Please help with wheelchair access/pass info

[DestyTiger]

A little background info first. My wife had an unfortunate accident a few months ago and ended up having to have surgery to repair a fractured tibial plateau. She has been on crutches/in a wheelchair since the surgury as she was not allowed to put any weight on the injury leg until just recently. While she was allowed to start putting partial weight on the leg last week, she will be nowhere near walking by the time we arrive for our trip on July 20th. Cancelling was not an option to her as we have been planning this trip with her sister and family for several years.

She has received a note from her doctor to request a "wheelchair/handicap pass" for the parks. I know where to go/how to get this, but was hoping someone might be able to give us a little insight on how this works at the individual rides. Is there a separate entrance at each ride for persons in wheelchairs? Does the whole party go with her or do we go through the normal standby or fastpass line and she will just be waiting at the ride when we get to it? She will be able to transfer fromthe wheelchair to the ride with the use of a cane, just is not allowed to stand on it for long periods of time. Hard to believe I have been to WDW over 30 times and don't know how this works (I seen people in wheelchairs, but never really paid that close of attention to the process before). Guess I am lucky to have never needed it before.

TIA for any infomation that you can provide. We just want to be as prepared as we can before we get to the parks!

 

[Luvchefmic]

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=20

good luck to you all the above area of the Dis surely can help you for answers

A little background info first. My wife had an unfortunate accident a few months ago and ended up having to have surgery to repair a fractured tibial plateau. She has been on crutches/in a wheelchair since the surgury as she was not allowed to put any weight on the injury leg until just recently. While she was allowed to start putting partial weight on the leg last week, she will be nowhere near walking by the time we arrive for our trip on July 20th. Cancelling was not an option to her as we have been planning this trip with her sister and family for several years.

She has received a note from her doctor to request a "wheelchair/handicap pass" for the parks. I know where to go/how to get this, but was hoping someone might be able to give us a little insight on how this works at the individual rides. Is there a separate entrance at each ride for persons in wheelchairs? Does the whole party go with her or do we go through the normal standby or fastpass line and she will just be waiting at the ride when we get to it? She will be able to transfer fromthe wheelchair to the ride with the use of a cane, just is not allowed to stand on it for long periods of time. Hard to believe I have been to WDW over 30 times and don't know how this works (I seen people in wheelchairs, but never really paid that close of attention to the process before). Guess I am lucky to have never needed it before.

TIA for any infomation that you can provide. We just want to be as prepared as we can before we get to the parks!

 

[Talking Hands]

A little background info first. My wife had an unfortunate accident a few months ago and ended up having to have surgery to repair a fractured tibial plateau. She has been on crutches/in a wheelchair since the surgury as she was not allowed to put any weight on the injury leg until just recently. While she was allowed to start putting partial weight on the leg last week, she will be nowhere near walking by the time we arrive for our trip on July 20th. Cancelling was not an option to her as we have been planning this trip with her sister and family for several years.

She has received a note from her doctor to request a "wheelchair/handicap pass" for the parks. I know where to go/how to get this, but was hoping someone might be able to give us a little insight on how this works at the individual rides. Is there a separate entrance at each ride for persons in wheelchairs? Does the whole party go with her or do we go through the normal standby or fastpass line and she will just be waiting at the ride when we get to it? She will be able to transfer fromthe wheelchair to the ride with the use of a cane, just is not allowed to stand on it for long periods of time. Hard to believe I have been to WDW over 30 times and don't know how this works (I seen people in wheelchairs, but never really paid that close of attention to the process before). Guess I am lucky to have never needed it before.

TIA for any infomation that you can provide. We just want to be as prepared as we can before we get to the parks!

Go to the DISAbilities board and ask there as you will get more info there.

 

[stargazertechie]

If the only accommodation she needs is wheelchair access, no pass (GAC) will be needed, and even if she did need a GAC, the CMs would not look at a doctors note.

I *highly* recommend renting a scooter from offsite- it's hot as the dickens and there are a ton of inclines in the park. Plus it is a LONG walk from the bus or boat to the chair rentals in the park.

For the most part in Epcot, DHS, and AK the lines are mainstreamed so you will remain in the standby (or FP entry if you have a valid FP) line until boarding. For some older attractions, especially at MK, there are alternate entries or alternate boarding areas for wheelchair users.

Do a google search for the Disney guide for guests with disabilities. It has a list of which rides you can take an ECV directly on to, which ones you have to transfer to a push chair, and which ones you have to transfer into the ride vehicle.

Good luck!

 

[Goddesstree]

We've found wheelchairs to be easier to get through queues than scooters, although the queues are scooter accessible.

 

[SueM in MN]

If the only accommodation she needs is wheelchair access, no pass (GAC) will be needed, and even if she did need a GAC, the CMs would not look at a doctors note.

I *highly* recommend renting a scooter from offsite- it's hot as the dickens and there are a ton of inclines in the park. Plus it is a LONG walk from the bus or boat to the chair rentals in the park.

For the most part in Epcot, DHS, and AK the lines are mainstreamed so you will remain in the standby (or FP entry if you have a valid FP) line until boarding. For some older attractions, especially at MK, there are alternate entries or alternate boarding areas for wheelchair users.

Do a google search for the Disney guide for guests with disabilities. It has a list of which rides you can take an ECV directly on to, which ones you have to transfer to a push chair, and which ones you have to transfer into the ride vehicle.

Good luck!

You can find that information on the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That thread is near the top of the disABILITIES Board or you can follow the link in my signature.
Post 6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards - these are communication cards to let CMs know a little bit about what assistance guests with non-visible disabilities or conditions need.
As was already posted, if having a wheelchair or ECV in line meets your needs, you don't need a Guest Assistance Card for that. Most attractions have lines that are accessible; if not, the CMs can see the mobility device and know to send you where you need to go.

Post one of that thread is an index to what post in that thread has which information.
Just to point you to some of the most helpful:
Post 2: Wheelchair, ECV, Equipment and Accessible Van Rental
Post 3: Helpful Links: Links to WDW official websites, other helpful websites and past DIS Board threads
Post 4: Riding WDW Buses with a wheelchair or ECV
Post 11: Basic accessibility lists for each park. Includes Mobility Access entrances from WDW Disabilities park maps, attractions requiring a transfer from wheelchair or ECV.
Post 18: MK attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 19: Epcot attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 20: Disney Hollywood Studios and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car
Post 21: Animal Kingdom and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car
Post 22: Attractions where guests must stand unless they have mobility device

 

[DestyTiger]

You can find that information on the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That thread is near the top of the disABILITIES Board or you can follow the link in my signature.
Post 6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards - these are communication cards to let CMs know a little bit about what assistance guests with non-visible disabilities or conditions need.
As was already posted, if having a wheelchair or ECV in line meets your needs, you don't need a Guest Assistance Card for that. Most attractions have lines that are accessible; if not, the CMs can see the mobility device and know to send you where you need to go.

Post one of that thread is an index to what post in that thread has which information.
Just to point you to some of the most helpful:
Post 2: Wheelchair, ECV, Equipment and Accessible Van Rental
Post 3: Helpful Links: Links to WDW official websites, other helpful websites and past DIS Board threads
Post 4: Riding WDW Buses with a wheelchair or ECV
Post 11: Basic accessibility lists for each park. Includes Mobility Access entrances from WDW Disabilities park maps, attractions requiring a transfer from wheelchair or ECV.
Post 18: MK attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 19: Epcot attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 20: Disney Hollywood Studios and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car
Post 21: Animal Kingdom and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car
Post 22: Attractions where guests must stand unless they have mobility device

Wow, thanks for the help on the search! Appreciate the detail on the posts to go to. Off to read them now!

Thanks to everyone for the help!

 

[DestyTiger]

 

[DestyTiger]

If the only accommodation she needs is wheelchair access, no pass (GAC) will be needed, and even if she did need a GAC, the CMs would not look at a doctors note.

I *highly* recommend renting a scooter from offsite- it's hot as the dickens and there are a ton of inclines in the park. Plus it is a LONG walk from the bus or boat to the chair rentals in the park.

For the most part in Epcot, DHS, and AK the lines are mainstreamed so you will remain in the standby (or FP entry if you have a valid FP) line until boarding. For some older attractions, especially at MK, there are alternate entries or alternate boarding areas for wheelchair users.

Do a google search for the Disney guide for guests with disabilities. It has a list of which rides you can take an ECV directly on to, which ones you have to transfer to a push chair, and which ones you have to transfer into the ride vehicle.

Good luck!

We did discuss the ECV, but she really doesn't want to do that. We looked at the pros/cons and decided the ECV wasn't the best route for us. Guess I better make sure I am in shape to handle to pushing up the inclines! We will be bringing a wheelchair from home because we knew she couldn't handle the walk from the parking areas/buses to the rentals at the park.

 

[Brandee987]

My daughter was in wheelchair on our trip last week. Almost every line was mainstreamed. We went in the standby line. The only rides that we ride that were not mainstreamed were Peter Pan, Tea cup, and Small World. Most rides required a transfer.. We had a QSDP and found that the CS eating areas were pretty accessible. A few of the shops were kinda tight to maneuver the chair around, but it can be done.. The one park that is kinda tough is AK. Lots of hills!! My husband pushed her that day

 

[maxiesmom]

We did discuss the ECV, but she really doesn't want to do that. We looked at the pros/cons and decided the ECV wasn't the best route for us. Guess I better make sure I am in shape to handle to pushing up the inclines! We will be bringing a wheelchair from home because we knew she couldn't handle the walk from the parking areas/buses to the rentals at the park.

You got the incline thing right! My sister was in a wheelchair for one trip, and you find out quick just how hilly the park are! Also, you can't push very fast, lest you make the occupant of the chair motion sick.

 

[ttintagel]

There's a CM stationed outside each attraction; he or she will tell you how to get in.

 

[stargazertechie]

You got the incline thing right! My sister was in a wheelchair for one trip, and you find out quick just how hilly the park are! Also, you can't push very fast, lest you make the occupant of the chair motion sick.

I will never forget trying to push myself from the front gates of Epcot to Soarin. Bless the couple who took pity and gave me a lift

 

[DestyTiger]

My daughter was in wheelchair on our trip last week. Almost every line was mainstreamed. We went in the standby line. The only rides that we ride that were not mainstreamed were Peter Pan, Tea cup, and Small World. Most rides required a transfer.. We had a QSDP and found that the CS eating areas were pretty accessible. A few of the shops were kinda tight to maneuver the chair around, but it can be done.. The one park that is kinda tough is AK. Lots of hills!! My husband pushed her that day

This is what we expected, just wanted to make sure ahead of time there wasn't something else we were suppose to do. I thought that most were "mainstreamed", but wasn't sure. She would rather be in line with the rest of us anyway. Didn't think about the shops and bet that will be pretty hard with the higher crowd levels of the summer. I think the bigger challenge for us will be maneuvering around the crowds when they gather for shows, parades, or fireworks. That's a challenge when you can walk, much less in a wheelchair!

 

[minnie mum]

We did discuss the ECV, but she really doesn't want to do that. We looked at the pros/cons and decided the ECV wasn't the best route for us. Guess I better make sure I am in shape to handle to pushing up the inclines! We will be bringing a wheelchair from home because we knew she couldn't handle the walk from the parking areas/buses to the rentals at the park.

One additional tip for whoever has the honour of being the "chauffeur". This is from my DH, who gets to push my chair around the parks: You know those nifty fingerless gloves you use in the gym when you're lifting weights? The ones with the padded palms? These are invaluable when pushing a wheelchair all day long. First time DH had to do it (without gloves) he ended up with blisters on his hands before noon. Poor guy, I felt so bad for him. Since then, with gloves, he's had no problem.

 

[DestyTiger]

One additional tip for whoever has the honour of being the "chauffeur". This is from my DH, who gets to push my chair around the parks: You know those nifty fingerless gloves you use in the gym when you're lifting weights? The ones with the padded palms? These are invaluable when pushing a wheelchair all day long. First time DH had to do it (without gloves) he ended up with blisters on his hands before noon. Poor guy, I felt so bad for him. Since then, with gloves, he's had no problem.

Thanks for the advice. Headed to Academy tomorrow for some other items and will pick up a pair!

 

[CuppieCake04]

Hey Desty.. i will be in the park on July 22 nd, and we are neighbors..

My mom used to live in St. CHarles Parish still have close family there..

Hope you enjoy your stay in the world!!

 

[DestyTiger]

Awesome to hear CuppieCake04! Glad to know that we will have neighbors in the World with us. We love running into people we know when we are at WDW and didn't realize they were going to be there. Our kids always make a game of it to try to guess who we will see first.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the disABILITIES! board.

 

[SproutsMama]

I second the comment about fingerless gloves. DH pushes himself in his chair and we always take at least 2 pairs of gloves, because he usually can wear through one pair completely during our trip!