Not waiting in line?

[crabmeal]

My Dad has a bad disc in his neck and back. He mentioned our WDW trip to his Dr and the Dr thought that if he gave him a note, he wouldn't have to wait in line. Is this true? He has a neck brace and a back support brace. He feels funny about doing this but I thought I would ask anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
No harm in asking any questions. The answer to the one you asked though is, No, it's not true.
There is a card called a Guest Assistance Card that you can request at Guest Services in any of the parks. It doesn't let you not wait in line, but is meant as a way to let CMs know what sorts of assistance people with invisible disabilities might need. You don't need (and they won't want to see) a doctor's letter to get a Guest Assistance Card.
Some of the types of assistance the card might provide include a place to wait out of the sun or heat for someone who has problems with those things, a quieter place to wait for someone (like a child with autism), to use the wheelchair accessible entrance without having a wheelchair for someone who needs to avoid stairs, using a stroller as a wheelchair for a child who needs the stroller in line. I guess it's important to think of what sorts of things would be a problem for your dad while he is in line.
The best way to limit your wait in line is to use fastpass. If you are going soon, it should not be that busy,s o your waits will probably not be that long anyway. If your dad has problems with standing or walking, he might want to consider renting a wheelchair or scooter (ecv) so he has somewhere to sit while in line. Many of the rides with long lines are the ones that he will be avoiding anyway because they are not recommended for people with back or neck problems.

 

[Safari Steve]

I'm always surprised that people are so concerned with the lines, but have no qualms at all about walking/standing in any other context in the parks. WDW is a HUGE place. The amount of standing and walking done just getting around the parks is GIGANTIC compared to any line a person will encounter. If you think that you will have trouble with standing and walking, do exactly what you would do for that situation in the real world: rent a wheelchair or an ECV (scooter).
I have seen many doctors notes, and it's often puzzling that a doctor, without any understanding of the physical realities of the resort (sizes, distances, accesibility) will assume that "Please allow them to bypass all lines." on a fancy letterhead will result in anything more than a disappointed guest and a CM put in the tight spot of having to deal with an unrealistic promise made by someone with absolutely no connection to TWDC.
Sorry to vent, but it's very frustrating.
Like Sue said, more specific assesments of any special needs are much more useful than "he can't wait in line." Also, you can download the guidebook for guests with disablilties from the disneyworld.com website. I highly reccomend that you take a look at it, and forward a link to any physicians you know. (Doctors have difficult, important jobs, yes. But in these instances they are doing a great disservice to their patients.)

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Steve. It's always nice to have a CM's perspective.
That's a good point about the distances - the distance to walk aound just World Showcase at Epcot is over 1 mile (I think 1.3 miles), so it would not be unusual to walk 3 to 8 miles a day (estimates I have read).

Even if you have a Guest Assistance Card (GAC), the actual distance walked in line might not be any different. For example, Pirates of Caribean, ITTBAB, and the Safari at AK have onely one way in, whether you have a GAC or not.

 

[NADINENURSE]

My family and I recently, 2 weeks ago, came back and I used a wheechair for the first time, L4 & L5 ruptured disks. The staff were great, and many times we were ushered to the front of lines even when I said I could walk. I am able to walk for about 10 minutes before I get very bad pain radiating down my left leg, and can not stand for long periods at all. With me just being in a wheelchair, all of the CM's were great !!! No notes or extra messages were needed. The only difficulty I had were my 10 and 11 year olds who were driving me !! I didn't use one at the hotel, Allstars, but had a preferred location. We rented a wheelchair each day, and park hopper. No probem, kept the reciept and got another wc at the next park. We even went to 3 parks one day. Compared to last year, when I didn't rent one, and cried in secret as I couldn't walk and missed the whole vacation. With your family member in a w/c, you won't need any other messages, and we were fine w/o an electric one. have a great time

 

[tigger2on]

My little on is in a wheelchair and nonverbal from a brain injury sustained from a seizure caused by the simple flu. We have been to Disney 3 times with her and I have one complaint. She is always placed at the very back of the theatre @ Playhouse Disney. When everyone gets up to dances with bear, she can't see.
Can I request that she be allowed to sit at front of theatres/ shows? Am I allowed to do this?

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by tigger2on
Can I request that she be allowed to sit at front of theatres/ shows? Am I allowed to do this?

I would definitely make the request. I am not familiar with Playhouse Disney, but I do know that at other shows like Beauty & the Beast & Tarzan Rocks guests with wheelchairs, ECVS, etc. do get to sit in the front.

 

[SueM in MN]

quote: Originally posted by tigger2on
Can I request that she be allowed to sit at front of theatres/ shows? Am I allowed to do this?

quote: Originally posted by JudithM
I would definitely make the request. I am not familiar with Playhouse Disney, but I do know that at other shows like Beauty & the Beast & Tarzan Rocks guests with wheelchairs, ECVS, etc. do get to
sit in the front.

We have not been to Playhouse Disney, but I agree with Judith that requesting is a ggod idea. Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Fantasmic and Indiana Jones Stunt Show have a few wheelchair seats in the front. The majority of the seats are in the rear. If you are there before they have filled the front seats, they will often ask if you want to sit in the front. For Playhouse Disney, it may be that they don't have any wheelchair seats at the front or they may already be filled when you get there.
I think just saying, "When we were here before, we were at the back and my DD couldn't see anything once the other children get up to dance with Bear. Is it possible to put us close to the front?"
If they say that wheelchairs are not allowed up in the front, I'd suggest a visit to Guest Services to make a nice suggestion, because if you have had the problem, I'm sure others have too.

 

[Belle1962]

The problem with Playhouse Disney may be that everyone sits on the floor. Last time I was there (by myself) I didn't mind sitting in the back of the room--great view of all the kids!!! However--when we take DGS I'd love to be able to sit down on the floor with him. Please let me know if anyone finds out the answer re wheelchairs in front at PHD.

 

[Michigan]

If you are there before they load the room they will take you in first allow you to transfer you child out of the wheelchair to sit in the front and take you chair to the back. My oldest dd sits in her chair in the back and the youngest dd likes to leave her chair to sit on the floor.