Queues and Stairs

[Willow1213]

Hi All!

This is going to be our first trip to DL and I have a few concerns about my husband's mobility problems. He is in physical therapy right know for extensive knee problems. We are unsure as to whether he will need a wc/ecv while at the parks. He does not use any assistance devices at home right now, but we don't normally walk 2 miles a day (or more!) like we will in DL!

My main concern is with stairs. He has a REALLY hard time with a full flight of stairs. If it is just a few (4 or less) steps, he seems to do okay. So which ride queues have a lot of stairs? I would assume BTMRR will be just like WDW, lots of stairs. Any others you can think of?

Also, any suggestions on wc/ecv rental? We are staying at VGC on this trip. What if we get there and then realize we need the wc? Can the concierge at the hotel help with this sort of thing? It will take a lot for him to admit he needs help, but I have learned to spy out when he really needs to sit, rest, etc.

Thanks so much!

~Abby

 

[iKristin]

My mom is in constant physical therapy from breaking her back in the 90's and can't do stairs at all. The only rides I would be worried about in Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones has an elevator though for the stairs so that really helps. But my mom lasted the whole 6 day trip walking with no problem which I was shocked.

 

[jenniferrose]

California Screamin has a full flight of stairs.

Tower of Terror CAN have stairs. 2 times I have been on I didn't have to go to the stairs, once I did. But they do have an elevator, or they can send you in the different group.

 

[Nala83]

Toy Story has a full flight (up and down) upon ride exit. It seems like many of the rides have stairs, but they also have non-stair alternatives. You might consider getting a GAC so that he can use the alternative options.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Toy Story has a full flight (up and down) upon ride exit. It seems like many of the rides have stairs, but they also have non-stair alternatives. You might consider getting a GAC so that he can use the alternative options.

I was going to suggest getting a GAC too which should enable your DH to use the elevators instead of the stairs.

Doesn't space mt also have stairs at the end? And Jungle Cruise can have stairs if it's a busy day but usually not.

 

[mystic_path]

My best friend just got out of leg surgery last year and was in a wheel chair for our trip. It was no problem what so ever getting her onto rides. All the queues have entrances for wheel chairs (Most are exits) but they are all flat exits or ramps. I have to agree that besides the queue the rides she did have problem with was getting out of the carts in the Haunted Mansion cause they are on a moving track as you get out, and Splash Mountain with the wet floors. Other then that really no problem. Rides like Space Mountain or California Screaming the Cast Members are really helpful getting you in and out of the cart.

I do have to say though that Indiana Jones was the worst Queue for wheel chairs. They do have an elevator which helps, but when you get off the ride, you wheel chair is not on the exit side of the ride. You have to get off on the entrance side and go back up the elevator and around the way you came in. Once we didnt have to do that and I am not sure why, but it was a slight headache getting off of that ride.

 

[nana50]

I can't think of any stairs for Jungle cruise. I know that there are people on this site who rent those ECV chairs so they should be able to give you some advice.

 

[glendalais]

I was going to suggest getting a GAC too which should enable your DH to use the elevators instead of the stairs.

Indeed, this seems to me like the best bet.

However, if you visit City Hall on Main Street USA at Disneyland Park or the Guest Relations Lobby in Sunshine Plaza at Disney's California Adventure Park and explain your specific situation to a Guest Relations Host or Hostess, they'll be able to specify exactly which types of assistance you'll require during your visit.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I can't think of any stairs for Jungle cruise. I know that there are people on this site who rent those ECV chairs so they should be able to give you some advice.

Usually the jungle cruise line is short but when it's a very busy day and there's a long line, they open up the stairs and the queue goes around the upstairs area. This doesn't happen often but it did a few weeks ago when we were there for spring break.

 

[Mom2Joce]

On our trip last year my husband had a back problem and I ordered an ECV from an outside company. They delivered it to our hotel BWPPI and it was there when we arrived. What I found interesting was that his was one of THREE that were there! The hotel was so accommodating to all the EVC users and were hooking them up for re-charge, helping us get in and out...just so nice!

As for having for the parks it was WAY helpful!! The walking isn't bad but day after day for so many hours walking on the concrete the EVC will help SO much!

I don't know you and your family but I can't tell you how much that gizmo helped us to have an enjoyable trip!!

 

[Gisele]

I hope that your husband feels so much better, and as soon as possible. Defnitely look into renting an ECV.
Jungle Cruise does have many a stair when the ride attraction is very busy.
Indy has many steps too, not as many though in comparison to JC. But thanks to it's elevator, that will assist your DH very much. I would be careful when entering your doombugy, because it is in constant motion. It might be possible to have the CM stop the ride, so that way you do not have to worry about entering it.

No matter what, you and your DH have a most magical day!

 

[mom2travel]

Toy Story has a full flight (up and down) upon ride exit. It seems like many of the rides have stairs, but they also have non-stair alternatives. You might consider getting a GAC so that he can use the alternative options.

TSM has an alternative vehicle for people who can't do stairs. On one of our rides on this the woman in line in front of us couldn't do stairs so she and her husband, and the 4 of us, were put on a separate 2 car vehicle platform off to the left of the normal queue. It fed into the regular line, just gave us the ability to walk right off into the store intead of up and then down the stairs.

 

[Huff]

Visit guest services on Main Street in Disneyland or inside the enterance at California Adventure. Ask for a guest assistance pass and explain stairs are a problem.

With the pass you can bypass stairs on the following rides.

Big Thunder, enter through one of the two exit lines.

Indian Jones, enter through the exit. 1/2 way to the ride there is a CM who will guide you the rest of the way. At the ride ask to use the elevator to bypass the stairs.

Splash, enter through the exit. Sometimes there is a CM just outside that will take you in. Other times go ahead in and show your pass to the CM at the ride.

Space, Enter through the exit. Across the walkway from the photo station there is an assistance que. At slow times this que is closed. If so continue down the exit to the left down the walkway to the ride. They have a special car that you'll board. When you exit you'll come out the way you came in bypassing the stairs normally used by others.

Jungle Cruise, Enter through the exit to the left of que and wait for CM. This will completely bypass all stairs in que.

Pirates, Enter through the exit which is located by Blue Bayou restaurant in New Orleans Square. There isn't stairs on this ride but they will still allow you to use this way onto the ride and avoid walking up the ramp.

Grizzly Rapids. Enter the normal que but tell the CM. They have a seperate boarding and exit area that bypasses the stairs that most use when exiting the ride.

Tower of Terror, Enter normal que. There are two hotel libaries. Tell the CM you need to use the one on the right as it has no stairs. The left one has considerable stairs.

California Scream'n. Enter normal que. Just before the stairs ask the CM to use the elevator.

 

[bumbershoot]

TSMM also has stairs, to add to Huff's list, and they will have to know to put you guys on in a certain area, so that your vehicle returns to a certain area that bypasses the stairs.

With Screamin', I've seen that the HA line is the same as the single rider line. If they direct you there (you would go to the regular line start, show the pass to the CM, and if they send you there, you go out of the area, up the hill just a bit, and it's a gate along the pathway), you'll get on the ride from the other side of the normal line


If he ends up getting an ECV or wheelchair (if I were injured or needed "wheels" for whatever reason, I would prefer an ECV so no one has to hurt themselves pushing me around), when he gets to the line he would be directed to the accessible entrance for all of these rides anyway... (though the DCA rides with mainstream lines, and Buzz Lightyear in DL just to think of one, you go through the regular line and then are shunted to a different area at the end).

 

[Willow1213]

Thanks for the great info everyone. I remember seeing the names and info for some ECV rental companies but if course now I can't find them. Can someone remind me of the companies names and contact info? Thanks!

 

[bluecruiser]

Thanks for the great info everyone. I remember seeing the names and info for some ECV rental companies but if course now I can't find them. Can someone remind me of the companies names and contact info? Thanks!

Here's a link to a thread about offsite ECV rental:
ECV Rental (offsite)

I used Deckert Surgical in Santa Ana once before. They delivered to the hotel and then picked up from the hotel at the end of my stay. I was very pleased with their service and prices, and would definitely use them again.