Line Wait for Handicapped?

[Chrys]

Hello!

My name is Chrys & I'm new to this forum. Wanted to know if anyone has information on the approx. wait time in line for a handicapped individual.

I just recently broke my heel and am in a cast; cannot put any weight on my foot nor drive. My family and I will be going to Universal come July 9th (3mos. to the day of my break) and I'm not sure if I'll be totally mobile by then, as I may need a wheelchair.

I know that at Disney, if you are in a wheelchair, they move you up to the front of the line w/no wait (I visited Disney back in 99' w/a wheelchair'd friend and we didn't wait for any attraction); not sure if that's the same protocol at Universal & IOA.

Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[F-L-A]

Ask for a Guest Assistance Pass at Guest Services. It will allow you access to the Express line at each attraction.

 

[phamton]

I know that at Disney, if you are in a wheelchair, they move you up to the front of the line w/no wait (I visited Disney back in 99' w/a wheelchair'd friend and we didn't wait for any attraction)

Disney does not do that anymore. They require you wait in line or your party waits in line and you join them when they get to the front of the line. No more front of the line at any Disney parks for handicaps unless it is a special group like Make a Wish or Give Kids the World.

Universal is the same way if you are in a wheelchair. Some attendants may let you skip the line but most won't. If a child has a handicap such as autism and can't wait in line you can get a special guest assitance card but you can't get one just because you are in a cast and have to use a wheelchair. You will have to wait in line which is only fair, really.

To give an example of how this works: Say you want to ride Men in Black. Your party will wait in line with you and then when you get to the front of the line, you wil ride an elevator down to the ride while the rest of your party goes down the stairs (someone can come with you though). Then when your party is ready to load the car, you will have to move from the wheelchair to the car. If you are not able to stand for a few seconds and load the ride then they will allow you to use a special wheelchair car, but even with that, you will have to move from your wheelchair into the special wheelchair seat.

So no, you do not get FOTL privileges because you are in a wheelchair either at Universal or at Disney.

 

[Metro West]

Right. We were behind a man pushing his wife up the ramps for the Hulk and hoping he didn't trip or anything. Talk about running people down..on her way down!

 

[Chrys]

I appreciate the replies -- I did not mean to sound like I wanted special privlidges because of being in a wheelchair; I just needed information as to what the park policies were.

Again, thank you!

 

[phamton]

I appreciate the replies -- I did not mean to sound like I wanted special privlidges because of being in a wheelchair; I just needed information as to what the park policies were.

No problem. I just didn't want you to be surprised when you visted Universal or Disney as they have both changed their policies.

 

[ktglads]

You may even wait longer for a particular vechicle on some rides. I was casted last summer with a broken tib/fib and had to wait for a specific vehicle on the Mummy since I could not do stairs (or put weight on it since I was 2 weeks post break).

I'm not sure how old you are or how fast that you will heal, but with my break, I was walking by 3 months and did Disney and Universal at 4 months without a crutch or cane. Driving was my biggest motivation - took me 2 months to get to that point. After that was pretty quick progession from 2 crutches to nothing. Then again I am the proud owner of a fancy rod and screws to hold my bones together while they heal.

Hope you a speedy recovery!

 

[Chrys]

I'm not sure how old you are or how fast that you will heal, but with my break, I was walking by 3 months and did Disney and Universal at 4 months without a crutch or cane. Driving was my biggest motivation - took me 2 months to get to that point. After that was pretty quick progession from 2 crutches to nothing. Then again I am the proud owner of a fancy rod and screws to hold my bones together while they heal.

Hope you a speedy recovery!

**Hello and thank you for replying! Well, to answer your question, I am a 40yr old female. I broke my heel (front, not the back part where you step down on) & I go see the doc on May 4th to be re-Xray'd and I 'hope' to be able to drive by that time. My heel brake was April 9th, so it's pretty fresh. I'm just worried about going to the parks in July & being able to walk, which will be 3mos out.

It's so discouraging not to be able to do anything, so I can't imagine having to still have my wheelchair and/or crutches on my vacation, but that may be the case. I'm glad to hear that you healed well and fully recovered from your break!!

 

[Notatourist]

Bone breaks are the worst, but in three months you should be walking a small bit. Just remember to NOT overdo it. I know it's your vacation-but remember something that I had to remember when I was coming back from my tib break and my later ankle break-Just because you can walk on it, doesn't mean it's not going to hurt.

Pace yourself!


And have a good time none the less.

 

[Foladar]

Good luck with recovery. I'm 18 now (birthday recently) and broke a bone around 14, thank god for being young. Broke a few bones in my arm (casts are no fun, 2nd time breaking this arm at my young age already) but I was out of a cast (although early) in about 4-6 weeks. I know legs are nowhere near the same, but hope you well on your trip. I went to Disney and Universal with a family member who broken both wrists (she was in her 70s so she took a while to heal) but it is definitely doable, definitely enjoy your time. Hope you are lucky enough to be out of a wheelchair by then though, it is definitely no fun. Don't push it though, take it easy, I learned that the hard way.

 

[Metallica_Band]

Awwwwww...no more FOTL for wheelchair ppl??? That sux...the last few times we went, my mom had to be in a wheelchair because she can't walk long distances...we always got in the front of the line...

When did Disney start not letting wheelchair ppl get in the front of the line??? I would think it would be a burden for the one in the wheelchair to be forced to seperate from the rest of the group and wait for the other party to get thru the line...And what if the wheelchair person had only kids with him/her?? Wheelchairs can't go thru the lines...most lines are way to thin for wheelchairs and ESPECIALLY the electric wheelchairs...
THANX
C'YA

 

[phamton]

Disney started this policy over 5 years ago. I'm not sure when Universal followed suit. If the line is difficult to navigate with a ECV, you can transfer to a regular wheelchair before entering the line.

Disney started this policy over 5 years ago. I'm not sure when Universal followed suit. If the line is difficult to navigate with a ECV, you can transfer to a regular wheelchair before entering the line.

Don't know where you've been but all of attractions at Universal have had wheelchair accessible queues and likewise Disney since 1994. It is increasing because Disney works with the ADA constantly and they were told to treat people with disabilities just like everyone else or it would be insulting. I don't see why people get upset about this. If you have a special problem you only need to bring a doctors note to guest relations and you will be accomodated with pleasure. Guest relations gives out passes for people who must wait in the shade or for those who need to sit while the others in their party go through the queue. They also can give you a back door pass if your doctors note shows it is a real problem to wait at all.

Disney and Universal are only treating people the way ADA says they want to be treated and if they don't want to be treated like everyone else perhaps they should get together and inform ADA they want to be treated differently.