My tread went insane

[KorbensMomma]

Ok the tread I had started got completely out of hand, so I am going to ask more detailed questions.

We will be going to Disney World Orlando, we have one in our party who will be renting an ECV at MK, however she can walk to transition to rides, also one with standing still issues. Do you think a GAC card help?

We are NOT looking to shorten the line, we are adults and don't mind waiting, however I am trying to find out if there is an alternate waiting area that may have a bench. She doesn't need to cut in line or get thru the line faster she just needs a place to wait her turn. Is there a way she can wait while the rest of the party goes thru the line then join back up with us?

If not, its okay and we will deal with it.

Also does anyone know how long it takes to rent an ECV at MK? And where it is located? If we get to rope drop early can we rent it while waiting to get in. We don't want to rent from an outside company, we don't want he hassle with waiting for busses.

This is not an argument thread, please don't argue.

 

[lanejudy]

While there are benches or seating in SOME alternate waiting areas, not in many and they aren't guaranteed to be available to any individual (first-come first-sit regardless of need). WDW's response to the need to sit in line is to use a wheelchair or ECV. You can certainly ask at Guest Relations, but don't expect much. Unfortunately, trying to re-join a party ahead in line can be challenging in that those in line behind the original party are not aware someone is joining them and may block the way. Essentially, they'd be pushing their way through the line, and some may see that as line-cutting despite explanations of joining a party ahead. Can it be done? Probably, but it may not be easy. Would it be possible for this person to also rent an ECV, and park it when she wishes to walk a bit? Or could she share the ECV with the other person in your party?

I'm not sure what a GAC can do for someone who can't stand still...again, a seat (if that would help) would not be guaranteed without an ECV or wheelchair. I've heard people say they provided a "buffer" of space within their party in line which allowed someone room to keep moving a bit without strictly standing still. Maybe you could do that by 1 or 2 people hanging back a few feet from the party in front of you? Not enough to make others behind you push forward, but enough to allow some room to move a couple steps forward/back.

The person with an ECV will not need a GAC if the ECV "solves" all needs. If there are additional invisible needs for that person, he/she should discuss it with Guest Relations to see what accommodations may be available.

The wheelchair/ECV rental locations are fairly close inside the gates to each park. It shouldn't be a long process, unless arriving at a very busy time (rope drop may be busy with others trying to do the same). Keep in mind that if you park-hop, there may not be an ECV available at the 2nd park when you arrive. If so, it will be free (bring receipt from 1st park) but they do tend to run out by mid-morning so you could end up wait-listed for one to be returned.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[sharadoc]

Everything I know about standing issues (which I have) is that you can solve it with a wheelchair or scooter. Most lines can accomodate them, or the rides have an alternative entrance for them. You don't need a GAC for it.

You can use the wheelchair entrance and transfer out of the wheelchair or scooter. Usually the CM will ask if you need to stay in it or not, then they will put you on the correct ride vehicle for your situation.

When we go at busier times, I have rented a scooter depending on how I feel that day. It's cumbersome but made the trip better than my having to stop and sit on a bench every 30 or 40 feet.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I would reconsider an offsite rental. If these people can't stand in one place for any length of time, how will they stand waiting at bus stops? Then what will they do if they get on the bus and there aren't any seats available? GACs can not be used for busses. An offsite ECV will give them a much needed place to sit while waiting for busses and then also ensure that they get a seat on the busses. An offsite rental is the ONLY way to guarantee this. If they don't want to do this then I would STRONGLY recommend renting a car.

Unfortunately, there just aren't places to sit while waiting for attractions. The only place I can think of is Spaceship Earth in the alternate/accessible waiting area, but the thing about this attraction is that when we go through the regular queue we walk at a normal pace without slowing down right up until we board but if we go to the accessible/alternate waiting area then we have a wait every single time, sometimes a lengthy wait. I can't think of other attractions that have seats in regular, FP or alternate waiting areas. On the bright side, ride queues typically are constantly moving slowly so as long as the person who has trouble standing in one place is ok with slow moving then that'll be fine. Waiting areas for shows though do not move and there's nowhere to sit other than the ground. Oh, I just remembered another attraction with seats in the accessible waiting area; Country Bear Jamboree. Also consider what this person will do at attractions such as the 360 degree movies in the World Showcase. You just stand for them unless you've got a mobility device on which to sit.

Would the person who doesn't want an ECV consider a rollator or pushing a manual wheelchair (use it basically like a rollator) so that she has somewhere to sit when she needs it?

 

[KorbensMomma]

Thank you for all the help, I'm thinking maybe the person with the standing issues can swap with the person in the ECV if they want. Maybe they will be fine and not need one at all. I guess we will see when we get there. I am hoping that it will be quiet on Sunday at MK since it is Super Bowl.

Thanks again, I will try and do a trip report when we get back.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just a note...You might see this thread closed as well. It's against policy to try to restart a thread that was shut down, but Sue and Kate might make an exception here if it stays on topic, or they might shut it down because the questions have been answered and to keep what happened before from happening again.

 

[SueM in MN]

It is generally against board policy to restart a closed thread, but the OP's subject and questions were not on issue. The issue in that thread was arguing between posters who said a GAC would basically mean no wait and other posters for saying that GACs are not meant to eliminate waits and there can be a wait when using a GAC.

I won't close this unless it goes down that same path.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I wasn't sure how much wiggle room that rule had.