Lines and wheelchairs?

[Momtwofour]

My Mom( she is 74) is joining us for our upcoming Disney trip and she is unable to walk long distances and has some balance issues so we are renting her a wheelchair to make her trip more enjoyable How does this work with standing in line? If there is a very short wait she is fine to walk through but if we have to stand extended she cant do that. Can she sit to the side while we stand in line and join us when we get to the front?
Also, I am worried about the rides like Haunted Mansion where you walk on a moving belt to get on the ride. Do they stop these for people if they cant manage to get on while its moving? I have such a fear of her falling!

 

[Alesia]

You can just take the wheelchair through the line. And, yes, they will stop the ride if you need them to.

 

[Momtwofour]

Ohh....well thats nice! I didnt realize you could take it in line with you

 

[Angel Ariel]

Most rides you can take the wheelchair through the line. there may be some lines that are not fully accessible (I can't remember if this is still true at WDW or not) - in those cases a CM at the entrance to the line would (I imagine) direct you where to go. I believe there are Accessibility Maps available at guest relations which contain information re: accessible ride entrances as well.

Regarding attractions that have conveyor belts @ loading, they can slow down the belt for those that need that assistance.

 

[minnie mum]

You can just take the wheelchair through the line. And, yes, they will stop the ride if you need them to.

That is only partially true. You only to through the line up to and including the stretching room. After that point guests in w/c s or ECVs are diverted to an alternate boarding area. They can slow or stop the walkway as needed there.

There is no place for your mother to wait while you stand in line, and the boarding areas are rarely in site of the ride entrances. You will be able to all go into the regular queue together with her chair, or through the alternate entrance as directed by the ride CMs.

OP, you will find a lot of information about ride accessibility on the disABILITIES forum. In particular the FAQ sticky.

 

[minnie mum]

Regarding attractions that have conveyor belts @ loading, they can slow down the belt for those that need that assistance.

Except Peter Pan.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And the People Mover.

 

[Momtwofour]

Thank you for the information!
One more question...do wheelchairs rent like strollers? If we want to prepay to get the better rate do we do that on the first day?

 

[Gracie09]

They do rent them in the park, but you may be better off renting one for off site. Its cheaper. You have it for the sometime long walk back to your room and the wait for buses if you don't have car. Also if you take the bus, she will have a guaranteed seat on the bus.

 

[minnie mum]

I also recommend renting from an off site vendor. They will drop off at your resort and pick up when you leave. So convenient, and you will have it 24/7. There can be considerable walking involved at the resorts and just getting into the parks. A list of vendors can be found on the FAQ sticky I mentioned earlier.

 

[ttintagel]

If the Peoplemover is the same as it was two years ago, you have to be able to stand on the steep speedramp that takes you up to the loading platform - there's no elevator for wheelchairs.

 

[Amanda999]

Definitely recommend posting (and searching past posts) at disAbilities area of Disboards - many, many veterans of exactly your situation. Good luck!

 

[Micki NJ]

My DH had foot surgery right before our trip and we rented him an ECV - this was in 2013. I was also confused as to how this would work, but the CMs at each line entrance were very helpful and let us know the process for that ride. Sometimes he could stay in his chair through the entire queue and then they would show him where to park it and walk (hobble in his case) to the loading area. It was always a very short walk and again the CMs were helpful and proactively provided guidance. Rarely he would have to leave his chair at the main entrance and they would direct him to what I gathered was a handicapped queue, but it again was always a short walk, which he could manage albeit slowly.

As PP mentioned, make sure to grab an accessible park map. That was very helpful. There are areas for parking wheelchairs during parades and fireworks and we found those areas sometimes easier to navigate with a chair.

We rented through an offsite vendor and it was much cheaper. I didn't want to risk getting to the parks and having them sold out. He needed it for the travel from the parking lot to the park and I was under the impression you needed to leave the DIS rented equip inside the park, but I could be wrong. Oh and my DH had a temp state issued handicap placard and we brought it in our rental car and they let us park in the handicapped areas - not sure if you're staying onsite or not and if she normally uses handicapped placards.

As PP mentioned there is a wealth of info on the disABILITIES forum.