How to do Disneyland with a wheelchair?

[Tasscrapper]

So, I will be going with my brother and three youngest kids in February. My brother has problems with his hips ( I think it's hips). It is extremely hard for him to stand for any length of time without being in major pain. If he's walking he's ok but just standing kills him. We are planning on taking a wheelchair with us so that I can push him around if needed. I am really hoping that the mornings are going to be light enough that he will just be able to go through the ride lines normally without to much just standing.

My question is how do things work if you are in a wheelchair? He is obviously not wheelchair bound but will need it to get through 4 days at Disneyland . Are there lines you just push it through until you get to the front and then put it off to the side until you get off or do you have to use a separate line? There are some rides that I know a chair won't fit through like Alice in Wonderland. I saw some people with chairs when I was there but never saw it at the front of the line so don't know how they work it.

Just wondering how to deal with this new aspect. I don't want people thinking it is just because he is large and to lazy to walk cause that's not the case.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Many of the queues at Disneyland are wide enough to fit a wheelchair. In those cases, your party will go through the regular line with everyone else. When he gets to the ride itself, he will just let them know he can transfer out of the wheelchair. They will take his wheelchair from him and it will be waiting for him at the end of the ride. He will get on the ride just like everyone else.

There are a few rides which have ride cars on which the wheelchair can be wheeled directly on to the ride car and he can ride which actually still in the wheelchair. If he can transfer out of the wheelchair easily, he probably won't need (want?) this option, but it does exist.

For the rides that do not have queues wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, your entire group will be directed to the alternate entrance. From there, it works exactly the same as above.

Since he does not HAVE to use the wheelchair, I am not sure how the Guest Assistance Card would come into play as I believe you need a doctor's note to acquire that, but even so - the line process would be the same. You may want to call DL to check on that piece.

- Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

First off, enjoy your family and don't let anyone worry about what another person might thing. You shouldn't have time or energy to look at others or to imagine what they are thinking, and unless you can read minds you don't know if that nasty look on their face is about him, or b/c they are having gas, or b/c they just realized they left their iron on at home.


"the Guest Assistance Card would come into play as I believe you need a doctor's note to acquire that,"

GACs do NOT require a note, and in fact they cannot look at that note. You tell them what you need and they figure out how to help you with those needs.


That said, being on wheels means no one requires the GAC, unless there are issues other than access.

If your brother isn't having hip pain and wants to stand in line, he can choose to do that. If he can't, ask a CM at the front of each attraction what the rules are for that attraction. I think at DL itself there aren't many rides that allow a wheelchair or ECV all the way through the lines. At DCA, on the other hand, it was built after the ADA rules were made, and their lines might accomodate, or they might do like many DL rides do, and have a different entrance for "wheels" when the guest cannot get out to stand in the line. Just ask at each ride. Easy peasy.


Now. Wheelchair specifically. I wouldn't do it. There are hills you don't realize are there, and the pushers will get tired, and if he's going to move it around himself he'll get tired. I would rent an ECV from an offsite company instead, absolutely. I don't know those companies, but I'm sure others will chime in and give you the info! It would give him more freedom, as he won't get tired from pushing it, and he won't be dependent on any of you guys.

 

[fairycat]

I used a wheelchair at Disneyland (rented off site since I couldn't walk to the trams), when I sprained both ankles (yup both at the same time) a few years ago. My Mom got a ECV our last trip after she hurt her knee and she loved it, but we had to watch her cause she was a speed demon on that thing!

Both of us used the handicapped lines on all rides that can not fit a chair. Neither one of us got a Assistance Pass, and my Mom (her trip was in Nov 08) was not questioned at all about using the line. I was asked why I did not have a pass on only one ride at the end of the night, but when I told them I didn't know I needed one they still let me ride, but again my trip was a while ago.

Overall, the only line I found you needed a assistance pass was for those that accomadate wheelchairs (like Toy Story and Buzz), and I don't believe all issues will allow you to pass that line.

Any ride that a wheel chair will not fit has a special entrance typically at the exit for you to wheel the chair up so you can get on the ride. Just as the nearest CM where the entrance is for wheelchairs.

 

[McCall]

You can also download the Disabled guest guide from the Disneyland.com site or you can pick one up at the town hall on Main street with all info in it. and the disneyland guide they give you when you enter the park also has the legends on it for what is WC accessible what requires transfer etc. I just went this last weekend and there were no CM's in front of ANY attraction which was a bit of a pain. I know, off season.

 

[ballarinamom]

Is it in your budget to rent an ECV? There are several really great companies that will deliver to your hotel for a surprising fair fee. My DMIL has bad knees and thought she would be ok for our 6 day trip in November. I talked her into getting an EVC and she never regretted it! She would park it and walk throught the ques. But the fourth day she was really hurting and we got the EVC guide from City Hall. We walked into the exits in Fantasy Land and showed them her key. Most of the other rides she was able to ride her EVC up to the ride vehicle. If you do a traditional wheelckair, you will not have a key to show them in Fantasyland. However, on Pirates, Space etc.. I saw many wheelchairs wheeled right up to the ride vehicles as well.
I agree with Bumbershoot. Enjoy your trip and your family and don;t worry what others think. My DMIL does not feel herself handicapped and felt guilty using the handicap entrances. But I did remind her she would not be able to manage the traditional way and Walt wanted everyone to ENJOY their time in the park. Have a great trip!

 

[Tasscrapper]

First off, enjoy your family and don't let anyone worry about what another person might thing. You shouldn't have time or energy to look at others or to imagine what they are thinking, and unless you can read minds you don't know if that nasty look on their face is about him, or b/c they are having gas, or b/c they just realized they left their iron on at home.



You crack me up Molly. I'll be thinking about people with irons on at home while I'm at Disneyland.

I didn't think about hills but we will just have to deal with it because we can't afford a ECV rental this trip. Who knows maybe I'll have him push it around the park himself until his hips start giving fits. I just love my big bro.


I just turned him onto the Dis Boards today so we'll see if he peeks in here and sees this.


I did go look at the Disneyland site to find the 'mobility impaired' which is what I should have done in the first place.

 

[Plumeria9]

I posed a similar question a few weeks ago, here is the thread (hopefully)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2048988
I was able to download a .pdf of the DLR attraction access brochure that people have mentioned on the Disney website. Just search for ECV or Wheelchair and it should show. HTH!

 

[bumbershoot]

You crack me up Molly. I'll be thinking about people with irons on at home while I'm at Disneyland.

I had to come up with something funny like that, b/c I myself have a "stress face" that appears even when I'm blissful! My mom had it, my aunt has it, and even my sweet darling teensy grandma could look tense even while totally happy had it until Alzheimers took it away. I have been told to SMILE when I'm sitting thinking about how lovely the world is and to CHEER UP, "it's not so bad" when I'm sitting there musing on how terrific my life is. My face doesn't match my feelings about half the time, and it's frightening to think about how many people think I've glared at them, when it's very likely I'm not even looking at them, let alone thinking about them, let alone thinking nasty thoughts about them.

I've also seen my stoic-faced hubby have a look of near disgust on his face when I KNOW he's very very happy (he also laughs when nervous or when he's just heard bad news...that part is a Korean trait and he even did it on the phone with a customer the other week, whoopsie) and I elbow him and tell him that he's looking creepy or scary. Not everyone has a partner who has the right to do that (we both have the "right" to remind each other of our scary faces (oh gawd if that becomes a tag I'll hide)) though.


Bummer about the no-ecv-budget. Hopefully someone will post the websites anyway, so you can be absolutely sure it's not in the budget. Don't forget that it's *possible*, i've heard, that sometimes you can get partial reimbursement from insurance, sometimes maybe depending on the insurance company the doctor and the Moon's position in relation to Venus.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Funny that you should mention insurance because he is going to check it out. It made me wonder though if the companies are at all flexible. With the economy so bad I wonder if buisness is down enough they would be willing to take less than normal rates just to make sure something is rented. Some rent is better than no rent. We might have to explore that avenue too. It can't hurt to ask.

 

[konagal]

Is it in your budget to rent an ECV? There are several really great companies that will deliver to your hotel for a surprising fair fee. My DMIL has bad knees and thought she would be ok for our 6 day trip in November. I talked her into getting an EVC and she never regretted it! She would park it and walk throught the ques. But the fourth day she was really hurting and we got the EVC guide from City Hall. We walked into the exits in Fantasy Land and showed them her key. Most of the other rides she was able to ride her EVC up to the ride vehicle. If you do a traditional wheelckair, you will not have a key to show them in Fantasyland. However, on Pirates, Space etc.. I saw many wheelchairs wheeled right up to the ride vehicles as well.
I agree with Bumbershoot. Enjoy your trip and your family and don;t worry what others think. My DMIL does not feel herself handicapped and felt guilty using the handicap entrances. But I did remind her she would not be able to manage the traditional way and Walt wanted everyone to ENJOY their time in the park. Have a great trip!

Hi do you have information on rental companies and rates?

 

[ballarinamom]

My MIL used a company that our hotel recommended (the desert Inn). The had it waiting in the lobby when we arrived and they were there to pick it up when we left. It easily fit through the door of the hotel room and held a charge all day. I can't remember the name right now but I will have it tomorrow after I talk with her. As I recall it was about $25 a day. Rental in DL was $45 and you couldn't take it past security. I know several people on the DIS have used a few different companies as well. I'm sure you will have a selection to choose from by the end of the day tomorrow!

 

[konagal]

My MIL used a company that our hotel recommended (the desert Inn). The had it waiting in the lobby when we arrived and they were there to pick it up when we left. It easily fit through the door of the hotel room and held a charge all day. I can't remember the name right now but I will have it tomorrow after I talk with her. As I recall it was about $25 a day. Rental in DL was $45 and you couldn't take it past security. I know several people on the DIS have used a few different companies as well. I'm sure you will have a selection to choose from by the end of the day tomorrow!

Mahalo!

 

[Tasscrapper]

I woudl love it people could post who they used with success. I seem to be getting a lot of Orlando comapnies even when I'm searching for the Anaheim area.

 

[ballarinamom]

Deckert surgical is one (714-542-5607). They were $145 for 5 days. Mention DIS for a $5 discount.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Thanks Ballerinamom! Do you know hwo long ago those rates were from? I called and they qouted $40 a day. I didn't mention the boards yet. I wonder if they give you a flat $5 discount or $5 off each day? Anyhow I called my brother and told him to call them and find out about the discount and how much taxes are ect. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Vala]

They have a lot of one day rentals, that's why they always quote the price per day. But the per day price automatically goes down if you keep the ECV longer than a day.

I hope that explanation makes sense.

I rented from Deckert in November for $ 45 for one day and wasn't charged addtional tax. They're working with the DLH too.

 

[FourM's]

I second the Deckerts suggestion. We used them in september and they were great to us. Maybe someone else already suggested this but if you stop by city hall they will give you a brochure that tells you how to access the rides thru the disabled entrance. Some can be confusing like space mountain. Good luck!

 

[ballarinamom]

I second the Deckerts suggestion. We used them in september and they were great to us. Maybe someone else already suggested this but if you stop by city hall they will give you a brochure that tells you how to access the rides thru the disabled entrance. Some can be confusing like space mountain. Good luck!

That brochure is soooo nice to have! Space Mountain is a litle crazy because you go up the exit and then wait in that one area by the restrooms were they have a line and let you in one at a time. When it's not crowded you actually go all the way up the exit to the actual ride vehicle.