Doing Disney with someone in a wheelchair

[WeluvDisney2]

I am wondering if someone could help me with proper etiquette while traveling with someone in a wheelchair. We will be taking my grandmother on her first Disney trip ever this fall. She lost my grandfather earlier this year and has been ill on and off for the last year or so. She can walk for short periods, but will be spending most of her trip in her wheelchair. We are looking forward to a memorable family vacation with 4 generations.
Here is my dilemma. I know that wheelchair bound people are able to board certain shows/rides without having to stand in line. We obviously want to sit/ride with her, but we are a large party and do not want to aggrivate others waiting in line if 4 adults and 4 children board/are seated with her without standing in line.
What is the proper thing to do in this situation? Thanks for your help!

 

[fostrmom2mny]

There is a Disabilities Message Board that can help you. It is my understanding that a total of 5 are allowed to join a GAC visitor. Many of the waiting ques are made to whee you wait in the reg. line with everyone else. In those attractions there will be no problem of having a larger group because you can all stay together in the reg. line.
Gerri

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Thanks Gerri, I'll check it out!

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the attractions have what is called "Mainstream Lines". That means the lines are accessible for a wheelchair or ECV (power scooter) thru the regular line and people using those wait in the regular line with everyone else.
AK and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access and almost all the attraction are mainstreamed. Epcot and MK are older parks and there were some attractions that were not able to be Mainstreamed (specifically attractions that have very tight boarding areas and moving walkways). As they have added or renovated attractions, they have added Mainstream Access where ever possible. All the Fastpass lines are accessible, so getting Fastpasses for your whole party will allow you to avoid long waits and also stay together.
If she is using a wheelchair or ECV, she probably won't need a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). Those are for people who have needs other than mobility or in addition to mobility needs. If her needs are met by having a wheelchair or ECV in line, then she won't need a GAC. The CMs will see the wheelchair and know that she needs an accessible entrance.
If there is a specific wheelchair entrance or if she has a GAC, it usually allows the person with a disability plus up to 5 members of their party. In some cases, you may be asked to limit the number to one or two plus the person with a wheelchiar (usually because the space is small).

 

[byoung]

She will have a great time there.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Thanks SueM! Getting Fastpasses for everyone is an excellent idea, for the attractions that offer them.
For the rides that are not wheelchair accessible, I am sure we can take turns going on rides with her.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

She will have a great time there.

Thanks byoung, I know she is looking forward to it.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Disney is very accomodating to wheelchairs. We have a total of 8 in our party and it's been very rare that they've split us up since there's my parents and my brothers and sisters. The rides that aren't wheelchair accessible in line have a separate line for guests in wheelchairs.

 

[VickiB31]

When you rent a wheelchair or ECV, you can get a guide to wheelchair accessability for each of the parks. It came in handy, listed which rides had special entrances etc. There's also special viewing for the parades and most of the shows. Disney is the BEST when it comes to treating guests in wheelchairs. We've been to all of the major theme parks with an ECV, and nobody can beat Disney as to how you're treated (At both other Orlando parks, guests are allowed to park their empty stollers in the handicapped accessable area. I've seen children in wheelchairs who could not even see the show because the stollers took all the spots!)

Anyway, here's another thought - you may want to rent an ECV or wheelchair from an outside company for Grandma. Depending on her stamina, the walk from the parking area (or disney tranportation) to the turnstiles, all the way to the wheelchair rental can be stressful for someone of limited mobility.

And most of all Have a great time. Family at Disney - who could ask for more?

 

[minnie61650]

You might also want to consider renting an ECV.

I would suggest that that if you decide to use an EVC you should rent the EVC (Electric mobility scooter) from an offsite company.
I have limited mobility and have rented mine from Care Medical (800-741-2282) and Walker Mobility (888-726-6837) in the past. I would recommend either one. The cost is about $30 a day. The ones at the parks cost $35 a day and are bigger and have 4 wheels kinda like a golf cart. They are much harder to steer and to control. If you rent from an offsite rental they will deliver the EVC to bell services at the resort. then it can used to go to the pool, and get around the resort as well as the bus stop.
Almost all the Disney buses are accessible. I love using my EVC it gives me more independence and helps keep my pain to a minimum.

I always use Disney transportation.
When you go to the bus stop the WC/EVC line is to the left of the regular line since the WC/EVC lift is located at the back door of the bus. Be sure to wait there with your family.The WC/EVC's are loaded first for safety reasons.
The rest of your family will enter through the rear door Then the bus driver will close that door and open the front door so the rest of the guests can board.

Disney started mainstreaming most of their lines in the late 1990's. Those in WC/EVC will usually enter in the regular line. You will be able to stay in the EVC until just before boarding most of the time.
Sometimes the WC/EVC may be pulled from the mainstream line part way down so they can board the ride in an
Accessible area. EVC's can't climb steps so sometimes they need to take an elevator. Or they may need to board a ride where the riders usually exit in case
they need an accessible vehicle or need the moving sidewalk slowed or stopped so they can board.
You can pickup a book for Guests with disabilities at Guest Services or you download a copy of the book which is posted on the disABILITIES board.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, you can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board.
The FAQs thread includes names/links to all the ways to get a wheelchair or ECV (including several off-site companies). There is also a section about buses and a link to the official WDW Disability pages (which include the written information from the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities for each park that other posters mentioned).

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Wow, thank you all for sharing your wealth of knowledge!

 

[becfehr]

Try this link, go down to Mobility Disabilities. Has lots of info:

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/special.htm

 

[pepe of ohio]

I've taken my mother many of times and put her in a wheelchair, she can walk but slowly and not very far. I always thought WDW was fairly level........... Well, I got some blisters real fast on the balls of my feet.

And as for ECV's, I got her one once in AK, and after 30 minutes took her and the chair back, she just couldn't operate it safely. She was late 70's. Suggestion: take her to the store that has them there for shopping and let her try one to see if she can handle it, stopping and steering. It will give you a grip on what she can use in WDW.