December 26th in a wheelchair

[wdwlovin'family]

We will be in Orlando for Christmas week and wanted to take our family to MK for a day and the only day available to us is Dec. 26th. My husband is disabled and will be in a wheelchair and the more he thinks about it, he is thinking he should stay back and just let me and the kids go. He is worried that managing the crowds in a wheelchair will just be too difficult. We have never been during such a busy time -- we typically go during the off times to avoid this -- but wanted to be in Orlando for the actual Christmas holiday with family this year. I really would love him to go with us, experiencing it all as a family is part of the joys of going, but I understand his concern. What do you think -- should I try to convince him to go with us or is he right? Will it just be too crazy to go there in a wheelchair?

 

[tarheel618]

Are you staying on property, if so take advantage of the extra morning hours. If not I would rope drop but expect but late morning the crowds will start and you may want to go back to the resort.

 

[duranfan]

That week is one of the MOST packed weeks of the year. I have been going to wdw since I was a child in the 70s to the present. I now take my disney loving mother to the disney resort on a frequent basis and she's in a wheel chair since she cant walk long distances due to a health issue. Previously we rented the power chairs and since shes was in her 70s I was concerned about her ability to stop asap when park guest dart in front of her mobile-chair. Thats when I was like its safer to push you all over the parks. Sorry to say this but most people at the parks now are focused on THEIR pleasure. They don't "see" wheelchairs...they don't give you courtesy of the elderly or disabled in general. Once in a while you will find a nice person to open a door or something other wise you fend for yourself. EX. one time last year we were going into Capt Jacks restraunt at the Disney Village...a healthy man probably 40ish dashed in front of us swung the door open to go inside. Now this will get you HIS LITTLE SON probably 8 who was behind him turned around and held the door open for us. Guess he didnt get his manners from his dad. The MK was built 40years ago and is the MOST unfriendly park when it comes to handicap access. Being involved in medical issues and a designer myself there is NO excuse why they cant retrofit many of the attractions to visitors have access if they can't easily get out of their chairs. All they have to do is modify the boarding area slightly and perhaps 1 or 2 specially designed attraction vehicles that would safely accomodate the wheelchair and at least one companion passenger. I am surprised disney hasnt recognized there are a lot of disabled guests and that probably wont come back due to not getting the same experiences as able bodied guests. The best park in my opinon for access in wheel chairs is Epcot-also it can hold BIG crowds easier than Disney. On a crowded day its wall to wall people probably holding 10-15times the volume of what the park was designed for. The GOOD rides are the ones also that a handicap person usually cant go on ex. space moutain, thunder mountain. Also, if he cant get out of the chair easily MANY rides are just not worth the 45minute wait for a 2 minute ride through 1970s cardboard neon rides.

 

[wdwlovin'family]

Thank you for your replies. We are not staying at a resort, this would just be a one day thing. He can board most if not all rides as long as they slow them down for him. Do you think the lines for handicap access are going to be even more astronomical than the regular lines? I was thinking that most of the lines would be accessible do to all of the rennovations and that wheelchairs would just go through the regular lines. Is this not true? Also, if he goes, there will be 6 of us all together. Will they let us all stay together to board with him? I am worried about him getting through the crowds in a wheelchair, I know it's going to be a booger. As much as I know the kids will want daddy there, I am wondering if he's right and if he should just stay back.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thank you for your replies. We are not staying at a resort, this would just be a one day thing. He can board most if not all rides as long as they slow them down for him. Do you think the lines for handicap access are going to be even more astronomical than the regular lines? I was thinking that most of the lines would be accessible do to all of the rennovations and that wheelchairs would just go through the regular lines. Is this not true? Also, if he goes, there will be 6 of us all together. Will they let us all stay together to board with him? I am worried about him getting through the crowds in a wheelchair, I know it's going to be a booger. As much as I know the kids will want daddy there, I am wondering if he's right and if he should just stay back.

Yes, most lines are "mainstreamed" so the wheelchair would go through the regular lines. If you do go through a handicapped-accessible lines, all six of you should be able to stay together. (Six is the max.) Yes, some of the handicapped lines are longer than others -- if they're horredous, try again later or go on a different ride.

Do you have a strong wheelchair pusher? WDW may seem flat, but it's actually hilly in places. Not really noticeable unless you're pushing a wheelchair. Renting an ECV is more expensive but it would give him some independence, and not wear out the pusher. Plus, they're kinda fun to drive.

 

[buffettgirl]

MK has extra magic hours (both AM and PM) on the 26th so it's a park that would be super busy anyway but add in the christmas crowd and you're going to be at a standstill. There almost is no way to walk, let alone help someone in a wheelchair. If you've never seen that before I tell you it was mind boggling the amount of people, shoulder to shoulder at every pass. Lines 2 and 3 hours long for EVERY attraction, I am not exaggerating. It's going to be unlikely that you're going to get on many rides at all.

Even without the wheelchair, I'd totally stay away from MK THAT day.

 

[clanmcculloch]

That week, December 26 is actually going to be the best of the days to be at MK. Everybody wants to be at MK on Christmas Day so the 26th they'll head elsewhere. I would try your best to get there for park opening. I know you won't be able to do the EMH since you're offsite but even at 8am when the park will open it'll still be great.

We were at WDW Christmas 2009. We hit the EMH RD at MK on the 26th. OMG I couldn't believe how low the crowds were. I won't bore you with the details of that first hour during EMH (walk on to everything in Fantasyland including Dumbo and this was after having ridden Space Mountain and the teacups) but even from 8am-10:30am the place was pretty empty. At around 8:10 we walked over to Haunted Mansion and literally there wasn't another person in the queue with us. Adventureland was completely empty; we got some great park pictures without other people in them. We left the park around 10:15 to get to an 'Ohana brunch ADR and the crowds were still remarkably low considering the time of year. We did head back for dinner and hung out for the rest of the evening to watch Wishes and the night time parade (at the time Spectromagic) and while the crowds were higher than the morning, it was still doable. We weren't navigating with a wheelchair but we do have to be careful that we're not in the middle of tight crowds because our autistic daughter can't handle it. If we could get through without being bumped then anybody with a wheelchair certainly can as well.

 

[prncess674]

My Dad is in wheelchair and we were there for President's Day/Mardi Gras which is probably not as crowded. We were all miserable in the MK. The walkways just aren't as wide. Dad felt claustrophobic will all the butts in his face and I was the WC pusher and I felt like I was going into combat zone. The streets were just so packed, it was difficult to navigate. After a few hours we gave up on MK and went to an offsite lunch!

The other parks were built with better crowd management in mind. We enjoyed the other three parks so much more.

 

[Bete]

If you want to attack everything commando style it will probably be a rough day in a wheelchair. If you can enjoy the entertainment more then you have a chance. You have the parade, the castle show, and the fireworks to enjoy. Do the Tiki Room and the Halls of President.

Using fastpass will help get you on your favorite rides. Get there early;so, you can utilize fastpass more so. Take in some of the tamer rides like It's a Small World and the Riverboat ride.

Be aware it will be more difficult to manuever and just accept it for what it is. I think there will be enough to enjoy and let dad be part of the process.

 

[duranfan]

I think Buffetfan got it right UNLESS this is the ONLY time you and your kids can go to the MK during the next year or so I would pass. We are a Disney family-3 generations. As a child my Xmas' were at Disney and even in the 70s to 80s it was crowded. A few years back and this possibly explains the 2009 experience someone mentioned it did seem the parks were having days during peak times that werent as bad. However, the past year I have noticed things seem to be picking up at WDW and since it looks like people ARE spending this year I would not count on getting lucky on the 26th. The MK is tiny by the other parks standards. We have annual passports and have literally left the parks due to seeing the shoulder to shoulder wall of people even on non holiday weeks while schools in. I've heard of plenty of weeks during holiday season where parks are closed due to being to capacity (legally I guess there IS a number) and the only ones who wouldnt get turned away would be passholders. I have been to disney 6 times this year (slow year) for multiday vacations and going again in days. For example if you get a Florida resident passport which blacks out days you can visit its the 2 weeks around Xmas up to like the day after NYE you can visit because its PEAK volume.

I agree with the comments about who is pushing the wheelchair. I am pretty fit and there are times where going uphill can be challenging. As the poster mentioned there plenty of hills/uphill in ALL parks. The MK had alot of underground buildings ect and even though things can look flat theres plenty of upward pushing. I am pretty fit and can handle it but others in my family in my same age bracket find pushing a pretty small woman 'difficult'.
If you are buying tickets at what they costs I think you are not going to get your moneys worth and may come back having a I wish we didnt do that experience. I DO think your husband is right. If he doesnt truly mind let him stay-your kids WILL enjoy the day and they can share it with him that night.
Once in a while you will get through some lines faster but unless its for a specially equipment ride vehicle that doesnt happen much at the MK so you technically have to wait your turn. Not sure if there are enforcing this but it use to be the rest of your party except for caregiver or kids have to go through line then they board entire party to make it fair.
Another suggestion would be to tour the hotels as a family-theres lot of great decorations you tell the gate you are going there for breakfast/lunch and they will let you park in the guest parking lot. If moneys not free flowing there economical places to eat like at the take out restraunt on the first floor of the Poly. Heck we take a day or two this time of year to tour the hotels and have a meal or two.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the original posters husband that being at MK that day using a wheelchair may not be an enjoyable experience. Because of the crowds and sitting low in a wheelchair, he won’t be able to see many of the decorations. The rides themselves are no different at WDW during Christmas than at any other time, so there is nothing to see on the rides that will be new.

Christmas thru New Years is “stretch your arm out and you will touch someone” busy. That makes a wheelchair even more difficult because other guests don’t see someone sitting lower than their point of view.
MK is the most congested park because it is older and has relatively narrow walkways for the size of the crowds. It is also one of the most popular parks during that time period because there are many people who want to see it decked out for Christmas.

If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a list of ‘Mobility Access’ for all the attractions at all the parks. Many of the MK attractions do have Mainstream Access, so you will be in the regular line with a wheelchair. In some cases, you will be in the regular line until just before boarding, when you will be routed to a different area for boarding because the regular boarding area is not accessible. Even where there is a separate accessible entrance, like Small World, that does not mean a shorter wait. In fact, the line at that entrance sometimes extends all the way up the ramp and the wait there can be long.

 

[buffettgirl]

That week, December 26 is actually going to be the best of the days to be at MK. Everybody wants to be at MK on Christmas Day so the 26th they'll head elsewhere. I would try your best to get there for park opening. I know you won't be able to do the EMH since you're offsite but even at 8am when the park will open it'll still be great.

We were at WDW Christmas 2009. We hit the EMH RD at MK on the 26th. OMG I couldn't believe how low the crowds were. I won't bore you with the details of that first hour during EMH (walk on to everything in Fantasyland including Dumbo and this was after having ridden Space Mountain and the teacups) but even from 8am-10:30am the place was pretty empty. At around 8:10 we walked over to Haunted Mansion and literally there wasn't another person in the queue with us. Adventureland was completely empty; we got some great park pictures without other people in them. We left the park around 10:15 to get to an 'Ohana brunch ADR and the crowds were still remarkably low considering the time of year. We did head back for dinner and hung out for the rest of the evening to watch Wishes and the night time parade (at the time Spectromagic) and while the crowds were higher than the morning, it was still doable. We weren't navigating with a wheelchair but we do have to be careful that we're not in the middle of tight crowds because our autistic daughter can't handle it. If we could get through without being bumped then anybody with a wheelchair certainly can as well.

it's so funny and fickle how Disney crowds can be. We waited in lines that I didn't even know existed (a queue for haunted mansion that took us down stairs to where the keel boats used to be, back up, hours and hours. Pirates, minimum of 2 hour wait every time we checked. Forget things like snow white or peter pan. It was just utterly miserable.

 

[SmallWorld71]

One thing I didn't see mentioned (but may have missed) is how old the kids are and whether or not they've been before? To me, this would affect the decision.

If it were my personal family, then I would say, YES, go. All my kids are on their own foot power and independence (no strollers to push or diapers to change). They've all been before and I know they would rather miss a few attractions than not have DH come. They are also old enough to ride the rides without an adult if DH needed a break or assistance from me. DH has also been before and would be OK with letter others go ahead of him on occasion as well. In other words, we would be able to look at what we were able to do as a "bonus" to our trip so to speak and wouldn't have to go crazy trying to do everything.

But, if the kids are little and would require a lot of care of their own or if everyone's going to want to do different things, but not old enough to do so on their own, then it may not be worth the effort.

 

[wdwlovin'family]

One thing I didn't see mentioned (but may have missed) is how old the kids are and whether or not they've been before? To me, this would affect the decision.

If it were my personal family, then I would say, YES, go. All my kids are on their own foot power and independence (no strollers to push or diapers to change). They've all been before and I know they would rather miss a few attractions than not have DH come. They are also old enough to ride the rides without an adult if DH needed a break or assistance from me. DH has also been before and would be OK with letter others go ahead of him on occasion as well. In other words, we would be able to look at what we were able to do as a "bonus" to our trip so to speak and wouldn't have to go crazy trying to do everything.

But, if the kids are little and would require a lot of care of their own or if everyone's going to want to do different things, but not old enough to do so on their own, then it may not be worth the effort.

Well, my kids are ages 8 and 11. This will be the only time in this year that we will have the chance to go to WDW due to going on a Disney cruise in Jan 2013. I have to admit, you all have me pretty scared and skeptical -- so much so that I just told my dh that I don't know if any of us should go during this upcoming trip. We have been to wdw numerous times, just not in peak season. We haven't told the boys that we were thinking of going to a theme park this trip. In fact, we have told them that we are not going to go. We have 3 tickets already and would just have to buy one child ticket. But, it's not like we couldn't use those tickets for our 2013 trip. I don't think my dh would have a very good time and we only have a week to spend in FL and I really don't want to spend one of those days apart.

I am used to pushing a wheelchair around the park but I haven't done so before in such large crowds. The thought of having peoples hinders in my husband's face all day really gave a new perspective for me. I am sure that would not be enjoyable for him. Then, the thought of two hours lines for pirates or haunted mansion just is ridiculous. So, we'll probably just stay away. I have mixed emotions about this, but it's probably for the best.