Random Questions a week before we leave!

[wendow]

So, speaking of the wheelchair, my dd can stand in wait in lines that are 10-15 lines long but anything longer (guessing most of ours will be...), she needs to stay in her chair in the queue. No other issues with waiting so she does not need a DAS. How does this work with FP? Do we pull a FP and then show up at the exit of non-accessible rides. Will we allowed to ride right away or do we wait the length of the FP line? We won't be issued a return time like with the DAS, right?

At WDW, all the queues, other than like 3, are accessible. The few that are not wide enough, she has just been sent to the exit, where we wait 1-2 ride cycles, and then the CM takes us. If we come in with a FP, they tend to take us right away BUT we travel in Sept usually and if you have a FP, there is pretty much no wait.

 

[wendow]

Since Peter Pan does not have FP, what is the best strategy? My dh is doing our touring plans and they have us going later in the day than at RD. We always hit PP at RD at WDW. Does it seem right to wait later?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Since Peter Pan does not have FP, what is the best strategy? My dh is doing our touring plans and they have us going later in the day than at RD. We always hit PP at RD at WDW. Does it seem right to wait later?

With PP, if you are one of the first groups in line in the morning or if you somehow hit a time when the wait is less than 30 minutes (like being one of the first groups in line after fireworks or after the ride has come back up from being down, for example), then go for it! Otherwise, waiting until later is a good idea. Either wait until you have time to invest because you were going to be doing something else anyway (like eating lunch in line) or, one of our favorite ways to do PP, make it your last ride of the night. Be in line about 10 minutes before park closing, enjoy a drink or snack while in line, look at the pretty lights in FL and listen to the carousel, then exit the ride to a closed park. Main Street will still be open for an hour after closing. Bid the park "Good Night" (wave "Good Night" to Walt's lamp!) -- magical! With a wheelchair, you'll check in at the exit and get a return time, I think. Other DISers will have more accurate info on this.

Parking in DTD is expensive -- $20 at non-TS for a 3 hour validation or a validation from the AMC or a TS location for 5 hours (I think), so I would rather walk from the HOJO. (And the AMC may be closed by the time of your trip dates.) But with a family, you probably could easily cover the validation -- so it might be worth the convenience.

Regarding the advice to skip eating at PPH for CS, there is a fun Poke bar now, if you like that!

 

[Malcon10t]

Since Peter Pan does not have FP, what is the best strategy? My dh is doing our touring plans and they have us going later in the day than at RD. We always hit PP at RD at WDW. Does it seem right to wait later?

At rides that do not have FP , ask at a CM you will find near the entrance of the ride. They will advise where the HA line would be. For Peter Pan, you will find there is a CM at the exit. They will give you a return time (you will need everyone who wants to ride's tickets) then you return at that time and they will get you on. The return time is generally the length of the standby line -5 or 10 mins. That extra time is so they have time to work you in.

If the line is HA, you will join the regular line (example Matterhorn and Buzz and all of DCA). If you have a FP, when you go to the FP line they will direct you. Space Mountain you will go to the exit, and they will put you with the next group to go to the rockets.

 

[wendow]

Parking in DTD is expensive -- $20 at non-TS for a 3 hour validation or a validation from the AMC or a TS location for 5 hours (I think), so I would rather walk from the HOJO. (And the AMC may be closed by the time of your trip dates.) But with a family, you probably could easily cover the validation -- so it might be worth the convenience.

Thank you for the response. What do you mean by a validation? Seeing a movie or eating at a TS restaurant allows you to get your parking validated and it's free?

 

[dina444444]

Thank you for the response. What do you mean by a validation? Seeing a movie or eating at a TS restaurant allows you to get your parking validated and it's free?

A $20 store purchase of food purchase from a quick service restaurant will give you a 3 hour parking validation and table service or seeing a movie(the amc closes at the end of business on 6/17) will give you a 5 hour validation. These validations are given only in DTD and for the DTD parking lot only. If your staying at the Hojo I would walk and not drive.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since Peter Pan does not have FP, what is the best strategy? My dh is doing our touring plans and they have us going later in the day than at RD. We always hit PP at RD at WDW. Does it seem right to wait later?

Because of the wheelchair I would hit it at rope drop. That particular wc return line can get long later in the day. You will pass the normal cue & see a CM standing near an umbrella. Have your tickets out being held by one person and ask for a wheelchair return time. It’s also a great time to be holding a Matterhorn FP since Matterhorn is directly in that area. The dark rides and Mr Toad, Alice & Canal Boats will also have wc return times. Dumbo re-designed the cue since I was there last so idk that one. Canal Boats are a must do for you WDW vets. Because they are out in the sun I recommend doing them on the earlier side of your day.

Honestly most of DL will require wc return times now that I think of it, I don’t think that will affect you too much but I’m gonna start a thread here in a min to see if we can figure out which rides in DL don’t require them. You can only hold one wc return time at any time.

You can definitely use a FP instead of a return time & they’ll direct you to the proper wc entrance. Rarely (never now?) do FPs get you direct access to a ride. FP lines can be 5 mins early in the day to 20 mins later in the day (I’m looking at you Indy!). You can hold a FP and a wc return time at the same time.

The train in DL is mostly wc accessible! All stations EXCEPT Main St. can board & unload wheelchairs/ECVs. The monorail is also accessible but FYI it’s a very different setup from WDW, we have the next generation and everyone must sit due to steep turns. They remove part of a bench for ECVs and secure them with bumpers (I assume they do the same for wheelchairs) but can only do 1 at a time so sometimes you have to wait an extra monorail if there is an ECV ahead of you.

 

[wendow]

The train in DL is mostly wc accessible! All stations EXCEPT Main St. can board & unload wheelchairs/ECVs. The monorail is also accessible but FYI it’s a very different setup from WDW, we have the next generation and everyone must sit due to steep turns. They remove part of a bench for ECVs and secure them with bumpers (I assume they do the same for wheelchairs) but can only do 1 at a time so sometimes you have to wait an extra monorail if there is an ECV ahead of you.

My dd can walk (just not the parks day after day...) so she normally gets out of the chair for monorail, train, buses, etc at WDW and we just fold it up. And then we just go through the regular lines to get on. Hopefully, that is allowed at DLR.

Thanks for your help! It's so hard to know sometimes how it all works until you get there and start figuring it out. And what the rules are and what CM's do is sometimes completely different...which is why I'm asking how it's SUPPOSED to go lol...

 

[gottalovepluto]

My dd can walk (just not the parks day after day...) so she normally gets out of the chair for monorail, train, buses, etc at WDW and we just fold it up. And then we just go through the regular lines to get on. Hopefully, that is allowed at DLR.

Thanks for your help! It's so hard to know sometimes how it all works until you get there and start figuring it out. And what the rules are and what CM's do is sometimes completely different...which is why I'm asking how it's SUPPOSED to go lol...

Lol, “supposed to go” #TRUTH

Yes you can just fold it up on our trains and monorail, it’s actually encouraged to do that if you can because it’s easier for everyone. Main St station is only accessible by stairs so if you can carry it up/down a flight of stairs you can use Main St Station as well.

 

[nursejackie]

I don't want to start a new thread for all my questions so I hope it's ok to just post stuff here as I think of it. I know there are several of us leaving soon so all are welcome to post here and add questions of your own. Most likely, I'm wondering too

Thank you to all the regular contributors! Y'all have been so helpful

Wondering about walking to DTD from the HOJO? Is that a doable walk (considering we will be pushing a wheelchair)? We will have our car. Should we drive instead, and how much is parking at DTD?

One of the things we love to do at WDW is check out each Disney resort and have a meal (usually CS). Are we allowed to do that at DLR? Read some chatter about GC not allowing non-guest in, so I wasn't sure what that was referring to. Are the resorts worth taking the time to go see? Are they heavily themed like at WDW?

When everyone says to be at the park 30 mins before opening, can you get through security at that point, and then just held at turnstiles?

Do either park do any kind of 'Welcome Show' at opening?

We have just returned this morning from our 7 night stay. We dined at the three Disney hotels and DTD, although we stayed off site this time. You have to spend a certain amount in each place to get free parking, you just get your parking ticket validated at the checkout, just in case you are driving. We ate at the pool CS at Disneyland hotel twice, as the chicken teriyaki was delicious and the location were so relaxing on a warm evening, then it was dessert at the Coffee House (closes at 6pm). At the Grand Californian we had a character breakfast so no problems with parking there as we had an ADR. We only had an issue at Paradise Pier. We ate at the Sand Bar on the pool terrace, and when we tried to validate our ticket they said they didn't do it and it was only with table service. We managed to sort it out, but beware if you dine here. At DTD we ate at Brea Bakery (TS) and again they have minimum spends on dining and retail to get free parking.

 

[Malcon10t]

My dd can walk (just not the parks day after day...) so she normally gets out of the chair for monorail, train, buses, etc at WDW and we just fold it up. And then we just go through the regular lines to get on. Hopefully, that is allowed at DLR.

Thanks for your help! It's so hard to know sometimes how it all works until you get there and start figuring it out. And what the rules are and what CM's do is sometimes completely different...which is why I'm asking how it's SUPPOSED to go lol...

Just for a heads up, Disneyland and DCA are much more disabled friendly than WDW. I was surprised (and disappointed) at this when I visited WDW.

At the NOS and Tomorrowland stations, there are stairs, however there is a ramp and your daughter can remain in her chair and use the ramp. You can then fold the chair when you board.

If you have any questions on how to board a ride, feel free to ask a CM. While your daughter may be able to walk the queues, also consider some rides require her to board quickly (using the disabled boarding area for SPace and Cars provides time for her to load without worrying about speed.) And this is for all disabled, while they have separate boarding areas, remember if the ride is E-stopped, you will have to get yourself off. Some aren't as easy as others. BTMRR has a lot of stairs involved. *IF* you get stuck, you will need to walk the steps off. I don't ride this on a "bad" day.

Keep asking questions!

 

[wendow]

We ate at the pool CS at Disneyland hotel twice, as the chicken teriyaki was delicious and the location were so relaxing on a warm evening, then it was dessert at the Coffee House (closes at 6pm).

Eating at the Pool CS is one of our favorite ways to resort hop Can you grab food and sit in a lounge chair, or is the pool fenced off, and has a separate eating area?

 

[Malcon10t]

Eating at the Pool CS is one of our favorite ways to resort hop Can you grab food and sit in a lounge chair, or is the pool fenced off, and has a separate eating area?

Pool is fenced off and you need a room key. Tangeroa Terrace has a patio overlooking the area. Trader Sam's is also right there and they also have a patio area with live entertainment.

 

[wendow]

Pool is fenced off and you need a room key. Tangeroa Terrace has a patio overlooking the area. Trader Sam's is also right there and they also have a patio area with live entertainment.

Sounds perfect! I think this will definitely go on our list We love poolside eating...as long as their are places to sit, that is great.

 

[wendow]

Are there any restaurants in the parks or resorts that do not accept Disney GC's? I know some of the carts may not but I'm referring to actual restaurants. Also, what about DTD? The Lego store, for instance?

 

[wendow]

Oh also, will be need our cooling towels? It doesn't seem like June is *that* hot. My dh got those and ponchos out but I'm not sure we really need either.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Oh also, will be need our cooling towels? It doesn't seem like June is *that* hot. My dh got those and ponchos out but I'm not sure we really need either.

Nope! You will however need a light jacket as we get June Gloom in the morning and evening. It can get downright chilly! Lows in the low 60's.

 

[dina444444]

Nope! You will however need a light jacket as we get June Gloom in the morning and evening. It can get downright chilly! Lows in the low 60's.

I second bringing a light weight jacket. It was 85 and sunny yesterday afternoon, the second the sun went down it took the heat with it and I needed to put my jacket on.

 

[wendow]

Nope! You will however need a light jacket as we get June Gloom in the morning and evening. It can get downright chilly! Lows in the low 60's.

Thanks! What about ponchos? Do people wear them on Splash and the river rapids? I don't usually wear one on Splash at WDW but I read you get wetter on the Splash at DL.

 

[Malcon10t]

Are there any restaurants in the parks or resorts that do not accept Disney GC's? I know some of the carts may not but I'm referring to actual restaurants. Also, what about DTD? The Lego store, for instance?

The stores and restaurants in DTD that are not Disney stores do not accept Disney Gift Cards.