Question About Combination Walker-Wheelchair at Disneyland

[KimberMama]

I’m planning a trip to Disneyland and I understand that my disability no longer qualifies for DAS (I don’t mean for this thread to be a discussion about the DAS changes — while I hope they will become more inclusive, I’m just trying to figure out how I will manage a 5 day trip). My disability has worsened and at times now I have limited mobility due to pain and/or extreme fatigue. Does Disneyland allow combination walker/wheelchairs? I very much foresee needing to have a walker with a seat so I can guarantee that I have a place to sit immediately if needed. I don’t expect to need to spend all day in a wheelchair and don’t want DH to have to push me around if my pain and/or fatigue are manageable and I can walk, but I might need a wheelchair later in the day and probably later in the trip. Will Disneyland allow me to bring a combination walker/wheelchair into the lines? I know in some cases that answer will be no, and I’ll have to request return times at the ride exits, but can I bring it into lines at CA? Or is the policy that I either have to walk or use a wheelchair?

I’ll already added Lightning Multipass to our tickets to cut down on standing time for some of the ride waits, but I am going to need some mobility help.

 

[KPeterso]

I’m planning a trip to Disneyland and I understand that my disability no longer qualifies for DAS (I don’t mean for this thread to be a discussion about the DAS changes — while I hope they will become more inclusive, I’m just trying to figure out how I will manage a 5 day trip). My disability has worsened and at times now I have limited mobility due to pain and/or extreme fatigue. Does Disneyland allow combination walker/wheelchairs? I very much foresee needing to have a walker with a seat so I can guarantee that I have a place to sit immediately if needed. I don’t expect to need to spend all day in a wheelchair and don’t want DH to have to push me around if my pain and/or fatigue are manageable and I can walk, but I might need a wheelchair later in the day and probably later in the trip. Will Disneyland allow me to bring a combination walker/wheelchair into the lines? I know in some cases that answer will be no, and I’ll have to request return times at the ride exits, but can I bring it into lines at CA? Or is the policy that I either have to walk or use a wheelchair?

I’ll already added Lightning Multipass to our tickets to cut down on standing time for some of the ride waits, but I am going to need some mobility help.

Sounds like you want to use a rollator (walker with a seat). Those are allowed in the lines that are mainstreamed. You will get return times for the rides where a wheelchair cannot go through the line. Another option is to rent the wheelchair the whole time if you think you will need it late day or later in the trip. Wheelchairs can run out during the day, so no guarantee you will get one when you hit the point you need one. When you want to walk, you can push the empty wheelchair (or your backpack) as if it is your walker. And then when you want to sit, you have the seat. I have pushed ours empty through lines when my mom has wanted to walk a few minutes, so it is always available when she is ready to sit.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I can't comment on the line issue.

But when you said walker/wheelchair combo, are you talking about a rollator? Because if so, those cannot be used like a wheelchair. They are just a walker and a place to sit when stationary. You can't actually roll around or be pushed around in it like a wheelchair.

 

[tobikaye]

Yeah, I only saw these new combo walker/transport chairs show up online recently. If you search "2 in 1 Rollator Transport Chair" you should see them.

OP: These should work just like any other mobility device. I have been to Disney Parks with family members using rollators, wheelcharis, and EVCs. I would just be cautious as the wheelchair part. Make sure to test out the combo version first to make sure it comfortable in "wheelchair" mode and that it can be pushed easily enough with a person sitting in it.

I have a transport and full size wheelchair for my grandma and we tend to only use the transport chair for places inside with flat surfaces. Any major outdoor locations we use the full size wheelchair for the uneven terrain. Unless you need to lean when using the walker portion, you may just want to use a wheelchair and push when you can and sit when needed.

 

[KimberMama]

Thank you all for your replies! I am thinking I will order the 2-in-1 rollator from Amazon with free returns and see if it will work for me, and if not, I will plan on wheelchair rental. With a long stay, I wonder if it would be better to rent a wheelchair from a rental company for our entire stay, rather than having to return one every night and be there early enough to get one every morning? I can also talk to my doctor about him prescribing a wheelchair so I can get my own through insurance, since more and more I am likely to need one anyway. I’d just rather use a walker with a seat for now, and one that could be a wheelchair in a pinch would a nice transition for now.

I’d really rather not be in this position at all. At first I was upset about the loss of DAS, but figured we would just make do. Now with a more difficult diagnosis and worsening health, I’m more upset. It’s difficult for people to have to go to the exits of rides to get return times versus using the app, with either more work for a person using a mobility device, or more work for the person who has to push the wheelchair. I really don’t understand why people with developmental disorders get the convenience of the app, and people who honestly have difficulty moving around have to go out of their way to attractions to get return times.