Bringing A Special Knife Into A Park

[Vickyrowe]

This is probably a complete no go, but ..... My DH eats using a special knife and a regular fork, as he only has partial use in his hands. If we go out to eat we have to bring it with us.

We will be eating a lot of Table service meals , and it would be difficult for DH to eat without it without having one of us cut his meal for him, and he would like to keep his independence as much as possible ,

We would be happy to surrender it at bag check ,if we could arrange for it to be at the restaurant for our reservation , it is a rocker knife so not sharp ( a plastic knife is sharper) so would they let us carry it around in my bag?

Has anyone else had an issue like this ?

Thanks Vicky

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They don't check your bag that throughly and you could always carry it in a pocket. You don't go through a pat down!

 

[SueM in MN]

That will not be a problem.
They are looking for alcohol and things that might be weapons. I am familiar with rocker knives and one of those could not make a very good weapon.

We always carry in a full set of silverware and have not had any issues. DD has difficulty with plastic silverware because she doesn't always have control of her bite and can break the silverware.

 

[Combos]

You could always have a doctor's note?
They will casually search baggage, but why not spend a small co-pay to have documentation in-case they inquire about the need for the item.

 

[I Love Pluto]

You could always have a doctor's note?
They will casually search baggage, but why not spend a small co-pay to have documentation in-case they inquire about the need for the item.

I agree with this advice. You would feel better knowing that you have an explanation for the need from a doctor.

I think Disney CMs are not permitted to ask for this type of documentation, however. You could also write a small blurb of your own on a card for the need. This way, you wouldn't have to explain yourself over & over.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with this advice. You would feel better knowing that you have an explanation for the need from a doctor.

I think Disney CMs are not permitted to ask for this type of documentation, however. You could also write a small blurb of your own on a card for the need. This way, you wouldn't have to explain yourself over & over.

If its going to make you feel better, go ahead.
But, the special knife is an accommodation for a disability. Per the ADA,you can't be asked to provide proof of a disability in order to get accommodation. Because of this, they will not read it (the law wording is 'credible verbal assurance of a disability' if there are any questions. So saying that he needs it to cut food, plus them viewing he is paralyzed on one arm would meet that without a note.
One of the other reasons for not requiring notes from doctor is there is no way to tell whether a doctor even wrote it.

People bring in all sorts of things that they need to the parks. If there are any question, a short "he needs this to cut his food " will do.
If it makes you fell better to have a card written out that explains what it is an why he needs it, that is your right to do. IMHO, it would take longer and be more trouble to get out the card, explain you want them to read it and then convince them to read it than to just say "he needs this special knife to cut his food."

If you want to do more, I would suggest keeping the knife in a clear plastic bag so it can't be seen. On the outside of the bag, you could add a picture of the knife in use (take one or find it on the Internet) or a few words of explanation in large letters. If they see the knife, they will see the explanation that goes with. You could cover the paper with clear packing tape to make it waterproof so you can wash the bag.

That would also help for TSA going thru security at the airport. If you don't put the knife in your checked bags, put it either in one of the baskets, so it can be seen or at the top of your bag so it can be clearly viewed and removed easily if they want a better look.

If you want more assurance, you could talk to his therapists or wherever you got it from for assurance that it won't be an issue.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is absolutely unnecessary to carry documentation for the knife to use it in the parks and as already stated, would be easily carried into the parks.

As for taking the knife through TSA security, there is no reason this would be needed on a plane and it wouldn't be allowed anyway, unless it was a plastic knife. It has to go in a checked bag.

 

[gritzel4]

It is absolutely unnecessary to carry documentation for the knife to use it in the parks and as already stated, would be easily carried into the parks.

As for taking the knife through TSA security, there is no reason this would be needed on a plane and it wouldn't be allowed anyway, unless it was a plastic knife. It has to go in a checked bag.

Since the OP is traveling from the UK, there will be at least one meal served during the flight, therefore, making the knife necessary.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Since the OP is traveling from the UK, there will be at least one meal served during the flight, therefore, making the knife necessary.

Doubtful. The person needing the knife will be traveling with the OP who can help him on the plane. Most economy meals on planes (my experience) can be eaten with a fork and spoon. Anyway, the point is moot as only plastic knives can get through airport security. No exceptions. You can always bring your own, knife-free food for the plane.

 

[Vickyrowe]

Thank you for all of the advice, I was sure Disney would be very switched on to the needs of guests as they were last time just we never thought to bring his knife before as we were staying off site in a Condo and cooking for ourselves.

As far as the plane goes don't get me started , we always have nothing but trouble , I've been leasing with our airline since i got back from the USA ( so 3 yrs until we go again) as i needed them to provide me with documents to say i can take all of Adam (DH)'s stuff.

Last time i went with a different airline who 2 days before we flew refused to take DH and his wheelchair as it was too heavy , and by no means does he have a fancy chair . They told me they cannot carry a chair over 140kg, well to cut a long story short , i was informed by the manufacturer that his chair is 167kg when it leaves the factory without the seating unit and many other models top the 200kg mark , and that it would be discriminatory for them to refuse carriage as DH' needs that chair and cannot use anything else.

We got confirmation 24hrs before we left the house that we could actually fly, I was a wreck thinking our honeymoon had been ruined.

They defiantly won't let us carry a knife on the plane , I tried even though you'd have better luck stabbing someone with your finger nail they don't like it . they wouldn't even let me take my repair kit for the wheelchair in the cabin which meant we had the pilot trying to use sugar tongs to put hubby's chair back together at 6 am when we landed in the UK because i couldn't get my screw driver

Madness i tell ya

Anyway thank you again for the help.

Vicky

 

[Schmeck]

If its going to make you feel better, go ahead.
But, the special knife is an accommodation for a disability. Per the ADA,you can't be asked to provide proof of a disability in order to get accommodation.

If the knife could be deemed a weapon, something not let into the parks, then they can refuse to let him enter with it. They can refuse Segways for safety reasons, they can refuse a knife. The proof of disability does not carry over to allow unsafe things.

 

[SueM in MN]

If the knife could be deemed a weapon, something not let into the parks, then they can refuse to let him enter with it. They can refuse Segways for safety reasons, they can refuse a knife. The proof of disability does not carry over to allow unsafe things.

But, ther has to be some possibility of danger.
Have you ever used one of those knives?
I have. The one the OP is talking about are blunt, not sharp (and the OP verified several times that her DH's is blunt).
So, one of those could be used as club to hit someone, but not to cut someone.

 

[Vickyrowe]

http://www.essentialaids.com/kitchen-aids-feeding-aids/adapted-cutlery/rocker-knife-5911.html

This is very similar to DH's knife, it looks large but is very safe, I think i'm gonna give guest services a call just to be sure , then i have plenty of time to sort out any issue. Thankyou everyone once again

 

[Schmeck]

But, ther has to be some possibility of danger.
Have you ever used one of those knives?
I have. The one the OP is talking about are blunt, not sharp (and the OP verified several times that her DH's is blunt).
So, one of those could be used as club to hit someone, but not to cut someone.

I was addressing the phrasing, not the actual object. Just because something is used by a person doesn't mean it has to be allowed in the park. If it doesn't really perform as a knife, perhaps it should just be called an eating utensil?

 

[Schmeck]

http://www.essentialaids.com/kitchen-aids-feeding-aids/adapted-cutlery/rocker-knife-5911.html

This is very similar to DH's knife, it looks large but is very safe, I think i'm gonna give guest services a call just to be sure , then i have plenty of time to sort out any issue. Thankyou everyone once again

Um, that knife could do some damage - it also mentions a finger guard? Look at the pointed tip? Unless it is made out of foam, it can be classified as a knife and not allowed, if they so deem.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/

Note that it states no weapons of any kind. I agree that you should call guest services, but even if they tell you it's OK, it's the security guard at the gate that really has to say yes or no.

 

[mamaminnie]

They don't check your bag that throughly and you could always carry it in a pocket. You don't go through a pat down!

I think this is the way to go. I'm generally a rule-follower, but this knife seems like it's going to be more trouble than it's worth to get it through in your bag.

This won't help you on the plane, sorry.