Question about wheelchairs

[vboesen]

We are getting excited about our trip to Disneyland/California Adventures on Monday. Since my 22-year-old daughter uses her own manual wheel chair, do we need to get a "pass" or anything similar before we use the wheelchair entry on the rides? Somebody told me we needed to get this from a CM.

Help!

Valerie

 

[scroot]

At the Disneyland Resort I have always found that we don't need to get the special card. That is mainly becuase DW's disability is fairly obvious. Furthermore all of the ques at DCA are mainstreamed so the pass doesn't do much, if anything, there. At DL however nearly all of the fantasyland attractions have alternate enterances for wheelchairs. You may need a card there especialy if your family member doesn't look disabled. If you need one you get it at guest relations at either park. They may even make it for your length of stay.

Good luck.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The Guest Assistance CArd (GAC) is only needed for people with "invisible" disabilities. If you are in a wheelchair or ECV it is automatically assumed that you have a mobility or stamina problem and there for will (along with your party but not more than a toal of six people) have access to use alternate entrances when the queue is not accessible.

The only time you need a GAC while in a chair or ECV is when there are additional invisible disabilities such as (for example) hearing or vision problems.

 

[mechurchlady]

You will not need it but I would get one just in case I ran into a CM who is not properly trained and demands one. The park is very accessible and has broad areas for pedestrians in many areas. The nurses station is on the left behind Bugs Land and there is a companion bathroom in bugs land.

The Hyperion theatre has many levels and you can ask to be seated upstairs if that is what you prefer otherwise you will be seated downstairs. Bug's Life for me was different at DCA that WDW adn I was in pain. Bug's Life has seats that do things like sting you or bugs walk under your seat, at both parks. The wheelchair and ECV users get the mist, and stink bug smell but do not get the sensation of the bugs stinging you or goosing you as they exit. Most theater are that way in WDW and DLR.

If you get hungry you can exit into the hotel. Taste Pilot had great burgers. I miss DCA the most.

 

[SueM in MN]

You will not need it but I would get one just in case I ran into a CM who is not properly trained and demands one.

Disney's official policy is that you don't need anything to use the wheelchair accessible entrances with a wheelchair or an ECV. In the majority of cases, the lines are wheelchair accessible and the CMs will direct you if you need to go somewhere besides the 'regular' line.
This would be my advice:

If you have a CM who demands a Guest Assistance Card, it is best to first check the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities to make sure that you are in the correct place. (There is a link to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for Disneyland in the disABILITIES FAQs thread and you can pick one up in Guest Services in the park).
If you are in the correct place according to the Guidebook, showing that to the CM should take care of the problem (and help educate the CM also). If it doesn't work, ask to speak to a supervisor.
Either of those things will ensure that the CM gets the correct information.