Parade viewing for disabled - question :)

[Phatoomch]

We went in September for our first trip and did not take full advantage of the parades, something we do want to do for our next trip in December.

My mom is in a motorised chair, walking anymore than a handful of steps is near impossible for her.

I would like to know what the 'rules' are for disabled viewing spots for the parades/fireworks etc - last year, we went to watch Illuminations and were told that only 2 people could accompany my mom, there were 5 of us (incl. my mom) and my daughter was really upset as she wanted to be able watch them as a family. We ended up me & my daughter watching with my mom and my dad & hubby being elsewhere where we couldn't even see them and I feel that they missed out watching my daughters awestruck face.

Is this the rule for all viewing spots? If so, thats a bit of a bummer - we've gone as a family and want to experience Disney as a family.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[lanejudy]

I can't speak specifically to Illuminations viewing area as we haven't used that, but we have sometimes used H/C viewing spots in MK and AK. It may depend how crowded the park is on a given day and/or demand for the H/C viewing spots. Sometimes we have been told that 1 person is "technically" allowed in with our daughter, but as long as it didn't get crowded or both adults stood behind her stroller, it would be fine (we are a party of 3). Earlier this month when we were at MK, we did not sit inside the H/C viewing area, but could see it and the reserved area was half empty; other times we have seen it full with W/C or ECVs squeezed in tight one next to the other completely filling the area. One suggestion is to get there early so your Mom is on the end, then the rest of your party can grab the spots on the curb right next to but just outside the H/C area.

It's the same with W/C reserved seating at shows -- technically the seating is arranged such there is one seat for each W/C spot, but depending on availability/demand they may let the whole party stay together.

 

[blondietink]

At Epcot there are better viewing places around the lagoon than the HC assessible spots. You do need to pick out a spot early enough .... just make sure there are no island in your viewing area and no trees above you to obstruct the higher fireworks. Also keep in mind wind direction or you could get smoked out.

At MK the spots tend to get very crowded for the evening parade if you don't get there early. Generally they will only allow the wheelchair/scooter and one person and if it is really crowded, they may put the wheelchairs or scooters 2 deep and the extra person has to agree to stand behind the 2nd row of wheelchairs, so your party will be separated anyway. We try to get there early enough to get a spot that is not part of the accessible spots. Two of the accessible spots are located on a curve/corner and sometimes the view is not the best. The exception to this is the viewing spot across from the Hall of Presidents, but for some reason the music is extremely loud here and my one DS hates to sit there because of the volume. I believe there is a viewing spot in Frontierland that is on a straight part of the route also, but for some reason we are never in that area during the evening parade time. If there are two parades scheduled in the evening and your party is up to it, try and take in the 2nd parade if possible as most people leave the park before the 2nd parade and your choice of viewing spots increases greatly.

In AK, we usually don't have any problem finding the accessible parade spots and they don't seem to be too crowded, either. We can walk up 15 minutes before the parade starts and find an accessible spot with no problem.

 

[Phatoomch]

Thanks for the great advice!

I think what I will plan on doing is finding a good non-disabled viewing spot early to ensure we can be together and that my mom is able to see.

 

[angelbaby29871]

I have used the HC viewing and only been able to have2 people in with me, we are a party of 5 so have the same issues as yourselves. We decided to forego he hc viewing and settled in earlier in regular viewing routes and found as long as we staked out a spot early enough I still had a great view and could have all me family around. Have a great trip.