Friend in Wheelchair. What to Expect?

[mom2rtk]

OK, the time has come to do the research I promised my friend. My daughter (age 11) and I are meeting with my best friend and her daughter, my daughter's best friend (also age 11). We'll be in the MK 3 weeks from today and tomorrow. That Saturday is the 17th of December and will likely be VERY busy. We're also attending MVMCP 12/16 and it will likely sell out.

My friend found out yesterday her daughter's foot is broken and it's now in a cast. There's a chance they might get it off right before the trip, but it would be replaced with some sort of boot.

I think that means we'll be traveling with her in a wheelchair.

I'd love to hear tips and info from others who've been there. I'm a little nervous about being at the MK in high crowds and not being able to get around.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your chair or ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your chair or ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

Thanks CF!

I promised my friend I'd do some of the "leg work" on this for her. I'm slowly working my way through the info in the stickies. There's a lot to sift through!

Is there a place where the attractions with mainstream lines are listed?

I'm going to have to educate her. We'll be along with her 2 days in the MK, but then we leave, and her family stays and will be visiting the other parks.

I'd also love to hear some stories and tips from others traveling with wheelchairs in the parks.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks CF!

I promised my friend I'd do some of the "leg work" on this for her. I'm slowly working my way through the info in the stickies. There's a lot to sift through!

Is there a place where the attractions with mainstream lines are listed?

I'm going to have to educate her. We'll be along with her 2 days in the MK, but then we leave, and her family stays and will be visiting the other parks.

I'd also love to hear some stories and tips from others traveling with wheelchairs in the parks.

Fantasyland has several "alternative" entrances for handicap accessibility.

http://disneyworld.orlandovacation.com/articles/special-needs/magic-kingdom-wheelchairs.php

 

[acourtwdw]

Due to back surgery, I did WDW in a wheelchair (sort of) last month. I used the chair when I got tired or it was too crowded and I was worried about stability. At that point, I was still a little wobbly.

What stands out the most is the fact that people don't see wheelchairs. Most adults are looking forward and bumped into me or tripped over my feet on the leg rest. If you have ever had back surgery, one of the last things you want is to be jostle.

The worst time I had was a night. I got bumped into by so many people who can't (won't) see the chair in the dark. I bought a light up snowman necklace to wear so that people might notice me. I saw some wheelchairs that had glow sticks attached to the chairs and that made them more noticeable.

I couldn't go on any of the E ticket rides (think roller coasters) so I can't comment on them. But most of the rides that I did, had a seperate entrance for wheelchairs. If you aren't sure where that entrance is, ask the castmember at the queue. Don't just get in the stand by line. I saw a lot of wheelchairs in the crowds that should have used the other entrance.

 

[SueM in MN]

Fantasyland has several "alternative" entrances for handicap accessibility.

http://disneyworld.orlandovacation.com/articles/special-needs/magic-kingdom-wheelchairs.php

I just want to point out that website is old and quite out of date. It lists auxiliary entrances for some attractions that do not have them ans also lists Toontown, which has been torn down for a long time.

Thanks CF!

I promised my friend I'd do some of the "leg work" on this for her. I'm slowly working my way through the info in the stickies. There's a lot to sift through!

Is there a place where the attractions with mainstream lines are listed?

I'm going to have to educate her. We'll be along with her 2 days in the MK, but then we leave, and her family stays and will be visiting the other parks.

I'd also love to hear some stories and tips from others traveling with wheelchairs in the parks.

Post 11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about special park maps for guests with disabilities which list all of the ‘Mobility Entrances”; there is a map for each park. This “Mobility Entrances’ are the entrances for guests with wheelchairs, walkers, other mobility devices.
Post 11 lists all of the Mobility Entrances from the most current maps.
As CF, posted, most attractions were built with Mainstream Lines or had them added as attractions were added or renovated.
You will notice that AK and the Studio are almost all Mainstream Lines.
Epcot has a few attractions without Mainstream Lines, but the majority do have guests with wheelchairs and mobility devices use the regular line.
MK is the oldest park and they were not able to convert some attractions to Mainstream lines, so MK does have the most attractions with a different entrance.

THere are some attractions, like Haunted Mansion and Buzz LIghtyear, where you will use the Mainstream Line up until the boarding area. At that point, you will be directed to go somewhere else by the CMs because the regular boarding area is not accessible.

You can find more information (and pictures) in the EPCOT FAQs thread for EPCOT attractions. You can also find more information about transferring into attraction ride cars on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[mom2rtk]

Due to back surgery, I did WDW in a wheelchair (sort of) last month. I used the chair when I got tired or it was too crowded and I was worried about stability. At that point, I was still a little wobbly.

What stands out the most is the fact that people don't see wheelchairs. Most adults are looking forward and bumped into me or tripped over my feet on the leg rest. If you have ever had back surgery, one of the last things you want is to be jostle.

The worst time I had was a night. I got bumped into by so many people who can't (won't) see the chair in the dark. I bought a light up snowman necklace to wear so that people might notice me. I saw some wheelchairs that had glow sticks attached to the chairs and that made them more noticeable.

I couldn't go on any of the E ticket rides (think roller coasters) so I can't comment on them. But most of the rides that I did, had a seperate entrance for wheelchairs. If you aren't sure where that entrance is, ask the castmember at the queue. Don't just get in the stand by line. I saw a lot of wheelchairs in the crowds that should have used the other entrance.

Thanks for replying! That was helpful. I told my friend to think about how hard it will be to navigate around big crowds in the dark. After we leave, they are staying up through about Christmas Eve, so will have some big crowds to deal with, including the sold out party on the 18th.

She loved the idea of putting battery operated lights or glow rings on the wheelchair.

Anyone know where to buy battery operated lights?

I just want to point out that website is old and quite out of date. It lists auxiliary entrances for some attractions that do not have them ans also lists Toontown, which has been torn down for a long time.

Post 11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about special park maps for guests with disabilities which list all of the ‘Mobility Entrances”; there is a map for each park. This “Mobility Entrances’ are the entrances for guests with wheelchairs, walkers, other mobility devices.
Post 11 lists all of the Mobility Entrances from the most current maps.
As CF, posted, most attractions were built with Mainstream Lines or had them added as attractions were added or renovated.
You will notice that AK and the Studio are almost all Mainstream Lines.
Epcot has a few attractions without Mainstream Lines, but the majority do have guests with wheelchairs and mobility devices use the regular line.
MK is the oldest park and they were not able to convert some attractions to Mainstream lines, so MK does have the most attractions with a different entrance.

THere are some attractions, like Haunted Mansion and Buzz LIghtyear, where you will use the Mainstream Line up until the boarding area. At that point, you will be directed to go somewhere else by the CMs because the regular boarding area is not accessible.

You can find more information (and pictures) in the EPCOT FAQs thread for EPCOT attractions. You can also find more information about transferring into attraction ride cars on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Thanks Sue!

I looked at that list and already figured out it was out of date. I appreciate you pointing me toward a more up to date one!

I'm thinking the girl is pretty strong (she's a dancer) so will probably be up and moving more than we expect.

Can we just park a wheelchair in the stroller parking in a given area for a while, then come back to it when we're ready to head across the park? Or is there somewhere else a wheelchair would be parked?

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a great time to look for battery or solar powered lights because they are available in many places as Christmas decorations. Just look in that department with the strings of lights.
You can easily attach them to a wheelchair with electrical tape. It is a bit stretchy, is water resistant and comes off without leaving a residue.

For parking a wheelchair outside an attraction to walk on, you are correct that you would use the stroller parking. Like strollers, CMs move wheelchairs around to keep the space tidy, so the wheelchair may not be exactly where you left it when you come back.

 

[jlevis]

I've seriously thought about getting a cattle prod for those folks who like to stop short in front of me.

You might want to get something to put onto your chair to make it stand out in the crowd. Especially if the CM does move it.

 

[SashaFarce]

I went to Disney at that age with a broken leg - cast below the knee only - at that same age (many years ago!) and as an adult I use a scooter in the parks due to residual effects from that injury. I had a great time and it was easier to move around than I had expected back then. My biggest tip about crowds is to be patient but assertive. Know that it may take a little longer to get through with your wheelchair, but don't let people tread on your kindness either.

Yes, most of the lines are mainstreamed but in MK there are several that aren't or have workarounds. Check with Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's CMs before getting a fastpass. In my personal experience, they will often hand out handwritten passes with a return time and the # of people in your party. These essentially work the same as fastpasses. It doesn't hurt to ask if that's an option for you, and if it is, that will save you actual fastpasses. This has been an option for us for our past 3 trips.

Jungle Cruise also has an accessible line for those who need to be pulled up by the boatside. Thunder Mountain, SWSA, Peter Pan's Flight, and IASW also have alternate entrances or load at/near the exit. These are just the ones in MK that I can remember off the top of my head. Hope this helps.

 

[JoyMouse]

Don't worry...using a wheelchair at Disney is not hard at all!! My DD uses one everytime we go, and we do great with it. People and especially CMs are typically soooo helpful. It helps if you have someone walking in front of the chair and someone pushing, then you don't seem to get bumped or jostled as much. DD loves to decorate her chair, so it looks jazzed up everytime we go. She always gets lots of comments on it! Just relax and go with the flow, you should be pleasantly surprised!