Injured Family Member, A little Help.

[BLKKROW]

So our next trip to Disneyland/California Adventure occurs on May 11th and ends on May 13th.

Unfortunately, today a family member may have torn her meniscus and she already has one bad knee. So the doctor ordered an MRI and a wheelchair.

So I am looking for any information or links you can help with. How does it work with a handicapped member of our party? I have heard of getting a pass for the rides, so really anything you can provide will be great.

Thank you!

 

[Aladora]

Yikes, that sounds really painful!

I would pop over to the disAbilities section of this board and ask this question. I know that there are a number of people who have experience with navigating Disneyland with someone in a wheelchair.

Hope your trip goes well!

 

[figment_jii]

This thread also has some useful links and discussion:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/wheelchairs-in-the-lines.3392767/#post-53306365

 

[Malcon10t]

Wheelchairs are relatively easy at the park. I'd actually suggest an ECV as there are a LOT of inclines you really don't think about. At the park, you won't need a pass. (They won't give you one as the wheelchair is a visible disability.) Everyone in your party will approach the CM at the HA entrance of the ride. (If the lines are accessible, so you will just join the line. Example, Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn, all of DCA.) They will scan all of your tickets and tell you a timeframe to return to ride. The time will be about the same as the standby time. You can shop, grab a bite, or sit and chat until your time to ride. When you go back, they will scan your tickets out of the system.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Oh no! I don't have specific information for you on the WC but just wanted to say you may want to see if you can get her to accept a wheelchair even if she didn't tear anything since she has the bad knee. DL is a lot of walking & standing and that seriously adds up on a multi-day trip.

 

[BLKKROW]

Yea I have been reading other threads and our group will stop by City Hall to talk to them about the disability pass. There are 5 of us that can help push her and we cannot afford a motor scooter.

So its time to get a work out!

 

[Tattylou]

We are also in need of a wheelchair this year as my father's hip has severe arthritis (he is having a hip replacement the week after we get home). We rented one from one stop mobility inc. and it is only $100 for 5 days and will be delivered to the hotel. It said the scooters are $180 for 5 days.

 

[NannyBeBe]

We rented a wheelchair a few years back when our daughter was in a high-risk pregnancy. The only time we had a problem was after the fireworks, at the hub, when we tried to leave. It was total gridlock and we could not move without rolling on someone. Fortunately, a CM saw our predicament and planted herself directly in front of the wheelchair and escorted us out. Renting a chair from an outside source is the way to go.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Last year when we had a wheel chair after I sprang my ankle or something, at the 5 k race. We noticed how hard it is to get down main street. The rails for the horses and stuff that are in the ground made it very hard to roll over. We got caught three times leaving after the fire works. That didn't go off due to wind, one night.

 

[Geemo]

My DIL developed a foot issue on the first day of our trip. Knowing she has sensitive feet, I had looked into scooters before the trip just in case we needed one. I called Apple Scooter of Anaheim at 9:30am and they delivered a scooter to our hotel by 11:45am. Go to their website and see what they have to offer. It was nice to be able to use the scooter not only in the parks but to and from also. The cost was extremely reasonable.

If you Google Anaheim scooters there are a few that will pop up. I called Apple because it was the only one I could remember the name of. Do a search and see which company is best for you.

When the crowds pick up it is a challenge to find your way through. It was nice with the scooter, no one had to push a wheelchair. There is a little learning curve but you'll be a pro in no time.

Geemo

 

[JadeDarkstar]

see geemo. saying there is a learning curve. I had to ask how hard was it to learn the learning curve? I have considered getting one in the past but am worried I couldn't figure out how to use it. My foot problems come and go and steam back to about 8 years ago when I had a serious fall. Most the time i'm fine but then sometimes something just hits a nerve and my whole leg tingles and hurts and for about three straight hours i'm limping. Then it goes away and comes back for about a week before it stops for a while. It is so annoying.

 

[minnie mum]

Yea I have been reading other threads and our group will stop by City Hall to talk to them about the disability pass. There are 5 of us that can help push her and we cannot afford a motor scooter.

So its time to get a work out!

There is really no point in going to city hall. If your family member's only problem is mobility related they will not qualify for a DAS card because their needs can be met with a wheelchair or ECV. Have a look at the FAQ on the disABILITIES board. While it deals mainly with WDW, you can get a good idea of issues you need to be aware of and how each ride handles guest using mobility devices. I believe all of the attractions at DCA are fully accessible. At DL there are quite a few attractions that have an alternate entrance. Just ask the CM at the attraction entrance and they'll tell you where to go. You can also get a guide map for guests with disabilities which will contain this information. I believe there is extensive information available on the DLR website as well.

While I've only visited DLR a handful of times, most of them have been in a wheelchair. The CMs make it as easy as possible. The only times we've had problems have been during the usual mob scene at the end of the fireworks. Our solution is to just stay put and relax with a snack or drink until the place empties out a bit.

 

[minnie mum]

see geemo. saying there is a learning curve. I had to ask how hard was it to learn the learning curve?

Not the poster you were referring to, but....

If you can drive a car you can drive an ECV. The trickiest part is learning to back up. Most Walmarts and big box stores have ECVs for their customers to use. Go there and practice! If you can drive one of those clunkers you will easily handle one from a rental agency.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Yea I have been reading other threads and our group will stop by City Hall to talk to them about the disability pass. There are 5 of us that can help push her and we cannot afford a motor scooter.

So its time to get a work out!

If the only issue is a mobility issue (needing a wheelchair or an ECV) City Hall will not give you a DAS (Disability Access Service card). You would go to the Cast Member at each attraction and ask what their procedures for the mobility device are.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I don't drive whaaa. but ty

 

[Geemo]

The turning radius was what DIL needed to adjust to. She needed to learn how to turn wide to make it around the railings in DCA lines. She drives a little Honda and didn't understand the need to turn wide. I've driven small cars all the way up to a 36' motorhome, so I had to coach her a little. I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[BLKKROW]

If the only issue is a mobility issue (needing a wheelchair or an ECV) City Hall will not give you a DAS (Disability Access Service card). You would go to the Cast Member at each attraction and ask what their procedures for the mobility device are.

So my question is if they move us through a different entrance do we still wait the normal wait time? Would some rides have you go through the normal line?

I have read through some of the FAQs and it makes it sound like she would qualify for the DAS pass.

If she doesn't qualify for the DAS card then can we use fast passes?

 

[Aladora]

So my question is if they move us through a different entrance do we still wait the normal wait time? Would some rides have you go through the normal line?

I have read through some of the FAQs and it makes it sound like she would qualify for the DAS pass.

If she doesn't qualify for the DAS card then can we use fast passes?

First off yes, you can always use fast passes, DAS or not, wheel chair or not.

Secondly, if the attraction line can handle a WC then you would use the regular line. All (I'm 99.9% sure) DCA lines can handle ECV or WC. If the line can't handle a mobility device, then the CM will direct you to where you need to go. AFAIK, if you need a WC return time, you will be given a handwritten return time card, similar to a FP. Unlike the DAS, the WC return time has a one hour window of use.

 

[Malcon10t]

So my question is if they move us through a different entrance do we still wait the normal wait time? Would some rides have you go through the normal line?

I have read through some of the FAQs and it makes it sound like she would qualify for the DAS pass.

If she doesn't qualify for the DAS card then can we use fast passes?

If the line is accessible, you will use the regular line (lines in DCA are accessible. Some lines in DL are partially accessible. Everyone in your party will approach the CM at the HA entrance of the ride. (If the lines are accessible, so you will just join the line. Example, Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn, all of DCA.) They will scan all of your tickets and tell you a timeframe to return to ride. The time will be about the same as the standby time. You can shop, grab a bite, or sit and chat until your time to ride. When you go back, they will scan your tickets out of the system. For example, you want to ride Alice, you go to the CM at the exit and the wait is posted at 45 mins. S/he will ask for all the tickets and will scan them into the hand held device they have. They will give you a time approximately the same as the wait time. So, let's say you approach at 1245p. It is 45 min wait. They will tell you to return between 120p and 220p. Always double check your return time as a couple rides are a 30 min window to return.

They started using this system a few months ago. It is a MAJOR improvement. Some who abused it in the past are not happy, but those who need it like it. The main difference between the DAS and the wheelchair returns is the DAS attaches all of the tickets to the card, then the card is advanced at the various kiosks around the park.

 

[BLKKROW]

Thank you to both of you!

Is there a list of rides that use the return time? Also if we grab fast passes and return to the ride at our allotted time, would they direct us to the fast pass side if accessible or through the handicapped entrance?