Disneyland

[Wade Shrader]

Hello, everybody,

My son is having spine surgery this summer, and as a reward for him (and me and mom!), we're going to Disneyland, both for Disney and to visit his Uncle who is an editor in Hollywood.

I've been to the Mouseplanet guide, which has some info regarding disabled guests, but does anyone here have any suggestions and/or advice? I've also been on the DIS Disneyland board, as well.

Specifically, I'd be interested in any information about Fantasmic seating, parades, etc., which may be useful for us planning for my 2 sons in wheelchairs. Also, I know that some of the rides are a little different (Splash mountain log seating configuration is different), so I would appreciate any advice there, as well, just so we will know what's different than at WDW.

Thanks in advance!
Wade

 

[AprilsZoo]

My family and I just went to Disneyland over Easter weekend, and Fantasmic was not showing then, and I didn't find out when it was returning. But FYI, in case it is back when you go, seating is similar to parade seating, with roped off walkways through NOS. You pick a spot along the waterfront -- "center stage" is roughly opposite the PoC exit. You can actually see the "flat spot" on TSI, but just ask any CM in NOS. There is a designated disabled viewing area but it's way to the left of RoA (at least it used to be) and the view wasn't too great. You are better off just picking a spot on your own. There are no "seats" like at WDW.

Splash has changed their logs since we went the time before in 2001. they used to have a long seat running down the middle and you straddled it 2-3 to a seat in each others "laps," so to speak... |____|____ ... but now each rider has their own seat...
|__|__|__|__|__ ...

The Matterhorn seating is similar to the old SM seating except you don't straddle a middle seat; you sit on a extra deep bench seat with another rider sitting in front of you ( between your legs, sorta like... <<) but you each have your own lap belt that comes around from the back. If you need extra time to do your seat belt, tell the loading CM as you get on; they tend to keep things moving fast, and I've had trouble getting mine and my son's done, sometimes barely clicking before we "launch."

Hmmm, what else? You know Space Mountain is closed until 2005, right?
Oh, definitely stop in Guest Services (Town Hall) and get an SAP. CM's at every attraction asked to see ours, even tho I was in a chair. Luckily, I had stopped to get one for waiting out of the sun. But they never even looked to see what was on it, just that we had one (I had it folded in half in a ID pouch on a lanyard and they never looked at the side with the reason, they just glanced at it, or took our word for it when we said yes) I'm not sure what they would have done if we hadn't had it. We also found that in every case the CM sent us to the exit, even when the guidebook said the line was accessible. That shortened the wait slightly on those few rides, but probably not by that much. I'm sure there are others we waited as long for. Once in a while it was tough to get the CM's attention (teacups, for example) because of the "shortage" of CMs, but usually someone in the regular line would relay our message, and they'd come over.

Anything else I can tell you? Let me know.