Am I able to take a folding stool in to the parks?

[disneygrandma]

I just posted this question on the WDW parks forum, however, our DL trip will be next month, and our WDW trip is not until next May. I'm really needing some help on this, and pretty quickly.

My problem is that I'm no longer able to either get down on to the pavement to sit, or if by miracle I did, then I would not be able to get back up. The last few trips to the parks have been very hard on me when it came time to stand and watch parades, fireworks, etc. It's too painful for me to stand for long periods. On our last trip to DL, it was much harder on me than at WDW, due to the fact that there are more attractions that require you to stand. (Fantasmic and WoC for instance.)

A family member suggested that I get a folding stool that I could carry around on the stroller, and then it would be available when I needed it. Would a folding stool be allowed? Has anyone used one before? If so, where did you purchase it at? It would need to be sturdy, and tall enough that I would be able to lower myself down on to the stool, and then be able to stand back up again.

Any help, suggestions, tips, etc would be greatly appreciated. With only a few weeks left before our DL trip, I need to find something soon.

Thanks so much!

 

[gmi3804]

Yes. I see people all the time sitting on portable seats. They look kind of like a tripod with a seat platform on top. Of course, yours doesn't have to be exactly the same kind.

 

[5forMickey]

Have you thought about renting an ECV, if only for one day while you are doing the parades. My mother uses one at the parks all the time. She has some mobility issues and while she is able to get around, it just saves her from being in pain all the time and feeling like she "falls behind" everyone. It has really been a fantastic thing for her to use.......and I really wish that Disney would recognize that it is difficult for most of us above the age of 20 to sit down on the ground for the parades and fantasmic.......I love to watch fantasmic but hate sitting on the ground. The last time we went over we took blankets and a pillow to sit on and even that was still a PAIN......just do whatever you need to in order to keep enjoying the parks - it keeps us all young

 

[Nonsuch]

Yes. I see people all the time sitting on portable seats. They look kind of like a tripod with a seat platform on top. Of course, yours doesn't have to be exactly the same kind.

I have also seen guests on small tripod stools and other compact stools, but have also read posts from guests having difficulty entering the parks with cane chairs (which are specifically permitted).

The Disneyland website has this information:
Q. What items are not permitted within Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park?

A. Items not permitted include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a long list...)
Folding chairs, with the exception of cane-chair and seat-walker mobility aids

 

[2tinkerbell]

My brother has used a rollator (walker with a seat) before and he has found it much more stable than a folding stool. Just another consideration. You could use it sitting in the lines and scoot along.

 

[Nonsuch]

...A family member suggested that I get a folding stool that I could carry around on the stroller, and then it would be available when I needed it. Would a folding stool be allowed? Has anyone used one before? If so, where did you purchase it at? It would need to be sturdy, and tall enough that I would be able to lower myself down on to the stool, and then be able to stand back up again.

I have not tried to bring one into the parks, but this is an excellent tripod stool
Walkstool

 

[bouds]

I took a folding stool into the parks earlier this month for my 9 year old to stand on during Fantasmic (at the very back of the crowd). No problem whatsoever.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

We tried to bring in one of those small tripod chairs, similar to the one in the link above, about five years ago. Once the security CM saw it, we were told that is was not allowed in the park and we had to get rid of it.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

It seems to me that people with mobility issues are allowed to sit in the special viewing areas with benches for parades. Read this from the DL website:

Special Accommodations for Specific Circumstances
The DAS card, with its virtual wait, will accommodate many of our Guests with disabilities. We
recognize, however, that our Guests with disabilities have varying needs, and we will continue to
work individually with our Guests to provide assistance.
In unique situations, our Guest Relations staff will discuss special accommodations for persons who
are concerned the DAS Card doesn't meet their needs (e.g., for those whose disability limits the
duration of their visit to the park or limits their choice of attractions).
All accommodations will be made in person, on site at Guest Relations. We are unable to provide
accommodations in advance of a Guest visit​

 

[disneygrandma]

Thanks for all the ideas. I think we might try to look for something at our local sporting goods stores to see if anything will work, and then hope we're allowed to bring it in to the parks.

We might also check on the ECV rental, especially since my husband has some mobility issues too.

Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate it.

 

[adykate]

We were there last May with my whole family. My mom has knee issues, but not to the point where felt she needed to get a DAS. She tried to bring in a fold up tripod type chair. Security would not allow it through. Her choice was to walk all the way back to their car parked in the lots behind Paradise Pier to put it in the car, or give it up at security. So just know that if you try to bring something like that in, you may have to have someone return it to your hotel/car, or surrender it at security.

 

[Geemo]

Thanks for all the ideas. I think we might try to look for something at our local sporting goods stores to see if anything will work, and then hope we're allowed to bring it in to the parks.

We might also check on the ECV rental, especially since my husband has some mobility issues too.

Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate it.

There have been threads about ECV rentals. Their are companies in the area that will deliver wheel chairs and/or ECV to the hotel your staying in. You might do a search and see what comes up.

Geemo

 

[nikkislaght]

My personal experience with using a cane with a folded seat attached was of the negative at security.. they argued with me for a good 10 minutes before allowing me in.. it was on their own approved list of items allowed in . I think they were just being pissy with me..
I however stood firm so to speak and they allowed me in.. The are not the most comfortable of things to use but better than nothing..

all the best in finding something..

 

[eileenkeeney]

I had no idea that one could not bring a small folding seat into the parks.
I have not tried yet, but have considered it, as I get older.

I do not understand why they would not allow this.

There are all levels of abilities, and one does not need to be officially disabled, or disabled enough to need a wheel chair (or mobility device) to miss out on opportunities due to the long standing time required.

Maybe there needs to be an organized group to stick up for the needs of those who are not as able as the majority, yet not so disabled we need scooters or wheel chairs.
Ignoring the needs of this group seems rather insensitive of Disney.
I need more physical space to get myself up from sitting on the ground, than a small folding stool would take up.

Has anyone asked why they were not allowed to bring a folding stool into the park?

 

[nannyz]

If walkers are allowed, and I assume they are, then why not a walker with a seat on it? Does not make sense.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

If walkers are allowed, and I assume they are, then why not a walker with a seat on it? Does not make sense.

As 2Tinkerbell posted, walkers with seats are allowed.

-- Suzanne

 

[disneygrandma]

I just reserved an elec scooter for our stay at DL. After reading posts in different threads on the DIS, I decided to call Deckert's. We're staying onsite at DL, and will pick the scooter up at bell services when we arrive.

Now I need to find out more about using the scooter in the parks, specifically what to do at the different attractions. Do we need to get an assistance card when we use a scooter?

Thanks for your help on this.

 

[5forMickey]

I just reserved an elec scooter for our stay at DL. After reading posts in different threads on the DIS, I decided to call Deckert's. We're staying onsite at DL, and will pick the scooter up at bell services when we arrive.

I'm so happy for you as I think this will really make for an easier trip for you. The rooms we have had ad the DL hotel have always been large enough to drive the scooter right into at night, if the two won't fit I think you could probably leave one in the hall charging (take the key though lol) but the CM's at the hotel are so great and can help you with any of that. Deckert's have always had ours waiting for us when we arrived at the bell desk.

If you are able to walk on the rides without needing the scooter you can park them outside right where the strollers are (again -- take the key with you), or if you want to use the handicap access the cm's will direct you where to go.

So glad because now you will have the choice to use it or not, if you are feeling up to walking around you can do that but when you get a little tired or start hurting you will have the ECV.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[KittyKat1978]

My mom used an ECV earlier this month at DLR. For some rides, you need to go to the exit and get a return time from the Cast Member, others will let you in pretty quickly.

The ones you need a return time for are the popular rides like Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, RSR, etc. Some in DCA you can go through the line with a ECV like Toy Story MM.

There is a disability map you can get for both parks that will show you where you need to go with your ECV to get on the ride. You can usually get those at the gates to each park.