large group / wheelchair seating

[crusoemom]

Hi Folks,

It's great to be back asking questions on this board, because that means that I'm headed back to WDW! This time it's me, DH, DD (10), DS(7), sister, brother-in-law, nephew (7), neice (1), grandma, and grandpa (my parents). That's 10 of us, if you're keeping track. Grandma has post-polio syndrome, extremely weak muscles, and uses a walker full-time at home, and a wheelchair whenever she goes out. At WDW she'll use a wheelchair full-time. We're already comfortable about which rides she can go on, but I'm concerned about our crowd size. On some of the rides, we'd like to all ride together if possible (we're perfectly happy to wait in the regular line like the rest of the world when possible), but sometimes that's not possible. Normally the limitation for accompanying someone in a wheelchair is 5 guests plus the person in the wheelchair. Has anyone ever tried it with more than 5 people?

THis is a big concern with the shows as well. Festival of the Lion King comes to mind right away, since there is limited seating behind the wheelchair space. We grown-ups would be perfectly happy to leave grandma and grandpa with the kids in the wheelchair area and sit up higher, but we're not so sure how happy they would be. SHould we just get there really early and sit behind the wheelchair area (and the overflow folks can sit behind that), or is there another alternative so that we're not "taking advantage" of the situation.

I don't want to try to get special access, but I do want to try to stay together as much as possible. Any advice?

Thanks, thanks!
Sara

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot depends on when you are going. If it is not crowded you should not have any problem for the shows. Since most of the ride queues are mainstream, the group should be able to stay together in the lines; you may have to separate into different ride vehicles.

Anyway, trying to keep a group of ten together is sort of like herding cats.

Anyway, ask the CM who is handling show seating (NICELY) if the oversize group can be seated together, but if the answer is no just accept it. As a general rule the CMs are much more willing to make exceptions if the person is not demanding.

 

[taximomfor4]

I think with shows like FOTLK, it greatly depends. I would try to arrange it so that the wheelchair party and just a couple of others sit in the HC seating area. We always go to WDW during moderately busy times, and there have always been quite a few people needing the HC seating. We personally have vision impairement in our group, and are only 6 people total but split up a little at FOTLK and some other shows in order to make room. Pocahontas show at AK is a big one...one of us sits with special needs dd, while other adult sits alone, and the other kids sit in the kids section. As for rides, that, too, depends on crowds I think. We also split into 2 groups when we meet friends at WDW (makes 8 of us, total). One group goes on together, and the special needs person + some other family members go together. Afterward, we meet up at a prearranged location...good time for a rootbeer float, I always say!!

for some rides, there is like one wc accessible car. If a group of 10 gets on it, that greatly increases the already-long wait time. I don't think the WC accessible boat on Small World even fits that many people, so there wouldn't really be a point in all going together. We rode in one, and it sat the 6 of us exactly plus 1 WC.

Beth

 

[crusoemom]

Thanks for the tips.
We're going at the end of Feb/beginning of March, which is a crowd level of 5, 6, or 7 (moderately busy). We've gone with as many as 7 people before, and didn't seem to have a problem anywhere, but with 3 more, I figure it's just a bit too much. I'm sure we won't make all in one car, but if we could get in a car nearby, that would be just fine (are the wheelchair cars usually next to each other, or spread out among other standard cars?). I remember at WTPooh last time we waited quite a while for a wheelchair car, but then the rest of us got on a standard car right behind it. Is that a typical arrangement?

I love this board - it's my favorite because so many people have had similar experiences and can give me the real answers when travelling with someone who needs to use a wheelchair.

Thanks!
Sara