Parks and wheelchairs

[HollyJoy]

Anyone ever been with someone in a wheelchair? My Father in Law will be with us most of the time, and while he can actually walk, he'll be riding around in his wheelchair (he has bad arthritus in his feet). Just wondering how wheelchair friendly the park is, do CM's watch out for those in wheelchairs (bluntly, do they go to the front of the lines, or are their special lines for them?), etc.. I know that many rides require those in wheelchairs to get out of their chair to enter the ride.. not a problem for us. Any information/tips you have would be great!

Thanks!!

 

[GoodFairies]

The short answer is yes, WDW is extremely wheelchair accessible and accommodating.

But for your more specific questions, you would be better off asking on the DISabilities board. They are a very helpful group of people and can answer questions about any scenario you might envision.

 

[HollyJoy]

Thanks a million!

 

[SueM in MN]

I see that GoodFairies already pointed you toward the disABILITIES Board. You can click on the link in my signature to get there.

The parks are very wheelchair friendly, most of the lines are wheelchair accessible and, if you see stairs, there will usually be a ramp somewhere nearby.
Since most of the lines are wheelchair accessible, you will be waiting most of the time in the same lines with everyone else. Wheelchair users don't go to the front of the line; the biggest "advantage" to having a wheelchair is having a place to sit while you wait. For some rides, wheelchair users do need to get out of the wheelchair to board a ride car. Usually, in those rides, the wheelchair users and their party (up to 6 people total) will be routed to the exit for boarding. This usually happens right before the general boarding area and the reason for it is so that the wheelchair will be at the exit waiting for you when you get off. Here's a link to a past thread about ride boarding.

He might want to consider an ecv (also called an electric scooter). That way, he would have more independence and no one would have to push him. You can find out more about them on the disABILITIES Board.

 

[Deb & Bill]

While they are limited, we were able to borrow at wheelchair from our WDW resort by putting a deposit down. This way we had the chair to go to the parks and back to the resort. My mom (she was 84 at the time) said she could walk, but I knew it would be hard for her. We used the wheelchair most of the time. My dear husband pushed her around in the chair.

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by HollyJoy
Anyone ever been with someone in a wheelchair? My Father in Law will be with us most of the time, and while he can actually walk, he'll be riding around in his wheelchair (he has bad arthritus in his feet). Just wondering how wheelchair friendly the park is, do CM's watch out for those in wheelchairs (bluntly, do they go to the front of the lines, or are their special lines for them?), etc.. I know that many rides require those in wheelchairs to get out of their chair to enter the ride.. not a problem for us. Any information/tips you have would be great!

Thanks!!

No wheelchair guests do not get front of line access with a very few specific exceptions. the park in general IS very wheelchair friendly it is one of the reasons I go there so often on vacation.
Most lines at WDW are accessible at least to a certain point on a few you will stay in line till you get to a point where the cast member will direct you where to go. some rides you can stay in the chair for the ride others you must transfer from the chair to the ride. they will stop the ride if necessary to board someone but most times it is not necessary. Your biggest problem will be negotiating the park with people who walk right in front of or even into you, I have had 3 different people in my lap over the years! they just turn around suddenly or even step back into you.
when you arrive at the park go to guest services and they will give you the disabled guests guides for all the parks these tell you what the deal is at each ride and where the HC restroom facilities are ect.

 

[HollyJoy]

Thanks! I will do that.