Disneyland Accessible Transportation

[RachelKS]

Planning a 2018 trip to Disneyland. Last year we drove from Kansas to Disney World. The drive wasn't bad but it burns 6 days of vacation time just driving. We chose to drive because it seems incredibly daunting to fly with my husbands electric wheelchair. But we have decided to put on our big kid pants and just take the leap to fly to Disneyland for our 25th anniversary. I've read a lot about flying with a wheelchair so I hope we can make it go smoothly. From what I understand Disneyland transportation is not like Disney World transportation. I am looking for any tips on transportation when we get there. We are going to fly into LAX and we are staying at the Disneyland Hotel. We also want to take a day to go to Universal Studios. Any info or tips would be appreciated.

 

[SMD]

First, check with your airline, as they may require you to remove the battery before they'll transport the chair. Also, ask the company that services or manufactured your chair for a local referral for repairs in case it is damaged in transport.

There are no free or official transfer options from the airport at DLR. You can try flying into LGB or SNA because they're closer, but with the chair you're probably better off doing LAX if that's your only non-stop or direct option. Disneyland Express runs out of LAX and SNA, is a charter bus and should be able to handle a wheelchair, but of course you'd want to call to verify to make sure there will be a lift on whichever bus you'll take upon arrival.

For non-emergency medical transport, look into Secure Transportation. We used them last year for an event. They had a minimum number of hours, so it ended up being cheaper to have the driver wait. For USH you might be better off staying at one of the hotels there and then transferring to LAX or BUR to fly home. For DLR I'd just stay walking distance to avoid having to use any shuttles there.

 

[RachelKS]

I need to double check the battery type on my husbands chair and I'd like to have someone just go over it and check bolts and such. He uses his chair like it is an off road vehicle so I just want to make sure everything is nice and tight. The joy stick worries me because it isn't removable but I think I can quickly bubble wrap and tape it after he has to transfer out to get on the plane. Damage in route is one of my biggest fears as well as being stuck on an airplane for an extended period of time.

LAX I think is our only option for non-stop or direct options, which is important to us because it will simplify the process of getting our luggage and stuff. Or being on the plane to long. We considered staying two days at Universal but we are going to meet family at DL so we decided one day at Universal would be enough. I really just NEED to experience Harry Potter and The Walking Dead attractions. I will check out Secure Transport, initially when I was researching a Disneyland Chat rep recommended Karmel Transportation but when I called them they said they no longer have wheelchair accessible transportation with tie downs. I'm sure I drive our travel agent nuts but there are lots of things that people without a wheelchair don't think about. The first airline she tried to book us on had a maximum height, width, and weight for wheelchairs and my husbands chair easily exceeded those. We are going to stay on site, we are booked at the Disneyland Hotel. I have 10 months to plan.

 

[SMD]

I haven't experienced it myself, but on travel forums I've read where people scheduled a ride with a shuttle company that claims to have an appropriate vehicle, only to have it not show up or be late. Many of these companies have 1 special vehicle and if it goes out of commission before your trip, you're at their mercy to let you know or possibly offer an alternative. The non-emergency medical transports are pricey, but they specialize in it. The other thing you can try is calling your hotel and asking if they recommend a particular vendor.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now or soon, try "boxing70" the joystick with a heavy duty cardboard box, or a sturdy food storage container.

 

[RachelKS]

Now or soon, try "boxing70" the joystick with a heavy duty cardboard box, or a sturdy food storage container.

I'll try that. Anything to protect it!

 

[RachelKS]

I haven't experienced it myself, but on travel forums I've read where people scheduled a ride with a shuttle company that claims to have an appropriate vehicle, only to have it not show up or be late. Many of these companies have 1 special vehicle and if it goes out of commission before your trip, you're at their mercy to let you know or possibly offer an alternative. The non-emergency medical transports are pricey, but they specialize in it. The other thing you can try is calling your hotel and asking if they recommend a particular vendor.

I will for sure look into the non emergency medical transports and see where we get with that.

 

[Tiggerish]

I used Super Shuttle. I booked on-line and there was a box to check for needing an accessible vehicle. I flew into Orange County but when I was originally looking I thought it was going to be LAX. This company covers both. After my flight landed and the airline brought my chair up, I motored on over to baggage and claimed my bag. Then I pulled it behind me to the check-in spot for Super Shuttle. The man confirmed that they had a accessible vehicle and sent me out to the waiting area. I waited for about 20 minutes and then a mini-van with a lift pulled up and I was loaded on and tied down. The van also took three other passengers and two were dropped off before me and one was still had to be taken to his hotel after I was dropped off at the lobby of the Paradise Pier Hotel. I had booked a round trip and on my return day I got a phone call confirming an accessible van and the time it would arrive. It actually was about 10 minutes early but I got a text telling me that so was able to meet them by the lobby with no problem. Both ways the driver handled my luggage.

 

[DisneyOma]

Planning a 2018 trip to Disneyland. Last year we drove from Kansas to Disney World. The drive wasn't bad but it burns 6 days of vacation time just driving. We chose to drive because it seems incredibly daunting to fly with my husbands electric wheelchair. But we have decided to put on our big kid pants and just take the leap to fly to Disneyland for our 25th anniversary. I've read a lot about flying with a wheelchair so I hope we can make it go smoothly. From what I understand Disneyland transportation is not like Disney World transportation. I am looking for any tips on transportation when we get there. We are going to fly into LAX and we are staying at the Disneyland Hotel. We also want to take a day to go to Universal Studios. Any info or tips would be appreciated.

Is there any way to rent an accessible vehicle while you are there? Do they even exist?

 

[SMD]

Is there any way to rent an accessible vehicle while you are there? Do they even exist?

Try Mobility Works. If I recall, we went with a medical transport because they didn't deliver and we had no way to get the client to them to get the tie downs fit. If you already drive this kind of van at home, it might not be as critical.

 

[RachelKS]

I used Super Shuttle. I booked on-line and there was a box to check for needing an accessible vehicle. I flew into Orange County but when I was originally looking I thought it was going to be LAX. This company covers both. After my flight landed and the airline brought my chair up, I motored on over to baggage and claimed my bag. Then I pulled it behind me to the check-in spot for Super Shuttle. The man confirmed that they had a accessible vehicle and sent me out to the waiting area. I waited for about 20 minutes and then a mini-van with a lift pulled up and I was loaded on and tied down. The van also took three other passengers and two were dropped off before me and one was still had to be taken to his hotel after I was dropped off at the lobby of the Paradise Pier Hotel. I had booked a round trip and on my return day I got a phone call confirming an accessible van and the time it would arrive. It actually was about 10 minutes early but I got a text telling me that so was able to meet them by the lobby with no problem. Both ways the driver handled my luggage.

This sounds exactly what I need. I will make a note to check on this company. It is nice to know they assist with luggage. I am concerned about handling our luggage while my husband is out of his electric chair. I'm sure before we leave he will have created some kind of contraption to hook our bags to the back of his chair and pull them. A few years ago I went outside and he had (with one arm) used a belt to strap the push mower to the back of his chair and was mowing the lawn.

 

[RachelKS]

Is there any way to rent an accessible vehicle while you are there? Do they even exist?

The only other time we have traveled with the wheelchair was three months after my husbands accident and it was 21 years ago. We flew to AZ and his Dad had rented an accessible van to use while we were there. He had to drive to Nevada to get it for some reason and while it worked ok it didn't have a lowered floor so my husband had to ride tilted back in his chair. Things are probably different now. Back then we were so new to dealing with the chair we had no clue how much could go wrong. Now I worry about everything!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll try that. Anything to protect it!

Check with the wheelchair company. The wheelchair tech from the company my daughter's wheelchair is from recommends folding the joystick in as much as possible, fixing it so it can't swing out and then many layers of bubble wrap. If you want to put a box on besides that might work, but you need a large amount of protection underneath the box.

Is there any way to rent an accessible vehicle while you are there? Do they even exist?

There are companies that rent accessible vans. The one thing to be aware of is they are much more expensive to rent then a regular van - so don't be shocked at the price. These are a few companies.
http://wheelersvanrentals.com/US/featured-locations/anaheim-wheelchair-van-rentals/

http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com/rental_solutions.htm

 

[Pooh2]

Don't have anything advice but just wanted to wish you a Happy 25th Anniversary!!! Enjoy your trip!