Handicap viewing

[rtilner]

Does anybody know the all handicap viewing areas in all 4 parks.(for the fireworks and parades)?:

 

[SueM in MN]

I moved this from the disABILITIES Community Board to the disABILITIES Board.
The handicapped viewing areas are marked on the park map for each park. You should check the maps when you get there because they sometimes change the location slightly (often across the street or down a little from where it had been).
Many of the areas are not that large and often fill up quickly, so plan to go to the area an hour or more before the parade/show.
These are the current locations as of May 2013.

Magic Kingdom has day and evening parades and the handicapped viewing areas are the same for both. The areas are in the hub in front of the train station, in the castle end of the hub and in Liberty Square across the street from the Hall of a Presidents.
The fireworks show is centered at the castle. There is no handicapped viewing area for it.

Animal Kingdom has only a daytime parade. The handicapped viewing areas are in Asia in front of Flights of Wonder, Discovery Island near the entrance to Bug's Life and Discovery Island across from Pizzafari. There are no evening parades or fireworks.

Disney Hollywood Studios has a daytime parade. The viewing areas are on Hollywood Avenue in front of Min and Bill's Dockside Diner and in front of ABC Sound Studio.
There are no fireworks, but there is an evening show called Fantasmic. This is performed in a large amphitheater near Tower of Terror. There is handicapped seating in the back 3 rows of seating (the very back row is wheelchair spaces and the 2 rows in front of that are for guests who are not using a wheelchair plus the rest of the party).

Epcot has no daytime parade. The fireworks are a music, light, laser and fireworks show in the middle of the World Showcase lagoon. There are good viewing spots in many areas and if you arrive early, you will be along the fence with no one in front of you.
The handicapped viewing areas are in Showcase Plaza along the water near each of the shops (2 areas), in front of Germany and between the United Kingdom and Canada.

 

[Joanna71985]

DHS currently has no day parade

 

[SueM in MN]

DHS currently has no day parade

Thanks for that. I thought they were still doing the old one until the next one was ready.

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks for that. I thought they were still doing the old one until the next one was ready.

Unfortunately not. Both Countdown to Fun and Disney Channel Rocks ended the same day (and there hasn't been any announcements if/when there will be a new parade)

 

[SueM in MN]

Unfortunately not. Both Countdown to Fun and Disney Channel Rocks ended the same day (and there hasn't been any announcements if/when there will be a new parade)

Thank you.
Those were both cute.

 

[Vickie46]

Thank you.
Those were both cute.

If my dad has an ecv does he have to be at one of those places or can he park the ecv at any curb? This is all new to me.

 

[Joanna71985]

If my dad has an ecv does he have to be at one of those places or can he park the ecv at any curb? This is all new to me.

You can sit along the parade route (you don't have to be in the handicapped seating)

 

[lanejudy]

If my dad has an ecv does he have to be at one of those places or can he park the ecv at any curb? This is all new to me.

We've found we usually prefer just curbside, not bothering with the reserved sections. Depending on crowds, it's possible they would only let 1 other from your party in the roped off area with your father, the rest would need to watch from elsewhere anyway.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

We've found we usually prefer just curbside, not bothering with the reserved sections. Depending on crowds, it's possible they would only let 1 other from your party in the roped off area with your father, the rest would need to watch from elsewhere anyway.

Enjoy your vacation!

I agree.
They usually line the wheelchairs and ECVs up tightly spaced along the front of the viewing area. The rest of your party has to stand behind the ECVs and wheelchairs.
In very busy areas, they may have 2 or even 3 rows of wheelchairs and ECVs.

You may find that there are still very good curbside viewing areas even after the handicapped areas are filled up. Just make sure the ECV is turned off once it is parked so it doesn't move unexpectedly.

 

[j2thomason]

Any suggestions for fireworks viewing in a wheelchair in the Magic Kingdom?

 

[geek+nerd]

Stake out a spot super early. The best spot I have ever had was on the bridge to Tomorrowland up against the posts closer to the castle. We were there 90 minutes early. This was the only time I have ever had even a remotely decent view. Usually, though, I end up getting very upset with Wishes because even if we get a spot early, there will inevitably be some really tall person who finds it acceptable to stand directly in front of someone in a wheelchair and then put his six kids on top of his shoulders.

We are doing the Dessert Party on July 3; while I know that will still be crowded and a bit of a fight for a viewing spot, I am hoping it is better than what I have seen in the past.

I will say that trying to see Wishes and dealing with the insane rude behavior of the crowds after is probably the biggest stressor for me at Disney.