Hi Heather,
I took the
Magic Behind Our Steam Trains tour in 2013. The tour is technically wheelchair accessible, so if you and your husband wanted to take the tour it would be possible. However, there are some physical challenges you'll want to be aware of:
- There is not much distance walking during the tour, much of it is standing or sitting to listen to the guide. However, some of the tour is in the actual railyard. This area is paved, but the pavement is fairly rough and there may be a few minor obstacles.
- Part of the tour includes a ride on a Magic Kingdom steam train. The first embarkation point is at the train station on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. There is a wheelchair ramp, but it's fairly steep. You would have to then fold the wheelchair, lift it into the train, and then have your husband step up into the train seat.
- At the railyard, you would have to disembark the train and unfold the wheelchair, then do this again to reboard.
- Near the end of the railyard portion, guests are invited to step into the engine compartment for a few minutes. This is optional but, in my opinion, it is one of the more interesting aspects of the tour. Getting into the engine involves climbinb up a three or four step ladder-like entry (and going back down to exit).
If you were considering doing the tour, my advice would be to book it during the later part of your trip. There is no penalty if you cancel 48 hours in advance. Before the 48 hour mark, go to the Magic Kingdom and practice going up the ramp to the Main Street Station and and boarding the train. If you can do this without much challenge, then you'll likely be fine for the tour, knowing that you might have to skip the five minute portion in the engine.
Good luck with your planning. Please let us know what else we can do to help.