Are you guys happy with the mainstream queue business?

[MichelleC]

People (who obviouslly DON'T KNOW!) keep telling my mom (in a w/c) that she'll be able to go in special lines, right up to the front, blah, blah...I have to keep reminding her and my Dad that this is no longer the case at most attractions.

Are you all happy with the mainstreaming? Was it better before? Any special "issues or annyoances" I shoudl know about? LOL!! Everyone else in my family keeps saying, "Oh, we'll play it by ear, we'll see what happens when we get there". AM I THE ONLY VOICE OF REASON?? LOL!! I just wan tto be prepared ahead of time, so surprises!

 

[MichelleC]

I accidentally posted that before I was done. I was getting all excited! ;-)

Anyhow, thnaks so much for your past advice. My mom was thrilled with the first hand info about w/c access on rides that you all provided several weeks ago. You're all awesome!

Happy trails!

Michelle

 

[Talking Hands]

I am for the most part satisfied with mainstream access. I do get irritated when I go through the mainstream line and then have to wait extra time for an accessible vehicle. That can be a pain. Otherwise it is good.

 

[travelitis]

The only bad thing about mainstreaming is the people who try to take advantage and slip around you. That has happened to us so much. It's the "there's a stroller/wheelchair/ECV, hurry get in front of it" mentality. It's probably those same people who have to pass you on the highway only to slow down.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have learned to be "politely rude". I will mention to people that I am in line and that line jumping, which they are doing, is rude and can get them thrown out of the park. I will point out to them they they are expected to remain behind me, or I may accidently run over them with the ECV, which can be painful. Normally I don't have any problems; iof they cause trouble I will get very loud and suggest calling Security.

 

[Michigan]

I don't mind waiting in line with my girls but I do mind waiting more then everyone else does because we have to use the car for those that can't transfer out of their chair. I think on those rides if you are unable to stand and walk on the ride you should be able to go to the front and wait for that car. It's stupid for it to go around empty 3 or 4 times while we wait in the line. Our luck is always that the car goes by about the time we are 3rd in line.

 

[travelitis]

Those who can't transfer out of their chair definitely shouldn't have to mainstream. I felt badly about going to the front of the line everywhere when it was a case of entering through the exit, but there are people who still should have that kind of access. I'll happily wait a little longer so those with severe disabilities go first. I think they need to be able to do the parks in fewer hours than the general herd does.

 

[SueM in MN]

We've had the same experience as Michigan where we have to wait longer for the accessible car. Sometimes a lot longer. It especially makes me upset on the rides like Buzz Lightyear where we gat almost to the baording area then get pulled off to the exit to board. The other guests (and often the CMs) act as if we are skipping a huge amount of the line, when by the time we actually get on the people who were just ahead of us will probably be finished riding and getting off. I don't think it's fair to have "Mainstream Access" if the wait will be longer for people in wheelchairs than for other guests.

We've also had experience with the "let's go ahead of the wheelchair" guests. I think some of them think it's sort of a game to see if they can get by. Some obviously don't understand that wheelchairs/scooters need extra space for turning when we get to a corner. They just see that we left space and they can go in it. We've also had people allow (not just not see) their kids sit on DD's wheelchair footrests when the line stopped. We've had kids sticking their hands in the spokes of DD's tires even after we've told them not to (usually the parents don't say anything to them). So, it's not easy to have a wheelchair in line with everyone else.

 

[travelitis]

Guess I'm not really happy with mainstreaming. It's a nice concept, but there's no perfect solution. I guess GACs are supposed to bridge the gap, but I don't think they do. I always wanted to wait my turn rather than jump to the front of a line and have even declined getting on in favor of more people in the regular queue going. However, it's safer for everyone if there's division. I was injured when 2 people pushed by dh and me shoving my chair and both of us into a wall and railing. I'll have to see how it works this year, because my last trip was 2 yrs. ago.

 

[terri01p]

Just had to comment to this even though it's been on here awhile, has anyone ever been sitting in a wheelchair on a hot summers day in the middle of a alot of people that won't give you space to hardly get air, this happened to my daughter in the line of the pooh ride, she almost passed out...we left .