Question regarding using wheelchair but not DAS eligible at Disneyland Park

[Linkura]

I am not *planning* on using a wheelchair during my upcoming trip to DLR, but I do have a minor disability that can cause a good deal of pain in my knees when I walk, and I may eventually decide to give up the goose and use a wheelchair. Because it's just a mobility issue, my understanding is I would not be DAS eligible. I know that many rides at Disneyland Park (not DCA) have alternate entrances for wheelchairs (many through the ride's exit). How does that work in terms of waiting for a ride with alternate entrances? Would I get priority over standby, make me wait a comparable time compared to standby, or would they give me a return time despite not being DAS eligible? Or does it depend on the ride? Thank you.

 

[SMD]

WC return times are given at the ride, DAS at the kiosks. Go to the alternate entrance, if they're giving out return times, you'll get one. If not, you'll enter the queue. You may wait longer, you may wait less, it all depends on how many people are waiting at the time. On some rides DAS and WC return to the same queue, which makes it more likely you'll get a return time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

A bit confused- Are you asking if you can get a WC return time without a WC? (Sorry I can't answer but it might help others answer.)

Realize that there are a limited number of rides that have WC return times: just rides in DL that don't accommodate WC in the queue. So even if you utilize the WC RT option there are a lot of rides you will still be waiting in normal lines to ride.

You are right in that you aren't eligible for a DAS. My recommendation would be consider an ECV. You won't have to push/be pushed so you can maintain some independence & not feel like a burden to others. And save your arms if you're traveling solo!

 

[SMD]

The DLR map should tell you which queues have stairs. If you need to avoid stairs you can tell the CM at the start of the queue and they'll either direct you to the alternate entrance or tell you at what point you'll need to bypass them. For TSMM they're when you exit, so tell the CM when loading that you need the HA loading area. For Indy they're right before you load when you cross over the track, there is a CM there that can direct you to an elevator. Or use single rider, which bypasses the stairs.

 

[Linkura]

Thanks all. I didn't realize there were separate WC return times for WC.

My husband will be with me so he would be pushing the WC if I got one. I'm wary of ECV for a number of reasons. One being I have arthritis in my hands and it would be tough for me to control.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Generally in DL you go to the exit with a wheelchair. At DCA, plan on using the regular line. Last weekend they were giving return times of wait time minus 10 minutes no matter what and then you returned and might have to wait again if you hit it with a bunch of chairs. We did not do fantasyland last weekend but a lot of times in the past we have just waited at the ride for a wheelchair to leave and not been given a return time. FYI, for Toy Story, you now enter the fastpass line with a wheelchair (or maybe the regular line, we have a DAS which confuses things). Its a recent change and I don't think it shows on maps yet. Toy story, pirates and space, you are likely to wait longer than the standby line in total waiting time (although some of it might not be in the attraction line). The other rides are hit or miss. You best bet is to use fastpasses for rides with long waits.

 

[SMD]

If you think that you will start the day without a wheelchair and rent one later, you may want to do Space, Star Tours, Pirates and Haunted Mansion early with FP or try for shorter waits. Sometimes WC loading can be complicated, but it also depends on how easy it is for you to transfer. In my experience, even if you can stand and walk to transfer, HM and ST still limit how many people from the HA queue they let on per ride cycle, and get backed up. POTC has limited WC parking and limited space to wait, which is shared with DAS. They only load a max of 2 rows from HA queue per 2 boats. If you can handle the hill and the wait is short, it might be worth parking the WC and walking. Same with SM.

 

[Linkura]

Thanks for all of these great tips! Really helpful!

 

[Nevada Jen]

The pirates line is really long right now. It winds all over and up and down hills. Maybe because of the recent refurb or maybe because Indianna Jones is down. If you are using a chair, definitely do the pirates line with the chair. You will likely get a return time and then have to wait again at loadings but it is much easier physically. For Pirates, you go in the exit right by Blue Bayou (totally different location than the entrance to the ride.

 

[Linkura]

Thanks! We're going in mid-September so HOPEFULLY the Pirates lines will go down a bit.