Disability courtesies

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Hi, I just had a question. My sister has a child that has Down Syndrome. She can walk, talk and run like most 8 year olds, but tires easily so she may use a stroller. My sister does have a handicapped placard for her vehicle and only uses it when my niece is in the van with her. We were discussing courtesies at WDW. Now my sister is not one to throw out the disabilities card to get anything for free or get ahead in line or anything like that, but she did say that she would be able to sit in the handicapped section for the parades, Fatasmic, etc. I told her that i didn't think so because she is not in a wheelchair or ECV. I don't like the idea of her sitting there when i know there are other people that NEED to use that section.
My question is would she be allowed to sit in the handicapped section because she has the handicapped placard? I say no and my sister says that she could.

 

[Talking Hands]

It depends. Is she using the stroller as a wheelchair? Then she needs to go to Guests Services and get a GAC to allow that. Then she might be allowed in the handicapped section for parades depending on which CMs are there and how crowded it is.

 

[merryweather20]

I'd imagine that the parade would be long enough that she would need to use the stroller to sit in during the parade. Using the area would allow her to see from her stroller. Read through the FAQ'a there is information about using a stroller as a wheel-chair, ask your sister if that would make sense for her daughter.

 

[AJKMOM]

Maybe your sister will need the Guest Assistance Card so her daughter can still sit in her stroller while the shows are on, or waiting to start. Disney is very accommodating for special-needs people.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate your responses.
no, she would not be using it as a wheelchair, she would only need the stroller because she would be tired from walking, just as my 7 and 9 year olds do get tired from walking. My girls are very petite and healthy, but just tire easily and so i get a stroller.

I should just tell my sister to go to guest services when we get there so she can have her questiosn answered.

 

[mechurchlady]

She would get a "Stroller as a Wheelchair" tag and GAC. That would allow her to take her kid in a stroller anywhere that a wheelchair goes including buildings that say "no strollers allowed", parade routes, shows, lines, etc. She is entitled to the same rights as any other mother of a disabled child. That kid has the same rights to park in disabled viewing as a blind kid, autistic kid, or grumpy old man in a wheelchair. If the kid has a GAC then it can park in the parade viewing area for wheelchairs.

However, there are often better viewing area, quieter areas, and areas better suited for a families. The parade viewing areas often are chair to chair crowded. Instead find a nice parking space and spread out. While waiting let the tikes lay down their head on dad's lap for a nap or have a little snack break. She could take the stroller with her on the curb and park the stroller in the curbside viewing areas. They do have CMs who will tell anyone blocking pathways, out in the parade area or moving trash cans the rules. I even got scolded for trash can moving at DLR, lol.

Disabled is disabled and why should a kid be forced to go sit outside the disabled area just because he does not have major medical problems. I would use that area but for me I got me better spots on parade routes.

Please use the stroller as much as possible. It is a lot of stress on guests, lots of walking and can overwhelm any kid. The stroller will make a great cart for hauling extra clothes and food and stuff. The stroller will provide the kid with a safe hidey spot away from the crowds and keep people away from the kid that way the kid will not be over stimulated. Remember tired kids even not disabled kids can and will melt down if they are tired or overwhelmed by the parks. I have seen the pooped parent parade and closing and it is sad to see worn out parents with their equally worn out kids some of which are passed out and some are hysterical form exhaustion. Do not let the kid and mom be part of the pooped parent parade.

big hugs
Laurie

 

[KPeveler]

the stroller may not seem necessary now, but there are a lot of shows that are benches with no backs, like fantasmic, or lines that are VERY long (in terms of wait and length - Soarin is 1/4 mile in and 1/4 mile out)...

if she gets a "stroller as wheelchair" tag, it would allow you to bring the stroller into buildings where you would otherwise not be allowed. To give you an idea - there are three attractions in the Land Pavilion plus 2 places to eat. It is a 1/4 mile up a steep hill to get into the pavilion in the first place, then probably 1/2 of lines and stairs before you can get to the point where you get to ride soarin. you then have to gown out the 1/4 queue, and then down the steep hill... and that is only if you want to do that one thing in hte Land Pavilion. And you cannot have a stroller in there. it would be beneficial if she had a stroller as wheelchair, so she could rest when she was tired or over-stimulated.

it would not allow you to skip any lines, so you would not be "taking advantage" of anything. it would just mean her mom would not have to carry an 8 yr old through lines!

and yes, with a stroller as wheelchair tag, she could be in the handicapped viewing area for parades. the only time i have used them and found them better than any other spot i could find was in Epcot for illuminations, so no great benefit there to my knowledge...

 

[SueM in MN]

However, there are often better viewing area, quieter areas, and areas better suited for a families. The parade viewing areas often are chair to chair crowded.

I would agree with Mechurchlady here.
In the handicapped viewing areas, they usually have the wheelchairs parked nearly touching each other, in a row along the string that marks the area.
So, there is really not a space for people to stand. Also, the areas are often quite crowded and you need to be there ahead of time to secure a spot.
And, as they park wheelchairs, she will probably be parked right up next to other guests with wheelchairs, with her family mostly behind her.
I agree that she could probably find a spot more suitable to a family outside of the handicapped viewing area.

the stroller may not seem necessary now, but there are a lot of shows that are benches with no backs, like fantasmic, or lines that are VERY long (in terms of wait and length - Soarin is 1/4 mile in and 1/4 mile out)...

if she gets a "stroller as wheelchair" tag, it would allow you to bring the stroller into buildings where you would otherwise not be allowed. To give you an idea - there are three attractions in the Land Pavilion plus 2 places to eat. It is a 1/4 mile up a steep hill to get into the pavilion in the first place, then probably 1/2 of lines and stairs before you can get to the point where you get to ride soarin. you then have to gown out the 1/4 queue, and then down the steep hill... and that is only if you want to do that one thing in hte Land Pavilion. And you cannot have a stroller in there. it would be beneficial if she had a stroller as wheelchair, so she could rest when she was tired or over-stimulated.

it would not allow you to skip any lines, so you would not be "taking advantage" of anything. it would just mean her mom would not have to carry an 8 yr old through lines!

and yes, with a stroller as wheelchair tag, she could be in the handicapped viewing area for parades. the only time i have used them and found them better than any other spot i could find was in Epcot for illuminations, so no great benefit there to my knowledge...

I agree.
Many people with Down Syndrome have hypotonic muscles (low muscle tone), which means the muscles have to work harder to do things like walk long distances. This also makes it more of a challenge and more tiring to do some of the things that KPeveler mentioned, like sitting in the bench seats without backs for some shows.

Also, she may have no problem with walking in her daily life, but walking around WDW is much more walking than most people do in their daily lives. In addition, many people with Down Syndrome find walking up stairs or walking on uneven ground to be more of a challenge. WDW has a lot of themed walkways that include things like cobblestone roads in Epcot and MK and 'mud' paths at AK with 'tree roots' that come out of the walkways.

Those are things to consider that might make a wheelchair or stroller a wise choice.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

thank you al for your response. I appreciate them!

 

[SandrainNC]

Hi! My oldest son also has Down syndrome. This coming trip will be his 5th trip to WDW. We have never needed the GAC card, but I know others with children with Down syndrome who have needed it. All kids are so different! He doesn't have a hard time waiting in line or things like that. We do have a stroller (Sit N Stand so my youngest sits in the front) so he can sit down on the back bench when he gets tired but haven't used it as a wheelchair. As far as parades and things like that, we just get to our spots early so both boys will be right at the front and can see. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Sandra

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

thank you. I am hoping that everything will run smoothly and we don't need one.

 

[KPeveler]

I would suggest getting one, then just don't use it if it is not needed. It would be terrible to get to the other side of the park and suddenly find it is necessary. For reference, it is close to a mile from the American Adventure to the Guest Services at the front of the park!

 

[toocherie]

I second KPeveler's remark to get the GAC "just in case". I was at DCA the other day and went with friends on TSMM--and realized that I had not gotten a GAC to avoid stairs (to use the regular loading you have to go up and down stairs to exit). It was a one-day trip and I try not to rent an ECV just for one day (even though I'm pretty out of it the next day!) With an ECV a GAC is not necessary, but when you don't have an ECV I don't want to put the CM in a "spot" so prefer to have the GAC.

In this case I had forgotten to get one, so ended up having to SLOWLY go up the stairs and then back down. I will make sure from now on that I get a "no stairs" GAC as soon as I enter a park.

 

[mechurchlady]

toocherie you should have told the CM that you forgot to get a GAC and you cannot do stairs. You might have met a nice CM who would have let you bypass the stairs. I third the getting the GAC in case you need it as the maps show you how far it is to the guest services areas. Nature of course dictates that if you need something it is way on the other side of the park.

I love DCA and am planning on going back on the first or 8th depending on weather and health. Dragging Calvin along, lol, who does not want the kiddie rides, lol. I am going to leave him on the Maliboomer. Wave next time you are at DLR.