Need help planning final family trip with Grandfather

[Believing is Seeing.]

Hello everyone!

I have read the disABILITIES! board trying to get advice and thought it was time to get my own screen name so I can get my questions answered personally.

I've been to disney over 30 times, each time has been different, taking different friends and family but have never had a trip with someone who is disabled. So I dont know where to start.

The last time my grandfather has been to Disney was almost 15 years ago at the 25th anniversary of WDW. He is always talking about the Germany pavillion and the hummel store because he is a devoted hummel collector.

He is getting older, he's in his 70s. He has had heart surgery and had heart valves replaced and takes coumadin everyday for that and has severe arthritis and a bad leg from a car crash when he was a teenager. He can walk short distances but needs to rest a lot. Hes such a kid at heart and has been talking about going back to WDW all the time. And this may be the last time for him..

So now I need your help. My family and I have already decided it would be best if we get a manual wheelchair and will take turns pushing it around the parks. He would be confused with a EHV, so its best if we get a manual chair. Can we get one right away when we arrive at our resort?

I know he won't be able to stand up for long periods of time in lines but how does that work? Say we were waiting for winnie the pooh in fantasyland, do we put the wheelchair through the stand-by line? Or waiting to meet mickey in the judges tent? Do we go through the house and wait in the line? Is there special protocol? I have no idea what to do... I need your help!!

Maybe I should tell you a bit more about the trip itself... It will be about four family members of mine total and were hoping to go during the first weeks of December when the decorations are all up. We dont have a date yet. And we're not quite sure on the resort yet either.

Thank you so much!

 

[camack7827]

Hi there, great thread! I'm actually going through a similar planning excercise with my parents. Long story short, I'm doing a lot of research about travelling to Disney with ECVs etc!

The way it seems to work is that there is generally a wheelchair entrance, otherwise they use the fastpass lines. If you can transfer (which your Grandfather can), let the attendants know. They'll simply put you into a regular ride vehicle and park your wheelchair near the exit so it'll be close by at the end of the ride. If you can't transfer, they have special ride vehicles that can acoomodate wheelchair bound guests.

They really go out of their way to help make the trip a little easier on you.

Good luck!
Chris

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

First thing is that almost all attraction lines are mainstreamed, so a person in a wheelchair will be able to go all the way to the boarding area in the chair. Some attractions the person may have to transfer, in others the chair itself can go onthe ride. If there is a transfer, either unload will be at the same location as load, or the chair will magically appear at unload if they are in diffeent locaitons.

If the line is not mainstreamed, either a sign or a CM (or both) will direct you to the proper entreance. Note that normally there may be a problem if the group is more than six people.

We would suggest either bring a chair from home or rent one from an off-site company. It generally may be possible to borrow a chair at the Resort, but it is probably old and will not work to well. If you rent from off-site (See Post #2 in the disABILITIES FAQs) he will have a better fitting chair and will be able to use it at the Resort; some of the corridors are very long.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Hi there, great thread! I'm actually going through a similar planning excercise with my parents. Long story short, I'm doing a lot of research about travelling to Disney with ECVs etc!

The way it seems to work is that there is generally a wheelchair entrance, otherwise they use the fastpass lines. If you can transfer (which your Grandfather can), let the attendants know. They'll simply put you into a regular ride vehicle and park your wheelchair near the exit so it'll be close by at the end of the ride. If you can't transfer, they have special ride vehicles that can acoomodate wheelchair bound guests.

They really go out of their way to help make the trip a little easier on you.

Good luck!
Chris

Hi Chris! Thanks for your advice.

I've been doing the researching thing too, the information is out there for people to read on wheelchairs but the hard part is finding it.. Haha.

Okay so there is wheelchair lines.. I'm guessing that the best thing to do is ask the cast member standing near the entrance on what to do? He can walk a short distance to get onto a ride from his wheelchair, that wont be a problem.

Thanks! And good luck yourself finding information.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

First thing is that almost all attraction lines are mainstreamed, so a person in a wheelchair will be able to go all the way to the boarding area in the chair. Some attractions the person may have to transfer, in others the chair itself can go onthe ride. If there is a transfer, either unload will be at the same location as load, or the chair will magically appear at unload if they are in diffeent locaitons.

If the line is not mainstreamed, either a sign or a CM (or both) will direct you to the proper entreance. Note that normally there may be a problem if the group is more than six people.

We would suggest either bring a chair from home or rent one from an off-site company. It generally may be possible to borrow a chair at the Resort, but it is probably old and will not work to well. If you rent from off-site (See Post #2 in the disABILITIES FAQs) he will have a better fitting chair and will be able to use it at the Resort; some of the corridors are very long.

Hi Cheshire Figment! Thanks for making me feel so welcomed! It's good to know I can find friendly advice out there.

Okay so mainstream means I can get into the bystandard line? And then transfer line is either a hidden line somewhere else or involving going through a fastpass line? I'm trying to catch on here.. haha.

And how will I know which line is which? Do I need to ask everytime I go to an attraction? Is there a special guidemap that helps with this?

Thanks for the advice on renting a chair offsite. I never thought about the long hallways in the resorts. I will definately look into that! Can it be delivered when I arrive if its from some place local in Buena Vista?

And I've been hearing about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) on the wdw moms panel, would that be in my benefit to see about getting one of those for him? Do you know how they work? Do I have to bring all of his doctors paperwork so they have proof we actually are needing assistance?

 

[honugirl]

Okay so mainstream means I can get into the bystandard line? And then transfer line is either a hidden line somewhere else or involving going through a fastpass line? I'm trying to catch on here.. haha.

When the lines are mainstreamed, you just get in the regular old line and get on the ride and they'll generally move the chair to the exit for you. Otherwise a CM will direct you to an alternate route if the line isn't mainstreamed. A few lines you start in the mainstream line (such as haunted mansion) and break off at a certain point. Once again, the CM should direct you where to go.

And how will I know which line is which? Do I need to ask everytime I go to an attraction? Is there a special guidemap that helps with this?

I generally ask the first time around, then head for the same entrance subsequent times. There is a guide map at the customer service places. I think it's called the guide book for disabilities or something like that.

Thanks for the advice on renting a chair offsite. I never thought about the long hallways in the resorts. I will definately look into that! Can it be delivered when I arrive if its from some place local in Buena Vista?

Check the sticky, I think Walkers rents wheelchairs and I think Randy's does too. I've had good sucess with Randy's the last time I was there with an ECV. They were very polite, courteous and helpful.

And I've been hearing about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) on the wdw moms panel, would that be in my benefit to see about getting one of those for him? Do you know how they work? Do I have to bring all of his doctors paperwork so they have proof we actually are needing assistance?

If he only has a mobility problem, you don't need a GAC. They'll just tell you to rent an ECV or Wheelchair. You don't need any doctors paperwork to get a GAC. Basically with a GAC, you explain your needs, not your condition that need special accomodations.

Have fun.

 

[Piper]

There are actually very few lines where you will not go through the standard line. Be prepared to have some waits that are longer than ordinary because only a few disabled people are allowed on a ride at a time because of safety issues (small world at MK and the safari at AK immediately leap to mind.) Also, you may go through the whole line and then be pulled to another area to wait for an accessible vehicle. Some rides will load the WC and some will require a transfer. How that is handled will depend on the ride. Many times you will board at the same place the other riders use....some have a separate area....and some you may not be able to ride depending on your limitations (I cannot ride anything that is jerky or has drops.)

Your best bet is to plan your time well, get fastpasses early and ask a cast member to direct you. A WC is not a "front of the line pass" as so many people seem to think..it actually requires more planning than a typical ambulatory guest. Oh yes, please read the first post of this thread for faqs.

 

[SueM in MN]

Okay so mainstream means I can get into the bystandard line? And then transfer line is either a hidden line somewhere else or involving going through a fastpass line? I'm trying to catch on here.. haha.

A little more explanation about Mainstream Lines - these are lines where the regular line is wheelchair accessible and everyone waits in the same line. Mainstream Lines are ones where the standard line is accesssible.
Animal Kingdom and the Studio were built with almost all Mainstream Lines, so you will be in the same lines with everyone else the majority of the time for attractions at those 2 parks.

Epcot and MK are older parks and many of the attractions were built without thinking about how people with wheelchairs would access the attractions. As attractions were added or renovated, they did add Mainstream Lines where possible. So, there are some attractions that are Mainstreamed and some that have a special wheelchair entrance.
There are also some attractions where the line is wheelchair accessible, but the boarding area is not. For those lines, you will wait in the regular line until a certain point and then be directed by a CM toward another area for boarding.
If you go to post #11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find a list of attractions where he will be able to stay in the wheelchair for the whole experience and will not have to transfer out for the attraction. That thread is toward the top of this board, or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.
Also, if you check the EPCOT FAQs thread near the top of this board, you will find information and pictures that should help you with most of the attractions at Epcot. I'm not working fast, but I have completed information about some of the attractions.

And how will I know which line is which? Do I need to ask everytime I go to an attraction? Is there a special guidemap that helps with this?

Go to Guest Relations at the first park that you get to and ask for a Guidebook for Guests with Special Needs. As of March 2008, it was a nice full color park map. There is a small description of each attraction with an incon to tell about any warnings. The description will tell you where to enter (and in most cases, it says "Enter the Mainstream Queue".

Thanks for the advice on renting a chair offsite. I never thought about the long hallways in the resorts. I will definately look into that! Can it be delivered when I arrive if its from some place local in Buena Vista?

All of the places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread will deliver to the Orlando/WDW area.

And I've been hearing about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) on the wdw moms panel, would that be in my benefit to see about getting one of those for him? Do you know how they work? Do I have to bring all of his doctors paperwork so they have proof we actually are needing assistance?

Post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has everything you need to know about GACs. As was already posted, most people using wheelchairs and ECVs don't need a GAC since the CMs can see that you need an accessible line just by seeing the wheelchair. GACs are more for needs that are invisible.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

If he only has a mobility problem, you don't need a GAC. They'll just tell you to rent an ECV or Wheelchair. You don't need any doctors paperwork to get a GAC. Basically with a GAC, you explain your needs, not your condition that need special accomodations.

Have fun.

Okay that helps, thank you so much!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

There are actually very few lines where you will not go through the standard line. Be prepared to have some waits that are longer than ordinary because only a few disabled people are allowed on a ride at a time because of safety issues (small world at MK and the safari at AK immediately leap to mind.) Also, you may go through the whole line and then be pulled to another area to wait for an accessible vehicle. Some rides will load the WC and some will require a transfer. How that is handled will depend on the ride. Many times you will board at the same place the other riders use....some have a separate area....and some you may not be able to ride depending on your limitations (I cannot ride anything that is jerky or has drops.)

Your best bet is to plan your time well, get fastpasses early and ask a cast member to direct you. A WC is not a "front of the line pass" as so many people seem to think..it actually requires more planning than a typical ambulatory guest. Oh yes, please read the first post of this thread for faqs.

I'm not quite sure of his limitations but his heart issue has really slowed him down, there will be no RnRC or ToT for my Grandfather, haha. I'm sure it will be Peter Pan and slow dark rides like that which my grandfather remembers. I can't wait to take him on Soarin' I know he is going to love that.

And thanks for your help. I appreciate it!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

A little more explanation about Mainstream Lines - these are lines where the regular line is wheelchair accessible and everyone waits in the same line. Mainstream Lines are ones where the standard line is accesssible.
Animal Kingdom and the Studio were built with almost all Mainstream Lines, so you will be in the same lines with everyone else the majority of the time for attractions at those 2 parks.

Epcot and MK are older parks and many of the attractions were built without thinking about how people with wheelchairs would access the attractions. As attractions were added or renovated, they did add Mainstream Lines where possible. So, there are some attractions that are Mainstreamed and some that have a special wheelchair entrance.
There are also some attractions where the line is wheelchair accessible, but the boarding area is not. For those lines, you will wait in the regular line until a certain point and then be directed by a CM toward another area for boarding.
If you go to post #11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find a list of attractions where he will be able to stay in the wheelchair for the whole experience and will not have to transfer out for the attraction. That thread is toward the top of this board, or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.
Also, if you check the EPCOT FAQs thread near the top of this board, you will find information and pictures that should help you with most of the attractions at Epcot. I'm not working fast, but I have completed information about some of the attractions.

Go to Guest Relations at the first park that you get to and ask for a Guidebook for Guests with Special Needs. As of March 2008, it was a nice full color park map. There is a small description of each attraction with an incon to tell about any warnings. The description will tell you where to enter (and in most cases, it says "Enter the Mainstream Queue".

All of the places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread will deliver to the Orlando/WDW area.

Post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has everything you need to know about GACs. As was already posted, most people using wheelchairs and ECVs don't need a GAC since the CMs can see that you need an accessible line just by seeing the wheelchair. GACs are more for needs that are invisible.

Thank you for the further explanation. I will definately be getting one of those guidebooks when I arrive. Is it one big guidebook or is there one for each park that I will have to visit guest services at each park entrance?

I'm going to go visit the FAQs now to read up on some more information, thank you very very much SueM for your time.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for the further explanation. I will definately be getting one of those guidebooks when I arrive. Is it one big guidebook or is there one for each park that I will have to visit guest services at each park entrance?

I'm going to go visit the FAQs now to read up on some more information, thank you very very much SueM for your time.

The current 'Guidebook' is a map that is the same size and looks very much like the 'regular' map.
The guidemaps for Guests with Special Needs includes a bit of extra information, including where to enter the attraction (it usually says to "Enter through the Mainstream Queue.")
There is a map for each park and you should be able to get a copy of the map for each part at Guest Relations at the first park you stop at.
If you look in the DisABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, you will find a link to the Guidebooks in text form from the official Disney website.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

The current 'Guidebook' is a map that is the same size and looks very much like the 'regular' map.
The guidemaps for Guests with Special Needs includes a bit of extra information, including where to enter the attraction (it usually says to "Enter through the Mainstream Queue.")
There is a map for each park and you should be able to get a copy of the map for each part at Guest Relations at the first park you stop at.
If you look in the DisABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, you will find a link to the Guidebooks in text form from the official Disney website.

Wow, okay. I'm so glad Disney does this. Thank you so much!

 

[Schmeck]

One of the best things to do is ask the CM at the attraction queue what to do - depending on crowds, how many ride vehicles are running, which part of the queue is open, etc, accessibility can change from hour to hour at the same attraction.

Have a wonderful trip with your grandfather!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

One of the best things to do is ask the CM at the attraction queue what to do - depending on crowds, how many ride vehicles are running, which part of the queue is open, etc, accessibility can change from hour to hour at the same attraction.

Have a wonderful trip with your grandfather!

Will do!
Thank you!!

 

[traveljunkie2]

I just want to second the recommendation for renting a wheelchair offsite. I am planning a trip with my mother, and she will rent a ECV. The company will deliver and pick up at your hotel. This way you have the freedom to tour the resorts, too. Also, if the distances at WDW are anything like at Disneyland, there can be a long walk from where the bus/boat/monorail drops you off to the wheelchair rental place.

 

[SueM in MN]

One of the best things to do is ask the CM at the attraction queue what to do - depending on crowds, how many ride vehicles are running, which part of the queue is open, etc, accessibility can change from hour to hour at the same attraction.

Have a wonderful trip with your grandfather!

Yes, your general guide is the Guidebook/Guidemap, but the CM can change the instructions based on what is happening right then with that attraction.

For example, last October, Buzz Lightyear had a 5 minute posted wait in the Standby Line (which is another name for the regular queue; if the line is a Mainstream line, you will enter thru the 'regular' line ). Since that Buzz is an attraction that is listed as "Enter through the Mainstream queue," we were headed to enter there when a CM stopped us and told us to enter the Fastpass line instead and the CM there wrote us out a special slip to give to the CM collecting Fastpasses.
We were not told the reason, but having been on the attraction many times before, I knew it was because the Mainstream Line was only a 5 minute wait. Because that line has more twists and turns, it would actually slow that line down if we were in it with a wheelchair. So, sending us through the Fastpass line didn't really get us in any faster, but it did improve the flow of the attraction.
We knew that the Fastpass Line was not the regular handicapped access point, but I have seen posts from people who were routed like that and assumed that meant they should enter all attractions at the Fastpass entrance. When they tried that at other attractions and it was not allowed, they were puzzled and thought the CMs at those attractions were not treating them correctly. So, I wish CMs would explain when they route people somewhere else - it would not take long, just "the usual wheelchair entrance is xxxxxxx, but it's not busy, so we are sending you to xxxxxxx."

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

I just want to second the recommendation for renting a wheelchair offsite. I am planning a trip with my mother, and she will rent a ECV. The company will deliver and pick up at your hotel. This way you have the freedom to tour the resorts, too. Also, if the distances at WDW are anything like at Disneyland, there can be a long walk from where the bus/boat/monorail drops you off to the wheelchair rental place.

Great, thank you very much!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Yes, your general guide is the Guidebook/Guidemap, but the CM can change the instructions based on what is happening right then with that attraction.

For example, last October, Buzz Lightyear had a 5 minute posted wait in the Standby Line (which is another name for the regular queue; if the line is a Mainstream line, you will enter thru the 'regular' line ). Since that Buzz is an attraction that is listed as "Enter through the Mainstream queue," we were headed to enter there when a CM stopped us and told us to enter the Fastpass line instead and the CM there wrote us out a special slip to give to the CM collecting Fastpasses.
We were not told the reason, but having been on the attraction many times before, I knew it was because the Mainstream Line was only a 5 minute wait. Because that line has more twists and turns, it would actually slow that line down if we were in it with a wheelchair. So, sending us through the Fastpass line didn't really get us in any faster, but it did improve the flow of the attraction.
We knew that the Fastpass Line was not the regular handicapped access point, but I have seen posts from people who were routed like that and assumed that meant they should enter all attractions at the Fastpass entrance. When they tried that at other attractions and it was not allowed, they were puzzled and thought the CMs at those attractions were not treating them correctly. So, I wish CMs would explain when they route people somewhere else - it would not take long, just "the usual wheelchair entrance is xxxxxxx, but it's not busy, so we are sending you to xxxxxxx."

Oh okay, I understand. Thank you very much!