Elderly aunt and scooter ?

[3smithboys]

My aunt is coming to WDW with us this Christmas and there is no question that she does need a scooter. She is 72, has a heart condition, has to hold onto someone just to walk from the car to a restaurant when not at WDW, and has a hard time in open spaces.

Here is my question.... she and my two adult cousins believe that they will be able to go to the front of every line with her at every attraction just because my aunt has a scooter. Is this true? I didn't think this was the case. I am just asking the question because I want them to be informed....

Thanks!

 

[KPeveler]

My aunt is coming to WDW with us this Christmas and there is no question that she does need a scooter. She is 72, has a heart condition, has to hold onto someone just to walk from the car to a restaurant when not at WDW, and has a hard time in open spaces.

Here is my question.... she and my two adult cousins believe that they will be able to go to the front of every line with her at every attraction just because my aunt has a scooter. Is this true? I didn't think this was the case. I am just asking the question because I want them to be informed....

Thanks!

there is no head of line pass for any person, no matter the needs (with the exception of wish kids, who are terminally ill). She will wait in line, on the scooter, with everyone else, with the exception of a few rides in MK. You may want to read about the GAC for needs not met by the scooter (for instance, if she has immune problems or cannot be in the sun), but they should expect to wait.

Also, is she renting a scooter from off-site? If her walking is that limited she will definitely need one around the resort and from bus to park!

 

[3smithboys]

Thank you for your reply. That is what I thought. I do not know where she is planning on getting her scooter from.... Do any of you have suggestions. My aunt and two cousins are staying at Shades of Green. I don't think my aunt and her two grown children have thought as to how my aunt is going to "maneuver" this trip.

My family of 5 have been to Disney the past two Winter Breaks, and I am a huge planner (my extended - the ones who are coming on this trip - all think I am a bit over the top ) I have everything planned months in advanced, all of my ADR made, etc... I am trying to find out as much as I can to give them info, but I also think they need to take some ownership of this as well. I don't want to be blamed when they don't have a good time because something unexpected happens!!!

 

[Piper]

Not only will she not get "front of the line" access--she may have to wait longer than average at some rides (small world, the safari in AK to name a few.) Most of the lines are mainstream--which means the same as everyone else. Their best bet is to get and use fast pass.

Also, if she is in such a fragile state, she would not be riding many of the rides that are not good for people with bad backs or heart conditions......and those are the ones with the longest lines! There is still a lot she can enjoy, but I'm afraid her children are in for a rude awakening!

 

[3smithboys]

I agree that they are in for a "rude awakening!" Can anyone explain to me how the scooter gets through the lines for the rides and shows? (Some of them can be quite lone, winding, and tricky.) Or are there separate areas for the scooters to wait in while the rest of their party goes in the regular line and then they meet up and go on the ride/into the show together? (I hope that makes sense! )

I know there are many things that my aunt will not/can't go on. She really wants to go to be able to see the kids on the rides and enjoy the World. She is going to spend a good deal of her time by the pool as well!

I think she would really like IASM and some of the other rides like that if I can figure out how to get her on them!!!

Thank you so much for you help!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

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 throught 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 acessability, 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 sfficient 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.

 

[KPeveler]

about those few lines that are not mainstreamed - If your aunt is not riding the ride, then the rest of your party cannot use the non-mainstreamed line and just take her along. For instance, the line for BTMRR is through the exit for wheelchairs. your aunt is NOT riding a coaster, so her children cannot use the accessible entrance. The GAC and accessible entrance are only to be used if the person who actually needs them is riding!

 

[3smithboys]

Thank you so much for all of this info! You have been a huge help.

 

[ntsammy5]

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.

We were just told by family members who are going to WDW in a couple of weeks that it is a front of the line pass and that their friends do it all the time - the amount of disinformation out there is amazing - I remember back in 1996 when we had a person with us in a WC, everyone wanted to push it to get special treatment. It worked then, not so much now.

 

[3smithboys]

My mom told my aunt last night what I found out here on the Disboard. My aunt said that she saw online the opposite - she still thinks that she can get a note from her doctor stating that she cannot wait in lines, and that she will be able to get a card that will allow her and my two cousins access to be able to do this! She believes that she will be able to jump all of the lines with my cousins... my mom said that last time she was at WDW (June '04) that she was sure that she saw plenty of people in scooters doing this which just feeds my aunts belief that she is correct!!!

I have decided to stay out of it! My mom thinks that if I say too much my aunt will think that I do not want her to go. That is not the case at all. I really want her to go and have the best (and most realistic time possible.) I don't know what to say at this point....

 

[KPeveler]

My mom told my aunt last night what I found out here on the Disboard. My aunt said that she saw online the opposite - she still thinks that she can get a note from her doctor stating that she cannot wait in lines, and that she will be able to get a card that will allow her and my two cousins access to be able to do this! She believes that she will be able to jump all of the lines with my cousins... my mom said that last time she was at WDW (June '04) that she was sure that she saw plenty of people in scooters doing this which just feeds my aunts belief that she is correct!!!

I have decided to stay out of it! My mom thinks that if I say too much my aunt will think that I do not want her to go. That is not the case at all. I really want her to go and have the best (and most realistic time possible.) I don't know what to say at this point....

She will be rudely surprised then... Disney policy has changed in the last few years as they have mainstreamed lines.

My parents saw an elderly couple with a scooter arguing that they should be able to skip the line at Soarin because of the scooter. not only did the CM NOT do this, they were told to get a fastpass or wait in the normal line. They were not even allowed in the fastpass line. As someone who was just there in a wheelchair, I can tell you that she will not be allowed to the front of the line.

 

[brekin67]

We were there last year with DM who had a scooter. We were never offered to go to the front of the line. Years ago, the lines were not set up for electric scooters to run through so they sent you through a separate line. There are some disabled individuals, mostly children, that do go through a separate line, but I think most of those kids had invisible emotional issues that prevent them from being crowded in. )or they are with make a wish) She can get a Drs. note, but the CM at guest services will not look at it. DA has a physical disability that cannot be improved by going through a separate line or to the front of the line. She will already be in a scooter, so there is no additional assistance that should be needed to access the rides. I hope you have a nice time with your family and enjoy this trip.

 

[3smithboys]

Thank you. I have decided that I have done what I can do. I tried my best to inform my aunt as to what I found out. She read online that WDW will take each case on an individual basis, and she feels that her needs and her drs note will be enough to get a "pass." She also thinks that this "pass" will allow her to go to the front of all of the lines. Have you ever tried talking to a brick wall?

I guess I'll just have to let them find out for themselves.... I just don't want to hear a lot of complaining later when things don't go their way!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to print out Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs (click on the link in my signature) so you can call one of the off-site suppliers if needed when you are at WDW.

 

[3smithboys]

You might want to print out Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs (click on the link in my signature) so you can call one of the off-site suppliers if needed when you are at WDW.

Thank you very much!

 

[lunapnp]

I will just echo what other PP's have said...I can assure your aunt and cousins it is NOT a front of the line pass! I have a DD, 13, who is in a powerchair. She is an adorable redhead...what CM wouldn't want to let an adorable young lady in a powerchair go the front of the line???? But, it doesn't happen! It may seem that way...but remind your cousins...if it seems too good to be true...it usually is!

Also, I may have overlooked in your post...but is your aunt familiar with using a scooter? Does she use one on a daily basis or at least more than just for a yearly trip to Disney? If not, she will possibly be overwhelmed by the negative comments she will get from other people in the parks. Those things are not easy to maneuver. It takes much longer to load/unload those things on the buses and most people are very inconsiderate of the person in the scooter. I have witnessed this with my DD. Usually, by the afternoon, she is tired of trying to maneuver the crowd and continually stopping for people who walk or stop right in front of her. (Just FYI..her powerchair does not stop on a dime!) By the afternoon, we've usually resorted to letting her go in her stroller and we'll push her. If your aunt is not familiar with the scooter, I would probably suggest getting a regular wheelchair and the family can alternate pushing her through the parks.

Regardless...I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

We were just told by family members who are going to WDW in a couple of weeks that it is a front of the line pass and that their friends do it all the time - the amount of disinformation out there is amazing - I remember back in 1996 when we had a person with us in a WC, everyone wanted to push it to get special treatment. It worked then, not so much now.

it only worked in 1996 because many attractions were not constructed with wheelchair and ECV users in mind. Since the lines were constructed to deliver a line of walking people onto the rides and unload them as quickly as possible in the smallest amount of space, many attractions had guests load on one side of a track and unload in the same place on the opposite side of the track.
That works fine for people who are walking on and off, but doesn't work at all if you have a wheelchair or ECV. So, in the past, they did handle people with wheelchairs and ECVs differently, but that was because that was the only way those people could get on.

As time has gone on, they made attractions wheelchair /ECV accessible as much as possible. That means everyone waits in the same place.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Here's my experience:
Even at DHS (can't think of any attraction in AK offhand), there are some queues that are too windy/narrow to accommodate ECVs. Well, actually, they can't handle the Disney-owned ones, so I've been told rather than allow some ECV users to go through the line and prohibit the onsite renters - Guests using ECVs need to transfer to an attraction-provided wheelchair.

 

[doombuggy]

3Smithboys - I recomend you rent your scooter from Walker. I did this for my grama back in 2003 when I brought here to WDW and we stayed at PQR. They delivered the scooter to Bell Services and the CM showed me how to put it together (you can break it into pieces to load in the car) and operate it. The one we had was the 3 wheel type, which I think is better than the 4 wheel. When we were done, I left it at Bell Services for it to get picked back up. They were awesome! My grama was 79 at the time, and ended up buying a scooter when she got back home.

And no, we did not move to the front of the line....

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Also, I may have overlooked in your post...but is your aunt familiar with using a scooter? Does she use one on a daily basis or at least more than just for a yearly trip to Disney? If not, she will possibly be overwhelmed by the negative comments she will get from other people in the parks. Those things are not easy to maneuver. It takes much longer to load/unload those things on the buses and most people are very inconsiderate of the person in the scooter. I have witnessed this with my DD. Usually, by the afternoon, she is tired of trying to maneuver the crowd and continually stopping for people who walk or stop right in front of her. (Just FYI..her powerchair does not stop on a dime!) By the afternoon, we've usually resorted to letting her go in her stroller and we'll push her. If your aunt is not familiar with the scooter, I would probably suggest getting a regular wheelchair and the family can alternate pushing her through the parks.

Regardless...I hope you enjoy your trip.[/QUOTE]


Thank you for your posting. I have a family reunion planned for Nov with 32 people. Two of those have difficulty walking for long periods of time. My DF being one of them. I was convinced to rent a scooter for him since he is 245 lbs and may be difficult to push in a wheelchair. However, I did not think about how difficult it may be to manuever and if he wants to stretch his legs and walk then someone who is not familiar with it will have to drive it.

Decisions, decisions! Any ideas?