RA GAC and places to sit in line?

[alisonslp]

hi all! my family is going to wdw next week for the first time. I have JRA (now 38) and right now it is affecting my ankles the most. The rheumatologist has given me prednisone for the trip to hopefully keep the inflammation in check. I also take Enbrel and advil.

My main problem is standing in lines. I really don't have a problem with walking around the parks, as long as I walk slowly. But if I am standing still, I begin shifting weight and my ankles begin to kill me. If I get a GAC, is there an accommodation for this - Do the alternate lines have seats for waiting? I really don't need a WC or ECV for mobility and would rather not use one. I saw a post about a portable chair. That might be an option too but that might be hard for me to carry as my hands are ruined as well.

last sept, we went to universal and for the most part, I did well. We had the fast pass so we didn't wait on line much but for the shows, there were still 15-20 minutes of standing around. This presented lots of pain for me. I am trying to avoid that this time around.

One last question. We will have our own car and planned on driving to the parks. I have a handicap placard but I just realized how far the lots are from MK. Should we keep our car at the resort (saratoga) and just take the bus?

Thanks

Alison

 

[merryweather20]

There is never anywhere to sit in line. Maybe someone who has been to both can chime in, but I don't think Universal and Disney are really all that comparable, especiallly since you'll likely be doing it all over the next day at a different park.

The GAC's don't work at all to reduce wait time, instead they might allow you to avoid stairs at some attractions, or extra boarding time at others. Many of the lines are continuosly loading so there is little standing, but you can't tell from the end of the line how its moving since they snake around inside a building. Waiting in lines for attractions is a very snall amount of all the waiting in line you will do, there is also waiting in line for food, and to watch a parade. I'm not sure where you're staying, but the resorts themselves are huge! There is often a great deal of walking between a room and the front lobby.

Based on reports in the theme park boards, it will also be vary busy, so you won't be moving at your own pace, you will be moving at the pace dictated by the crowds.

I'm not sure that busses will be a good bet for you, since they involve waiting in line, and you might have to wait through more than one at busy times. Some people have reported that they prefer parking in other sections and taking the tram.

 

[going/again]

hi all! my family is going to wdw next week for the first time. I have JRA (now 38) and right now it is affecting my ankles the most. The rheumatologist has given me prednisone for the trip to hopefully keep the inflammation in check. I also take Enbrel and advil.

My main problem is standing in lines. I really don't have a problem with walking around the parks, as long as I walk slowly. But if I am standing still, I begin shifting weight and my ankles begin to kill me. If I get a GAC, is there an accommodation for this - Do the alternate lines have seats for waiting? I really don't need a WC or ECV for mobility and would rather not use one. I saw a post about a portable chair. That might be an option too but that might be hard for me to carry as my hands are ruined as well.

last sept, we went to universal and for the most part, I did well. We had the fast pass so we didn't wait on line much but for the shows, there were still 15-20 minutes of standing around. This presented lots of pain for me. I am trying to avoid that this time around.

One last question. We will have our own car and planned on driving to the parks. I have a handicap placard but I just realized how far the lots are from MK. Should we keep our car at the resort (saratoga) and just take the bus?

Thanks

Alison

Hi Alison request the springs or grandstand area, the spings is nearest to the food court, grandstand is the 1st pick up for the buses,

 

[pudge the fish]

Buses to MK is a yes- IMO takes you right to the MK and avoids the TTC
as far as other parks - you can drive. although you may have to stand to wait in line for a bus and may have to wait for a seat on a bus- trust me people DON'T give up seats too often.
I have not seen sitting areas for gac waits for rides but I could be wrong?
even for shows there are rooms you have to stand to wait in-

I would ask about sitting areas-but I think a WC is your best bet even if you don't want to it would give you a place to rest while waiting. sometimes just getting through one area to a next can be stop and go- fantasy land to Frontier land or crowds in AK-
I am not so sure if next week will be all that busy-crowds normally slow down after Easter- but you never know about crowds soemtimes we go adn it is packed and the guides rate it a easy day and other times it's a 10 and no one is around..

hope you have a GREAT time!

 

[alisonslp]

thanks!

I did request the grandstand or the springs because they are the closest to the main pool and the food court. One of them also has it's own pool (can't remember which at the moment). So it's good to know about the bus stops too.

I had a feeling there would be no seating. I just thought I'd ask. I'm going to search around for a compact folding chair. I know they have them with canes attached. I'm wondering if there are others as well. I really hate the idea of using a WC. Especially just for the lines.

I am hoping that the parks won't be super busy. Everything we have read says that the crowds slow down after the easter break and most school vacations have happened before this time. I think we will just try it for the first day and if it's too much for me then I'll opt for the WC.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I know it's a pain in the rear to consider a w/c, especially when you don't normally use one; please please seriously consider it, even a lightweight that you can rent. When the parks are crowded; you are often "stuck" for a while; also, while many attractions continuously load, the shows require to stand in one place throughout at least the length of the previous one (and I'm including things like Tiki room, CBJ, Monsters, Inc., Bug's Life, VOLM, there's actually lots of them. Plus, I've read the average amount walked at Disney per day is about 6 miles. That's a whole lot more than usual community distances. And you'll be getting up the next day and doing it again, and again. The stress on your body with this condition will be potentially pretty extensive; plus the heat issue. And don't forget the distance to the car, around the resort. I would just hate to see you in pain if it was avoidable.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Allison, do you know what a rollator is? It's a mobility aid, like a walker with wheels on them. Biggest bonus; NO strain on the armjoints. And; good ones come with the ability to sit on them (quite comfortably actually). It will also make the walking a bit easier, but that could be seen as an added bonus in your case. There are rollators out there that come with a little basket on them, which would be easy as to not having to lug your own stuff. Again; aleaving the joints. With a rollator you could keep walking like you want to, but can sit down when need to. Especially since you say walking that much during the day isn't a problem, I would go with a rollator. Either buying or renting, haven't got a clue of the price of one in the US (overhere you can buy a very decent one for about $100,- new)

 

[SueM in MN]

To add to and agree with the things the other posters have said......

If I get a GAC, is there an accommodation for this - Do the alternate lines have seats for waiting?

Most attractions don't have alternate lines because the main line is wheelchair accessible. There are bypasses for the parts of lines that have stairs or something else that a person with a mobility disability or wheelchair can't access. That doesn't mean less distance or less walking/standing.

last sept, we went to universal and for the most part, I did well. We had the fast pass so we didn't wait on line much but for the shows, there were still 15-20 minutes of standing around. This presented lots of pain for me. I am trying to avoid that this time around.

WDW has Fastpass for the more 'thrill oriented' attractions.
Using the Fastpass system that is set up for all WDW guests will help to avoid long waits in line. For most ride lines, you will not be standing still, the line will be constantly moving forward at a slow rate.
Some rides do have a preshow that everyone needs to see before boarding and then the load people in 'batches'.
Some examples of rides like that are Haunted Mansion, Soarin and Test Track.
There are no seats in those preshow rooms unless you bring a seat along with you.
For shows or anything with a preshow, you will be standing without the lines moving for at least the length of the preshow; maybe the length of the show.
Some preshow/waiting areas have a few benches in the area; but those are not in the alternate waiting area and they are first come, first served. So, if someone is sitting on them when you get there, they will not be moved to let you sit. Here is an example of a waiting area with seats at Epcot at the Circle of Life movie in the Land:

Many of the shows have no seats at all in the waiting area and you will be standing in the preshow area for at least the length of one show. In some cases, you will be able to keep moving around, as long as you stay in the rear of the waiting area, away from the doors where you enter the theaters, but the only way to make sure you have a seat is to bring one with you.
This shows the 2nd waiting area for the Monsters, Inc show. The alternate waiting area is on the right of the picture. There are no seats and by the time they are ready to let guests into the theater, the area on the left will be pretty well filled.

Some attractions may have a wheelchair that can be lent out for waiting, but there is no guarantee they will have one or that you won't have to wait for someone else to finish with it.

One last question. We will have our own car and planned on driving to the parks. I have a handicap placard but I just realized how far the lots are from MK. Should we keep our car at the resort (saratoga) and just take the bus?

Thanks

I agree with the others that your best bet would be to either take the bus or drive and park in the regular parking lot.
None of the handicapped parking lots have tram service. All of the regular parking areas do have trams. If you can step up onto the tram, that would be better, at least for MK. The trams at MK will deliver you to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), not the park entrance. From the TTC, you will either board a monorail or a boat to get to MK.
Going to the boat is a longer walk at the TTC, but once you get to MK, it is a shorter walk from the boat to the park entrance than walking from the monorail. Getting on the monorail at TTC and on/off at MK involves walking up a very long, steep ramp.

Everything we have read says that the crowds slow down after the easter break and most school vacations have happened before this time. I think we will just try it for the first day and if it's too much for me then I'll opt for the WC.

We have been to WDW other years in the time just before and just after Easter. It is busy before and gets noticably busier the closer you get to Easter. The crowds do drop off after Easter; how much depends on when Easter is. In years when it's early, there are still lots of people having Spring breaks. In late years, like this year, the majority of Spring breaks have probably already occurred, so the crowds should be down more.

Allison, do you know what a rollator is? It's a mobility aid, like a walker with wheels on them. Biggest bonus; NO strain on the armjoints. And; good ones come with the ability to sit on them (quite comfortably actually). It will also make the walking a bit easier, but that could be seen as an added bonus in your case. There are rollators out there that come with a little basket on them, which would be easy as to not having to lug your own stuff. Again; aleaving the joints. With a rollator you could keep walking like you want to, but can sit down when need to. Especially since you say walking that much during the day isn't a problem, I would go with a rollator. Either buying or renting, haven't got a clue of the price of one in the US (overhere you can buy a very decent one for about $100,- new)

If you do a search for Rollators, you will find them at prices from under $100 to really fancy ones that retail for up to $500!!

 

[deanie]

I also have RA and now I have bad Osteoarthritis in my knees as well. I am going in 2 weeks and will get a WC or ECV if/when I need one each day. I have never used one before.

I am a little concerned about the long bus lineups after the parks close. Does anyone know if there are cabs around that we could catch to go back to our resort (if I feel I cannot stand that long).

 

[SueM in MN]

I also have RA and now I have bad Osteoarthritis in my knees as well. I am going in 2 weeks and will get a WC or ECV if/when I need one each day. I have never used one before.

I am a little concerned about the long bus lineups after the parks close. Does anyone know if there are cabs around that we could catch to go back to our resort (if I feel I cannot stand that long).

Yes, there are cabs.
The cab area at Epcot is right outside of the bus area (I know that one from watching the cabs pull in and out while waiting for the buses).
I don't think the other cab areas are close to the bus stops.

 

[deanie]

Thanks. That was the park I was most worried about the lineups. If I have trouble standing any longer, I can always jump in a cab.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For AK the taxis are actually at the beginning of the disabled parking area. They are closer to any park.

At MK taxis are at the drop-off area at the TTC, so you have to take the monorail or ferry to TTC and they walk to that area. Or take the Resort Monorail to Contemporary and get a taxi there.

At DHS taxis are beyond disabled parking on the right in the charter bus parking area.

At Typhoon Lagoon taxis are usually parked in a special area in row 2 of the parking lot. If there are not any there Guest Services will call one for you.