I don't know what to do, parade sitting related

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I would love to hear some suggestions from some experts!

We are taking Mom and Dad down to Disney soon. We will be renting one wheelchair. They will alternate between themselves to use it. They can walk, but not long distances and not all day long. And I know for example at EPCOT, in wold showcase they will both want to walk. I figure at that time we will just "park" the wheelchair somewhere and then get it when they need a rest.

My problem relates specifically to MVMCP. I think that is the only parade we are planning to watch. And we usually camp out about 1 hour before the parade, because it is important to us to have front row seating. But here is where the problem is. For this time frame ideally we would need 2 wheelchairs. because I don't think either parent can sit on the curb, nor could they stand the whole time. that is late in the day, I don't know if MK would have wheelchairs available to rent at the end of the day, and if we do rent one early in the day, we don't actually need it.

I don't know what to do. I want to make this as comfortable for my parents as possible. I am at a total loss as to how to make this work.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Wheelchairs are usually pretty easy to get any time of day. If you only want to have one wheelchair then I think the easiest thing to do would be to stake out your location, park the wc right at the curb and then you sit or stand next to it with room for one other person in between-- put a backpack or blanket down between you. Then have one or both parents go and find a bench or other place to sit. Have them come back to join you right before the parade starts. Make sure to keep an eye on when they are roping off the street because it will be easiest for them to join you from the street instead of trying to get through the people that have lined up behind you.

You will need to be prepared to defend your space and won't be able to leave. People will try to push you over to fill in the space you are saving and/or to put themselves in that space. You will have to make sure that you keep that space open-- a large bag really helps for this! Also you might want to let those that join behind you that you will have adults standing at the curb so they know that their children (and them) won't be able to see around you.

Of course this assumes that at least one of them will be okay standing for the length of the parade. If you don't mind spending the money then go right before you want to line up and rent two wheelchairs and just park them and have a seat!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Since you will be at MVMCP there should be no problem to get a wheelchair from Disney. And look for the disabled parfade viewing location on the Guidemap for Guests With Disaabilities and show up about 1/2 hour before the parade. They will be seated, in their wheelchairs, right next to each other at the curb and he rest of the party will stand behind them.

 

[kventventx]

You may want to call Guest Services and explain the situation and find out if there is any way they will let you have a wheelchair just for the few hours to accommodate the parade. Explain how important this is to your trip; I'm sure you will find them very helpful.

 

[Bete]

I agree that I don't think you will have any difficulty renting a wheelchair at MK. You go to where the strollers and scooters are rented just as you enter the park at the right for the rental.

This is my best place and hint: Right across the Hall of Presidents is a handicap area. There's an area with a raised bed of flowers. It's held in by a stone wall. This has stone at the top, too. This stone actually can serve as a seat. If you get there early and can get the best spot, you will have no problems. You will understand this better once you see this area. Usually, I will say an hour ahead is minimum to get this spot. The ropes may not even be up yet for the parade, but ask a CM or whoever and you will hopefully have the best spot there.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I agree that I don't think you will have any difficulty renting a wheelchair at MK. You go to where the strollers and scooters are rented just as you enter the park at the right for the rental.

This is my best place and hint: Right across the Hall of Presidents is a handicap area. There's an area with a raised bed of flowers. It's held in by a stone wall. This has stone at the top, too. This stone actually can serve as a seat. If you get there early and can get the best spot, you will have no problems. You will understand this better once you see this area. Usually, I will say an hour ahead is minimum to get this spot. The ropes may not even be up yet for the parade, but ask a CM or whoever and you will hopefully have the best spot there.

Is this then "at the front of the line" or can people stand/sit in front of you if you are sitting at that spot?

 

[KPeveler]

Is this then "at the front of the line" or can people stand/sit in front of you if you are sitting at that spot?

All wheelchair viewing areas will put the wheelchairs at the front of the section, with other people sitting behind them. Sometimes the areas are less crowded and people can sit around them. I have often seen smaller children sitting between the footrests of adults (or, you know, my wife doing the same thing), but do not count on this.

I would get to the section early as it can fill up. Of course, you can sit anywhere along the parade route too!

And I believe you should not have a problem renting a second wheelchair for MVMCP.

 

[Bete]

Is this then "at the front of the line" or can people stand/sit in front of you if you are sitting at that spot?

no one can get in front of you. This is right by the bell (like the Liberty Bell in Phili). The rope is done in such a way that it narrows down along the way of this flower bed next to the bell. You want to be on the store side of the bell, but right at the bell area. In this area no one can be behind you; because the flower bed is there. I will say though I've seen people stand in the flower bed once the parade starts. The good news is that this won't interfere with your view. I wish I had a picture, but I don't. Take a look at this area ahead of time and it may help you to know where you need to be.

There are other areas that you can stake out and protect, too. The main idea is to get a front row; so, you need to be there early. Handicap areas go fast. The one near the castle gets very crowded and there are plenty of wheelchairs that end up two deep there.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Is this in the actual handicapped area or next to it?
Is it the same for every parade? I could probably walk past it before the 3:00 parade to see it.
we don't mind lining up way in advance! We have 6 people with us total, is there enough space on the flower bed for all of us (5 people + 1 in wheelchair)

no one can get in front of you. This is right by the bell (like the Liberty Bell in Phili). The rope is done in such a way that it narrows down along the way of this flower bed next to the bell. You want to be on the store side of the bell, but right at the bell area. In this area no one can be behind you; because the flower bed is there. I will say though I've seen people stand in the flower bed once the parade starts. The good news is that this won't interfere with your view. I wish I had a picture, but I don't. Take a look at this area ahead of time and it may help you to know where you need to be.

There are other areas that you can stake out and protect, too. The main idea is to get a front row; so, you need to be there early. Handicap areas go fast. The one near the castle gets very crowded and there are plenty of wheelchairs that end up two deep there.

 

[SueM in MN]

Is this in the actual handicapped area or next to it?
Is it the same for every parade? I could probably walk past it before the 3:00 parade to see it.
we don't mind lining up way in advance! We have 6 people with us total, is there enough space on the flower bed for all of us (5 people + 1 in wheelchair)

It’s a bit of both.
The actual handicapped viewing area and a bit that is not. Based on what time we got there for MNSSHP, I would be there an hour ahead of time. It is a small area and can fill up fast, especially if you want the area right in front of the flowers. For all the handicapped viewing areas, the wheelchairs and ECVs are parked in front and the space for your party will be directly behind the wheelchair(s) from your party. If it is busy, you will be tight because they do park the wheelchairs pretty much next to each other.

They also may park wheelchairs in the area right up until the parade starts. They ask people to move over to make room, so the amount of room you have to start with may not be the amount you have when the parade actually starts.

As for wheelchairs, you should not have a problem renting one late in the day; keep in mind that guests who rented wheelchairs for the day but are not staying for the party will be turning theirs back in.
As far as asking at Guest Relations if you can get a wheelchair as accommodation - they will just tell you to rent one if you feel you need one. The CMs at the wheelchair rental area may give you one for free for the party. At one time I know that strollers loaned for free for parties and I believe wheelchairs were too (just not ECVs), so it may be worthwhile to talk to the wheelchair rental CMs, but I would not bother with Guest Relations.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thank you to everyone that has helped with this question!!!

That would be great if we could get one free for the party, I guess it is worth asking about and I'll give it a shot.

It’s a bit of both.
The actual handicapped viewing area and a bit that is not. Based on what time we got there for MNSSHP, I would be there an hour ahead of time. It is a small area and can fill up fast, especially if you want the area right in front of the flowers. For all the handicapped viewing areas, the wheelchairs and ECVs are parked in front and the space for your party will be directly behind the wheelchair(s) from your party. If it is busy, you will be tight because they do park the wheelchairs pretty much next to each other.

They also may park wheelchairs in the area right up until the parade starts. They ask people to move over to make room, so the amount of room you have to start with may not be the amount you have when the parade actually starts.

As for wheelchairs, you should not have a problem renting one late in the day; keep in mind that guests who rented wheelchairs for the day but are not staying for the party will be turning theirs back in.
As far as asking at Guest Relations if you can get a wheelchair as accommodation - they will just tell you to rent one if you feel you need one. The CMs at the wheelchair rental area may give you one for free for the party. At one time I know that strollers loaned for free for parties and I believe wheelchairs were too (just not ECVs), so it may be worthwhile to talk to the wheelchair rental CMs, but I would not bother with Guest Relations.