Guests. Quantities may be limited. Please contact the Front Desk for assistance.
GENERAL INFO
Guest Relations Guest Relations, located inside each of the Theme Parks, provides a variety of services, including general information, priority seating for restaurants, ticket media information, Park guidemaps, entertainment schedules, and information on services for Guests with disabilities.
Resort/Special Reservations
Walt Disney World Resorts offer special equipment and facilities for Guests with disabilities. Features vary depending upon your selected Resort. For information specific to individual Resorts, please call Walt Disney World Resort Special Reservations at (407) 939-7807 (voice) or (407) 939-7670 (TTY). Accommodations for Guests with disabilities may include the following:
Restrooms
Bed Accessories
Room Communication
Other Features
Parking
Designated parking areas for Guests with disabilities are available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. A valid disability parking permit is required.
Theme Park Parking (standard parking rates apply)
Guests with the ability to walk short distances and step up onto the courtesy trams should park in the main parking lot of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Parks. The courtesy tram will transport Guests to the Entrance Complex. Parking for Guests who are unable to use the courtesy trams, or who are traveling with personal wheelchairs, is available adjacent to the Entrance Complex at each of the four Parks. Guests should inquire at the Auto Plaza for directions on parking options.
Transportation
Many of the transportation systems at the Walt Disney World Resort are accessible to Guests with disabilities. All bus routes are serviced by buses equipped to accommodate various types of wheelchairs within the following guidelines: The wheelchair must fit the wheelchair lift without being forced (some motorized chairs and electric convenience vehicles are too wide or too long for the bus lift), and the wheelchair must be securely fastened in the wheelchair restraints. Watercraft access varies depending on the type of watercraft and the existing water levels and conditions. Please contact a host or hostess at the watercraft dock for information and assistance. Guests may access the Monorail system by proceeding up to the entrance ramps or using the elevators provided at Epcot, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Resort, and Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Access
Most attractions, restaurants, shops, and shows are accessible to all our Guests. In some cases, however, Guests may need the assistance of a member of their party to fully utilize these areas. For example, some counter-service locations have narrow queues formed by railings that may be difficult for Guests using wheelchairs. At these locations we suggest that a member of the party order and transport the food, or contact a host or hostess for assistance. Also, at some attractions Guests using wheelchairs may need to transfer from their wheelchairs onto a ride system. Hosts and hostesses are not permitted to physically transfer Guests from wheelchairs. We therefore recommend that Guests plan to visit with someone who can physically assist them, when necessary.
Theme Park Shows & Parade Areas
Due to Guest demand, viewing spaces cannot be reserved or guaranteed. Parties larger than six may be asked to separate and reunite afterward. Guest Relations can provide information on show times and other special events on the day of each visit.
Restrooms
Most restrooms throughout the Walt Disney World Resort have facilities designed for access by Guests traveling in wheelchairs.
Companion restrooms are available at the following locations:
First Aid
First Aid Stations are located at the following locations:
Stamina or Endurance Concerns
Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in our queues. We strongly suggest that these Guests consider using a wheelchair or electric convenience vehicle, as the distance between our attractions is much greater than the length of our queues.
Safety Considerations
We work hard to offer a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone. Please assist us by showing common courtesy to fellow Park Guests. Please be respectful of others. Do not use profanity or engage in unsafe, illegal, or offensive behavior. Please abide by all safety warnings and notices. Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times.
For your safety while on attractions, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Please honor designated viewing areas and crosswalks.
Also, for the comfort of those around you, we request that there be no flash photography, eating, or drinking in any attraction.
Smoking Restrictions
For the comfort and safety of all our Guests, smoking at the Walt Disney World Resort is permitted in designated areas only. Please refer to park guidmaps or signage for designated smoking locations, or ask a Cast Member for assistance.
Package Pick-Up/Shipping
This service is available at any of the Theme Parks. Purchases may be picked up as you exit the Park or delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort. This free service is available from noon until Park closing. You may also wish to inquire about shipping purchases directly to your home.
