I have a courtesy question about viewing parades in the handicap section

[Bete]

A few years back I was viewing the parade at MK in the handicap section by the castle where you enter Tommorrowland. We got there early and we were in the front row. I stand close by to my mom and behind her with her in the wheelchair; because, she has separation anxiety and she has Alzheimer's. Another couple eventually came in behind us. The husband was on a scooter and she was standing next to him. The stranger woman was as nice as can be and we chatted for about 20 minutes before the parade started. After the parade she chastised me for not moving to the back during the parade viewing.

I really didn't understand her comment and she didn't let up on this either. I told her I have to stay close to my mother.

What do you do? Am I suppose to separate from my party? I wasn't in the front row I was behind my mom.

She really made me feel like I commited some great crime. By the way, she could have moved further behind but she never budged from her hubby's side.

Anyway, if you are able bodied should you move to the back and not be with your family? I'm trying to find out what is the proper etiquette, here?

There are viewing areas for wheelchair where you don't have people behind you. There are a few spots at the Liberty Square location where no one can go behind us. Should I just go to that location and not go by the castle one?

So, what do you do?

 

[>Ash<]

well ... from my observation it would be that the you would stand behind the wheel chair unless your mothers condition is such that you need constant eye on her incase anything should occour.
my girlfriend always stands behind me when the parade starts so that your not blocking the view of people in wheel chairs as the parade comes round. i think this is a fair view of the situation but what do others think.

 

[BillSears]

The problem here seems to be that they were having wheelchairs/ECVs be 2 rows deep. In this situation then yes I'd say you should move back behind the other wheelchairs/ECVs or you should sit down/crouch down so that you do not block the view of those behind you.

I realize that everyone has different needs. However if you go to the HC viewing areas it should be reasonable to assume no one will be standing in front of you.

 

[seashoreCM]

Down in front.
Applies to her too.

 

[crashbb]

Down in front.
Applies to her too.

Except that, based on the OP, the other woman wasn't in front. She (and her husband) were in the back row of the wheelchairs/ECVs.

If her husband was having trouble seeing (or anyone else in an ECV/wheelchair was having trouble seeing), they should have said something at the time - not scolded the OP after the fact.

 

[visitingapril09]

Our son is in a chair. I sit on the pavement beside him and the rest of the family sits just outside the roped off area beside us. Personally I think no one should be standing in this particular area.

 

[dclfun]

Our son is in a chair. I sit on the pavement beside him and the rest of the family sits just outside the roped off area beside us. Personally I think no one should be standing in this particular area.

I agree, and I will be vocal before the parade or at Epcot, before the fireworks start if someone is standing next to a person in a w/c. I do back up my w/c and offer to let people sit on the curb in front of me as there are often children or someone elderly standing with a disabled adult who needs to be able to see too. Even if someone is standing next to, rather than in front of me, it blocks my view. I usually get to the w/c viewing area early so I *can* sit where I can see. The CM's at Epcot in December were fantastic about telling everyone standing next to w/c's that they HAD to sit/crouch/kneel or move to the back. They said once the fireworks started, no one could be "taller" than all the guests in w/c's, including standing children unless they were standing in the very back. This included parents of children in w/c's. I was so relieved as I don't want to get into a confrontation with another Guest and other people in w/c's started clapping! My feeling is if you aren't able to sit on the ground/crouch/kneel next to the person in a w/c then you should go to the back row where you can stand behind that person ( and not block those in chairs next to you) or go to a non h/c viewing area where others are also standing. But no, that lady should not have continued to harass you about it, esp. after the parade was over!---Kathy

 

[KPeveler]

It is not uncommon for wheelchairs to be 2 rows deep in these areas, and yes, everyone who is not using a wheelchair is expected to move to the back (unless the person is sitting on the curb in front). This was the practice the last time I was in WDW. Even parents of disabled children were required to move back.

My suggestion is to get there extra early and park on the very end of the wheelchair section. My family often does this, where I am in the wheelchair area and they are just outside of the roped section. There is just one rope separating us, which is easily moved if there is an issue. This means my mom can stand where she wants to watch the parade (she is very short, like me!), and still be next to me.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you need to be beside her or behind her at all times, my suggestion would be to tell the CM when you enter the area what your needs are. Even if the end spot is taken, they may be able to get you close enough to the end that you will be in no one's way. There are some situations where the person with a wheelchair or ECV really can't be separated, but the CM won't know unless you say something ahead of time.

Also, be careful to stay within the roped in area. We have found the CMs tell people to move feet and legs so they don't protrude past the rope line.

If you can't get down on the pavement yourself during the parade, I have also seen wheelchairs parked at the rear of the area. Depending on how busy it is, that may also work ( but ask the CM about it). The castle area tends to be very busy and have 2 lines of wheelchair viewers. I agree with other posters that is the problem. The viewing area in Frontierland/Liberty Square has some very narrow areas where it would not be possible to park a second wheelchair or ECV. that area is quite small though, so get there early.

 

[Bete]

I will make sure to be more courteous about this issue.

I will say I would love to sit next to my mom at her side which some posts report they do, but I'd be taking up a front row viewing area and I honestly thought that was worse. I thought by standing behind her I gave more room to the area with just legs vs. having my whole body down. I probably won't do this either, but I will find an area where you can only go one deep or be next to the ropes as some have mentioned they do.

I'm glad to see CMs getting into to it a little more and guiding everyone for the proper protocol.

Once again, Disboards has helped me become a better person.

 

[SueM in MN]

I will make sure to be more courteous about this issue.

I will say I would love to sit next to my mom at her side which some posts report they do, but I'd be taking up a front row viewing area and I honestly thought that was worse. I thought by standing behind her I gave more room to the area with just legs vs. having my whole body down. I probably won't do this either, but I will find an area where you can only go one deep or be next to the ropes as some have mentioned they do.

I'm glad to see CMs getting into to it a little more and guiding everyone for the proper protocol.

Once again, Disboards has helped me become a better person.

Most people don't realize about people behind them, so don't feel bad.

Usually, the CMs park the ECVs and wheelchairs nearly touching to get the maximum number in the first row. Let the CM know what you need when you arrive and the CM should be able to place you and your mom someplace that meets your needs.

 

[DCDisney]

I wish they would expand the area or somehow organize this better. I have a GAC for a blood clotting issue/blood thinners so I have to be out of thick crowds where I can get pushed or stepped on. I felt like in the handicapped section I was put in the same or more danger than outside. I think the CMs forget who has an issue and who is a family member perhaps? I got there early and explained but still ended up getting jostled a good bit by the constant reorganization of scooters and wheelchairs. Now we try to just go very early and find a low wall I can sit on and family can surround me but we are rarely able to do the crowded stuff because it takes such planning.

 

[KPeveler]

I wish they would expand the area or somehow organize this better. I have a GAC for a blood clotting issue/blood thinners so I have to be out of thick crowds where I can get pushed or stepped on. I felt like in the handicapped section I was put in the same or more danger than outside. I think the CMs forget who has an issue and who is a family member perhaps? I got there early and explained but still ended up getting jostled a good bit by the constant reorganization of scooters and wheelchairs. Now we try to just go very early and find a low wall I can sit on and family can surround me but we are rarely able to do the crowded stuff because it takes such planning.

Did you have a wheelchair or were you with someone with a wheelchair? I will say this, it is really designed to be a Wheelchair viewing area, not a disabled waiting area. It is there because it is very difficult to get front-row seats with a wheelchair and this is a way to make sure no one tries to stand in front of you. It is generally busier and more crowded than other areas, and is not designed to meet the needs of people other than wheelchair users. it is even less useful for people travelling with wheelchairs, as Bete has posted.

There are much safer areas to wait if you need to avoid being bumped. But you are right in saying this is not a good area to watch if you do not have a wheelchair - it is really not what it was designed for.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am glad I read this thread. I might be a guilty standee. Had no idea. I think I stand behind my son or to the side of him in his chair. He has Downs, Autism, non-verbal, so leaving him alone is not an option. We get there early, and some people get there very late. They end up behind us, and maybe I thought, you snooze you lose. i can't remember there being a big problem though, maybe we were are such an angle that is was not an issue.

But I will be much more aware of this in the future. (being sincere here, not sarcastic.) I can sort of squat I guess. My husband has bad knees, he would not be able to.