do wc's "wander"

[luvsTink]

Hi all,
It is likely that we will need to rent a wc for a day in DS next month. My DD has JRA, so has difficulty with distance and constant walking....therefore, we will likely use the chair to get from here to there, but park it like a stroller outside the attractions. Is this a problem? Will it disappear like strollers sometimes do?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

But why would you want to park outside? Some of the queues, such as Soarin', Safari, and Space Mountain, are about 1/4 mile long.

The lines for almost all attractions at WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that the queue is set up to allow wheelchairs and/or ECVs to go through the line just as a person without a mobility problem. As it was built prior to the ADA, the Magic Kingdom is most likely to have non-mainstreamed lines. Some attractions, such as Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion you will go part way through the regular queue and then be diverted. Other attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain or SpaceShip Earth you will initially be directed to an accessible entrance.

All the theaters are set up with seats (usually in the back row) removed so a wheelchair or ECV can pull into a space and there will be regular seating on either side of the space for the others in the party.

Where there are quantity limits on space, or other limitation involving accessability, you may have to wait longer to see a show or ride an attraction than people without disabilities.

The normal (and official) response of Guest Relations to people with mobility and/or stamina issues is to recommend rental of a wheelchair or ECV. The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) is intended for "invisible" disabilities not related to mobility or stamina. A wheelchair or ECV is sufficient to notify Cast Members of special assistance normally needed. However, if a person has other issues, such as auditory or visual, they would probably also need a GAC.

Note that a GAC is not intended to allow bypassing of lines, and it so states on the card itself. The only people who will get the special Front Of The Line GAC are where a terminal or midically fragile child is traveling on a trip from Make A Wish or similar foundation.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I agree with Cheshire Figment. Take your WC into the lines with you. We use a stroller as a wheel chair and because our son wanted to walk for a while we took him out and parked the stroller for one ride. It was awfull. The stop and go movment combined with people bumping into you will make you wish you had the chair. If you are still wanting to leave the WC outside then be sure to bring along somethign to tie on to it or bring a special tag ( anything that will make your chair stand out). A freind of mine when she rents a strooler will take a diaper and roll it up like it has been used and place it in the seat so that no one wants to walk off with her stroller( I found this kinda funny). Anyway, I hope that you have a great trip.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I can't speak for other areas, but in Fantasyland, if you parked your wheelchair with the strollers, we would move it up just like we do the strollers to make room for the ones coming in. For instance, at Philharmagic, you normally park it at the entrance and by the time you are done it will end up closer to the exit. One thing you can do if you are dead set on leaving it is to tie a balloon to the handle. It makes it easier for you to spot and less likely that somebody else will take it.

FWIW, in all my time in Fantasyland I never had to deal with a misplaced wheelchair. Strollers- yes. (Personal ones, two people will have the same type and take the wrong one. Park ones, peoplew ill sometimes take the wrong one or take one that doesn't have a name on it.) But never once has anybody told me their wheelchair was missing. If you rent from the park and it happens, we will replace it. If you are renting from an outside company, I would not as you will be responsible for the cost if it goes missing.