Need Parade Help

[lucysdad]

We're going soon with my 85 yr old mother who is in a wheelchair. She loves Disney and people watching is her favorite activity there. However, although she only rides a few select rides, she loves the parades. I know she gets special seating at the MK parade, but how about at Illuminations? If there is special seating, does it accommodate the whole family so we can see it together? We bought a Fantasmic package, so I think we'e covered there. How about at AK for their parade? Thanks for your help.

 

[dclfun]

There are several handicapped viewing areas at all the parks for all the parades. At Epcot for Illuminations ( as well as the other parks for parades), having the whole family being able to access the handicapped area depends on the volume of other guests who wish to use that area. I've at times been able to have all my children with me and at other times I've been told only one family member may accompany me into that roped off area. The priority of the CM's who are in charge of these areas are to seat as many wheelchair ( and GAC card holder) guests as possible who need those arrangements so it isn't always possible for all accompanying family members to be accomodated. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

We've had the same experience as Kathy reported, so we don't use the handicapped viewing areas. When we have used them, we have been told that even though the rest of our party was allowed in, they might have to re-locate if it got busy and the space was needed.
For Illumination, there are good viewing spots all over WS laggon, so we find it's best to just find a spot where you will be able to see the middle part of the laggon during the show and park ourselves there. You can ask a CM in the country if they have any hints about good spots.

We bought a Fantasmic package, so I think we'e covered there.

make sure they know that you have someone with a wheelchair in your party,so they save a wheelchair spot. The wheelchair parking for Fantasmic is in the back row, with the row ahead of that for the rest of your party. We haven't done a Fantasmic package, but from what I have read, they use the same wheelchair seating whether you have a package or not (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong). There are also some seats for wheelchairs in the front row, but you may get wet if seated there (and I also don't know if any are in the Fantasmic package).

The wheelchair parade viewing areas are marked on the park maps. One thing to watch for is that often the afternoon parade spots are right in the hot sun.

 

[JudithM]

Just returend from WDW ... Spectromagic only went Wednesday night this week. We arrived at the MK about 7:20 p.m. & the parade was scheduled to begin from the MK firehouse at 8:45 p.m. Guests were already seated, standing & waiting for the parade along Main Street. They were about 3-4 people deep. We headed first to the handicapped seating across from the Hall of Presidents. I got lined up with other guests using ECVs or wheelchairs about 7:30 p.m. It was a wonderful location to watch the parade!

 

[Megan's Mom]

The parade at AK we had a great spot and the CM there was great. She made a point of talking to all the people that were there in the special area and had some of them dancing with the music. She really made that parade memorable. As it was our first day the rest of the parades paled by comparison. We were located in front of a shop just across the bridge. There were lady bugs on the light post. I'm not sure if that helps you know where we were or not.

 

[Talking Hands]

Shop's name is Creature Comforts. On Saturdays the interpreters are there to the right of the handicapped area