DLR Trip in May

[Tiggerholic]

I briefly read the FAQ, but skipped alot of it because it was dealing with WDW and I will be going to DLR. So, I do have questions about DLR and their policies.

The last time I went to DLR was back in 1990 and at that time, I got a wheelchair and instead of waiting in the lines, we were allowed to go to the "exits" (front of the lines) along with everyone in my party. Is this still the case?

I can walk a little bit, and will do as much as I can, but obviously standing in lines is totally out of the question. I do know that they have the Fast Passes, but even with those, I understand that there are lines. So, I guess I just need to know how things are run now, as opposed to back in 1990.

Thank you in advance,
Lyn

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Wow Lyn you do venture out from the VMK boards! If you have trouble standingin lines, You need to stop at Guest services and get a GAC card . These DO NOT get you to the front of the line but they do make the staff aware of issues. Example: If you cant stand in the line, You may be provided with a place to sit. or be allowed to stay in your wheelchair until your turn in line comes up. Often times you are directed to the exit where there is a "guest with special needs" area where you wait for your turn. You may want to reread the FAQS because its my experience that DLR and WDW both operate in pretty much the same way.

 

[dclfun]

DLR is a bit different and Guest Services are more sparing with their GAC's. If you have trouble standing in line, for instance, instead of giving you a GAC they will tell you to rent a wheelchair. They assume that there's more standing and walking between attractions than in the actual queue line for attractions. Those with wheelchairs are asked to wait the same length of time as others but in some instances will wait in an alternate area. Hope you enjoy your trip. We were there in late May in 2005 and I almost froze to death! I had expected warm weather so each night was wrapped in the resort blanket shivering. ---Kathy

 

[quiltymom]

A couple of years ago my sister & I went with my mom, who was in a wheelchair at the time. We either went in the same line if the lines were wide enough (like Buzz) then went into a separate area for loading, or they had us go to the exit of the ride and wait there. She could get up and walk onto the ride, which made it easier all around.

Guest Services has a brochure that they gave mom when we were going through the security check before entering, so we knew where to go. They are much more lax about it than WDW. The CM's were very courteous and accommodating - even when they forgot to pick us up at the end of Haunted Mansion! We got to see some stuff that regular guests don't, and it was fun to joke about it with the CM's, too.

 

[Tiggerholic]

Well, I can definitely see that things have changed since 1990 Okay, so go to Guest Services, get a card, get a wheelchair and go about my merry way

Now, do I have to do the same thing over at DCA or are the parks linked ??

Yes, Grumpy, I do get around a bit from VMK


Lyn

 

[dclfun]

Your GAC from either park is good for both. If you are using a wheelchair though, you won't need one and they don't give them out for endurance concerns. I'd opt for the w/c anyway to allow yourself to rest and have stamina to enjoy yourself in the parks. I found there were more CM's at entrances to attractions at DL than at WDW thus it was easy to find assistance. At WDW the first time I went in my chair we spent alot of time just trying to find where to go even though I had the brochure...we could never find the signs, etc. easily ----Kathy

 

[Barbday62]

My husband uses his power chair at Disneyland (He is only in it part time normally but cant do stand or walks due to muscular dystrophy)

Some rides with alternative entrances include space mountain, pirates, most of the dark kids rides in fantasy land, storybook canals,splash mountain, big thunder, jungle cruise, indiana jones, small world and mattahorn. all these use the exit to enter.

Mansion you will go in the fast pass entrance and if you can walk back to your wheel chair they have you walk the short distance inside. This for my husband is too far so we end up taking the wheel chair in and then ride the elevator room backwards to get out.

Roger spin is the normal line and some corners are fun to navigate with the space you have and I have not tried anything else in toon town to know what they are for wheel chairs.

Space ranger you stay in normal line until the very end and go through a door to the exit to bored there. So your wheel chair is where you get off.

Autopia you go i normal line until where fast pass joins in and you split off to let the wheel chair person use an elevator. the remainder of your party goes down the exit stairs to meet up.


In DCA most everything is handicap accessible. The roller coaster we are pulled out right before the stairs and sometimes made to go over the other side with two elevators. sometimes we wait and ride from that section. They tell us when we get there. The tower of terror we go in the fast pass line always. I think about everything else is normal que.

As for pass, with a wheel chair you dont need anything from city hall. In fact they dont give you anything when you ask either. (I asked once) Also our entire party goes together. Even when we had a party of 7 we got to go together. The official word is 6 together.

If you rent a wheelchair or ECV in one park you keep it to cross to the other park too. But you cant take it to downtown disney or anywhere past security tents.

Have a great trip. There is so much to do and changes since your last trip.

 

[Tiggerholic]

Wow .... such GREAT information I think I will opt for the wheelchair right from the get go. If I feel like walking around for awhile, then it can serve as a place to hold all our stuff Then when my legs decide to give up on me, then I can just plop my tushy down and be chauffeured around the park

I knew Disneyland had to have changed since 1990, but I think it is going to be like going for the VERY FIRST time when I was just 7

What would I have done had I not ventured from the VMK board


Lyn

 

[Barbday62]

I venture out of VMK too lol


You know if you feel like walking a bit you can also let the people who rent you the wheel chair hold it for you too. They will give it back when you are ready. we have had to have them charge our battery more than once.

If you do walk be sure to get as many fast passes in the morning as you can get. You wont need to use them at the time listed. Save them for your walking time. It will mean less walking or standing that way. (Fast passes at disneyland are good all day no matter what the time says on it. You cannot go early but you can certainly go later than the time listed on it.)

I totally understand the need to walk some too!! My husband will ask me to steer his chair a while so he can so short walks. Sitting all day can cause so much cramping too!!