Animal Kingdom Safari Line Cue-Awful:(

[suggies08]

Hi all,

Just back from Disney World and had a good time. I just wanted to comment on the line for the Safari in Animal Kingdom. I have to say that out of every line I encountered with my ECV this trip that was the worst. We hadn't ridden the safari in maybe 3 years and I just don't remember the line being that bad. We were too late for the fast passes and it was our last day there so we went in anyways. Since they 'don't believe' in single file lines everyone was crowding in like sardines. I had my ECV on the lowest possible speed through the whole line but I can't tell you how many people rudely kept running past me and wouldn't wait for me to move my ECV. I was afraid to move because I didn't want to hit anyone. For a 30 minute line I think it took me more like 50 minutes to get through there. The worst is when the line actually splits and part of it is roped off for fast pass. People would jam inbetween the line cue fence and me. It was totally a rotten experience and I was just ticked by the time we made it to the wheelchair gate. I highly suggest unless you go during a slow time make sure you get there early enough to get a fastpass. I will never attempt that again.

Just wanted to add I tried to leave the ECV parked out front near some strollers but the CM insisted that I should take it through the line and that there was no need to leave it there. Although I realize she had good intentions I have to say I should have just left it parked. I can't stand for long periods of time but this line moves pretty good so I figured I could handle it. Oh well lesson learned Anyone else have problems with the regular line at the safari? Or did I just have a bad day

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The problem is not just the length of the line, but did you check the distance from where the regular vehicles unload back to the entrance where you would have wanted to park; it is quite a hike.

 

[SueM in MN]

Since they 'don't believe' in single file lines everyone was crowding in like sardines.

I would like to mention that it's not 'they don't believe in' single file lines, but, as much as possible, the ADA requires Mainstream Lines (which are wide enough for a wheelchair or ECV to wait in the regular line). The wider lines mean the line is big enough for an ECV. Unfortunatly, it also means that people who see that 'space' as just 'space they could be in' crowd the ECVs.

We have gone late in the day and found the line to be not that long; the problem then become waiting in the accessible boarding area for a tram.

The problem is not just the length of the line, but did you check the distance from where the regular vehicles unload back to the entrance where you would have wanted to park; it is quite a hike.

The distance from the regular unload area to the stroller parking area is quite a hike.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

The way we handle this line is to get all of our party standing (or in my case sitting) side by side. Even when it was just my mother and me, if she stood beside me, and we both thought 'wide thoughts', we managed to take up enough space to prevent anyone from squeezing past the 'slow' wheelchair.

I have to agree with you Sue, it takes soooo long to get loaded at the accessible entrance. It took even longer for us this time, as I asked if I could stay in my chair (thankfully we went at a 'quiet' time, so we only had to wait about half an hour ). That said though, I'm very glad I did stay in the chair, as it stopped me from being quite so thrown about, and prevented a huge load of pain .

Sorry you had such a rough experience with this one Suggies . Most of us here have been through the same kind of experience with the safari, so can sympathise. Glad the rest of the holiday went well!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I know this is slightly OT, but we have had major problems with the safari line traveling without anyone in a chair. We went on it last year WITH a FP and it took 30 min. to get through the line and I agree with you that it was mass chaos with people pushing etc... I don't know what the solution is, but that line was not safe for anyone, with or without a chair. DH actually ended up carrying DD for a little bit near the end just so she wouldn't get squished. On a happy note, the ride was great.

 

[LindaDVC]

My ideal situation would be to have a fastpass machine for w/cs!

Even with a fastpass you might have a lot of chiars ahead of you --
We have had a lot of long waits after bypassing the regular line with a fast pass.

I also would like to have a "non big red" version--
without the tossing and turning for w/c's, pregnant folks, and others who don't want to get jostled around!

Linda

 

[bzzymom]

I feel like that is the worst line at WDW. That is why we ride it first thing in the morning.

 

[mechurchlady]

I have at WDW, DLR and other parks had the problem of being a single person in line. The only way to deal with them is to be aggressive and yell at them that they are cutting in line. I have stood in lines and had people try to get past me and some did. At times the single person or person in an ECV has to literally don the shoulder pads and shin guards then play rough with people. That or scream loudly "No cutting in line." "Yeah you with the blue shirt in front of me, no cutting?

I have seen aggressive people in lines try to get past people who are not disabled. It is sad when people are like that. I have in various public places had people try to squeeze through a narrow gap even if there is a 5 foot wide gap on the other side. People dont seem to understand that the disabled can get hurt when shoved and pushed,

I wish I could have been there to help you and pleaase think of the happy times in WDW.

hugs
Laurie

 

[dclfun]

The problem with these wider queue lines is that people don't think they're cutting in line and they really aren't since CM's will always tell everyone to "fill in every available space". I don't worry too much about people getting ahead of me since I know I'll get to my destination eventually. For the safari the wait time for the accessible vehicle is usually longer anyway than the one in the queue line. I feel for small children or someone unsteady on their feet though who might get jostled or hurt and for those of us driving power chairs, it's tough to keep from hitting people who dash in front of us. I worry about people knocking out my vent hoses which I can't see behind me although Skye does a pretty good job of watching them and creating space next to them- still it's a concern anytime I'm in a crowd where most people aren't really paying attention to their surroundings. I guess the safety factor bothers me more than the wait time or whether someone gets in front of me. I can imagine being solo would be a real challenge for someone with mobility issues.---Kathy

 

[mechurchlady]

Being single is at times very challenging even when I am doing well physically and mentally. At counter service I have to either leave stuff unattended on a table or get in line then find a spot. I have come back to the table to find stuff moved. In lines there is nobody to block rude people so I get goosed, poked, leaned on and have little kids running up and down the lines. Being single means nobody to hold your purse while you take pictures or get in and out of a ride vehicle. For me what I need most is a buddy to let me know when I am having a mood like grumpy, tired, cranky or worst giddy.

I hate the wide lines as people, as you said, are told to move down and to fill spaces. It is one of the Disney flawed designs that gets as many people in line without being seen. OOH short line. For me I do not want to end up on the ground again as the next one may be the fall that does me in.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We are just back and this was a trip with no one in a wheelchair. There IS a problem with the safari line. They told us several times to fill in all available space (WHY??) We watched some families as the moved along past us and out of sight, with clever manuevers of squeezing, bobbing and weaving. It would be a nightmare with a wheelchair. It was so packed and hot while we were in the building part of the line I thought I would faint.

Bad show Disney!