Disneyland help

[annieecho]

I am planning a trip to Disneyland for next year. We are DVC members planning to stay at Grand Californian. I am disabled and need a scooter. I would like to rent from a company not Disney, any recommendations? Do I need to rent a taxi to get to the resort from the airport? What rides are disable accessible? We've been to WDW many, many times but have never been to Disneyland. Any suggestions, help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Shellyred8]

Here is my feedback on a couple of your items, as we just went to DL for the first time last year in November.
1. If you are hoping to stay in a DVC at VGC, and you don't own at VGC, be ready to start booking at 7 months out. Even then you might not get anything. It's very hard to get into VGC if you don't own there. However, if you can get in there, it's AWESOME!!!
2. You will need to arrange for your own transportation from the airport to DL. They don't have Magic Express at DL. If it's an option for you, I would recommend flying into SNA instead of LAX.
3. If you are on the fence about whether or not to see World of Color, go see it. And do whatever you can to get a viewing spot where you are looking straight on, instead of viewing from the side. You don't need to be in the front rows where you might get wet, just be somewhere that is looking mostly straight on at it. We watched it from the sides the first couple of nights we saw it and then our last time seeing it we were able to see it looking straight on and it was SOOOO much better!!!
4. Mentally prepare yourself for a smaller castle. You will still probably have a bit of shock when you compare it to the Cinderella castle, but at least you were warned.
5. The fireworks at DL are not like anything at WDW. They only go for a few minutes. Nothing like the 15+ minute shows at WDW.

Have a great trip!!

 

[annieecho]

Thanks so much for your help!
I don't own at VGC so I;ll try to get in there. Id not which other Disney property would you recommend?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread has lots of very helpful information for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Many people here highly recommend renting a ECV from Deckerts. They will deliver to and pick up from your hotel. You have many options for transportation from the airport (agree that SNA is a closer, easier to handle airport than LAX). There are shuttles, car services, taxis, Uber, Lyft, etc. Doing a search on these boards will help you find recommendations. WOC is a great show and does have a specific HC viewing area. The current fireworks show is "Remember, Dreams Come True," which lasts much longer than 5 minutes. (The pp must have seen "Fantasy in the Sky," which was shown only for a short while last year.) If you really want to stay on site, there are only 3 hotels to choose from: Paradise Pier (the farthest away), Grand Californian, and Disneyland Hotel. If the GCH doesn't work out for you, try the DLH. By the way, when you see Sleeping Beauty's Castle, remember that this was Walt's castle (he planned it, he loved it, and it was the only castle he lived to see). The size is deliberate because he wanted the children to feel big. Once you know the history behind it and how it paved the way for all the other Disney castles, you'll find it won't look so small after all.

 

[GenGen22]

For a ECV rental call Deckerts at (714) 542-5607 they are highly recommended here on the boards. I have used them twice and reserved a few months out from my trip. They require total cost to be paid at time of reservation and their inexpensive also. I highly recommend them. They will deliver the scooter to your hotel so, it will be there when you arrive. I use supershuttle and use my AAA discount for transportation to & from the airport and it's pretty inexpensive. At DL you go to most rides and they will give you a fast pass return time or let you in as a fast pass rider. At CDL all rides are accessible so you will have to wait in ride lines with the rest of the guests so, utilize fast passes at this park. My issue is I can't stand in long lines or do the walking that is requred to view the parks. I can get in & out of rides with no assistance and I can walk but not for a long period of time. I think it depends on the severity of your disability what you can and cannot do this is also with the shuttle. If you can get in & out of the shuttle you should be fine. Read the Disabilities board on here for more info or to ask more specific questions that pertain to your situation. People here are very helpful. Enjoy you trip!

One more tip: we're reserving the WOC dessert party so, we can sit the entire show. Its pricey but worth being able to sit the whole show and not fight to get a standing spot.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

5. The fireworks at DL are not like anything at WDW. They only go for a few minutes. Nothing like the 15+ minute shows at WDW.

For the record, most of the shows are 20 minutes and pretty spectacular. You happened to be there during one of the rare times that the fireworks show was "Fantasy in the Sky," which is only 4.5 minutes.

 

[annieecho]

Thanks so much to all of you for the info! My problem with the rides are I have trouble getting up from sitting position and /or stepping up from a ride. My legs don't work so that presents problems for lots of rides. I got stuck on the People mover at WDW and Disney staff cannot help you. I have a cushion but I cant take that on some rides. I finally did get out of the mover, my son moved my leg out so I could get up. He tries to help but not strong enough to lift me. Also most rides like Buzz or Peter Pan have the moving walkways, will they stop them for me to get on the ride? Thanks again for your help!

 

[Niltiac]

Thanks so much to all of you for the info! My problem with the rides are I have trouble getting up from sitting position and /or stepping up from a ride. My legs don't work so that presents problems for lots of rides. I got stuck on the People mover at WDW and Disney staff cannot help you. I have a cushion but I cant take that on some rides. I finally did get out of the mover, my son moved my leg out so I could get up. He tries to help but not strong enough to lift me. Also most rides like Buzz or Peter Pan have the moving walkways, will they stop them for me to get on the ride? Thanks again for your help!

I think for many rides with moving walkways they will stop it for you. Maybe consider asking before you get in line just in case. If you have trouble stepping out of the ride vehicles I would be careful about a few rides. Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Radiator Springs all require a bit of a step to get up out of. There may be others that I'm not thinking of. I would suggest looking at some photos of the ride vehicles or watching ride videos to get an idea. Luckily some rides have special loading areas where you can take your time getting in and out without holding up the ride (RSR and GRR definitely have this).

 

[GenGen22]

I know the little mermaid & Monsters Inc. In CDL and the haunted mansion and Buzz in DL have the moving walkways and I have seen them stop them before. Definitely ask a CM before entering the ride line so, that you don't waste your time. I would post a message on the Disabilities board of the issues you have and ask for others advice who may have the same issue what they do. Here is that board: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/. And also because of the issue you have with your legs Uber or Lyft might be a easier way for you to get in and out of a car as opposed to a shuttle as you have to step up to get into the van. I would also ask about this on the disabilities board. If you do use Uber you should fly into a closer airport like SNA or LGB as the traffic in LA is ridiculously busy and at times takes hours to get through which can be very pricey to travel from LAX which is a 45 minute ride on a good day (but don't count on this 45 minute ride).

 

[SMD]

Peter Pan doesn't have a moving walkway at DLR. Definitely address any issues with boarding before entering the line. On BTMRR there is a car that can swing open for easier transfers from a wheelchair, but you'd have to enter through the accessible queue. On Space there is an alternative loading area, though the car and height of the platform at the same. They may or may not be able to direct you there through the regular queue, it depends on how they're loading it at the time, you may also need to use the accessible queue. On Space if someone takes too long loading or unload the ride will shut down, so you definitely want to let the CMs know before boarding.

 

[Shellyred8]

For the record, most of the shows are 20 minutes and pretty spectacular. You happened to be there during one of the rare times that the fireworks show was "Fantasy in the Sky," which is only 4.5 minutes.

Thanks for the info!!