after parking wheel chair/scooter how long will I have to stand for rides

[mackay_j]

Hi I have MS and lupus, I can walk and stand in line using my stick, but only for about 10-15mins and because of the lupus and the chemo drugs I am on to suppress it and the ms I need to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I will be using a chair/or scooter (as long as I can manage it in the crowds without killing some one -first 2 week in july so prob busy). What I am trying to find out is after I park up do I wait in the normal line or is there a waiting place that has seats and or shade. Also I'm with my DD(17yr so mostly OK on her own) who is diabetic and has a kidney problem so needs to get in & out of lines for toilet trips, this was not too much of an issues before as I was in the line so she just braved the comments and pushed her way back to me, (although on a few occasions she had hypos so we both had to leave to sort her out and rejoin the end of the line later wasting a few hrs of queuing for nothing- although she was a few years younger then so manages hypos better on her own now but occasionaly still so bad that I have to help before she goes unconsious) but if I have to wait somewhere else while she waits in line until our turn so that I then join her, we may have a problem in long wait times and I will also be worried that if the has hypos (heat causes them) that I'll not be with her- any ideas and help as to what we should do-thanks

 

[toniosmom]

If you are in a wheelchair or scooter, do not park and wait in line. Ask the castmember where the handicapped access is located. You should not be required to exit your chair until it is time to get on the ride, if you can transfer. The CM will likely move your chair to the location where you exit the ride so that you can get right back on.

If your daughter will be going on rides without you, I suggest she go to guest services and tell them what type of accomodations she requires. They may give her a Guest Assistance Card, which will grant her access to a line or waiting area that will work for her. The CMs at Guest Services are very accomodating. They will ask you what you need and provide you with the appropriate access. No way should she have to wait in line, only to leave to use the restroom and have to go back to the end of the line.

You will be surprised and happy when you realize how accomodating Disney is in situations like yours. It will totally change your vacation for the better.

Good luck and have a wonderful time!

 

[Mrsjvb]

a WC goes all the way through the line with no issues. many will accommodate an ECV all the way to ride load as well.

some lines do NOT have room for ECVs and you will have to either transfer to a chair or hoof it. be advised that there will not always BE a chair available to transfer into. the map you get will indicate which rides are set up which way so you will know up front where the trouble spots are.

there is not always a separate entrance for WC/ECVs either. and even if there is one there are no guarantees that you won't be standing/waiting less than 10-15 minutes. in fact many times I wait longer.

use FP as much as possible to avoid the longest lines. a GAC will NOT necessarily get your daughter back into line where she left if she has to leave for any reason. she needs to schedule potty breaks for BEFORE she gets into line if she cannot go more than say 20 minutes between visits.

also not every ride has alternate waiting areas in or out of shade. in some cases you may be given a handwritten FP of sorts that tells you to return after a set period of time( usually the listed time on the main line entrance) and at that point you will be directed onto the ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are bringing an ECV in line with you, you will have it all the way to the boarding area, so the only standing would be very short in the boarding area.

If you park it outside of the attractions, the amount of time you spend will vary depending on the attraction. There are some where everyone has to wait for a period of time - most are shows where even if there is no line, you will still need to wait for the next show. Guests with wheelchairs and ECVs will be able to bring them into the show, so they will have no standing. But, there is seldom any place to sit for those guests who do not have a mobility device with them.
Post 22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about attractions where guests without mobility devices sill need to stand for a period of time.

You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, or follow the link in my signature.

Posts 18-21 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about boarding attractions, which have ECV accessible lines and general access. As was already mentioned, all attractions have lines that are accessible to wheelchairs, but there are some attractions that are not ECV accessible. As was mentioned, you can switch to a wheelchair for those, but there is not always a wheelchair available and you may have an extra wait.

Post 6 on page 1 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about Guest Assistance Cards. Most of the regular lines are shaded, but there are times where wheelchair accessible areas are not. One example is Dumbo. There is a pull off boarding area for guests with wheelchairs which is pretty much in the sun. They have a few umbrellas over the to, but it is not as well shaded as the 'regular ' line. The bigger problem with sun exposure will actually be outside of lines and attractions, getting from place to place.

Post 11 lists the 'Mobility Entrances' from the Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities. In most cases, the Mobility Entrance is the regular entrance. If the boarding or unload area are not accessible, there will be a pull off point, usually close to boarding after waiting in the regular line. This is called Mainstream Access and most attractions ( especially at the Studio and Animal Kingdom) do have Mainstream Access.

 

[mackay_j]

a WC goes all the way through the line with no issues. many will accommodate an ECV all the way to ride load as well.

some lines do NOT have room for ECVs and you will have to either transfer to a chair or hoof it. be advised that there will not always BE a chair available to transfer into. the map you get will indicate which rides are set up which way so you will know up front where the trouble spots are.

there is not always a separate entrance for WC/ECVs either. and even if there is one there are no guarantees that you won't be standing/waiting less than 10-15 minutes. in fact many times I wait longer.

use FP as much as possible to avoid the longest lines. a GAC will NOT necessarily get your daughter back into line where she left if she has to leave for any reason. she needs to schedule potty breaks for BEFORE she gets into line if she cannot go more than say 20 minutes between visits.

also not every ride has alternate waiting areas in or out of shade. in some cases you may be given a handwritten FP of sorts that tells you to return after a set period of time( usually the listed time on the main line entrance) and at that point you will be directed onto the ride.

20m mins would not be an issue - not sure what July will be like as we have only been over Xmas and new year- and have waited upwards of 11/2hrs and even up to 2 hrs (for the worst ride in the world - stich what a waste of 2 hrs!!)-

 

[Mrsjvb]

that's why you need fast Pass and a good tour plan. to avoid longer waits.

DH and I have a limit: under 45 minutes for stand by. and then only for certain rides.

 

[cmesq61]

Hi I have MS and lupus, I can walk and stand in line using my stick, but only for about 10-15mins and because of the lupus and the chemo drugs I am on to suppress it and the ms I need to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

I also diligently avoid the sun for auto-immune reasons, and am in an ECV. I don't recall being out in the sun too terribly long in lines generally, BUT--there are a lot of rides I am unable to ride for medical reasons so I am probaby not the best judge of it. Some rides where you don't go through the main line are completely out of the sun--like BTM.
In general, I deal with the sun by using a hat with a good sized brim--not a baseball cap but a real hat with 360 degrees of brim, I carry an umbrella for times I need extra protection, and I no longer wear shorts as even the rays that filter through and/or are reflected off of surfaces cause me problems.

 

[minnie mum]

Sue M and the other PPs have given you some great advice as far as managing your medical issues.

I would like to emphasize the importance of a well organized trip in order to minimize some of your potential problems. If you have your days planned properly and are using an adequate touring plan and maximizing your use of fastpass, you will greatly reduce the amount of time you are spending in lines. This seems to be the focus for a lot of your concerns. There is absolutely no need to spend anywhere near an hour in any line if you tour efficiently. This will benefit you both.

Hope you both have a happy and healthy trip.