Let me get some clarification about w/c 's in lines...

[MichelleC]

I've seen conflicting info from various sources. At the parks, do w/c's go in the regular line or are there special lines? I thought the lines were now all w/c accessible. But, someone told my mom (who is the w/c user), that she would get to go in an special, often shorter line, with her entire party. I want her to be prepared for whatever the circumstance and I know you kind folks will provide an answer!

Thanks so much!!

Michelle

 

[Figaro]

Hi Michelle!

The answer is "it depends." In most rides, your mom will go through the same line and have the same waits as everyone else. Some of the older rides at the Magic Kingdom have alternative entrances and the Cast Members will direct you where to go and what to do. That might be what other people are talking about, since it does appear to people who are watching that you are bypassing the line, when in reality you are using the only accessible entrance the ride has.

At Epcot, for Spaceship Earth, you enter through the exit. And at Animal Kingdom for the Safari ride, you stay in the main line and are pulled out towards the end of the line to wait for the truck that will return to the loading dock. I've actually usuallywaited much longer for the Safari then most of the people who were in line with us.

Have fun at WDW! We will be arriving there 3 weeks from today (October 22nd)!

 

[SueM in MN]

Figaro gave a good explanation, so I'll only add a little.
Most of the lines are wheelchair accessible (also called Mainstream Access), but for some rides, wheelchair users have to board at the exit. In most cases, you are in the regular line until just before boarding.
As Figaro mentioned, a few rides don't have wheelchair accessible lines and for those few, there is a separate entrance.

Some people (most who have never used a wheelchair) assume that all the lines are like that. That's why they post things like "You get to avoid all the lines if you are in a wheelchair"

Here's a http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disabmobility.htm] link to the DIS page about touring with mobility disabilities[/URL], which has a list of rides/attractions with Mainstream Access.
Here's a link to a helpful site, which has links to a downloadable version of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. They are also available at any of the parks. They don't give a lot of information about boarding rides, in fact, the most common information they have is "Proceed in the regular queque."

 

[Safari Steve]

Officially you are allowed to have 6 people per wheelchair in alternate queues. Also, as Figaro noted, some waits will be longer for guests using wheelchairs depending on capacity.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

On one attraction last visit (I think it was Alien Invasion), Wheelchairs had to enter the regular line with everyone else, and were 'pulled out' of the line into a special holding area when the line first snaked past the entrance door. I was held there in a sort of 'wheelchair pen' (my words) intill my place on the line got back to me 40 minutes later and I rejoined the line for the last few yards up to the entrance.

I didn't get in any faster, but at least I didn't have to go all around the endles snaking line!

Andrew