List of attractions with quick line for wheelchairs?

[andrews_dad]

Grandfather is wheelchair bound and alzheimers. Gets confused and agitated when waiting in lines (sitting still with crowd close around). I know disney is moving toward lines that are wheelchair accessable so chairs are in normal line. Is there a list of rides that still allow chairs to front faster? Any other suggestions? unfortunately due to work schedules we will be there at busy holiday season...

 

[LilyWDW]

Grandfather is wheelchair bound and alzheimers. Gets confused and agitated when waiting in lines (sitting still with crowd close around). I know disney is moving toward lines that are wheelchair accessable so chairs are in normal line. Is there a list of rides that still allow chairs to front faster? Any other suggestions? unfortunately due to work schedules we will be there at busy holiday season...

Use fastpass and a service like Tourguide Mike.

Even if the wheelchair can't go through the normal line, they do not go straight to the front. Sometimes you even wait longer for a vehicle that can accommodate you, especially if you can not transfer. The only people who get front of the line access are Make A Wish Children.

 

[andrews_dad]

he can transfer. i know a few years ago the epcot ball was one, peter pan might have been one, sleeping beauty maybe?

 

[Piper]

Things are not the same that they were a few years ago. At "the Epcot ball" (Spaceship Earth), you go to a different area, but the wait is as long (or longer in some cases) as those in the "regular" line.

All the attractions limit the number of people who might need assistance exiting the rides in case of problems. Therefore, someone in a wc may have to wait longer if other wc users are in front of them in line.

 

[KPeveler]

Even non-mainstreamed lines have waits that are generally as long as the mainstream line. I have been to WDW several times with my wheelchair, and in general I wait as long or longer than people without wheelchairs. Often after waiting in the regular line I am directed through to the exit (so the wheelchair is waiting there when i get off) and then I wait there if there is anyone with a wheelchair ahead of me. Sometimes I have to wait for someone else to get off, as they only allow a certain number of people with disabilities on at a time for safety reasons.

As a PP suggested, use Fastpasses and perhaps a touring plan to minimize your wait times.

I have family members with Alzheimer's and something to remember is that you will be in FAR more crowded places outside the queue than in it - I know my grandmother gets upset when she is bumped or jostled, and that is going to happen a lot. Any time you wait for a show, parade, fireworks, meal, character line, store, etc, he is going to be sitting still with crowds around him. You should count on him getting bumped or touched frequently (I get bumped at least once an hour during the slowest time of year).

 

[livndisney]

he can transfer. i know a few years ago the epcot ball was one, peter pan might have been one, sleeping beauty maybe?

There is no Sleeping Beauty ride at WDW. As others have said if you want "quick" access to a ride use fastpass and a good touring plan. Most lines at WDW are designed for wheelchairs.

 

[Debbie-TN]

On Spaceship Earth you have to go in the side entrance because you have to leave the wheelchair there, you have to walk a little ways. You go and sit beside the ride for a few minutes until they're ready for you, then they load you at the exit. On IASW and Living with the Land you go in a different line and the wheelchair can either be left or be taken onto the boat. You can also take the wheelchair onto The Jungle Cruise. You have to go in a different entrance and there is a little bit of a wait.

 

[KPeveler]

On Spaceship Earth you have to go in the side entrance because you have to leave the wheelchair there, you have to walk a little ways. You go and sit beside the ride for a few minutes until they're ready for you, then they load you at the exit. On IASW and Living with the Land you go in a different line and the wheelchair can either be left or be taken onto the boat. You can also take the wheelchair onto The Jungle Cruise. You have to go in a different entrance and there is a little bit of a wait.

I will say that during the holiday season you should expect lines just as long if not longer for Spaceship Earth and Jungle Cruise - last time I was there in a non-peak time I waited 4x as long as the standby time for JC.

 

[livndisney]

I will say that during the holiday season you should expect lines just as long if not longer for Spaceship Earth and Jungle Cruise - last time I was there in a non-peak time I waited 4x as long as the standby time for JC.

We waited 45 minutes for Spaceship Earth in January

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, most attractions have Mainstream Access, where guests using wheelchairs use the same line as the other guests. In some cases, the boarding area or unload area are not accessible. In those cases, guests with wheelchairs usually wait in the ‘regular’ line until it reaches a place that is not accessible. When the line reaches that point, guests with wheelchairs will be directed around it.
Some attractions have lines that are not accessible at all. Those are listed below and do have a wheelchair entrance, but that does not necessarily mean a shorter wait. It depends on the attraction and on how many other guests with special needs are waiting.
For example, Spaceship Earth has a handicapped entrance, but we have usually waited there at least 1/2 hour (at times when the regular line was only about a 5 minute wait). There is a picture in the EPCOT FAQs that shows the waiting area.
Living with the Land is one where you will usually enter a separate line (it’s the Fastpass line), but because there is seldom much of a wait anyway, you don’t get on any faster than anyone else. You just have a more suitable place to wait.

This is a copy of information posted in post 11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread which lists the wheelchair entrances for each attraction.
The information in italics is the information about Mainstream Lines from the WDW page about Mobility Disabilities:
Walt Disney World Resort strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; that is, all Guests utilize the main entrance to the attraction. However, accessibility varies from attraction to attraction within Disney Parks. The Guide for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guidemaps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a Disney Cast Member at each attraction before entering. Mainstream queues can be found at these attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks. (it then goes on to list the Mainstream attractions).

Most attractions for all parks are listed as "Enter through standard queue" for attractions without Fastpass or "Obtain a FASTPASS OR use Standby Queue" on the new Guide for Guest with Disabilities maps for each park I picked up in October 2009. There is also a large red box on the maps which says "Guests with any mobility or queue related assistance needs are encouraged to use the Disney's FASTPASS option where ever possible." There is the same explanation about how to use Fastpass as on the regular park maps.
These are the attractions in each park with a different method of access other than the regular line, as listed on the map:
MK
WDW Railroad: Enter using ramp on the RIGHT on Main Street
WDW Railroad: Enter using wheelchair ramp on RIGHT at Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Obtain Fastpass or see Host for options. If FASTPASS is not available, enter thru access on RIGHT
Country Bear Jamboree: Enter thru door on LEFT
Hall of Presidents: Enter through door on RIGHT
Liberty Square Riverboat: ENter through exit on RIGHT or LEFT
it's a small world: Enter thru standard queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area
Peter Pan's Flight: Obtain FASTPASS or see host for options. If Fastpass is not available, see a host for options.
Snow White's Scary Adventures: Enter through Exit on RIGHT
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel: ENter through exit on RIGHT
Dumbo: Enter using ramp on RIGHT
Tea Party: ENter through exit on RIGHT
Barnstormer: Enter through exit on LEFT
Space Mountain: Obtain a FASTPASS or see a host for options. If FASTPASS not available, enter through queue on RIGHT

Epcot
Spaceship Earth: Enter through the exit on the RIGHT or LEFT
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the 3 Caballeros: Enter through the Standard Queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area.
American Adventure: See a host or hostess for access to second floor
Impressions de France: Enter through LEFT side of entrance hallway

Studio
Great Movie Ride: Enter through the Standard queue. A host will provide directions in the pre-show area
Studio Backlot Tour: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT
Fantasmic: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT

Animal Kingdom
Wildlife Express Train: Proceed through standard queue. A host will direct boarding
The Boneyard: Enter through the designated access gate

Everything other than these attractions I have listed say to enter through the mainstream or standby queue.
The maps are very easy to read (although the type is small) and I recommend if they go, that they get one for each park. The access information is listed right on the map with all the other information. There are icons that show which attractions you can stay right in the wheelchair or ECV for the whole attraction and which you need to transfer to a ride car.

You may also want to look at post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread about Guest Assistance Cards. They can give some assistance if using a wheelchair in line is not enough. They are not meant to shorten the wait, but can help make conditions better for waiting at some attractions.
I agree with the other posters that a tour plan like TourGuide Mike would be helpful - it would help you to avoid crowded areas all over the parks, not just in the lines.

 

[Bete]

Alzheimer's mother (89 years old) who needs a wheelchair and it's rough at Disney. She has other issues, too like being incontinent.

There truly are no shortcuts just because you are in a wheelchair. You may gain a little time on one ride and lose on another.

First, and foremost don't ever make your grandfather feel he's a hardship to you. Those vibes will transfer into negative behavior by him.

If he's not use to the public or parks and such I would do some practice with him by taking him to the local zoo. It will get him somewhat use to crowds and such.

I think the best suggestion is to surround him with loved ones when you are waiting anywhere. This will protect him from strangers getting too close. In a wheelchair in lines you should have someone in front of him and someone in back of him and if it's a bigger queue area even to the sides of him if you have enough people to do it. Keep him engaged in conversation; so, time passes better for him with waits.

Go early to the parks; because, they will be less crowded. This is hard for me to do; because, my mom is very pokey in the mornings. Just do the best you can, here. Do not try to stay in the parks too long with him. Don't go commando style through the parks. Mix shows and rides, not just rides. Take a break and eat at the parks; it's a good rest without going back to the resort. Use the companion restrooms throughout the parks; so, someone can be with him in a quieter atmosphere for this function. There's more room in those restrooms, too.

It sounds like you are going there for Thanksgiving or Christmas; so, it will all be worse. Have a good plan worked out of what you want to try and keep in mind some rides are not worth the hassle or wait. Be aware of wait times. Start out with the easier rides and build to the more complicated ones. I would skip the most popular rides like Toy Story Mania. This doesn't mean others in your party can't do it; I would just have someone sit and talk with him while others go on it. It might be a good time to have a snack and a break from it all.

I would talk with your doctor about taking the trip. I have on rare occassions used an anti-anxiety pill for my mom which I think at times did help.

Be extremely careful at this time of year with the weather. It can get very cold at WDW. Your grandfather could become more agitated if he's cold. The early mornings and nights can get in the 40s. We do a lot of hot chocolate at this time of year.

I haven't tried it yet myself, but you may want to consider a GAC (guest assistant card). You go to guest services at the parks and explain your whole situation and they can make a determination if there's any other special assitance they can do for you at the parks. This is a touchy subject; so, it's all I'm going to say about it.

 

[themouseforme]

my mother is 89 and has alzheimers. it can be VERY rough on those of us who love them. gently, i would ask the OP if his grandfather really wants to go on this trip/can appreciate where he is, or might he be happier in an environment more suited to him. just remembering some of my own mistakes. perhaps his grandfather isn't far into it yet. my mother's is advanced.

 

[andrews_dad]

my mother is 89 and has alzheimers. it can be VERY rough on those of us who love them. gently, i would ask the OP if his grandfather really wants to go on this trip/can appreciate where he is, or might he be happier in an environment more suited to him. just remembering some of my own mistakes. perhaps his grandfather isn't far into it yet. my mother's is advanced.

He has his good days and bad ones. He enjoys the sights and sounds, but really it the trip is for GrandMA to enjoy. She cries with joy at Diz watching her Grandkids. She is perfectly "with it," but clearly we have to have GrandPa with us at all times. If she comes, he has to come.

THANKS to the previous poster who posted that listing of rides and locations to enter and such. Big help.