IkeandMike said:
Hi, I'm new here, so sorry if this was asked before. But I have a child with a slight disability, and was wondering if he will be permitted on all rides that he is height qualified for.
To add, to what the other posters already replied.
If you come to the disABILITIES Board, you will find much more specific information and can ask questions (the Theme Parks Board is so busy, that this question will probably be on page 2 by noon).
WDW doesn't prevent anyone from riding anything that they are tall enough for. They do put warnings on specific attractions and it's up to you to determine if riding is a good idea or not. I'd suggest looking at information about the rides and then asking some specific questions on the disABILITIES Board, based on what is a problem/deficit for your child.
My youngest DD has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She can't stand and when she was smaller, we were told the height requirement and asked if she met it before we got into line and again at boarding.
Here is a
link to the DIS boards' height calculator.
He also wears leg braces and was wondering if they will hinder him getting on the rides.
They might, depending on how well he can bend his knees, how steady he is on one leg to climb in, and on how big/heavy he is. If he's small, it might just be easier to lift him in.
Anyway, we can help you more with specifics on the disABILITIES Board.
Also, are there any special lines for people with disabilities,
As was mentioned, most lines are Mainstreamed, so there are no special lines/entrances for people with disabilities. Everyone waits together in the same line. Most of the newer attractions have boarding for people with disabilities at the same place as everyone else.
There are some attractions that have moving walkways in the boarding/unloading area or (a very few) that have stairs at some point in the queue. Some people with disabilities find the moving walkways to be difficult because they need to walk at the same time the "floor" is moving. If they need the moving walkway to be stopped or slowed, they need to board at the exit, where the CM has more control of the attraction.
For those attractions, people using wheelchairs or
ECVs (motorized scooters) are pulled out of the regular line (usually just before the "obstacle" or the boarding area). There can be an extra wait (as minnie61650 described), especially if someone needs an accessible ride car - there are some attractions with cars that a wheelchair can be loaded onto without the person leaving the wheelchair. There are also a few attractions that have an accessible car with a wider opening door that might make getting on easier when someone needs to get out of a wheelchair to board or needs assistance with boarding.
Someone with a wheelchair or
ECV will be directed to the accessible boarding and does not usually need a GAC.
Someone with an invisible disability will need a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to use the accessible boarding. What is on the GAC is based on the needs the person has, so not all GACs are the same (if he needs to avoid stairs or use the accessible entrance, that will be what is on the GAC). The GAC is a tool to let the CMs know what accomidations are needed. It is not meant to (and usually doesn't) make the wait in line any shorter.
he can walk on his own, it's just that he tires quicker than most people.
This would be considered an "Endurance Concern" and the official Disney recommendation for it would be to use a wheelchair, ECV, or a stroller (if it is a child). They don't issue GACs for endurance concerns.
They do have a GAC (or currently they are trialing a sticker) that allows a stroller to be used in lines just like a wheelchair.
The reason they suggest a wheelchair is that the walking/standing in line is just a small portion of what is done during the day. There are estimates that people walk between 3 and 9 miles per day at WDW. That's enough distance that many people whose children
don't have disabilities are concerned about the distance.
If you want to limit the time spent in line, the best way is to use the Fastpass system.
Here's a link that explains how Fastpass works.
Keep in mind though, that some attractions have a long distance to walk from the queue entrance to the boarding area (examples are Kilamanjari Safari, Bug's Life, Soarin). The distance is the same whether you have a GAC, are using the Fastpass line or using the Standby (regular) line.
What some people do is use a wheelchair to get from one "land" to another and just stand in line. Wheelchairs can be parked with the strollers and you can then stand in the line and collect the wheelchair when done.
When you go to the disABILITIES Board, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread stuck near the top of the board. It has link to helpful resources (like the Disney Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities) and to past threads (like one about boaring those attractions with mving walkways). There is also a FAQ that talks about the GAC.
Thanks to all of you that have answered. I have learned so much from all of you. I now know that he can sit in his stroller for the wait in the lines and that the moving walkways, which I had never even considered, he will need to be held. Thank goodness he is a light weight, his twin sister is another problem, but she will be fine on her own.
