MK Parade Viewing

[SonicGuy]

We have two DD's in wheelchairs. In the past (when we only had 1 DD) we had many bad experiences with other guests when it came to parade times. We would wait an hour or more to get up front for the parade - only way DD could see - and at the last minute some inconsiderate folks would push in right in front of her and she would not see a thing.
Well this year, as I said we now have DD3 who is in a wheelchair and is also visually impaired, she can see up close and lights, etc. We are especially excited for her to see Spectromagic because she LOVES lights and music. We just don't want a repeat of what has happened to DD17 in the past.

Any suggestions as to "chair-friendly" viewing areas would be greatly appreciated. Ya'll have already help me out so much, I figured you wouldn't mind one more question!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you look on the park maps, you will find a number of areas along the parade route marked with a red wheelchair symbol and the letter "P". These are wheelchair parade viewing areas. They're roped off and controlled by Cast Members, so you won't have to worry about some inconsiderate person getting in the way of your daughters' views; they'll both have front row seats! It's fairly hard to predict how quickly they'll fill up, so you might want to arrive relatively early to avoid problems, especially as you'll need space for two wheelchairs.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[SonicGuy]

Thanks for the info - I was not aware of that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with what was posted. We've had the same problem with parade viewing at times.
If you don't see the wheelchair viewing areas, just ask any of the CMs who are directing traffic or setting up for the parades. They will be able to help you.
It's really hard to tell how early you need to be there to get spots for the parades. Sometimes there are lots of guests using wheelchairs at times when the park is otherwise not too busy. You probably will still need to be there an hour ahead of time and the 2 with wheelchairs will need to stay put once they have spots. But, if you tell the CM before leaving, the other members of your party could go out and come back in if you need popcorn, drinks, etc.

 

[donatalie]

We've found that the Handicapped viewing area in Liberty Square has a better view of the parades than the area near the castle. They do try to squeeze as many as humanly possible into these areas.... so stand your ground.

Have fun

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Thanks for the info - I was not aware of that.

If you have not already call Disney and ask them to send you the disability guidebooks for each park it gives you all the information regarding each park, parades places, restrooms entrances etc. Or if you are going to soon for the mail then go to guest services and they will give them to you there.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not already call Disney and ask them to send you the disability guidebooks for each park it gives you all the information regarding each park, parades places, restrooms entrances etc. Or if you are going to soon for the mail then go to guest services and they will give them to you there.

There is a link to the official WDW website in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that takes you to the text version of the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities for each park.
I'd suggest printing those out if you want a copy before you get to the parks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They do try to squeeze as many as humanly possible into these areas.... so stand your ground.

I must respectfully disagree with this suggestion. No, do not move your daughters' wheelchairs back from the curb (aka front row), but if other Guests are in need of wheelchair viewing and the CMs ask you all to position the chairs as close together as possible, PLEASE do.

 

[donatalie]

I must respectfully disagree with this suggestion. No, do not move your daughters' wheelchairs back from the curb (aka front row), but if other Guests are in need of wheelchair viewing and the CMs ask you all to position the chairs as close together as possible, PLEASE do

.

The problem that I am speaking about are the families of people in wheelchairs. My DS uses a wheelchair, but both of my kids are autistic. We came to the handicapped area early and DD was seated on the curb in front of DS. DH and I were were behind them. They let 3 big groups into the area at the last minute. One was an elderly woman and her family who actually pushed DD off the curb so that they would have better viewing. With DD lying in the street they just kept pushing in. We weren't taking up any more room than a family of 4 (and one wheelchair) should take.............that's what I meant by stand your ground.

I was not trying to be disrespectful, but we have found (over the years) that people can be quite inconsiderate. If we had not been assertive that day, DD would have been completely pushed out by completely rude people.

 

[livndisney]

Does anyone have any suggestions for shaded viewing of the parade? I am not in a wheelchair (yet) but need to stay out of sun. I have pretty much come to the conclusion the parades have just gotten too "dangerous" with pushy people. But DD has asked to see a parade. Any suggestions?

 

[SueM in MN]

Does anyone have any suggestions for shaded viewing of the parade? I am not in a wheelchair (yet) but need to stay out of sun. I have pretty much come to the conclusion the parades have just gotten too "dangerous" with pushy people. But DD has asked to see a parade. Any suggestions?

Just for clarification; are you interested in any parade, or just the MK parade?

One place that is shaded is the upper level porch of the Main St. railroad station. We got there about 90 minutes ahead of the parade during the period between Christmas and New Year's this year. Not all of it will be in the shade, but there is a large part that is. I was at one of the corners at the front and thought no one would try to squeeze in the small space between me and the actual corner because the space was so small and there were many rails at the corner, obstructing the view. During the parade, when I turned to look in the other direction, some one sent their 2 kids into the space. I actually ended up with a child sitting on my feet. So, my advice there is not to be the party next to the corner.

 

[livndisney]

Thank you for your post Sue. Actually I guess I do mean any parade (thank you for asking for clarification as I had not considered the parades in the other parks). We have not seen the one in AK and I think I have seen the one in MGM once. Anyone have any tips?

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone have any tips?

My biggest suggestion is to check them out before you use them to see whether they are in the sun.
Some of the afternoon wheelchair viewing spots put you in full sun, facing the sun. Given a choice of full sun, facing toward or away from the sun, I'd choose facing away from the sun.
It's also halepful to know which way the parade will be coming (you can ask CMs on the day of the parade). For the Christmas parade I mentioned in the other post, the wheelchair viewing area was right in front of City Hall at MK. All the people with wheelchairs chose to sit on the other side of the 'circle', directly across from the building that Tony's Italian Restaurant is in.
The reason was that the parade was coming from the castle toward the Fires Station. People in the 'designated' wheelchair space would only be able to see it as it passed them and could not see it come up Main Street. People in the 'makeshift' handicapped area could see the parade for a longer time period.

 

[alizesmom]

I keep coming back to this thread because it scares me. We will be there first week of Dec with DS 4 who is in a wheelchair and visually impaired. I want him to enjoy the parades but am not very assertive. If we get there early and park right on the curb, are we safe? Is there really any advantage to the wheelchair area? Karen

 

[SonicGuy]

You know it's actually getting to the point that as we have assimilated so many individuals with differing disabilities into society - where 50 years ago we would not have - that the general public has become even more inconsiderate and rude. We just returned from an outing to one of the "regional" malls in our area and by the time I left there I could have shot someone! (figuratively speaking, of course!). From the time we park and see SEVERAL people taking up the last few handicap parking spaces and walking in with absolutely no indication of a physical impairment, to the large groups that just bowl us over as we go through the mall or the fact that we somehow managed to get a Harry Potter-like invisibility cloak that make us completely invisible to the people stepping on my DD's, I just always thought of WDW as the place where they could be just like any other kid - yet the attitudes and actions of a large percentage of the guests tend to spoil this. We try SO hard to not let it get to us. We do not want any special treatment - just some common respect. It seems that very few people have that anymore.

 

[Shorty82]

It's also halepful to know which way the parade will be coming (you can ask CMs on the day of the parade).

For the Magic Kingdom parades, Dreams Come True always starts in Frontierland and ends at Main Street and Spectromagic always starts on Main Street and ends in Frontier Land.

From the time we park and see SEVERAL people taking up the last few handicap parking spaces and walking in with absolutely no indication of a physical impairment...

Not everybody who has a physical impairment have a visible one, you know. A person may be able to walk apparently normally but can only walk a short distance, for instance.

 

[Figaro]

alizesmom, while we don't go to the parades very often due to my spouse's lack of interest when we do go, we use the handicapped viewing areas. And we have never ever had any issues that the CM's working there haven't taken care of immediately when they are told. I think that mostly people aren't really all that aware of what the rules are, or even that the area is an area for people with disabilities. Not because they are mean, or difficult, but because they get overwhelmed with everything at WDW and their brains kind of go on vacation in a different place.

If you get there early (an hour or so before the parade depending on how busy of a time it is at the parks), you shouldn't have any real problems. The CM's are experts at getting people "packed" in and I have found that to be a wonderful time to get to know my neighbors and chat with them. I have met many wonderful and interesting people that way. My spouse often goes to get us something to eat or drink and I either chat with people or read (that backpack on the wheelchair is a nice place to store a paperback book I've found).

I hope you have a wonderful trip and that you get the opportunity to enjoy the parades!

 

[Mason7AK]

My DD and DS, both in wheelchairs, really enjoy the parades. We always use the handicapped viewing areas and have found the cast members that are stationed at those areas to be very helpful. Sometimes we have arrived very early (an hour before), and other times have gotten there late. In both situations we have been able to get a spot. We do try to go at less busy times of the year - usually early December (our favorite time to go), or early September. Our early experiences with not using the handicapped viewing areas was not good. We did find that people would send their children (at the last minute usually) to push in front of our DD's wheelchair, usually ending up with her having small kids ON her feet or them constantly messing with her chair! I recommend the handicapped viewing areas!
Angela