Large Party and a Wheelchair

[Mister Skellington]

We have a trip planned to Disneyland in a few weeks and we had it all planned out (fast passes at specific times, etc.), when we hit a snag. My nephew, who is 16, broke toe and is having surgery too put a pin put in. He wil require a wheelchair while we are there. While we know that we CAN avoid the lines because he will be in a wheelchair, we are a large party (13-15) and we are not sure that we SHOULD. So, SHOULD we cut through the lines and if choose not to, can we even get a chair through the regular lines? What about World of Color? Will they let that many of us in with one person in a wheelchair? This is a family reunion, so we are coming from different places and we really don't want to split up the party.
Thanks for any advice you might have!

 

[skiingfast]

We have a trip planned to Disneyland in a few weeks and we had it all planned out (fast passes at specific times, etc.), when we hit a snag. My nephew, who is 16, broke toe and is having surgery too put a pin put in. He wil require a wheelchair while we are there. While we know that we CAN avoid the lines because he will be in a wheelchair, we are a large party (13-15) and we are not sure that we SHOULD. So, SHOULD we cut through the lines and if choose not to, can we even get a chair through the regular lines? What about World of Color? Will they let that many of us in with one person in a wheelchair? This is a family reunion, so we are coming from different places and we really don't want to split up the party.
Thanks for any advice you might have!

Just because you will have a member in a WC does not mean you can cut through lines.

The person in the WC can get a GAC card at guest services. It is good for 6 people, not "everyone in any sized group".

Present this to a CM at any attraction, including WoC and the fireworks and they will direct you where to go. Some attraction have the WC goes through the regular line, some not. So just approach the CM at the front of the attractions. In some cases the group with the WC will get on rides faster sometimes slower.

 

[Mister Skellington]

Thank you very much for the info. It sounds like we are out of luck as far as splitting up the party goes. (at least for some rides) I wasn't comfortable having a giant party doing that anyway.
Thanks again,
Nate

 

[Califgirl]

In California Adventure, the queues were made to be wheelchair accessable. So you can just get in the regular line with your entire party.

In Disneyland, some of the queues are not wheelchair accessable. You can show your GAC and the CM will allow the person in the wheelchair or scooter and up to 5 others (for a party of 6) to go to the exit (it's usually the exit, but follow their instructions). This does not always save you wait time. It can actually take longer for some rides, such as Pirates of the Carribean.

I believe WoC has set aside a seating area for wheelchairs. You'd have to check to see how many of your party they would allow with the wheelchair.

 

[KPeveler]

Thank you very much for the info. It sounds like we are out of luck as far as splitting up the party goes. (at least for some rides) I wasn't comfortable having a giant party doing that anyway.
Thanks again,
Nate

All of DCA is mainstreamed, which means the wheelchair goes in the regular line and everyone can wait together. This means there will be no "skipping lines" or anything. You just do what you would normally do.

About half the lines at DL are mainstreamed: HM, Buzz, Winnie the Pooh, Autopia, Innoventions, Capt Eo come to mind.

For the ones that are NOT mainstreamed, they will limit the party that can accompany the wheelchair to 5 (for a total of 6). They are VERY strict about this at some rides, especially Fantasyland. Also, non-mainstreamed lines are usually as long as regular lines, and sometimes even longer. If you are going at a popular time, count on both groups waiting as long.

In shows, generally only 1-3 people can sit with the person in the wheelchair.
The rest will generally sit in front of the wheelchair seats.

Also, FPs are not useful for the wheelchair and those waiting with that person at a lot of rides in DL. For example, Indiana Jones, Space, Splash, BTMRR - wheelchairs go through the exit in all these lines (though there is still going to be a wait for them), so a FP may not be useful. Check with the CM before getting FPs for these rides.

A GAC is not useful for you unless you are going to have the wheelchair user leave the wheelchair. Then a GAC will still allow that person to use the wheelchair entrances (and therefore the entrance without stairs). GACs are designed to help CMs recognize invisible needs and disabilities (such as a person with bad knees who cannot climb stairs or a blind person needing to sit in the front of theatres). CMs will not issue you a GAC if you have the wheelchair (and the wheelchair meets your needs), as the wheelchair is the visual cue. The GAC does not shorten wait times (it even says that on the card).

Please be aware that wheelchair lines are as long as regular ones, especially during popular times.

 

[ArchOwl]

If you have a person in a wheelchair, you actually don't need a GAC. The GAC is for invisible disabilities. You might want to pick up a mobility guide at City Hall or print one here: http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/help/Mobility_201009.pdf

In DCA, everyone will go through the lines together, but in Disneyland your party might get split up (Pirates and Space come to mind) since they only allow 5 people to accompany the wheelchair (for a total of 6). And yes, some of the waits for handicapped access can be longer than the regular queue.

Hopefully that helps!

 

[starshine514]

At WDW last year, we caught an evening parade. My husband had his scooter and we went to the handicapped viewing area they told him our party of 6 (including a 2 yr old and a 5 yr old) couldn't stay with him b/c of space. He was allowed the width of his scooter, the curb in front of it and about 1 ft behind it. We put both girls on his lap, I sat on the curb in front of him and his dad and stepmom did not stay with us. This was the only time our group had to split up. The rest of the time at shows, they allowed the whole group to sit in (or right behind) the handicapped area. I'm not sure if that will be different for shows with a larger group...

As far as the lines go, I think we occasionally got through quicker than the posted time (IASW), usually waited about the posted time and a few times had to wait longer than the posted time (TSMM and Jungle Cruise come to mind, but once again - this was at WDW). I preferred the integrated lines, at least I felt more comfortable than when we had to go in the exit or something. Since the group size limit is 6, the lines that are integrated will allow your larger group to stay together longer as well.

 

[rmom]

This is a family reunion, so we are coming from different places and we really don't want to split up the party.

If he has to use the wheelchair access, you can talk to the CM. Tell them he'd like to wait and ride with the rest of the group. The CM may be able to get him on at the same time depending on the number of wheel chairs and the regular line. Worth a shot if you all want to ride together.

 

[Mister Skellington]

Wow, what great info. You guys never cease to amaze me.

Thanks again!
Nate

 

[pinkprincess30]

For the ones that are NOT mainstreamed, they will limit the party that can accompany the wheelchair to 5 (for a total of 6). They are VERY strict about this at some rides, especially Fantasyland. Also, non-mainstreamed lines are usually as long as regular lines, and sometimes even longer. If you are going at a popular time, count on both groups waiting as long.

You said they are very strict about the number of people accompanying. So our party of 7 (me, DH, DSx3, Gramma & Grampa)...we will have to split up then? Uh oh. Not good

 

[KPeveler]

You said they are very strict about the number of people accompanying. So our party of 7 (me, DH, DSx3, Gramma & Grampa)...we will have to split up then? Uh oh. Not good

A party of 7 will depend on the CM. Mostly it is on the rides like Peter Pan where only 2 or 3 can fit in the car. I have seen parties of 7 doing ok, others had a CM ask them to split.

It won't matter at all on mainstream rides and DCA.

 

[cmwade77]

Please note that the wheelchair waits are often as long, if not longer than the regular lines; however, there are needs to use them, i.e. lack of stairs, etc.

Now, with Pirates, if you entire party will fit in one boat they will almost always allow your entire party (regardless of size) to use the wheelchair entrance. The theory is you are using the same number of boats, as they do not allow other guests that are not using the wheelchair entrance to board with you.

In general, this is the only attraction that will make the exception to the 6 person limit. Actually, I take that back, Innoventions will also make the exception.

That being said, there may be times where exceptions may be made (for example if no one or very few people are in the regular line), but that is up to the individual CM.

Again, a wheel chair is NOT a front of the line pass and is more of a pain than you will ever realize until spending a day in the parks with one. You will probably only get to do 50%-60% of what you would if you did not have the wheelchair with you. This is due to the fact that it takes longer to get around the park, other guests cutting you off, etc.

I am not saying that it won't be fun, just please go with the right mindset and know what to actually expect.

There are mainstream attractions as well at Disneyland, these include (but are not limited to):
Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Light Year Astroblasters, Matterhorn (up to a certain point), Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin and most likely the new Star Tours.

As others have said, always ask if getting a FP will help. Also, at many of the attractions you can talk to the first CM and have a couple people wait with the person in the wheelchair while everyone else waits in the regular line, so that you can all board together. This is usually how Jungle Cruise would work for example, although, some CMs will make an exception to the 6 person rule there as well, again I think this is based on how many people are around.

 

[gary1955]

talk to the CM at Pirates of the Caribbean, we had the same situation when my brother had a foot injury. we had a large party and the main group went through the line and my brother and a couple of others went to the wheelchair access point at the ride exit. they waited there for us and we all filled the boat.