Disneyland in a wheelchair

[jennh223]

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting...so please bear with me. I have planned a surprise Disneyland / Universal Studios trip for my 8 year old son. (June 9-13) We'll be leaving for the five hour trip right after school gets out! I'm not going to say anything until he asks "where the heck are we going mom"? This will be his 5th trip to DLR (I try to plan one trip every year, but told him Mommy couldn't afford it this year)

Anyways, my parents have decided to come along for the fun and I'm a little worried about my dad getting around. He had a hip replacement last year. He can walk (sometimes with assistance from a cane) but I think DLR & CA will be a bit much for him.

I have finally convinced him to use a wheelchair (he's very proud and stubborn ) so we will be renting a wheelchair from our home town, but I have a few concerns and was hoping to get some input:

1. Has anyone had any issues with someone stealing a wheelchair?

2. Do we need to get a guest assistance card if we have the wheelchair?

3. If he can tolerate standing in line, are we better off going through the regular queue?

Thanks in advance...I'm soooo excited for my parents to see and enjoy Disney especially with their grandson! The last time they were there...I was 10 (20+ years ago ).

On a side note, we will be staying within walking distance from the new Disney resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii in August...I'll post an update about it if you're interested!

Jenn

 

[jdb in AZ]

Welcome to the DIS. There's more info here on the boards than you could possibly want to know (or read here.) 8^)

First, you'll get more info from the "Disabilities" site here on the DIS.

You won't need a GAC card -- they're so cast members can help guests with unseen needs. A wheelchair or a scooter gives them enough of a heads up.

If your dad still drives a car, he may prefer the independence of an electric scooter which you can rent off-site in Anaheim and have it delivered to the hotel. Cheaper than renting at the park. Then you and/or your mom won't wear yourselves out pushing the chair. Disneyland seems rather flat, but there are just enough hills to make things challenging. Remember you'll be walking about ten miles a day, and pushing a wheelchair for ten miles will be daunting. With a scooter you keep the key so that pretty much eliminates theft. At night you plug the scooter into a charger and the next morning you're good to go.

On most rides he can just stay in the wheelchair/scooter right through the lines. On the rides that are not "mainstreamed" the cast members will direct your family where to go. Some of the handicapped lines take longer than the regular lines but some actually save time. It depends on how many other wheelchairs are in line ahead of you. For safety/insurance reasons, some of the rides can only allow so many handicapped guests at once -- in case they have to be evacuated.

 

[Mrsjvb]

1. Has anyone had any issues with someone stealing a wheelchair? not really anything to be concerned about, although you don;t want to leave valuables in the chair while on the rides. we always take the Camelback along with us.

2. Do we need to get a guest assistance card if we have the wheelchair? not unless there are other issues

3. If he can tolerate standing in line, are we better off going through the regular queue? Don't bet on it. even though DL is not mainstreamed to the extent WDW is there isn't a huge difference when being diverted. but lines can still be very long. and if he can't do stairs( like I cannot) the reg line would not be a smart move


Jenn

I will actually be there in 2 weeks..after a 5 year break. I have my own chair but since I am traveling to CA all alone( meeting my husband who is flying in from Japan) I will actually be renting one locally.

 

[FourM's]

I would also recommend renting a scooter. We rented DH one after knee surgery. I was sooo glad I didn't have to push him around the park all day. The scooter uses a key and you just take it with you when its parked. That way no one can steal it.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

I was there in 2007 with a broken ankle, foot in a boot. I rented a scooter at the park. I was on crutches otherwise. But it was the best thing I could've done. I was able to hop through short lines that I had to (Haunted Mansion), but most lines I could take the scooter right to the front of the line. It was great for the Nemo subs. We got to skip the 3 hour line in lieu of a 10 minute wait. But the scooter was much more comfortable than a regular wheelchair (which I rented and used at Legoland that summer-my butt got really sore sitting in that chair, and I couldn't go off by myself while my DH went to ride with the kids, either. I was stuck just sitting there). Disneyland has less wheelchair accessible lines than CA. So most of those lines I just by-passed. CA I had to stay in the scooter all the way through the lines to the front. Space Mountain and Pirates are 2 rides that I would have rather been able to go in the regular line. Only limited cars set up for handicapped access so the handicapped lines took way longer than the regular lines.
Hope that helps.

 

[DreamtheImpossible]

How many people are allowed in your party when you're traveling with someone using a wheelchair or scooter??

 

[ArchOwl]

How many people are allowed in your party when you're traveling with someone using a wheelchair or scooter??

It is the person with the GAC or wheelchair plus 5, so 6 total.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Just so you know, Universal is more picky about chairs at least that's been our experience. Even if you have a chair or scooter they still ask that you obtain a pass from Guest Relations which is located inside the park as soon as you enter through the turnstile, it's their equivalent to the GAC card and they don't require disability proof or anything like that.

They don't always ask to see it but sometimes they do so it's good to have. Universal Studios can be picky at times, especially when it comes to outside food and snacks.

Never had an issue with people disturbing our wheelchair or scooter while at Disneyland, but never leave any valuables behind. Universal seems a little more seedy, same advice don't leave valuables behind.

 

[jennh223]

Thanks everyone for your tips and comments. I tried to convince my dad to get the scooter, but is totally against it. Who knows, he may change his mind while there and we could always rent it then I guess. Stubborn man he is!

I figure I can stand to lose a few pounds, so pushing him around in the chair might help me out..lol...especially considering all the corn dogs and mickey pretzels I plan to eat while there...yum!

Thanks for the tips about the lines, I think we'll try to stand in the regular line for POTC and play the rest by ear. He has no interest to ride SM, so we should be ok there!

I'm hoping Indiana Jones won't thrash him around too much because that is one ride he really wants to check out, but I remember that ride tossing you around a lot.

I'll keep the Universal Studio tips in mind...thanks for the heads up!

Thanks again! I'm so excited!!

 

[starshine514]

They'll probably give you a guide at the turnstiles that tells you how to proceed to each ride. CA is mainstreamed, while most of DL is entering through the exit or a separate entrance. Watch the line length if he does decide to walk in the mainstream queue, it may be too much painful standing for him.

My DH uses an ECV, and normally takes it in (if allowed) as far as they will let him unless the lines are pretty short. It just isn't worth wearing him out standing in the lines (though I'm very thankful he can stand for some of them, if needed). If I can keep him better rested, he'll make it through more of the day.

 

[dptabrown]

Thanks for posting this OP! My dad just called me today wanting to join us at Disneyland for a day when we go on our trip, and he has a badly injured knee that he's concerned about doing so much walking on, so this is good info for me to "add to my list" to figure out for him now. Thanks!

 

[tlovesdis]

I always rent a scooter off site when we go to DL. I have trouble standing and walking for long periods of time. We usually bring a small cooler with water and snacks and leave it in the basket on the scooter and have never had an issue of anyone taking it.

 

[BookLover23]

Yeah DL is the best for wheelchairs. My sister had knee problems and couldn't walk too much so we would rent a regular wheelchair and we could get in almost every ride by 2pm.
It really depends on Indiana Jones. They are some cars that thrash around a lot and some that are pretty mild. One thing I've learned is to brace your feet on the floor and keep your back against the seat as much as you can. It helps a little.
Oh and if you're doing a regular wheelchair, pushing out the exit of Indiana Jones is murder so have someone else standing by to push the last half if you can. Or take a break... Also, remember that there is no ramp off of the train at Main Street Station. We've had to carry a wheelchair down those stairs and it wasn't fun. But every other station does. Oh, and best place to watch the fireworks in a wheelchair would be right behind the rope of one of the walkways across Main Street. Maynard (The most amazing cast member) found us and had us sit right in front of where he roped it off. It was my dad's last DL firework show and it was absolutely perfect. He didn't have to stand at all.

Sorry, probably unnecessary tips here, but we've done DL with a wheelchair a lot. Like a lot a lot.
HAVE FUN!!!