How/Where to get handicap ride pass??

[MamaKate]

I just found out my son needs surgery on both of his feet and ankles and will be in casts during our trip.

To use the wheelchair/handicap lines, is there a special pass I need to get? If so where do I obtain it? Do I need to bring any documetation to get it (doctors note)??

My son is upset that we won't be able to go to the waterparks and he won't be able to try out for the Jedi Training at SWW (do they allow kids in wheelchairs to do this??) but he's glad he gets to be pushed around all day.

Thanks for the help.
,
Katie

 

[Selket]

Sorry about your son - having both feet in casts doesn't sound fun!

You can get a guest assistance card at Guest Services at any park but being a wheelchair I don't think you would need a "GAC" just to use the wheelchair lines. There is lots of good info and helpful people on the disAbilities board who can give you better suggestions than I can so repost this over there if you'd like!

Is that Jedi training thing up and running yet?

 

[SueM in MN]

Selket is right. Just having a wheelchair lets you access the wheelchair accessible entrances. The CM can see that you need wheelchair accessibility and will direct you to where you need to go.
Most attractions have Mainstream Access though, which means that wheelchair users wait in the same lines as everyone else and there are very few "wheelchair entrances".
AK and MGM were built to be totally Mainstream Access. Most of Epcot has been converted to Mainstream Access and the newer attractions and renovated attractions at MK have been converted to Mainstream Access.

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, you can get lots more information. There is a section about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board.

 

[civileng68]

It's true,

Most all attractions at Disney now have handicap access. You wont need a card most likely. My dad can't walk more than a couple feet to another chair from his wheelchair and we waited in nearly every line.

There were a couple of attractions we were moved up to the front area on, but even then, they made us wait until the people we were in line near got up to the front, so that it stayed fair.

The CM's ARE VERY skilled on what to do with handicap people. They will take control (you have to release control to them) and they will get your son on the rides and off. Many times they will put him on first, to avoid crowds around him. Just note again, by policy they have to get him on and off, so dont be upset if you are not allowed to roll him on and off of certain rides. They do an incredible job though..........SIMPLY incredible.

 

[MamaKate]

Is that Jedi training thing up and running yet?

Jedi training is during Star Wars weekends in May/June. We're not going to WDW until May. He has his surgery in April and will still be in the casts during our vacation. I hope they still let him participate, but I don't see how??

Thanks everyone for the wealth of information. I'm going to check out the Disabilities boards so I can be more prepared.

Thanks again!
,
Katie

 

[SueM in MN]

The CM's ARE VERY skilled on what to do with handicap people. They will take control (you have to release control to them) and they will get your son on the rides and off. Many times they will put him on first, to avoid crowds around him. Just note again, by policy they have to get him on and off, so dont be upset if you are not allowed to roll him on and off of certain rides. They do an incredible job though..........SIMPLY incredible.

I just wanted to clarify - this is for if the person stays in the wheelchair (which I assume the OP's son will). The CMs will load and unload the wheelchair. If the wheelchair rider will be getting out of the wheelchair, the CMs will move the wheelchair out of the way after you are on the ride, but they are not allowed to physically assist with the transfer from the ride car to the wheelchair and back except for helping to move the wheelchair into place and steady it.

 

[seashoreCM]

Many rides require that handicapped persons get out of wheelchairs or scooters. I think what was mentioned earlier was that CM's are not allowed to touch the person so family members have to steady him or carry him if he cannot walk the few to several feet needed. This may be awkward for some ride vehicles. The vehicle will be held still long enough when the CM at the loading platform is notified.