Seaworld with child in Wheelchair
- Thread starter tigger2on
- Start date
thedisneymom
I call 'em as I see 'em! Still wishes on stars! Li
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2003
- Messages
- 863
We had a child in a wheelchair at Seaworld, Disney, and Universal. No problems anywhere. it was delightful. Stop at each park at guest services and bring your chid they will be very helpful. Some places(disney) have special booklets telling you where the ride entrances are. bring a doctor's note if there are severe problems or limitations if you want. It can give them a better idea of your needs. enjoy!
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 36,337
Welcome to disABILITIES.
It would be helful to know a little more about the type of disability your DD has. The advice might be a little different depending on what the needs are.
My own DD with a disability is 18 yrs old, has spastic quad CP and other disabilties including ADD, non-verbal, compulsive and behavior where she gets "stuck" on certain subjects. She also has a lot of "personal space" issues.
The last time we went to SeaWorld was quite a while ago. I do remember it being quite accessible. The things I especially remember and would give for hints are:
1) Check the times for shows. It seemed like the next show we wanted to see was always at the other end from where we were. By looking at the schedule, you would be able to plan your day out better.
2) We were there in late April and with all the water at Sea World, it can get quite humid, so prepare for that.
3) Most of the shows have wheelchair seats that are in the splash zone and some seats that are not. If you care whether you get wet or not, ask before the show starts which you are in.
4) SeaWorld does have discounts for people with disabilities. They have information about it on their website (they've changed their website, but it used to be under the ticket information at www.seaworld.com). You have to ask about it when you get there (not prepurchased tickets).
They do have a link to a PDF file about accessiblity that you can download to your computer and print out.
For WDW, most of the lines are Mainstream Access, which means that the lines are accessible and everyone (wheelchair and ecv users) wait in the same lines. For some rides/attractions, there is a wheelchair boarding are at the exit. This is mostly for rides which include moving walkways or where the entrance and exit are in differnt places. having wheelchair users board at the exit gives more time and space for boarding, allows the CM to slow or stop the moving walkway if needed and allows the wheelchair to be waiting at the exit when you get off.
Here's a link to the DIS page about touring WDW with mobility disabilities. It does include a list of rides/attractions where you cans tay in the wheelchair for the entire wait and ride and also lists Mainstream rides.
Here's a link to the official Disney page that has links to download copies of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park (the booklets that thedisneymom mentioned). They are sort of lacking in detail - most of them begin with "Proceed through the Mainstream queue...". They do, though give a little information about the type of ride/show it is (like "slow moving boat ride" vs "turbulent thrill ride"). They also tell how long each attraction is, which can be very helpful to some people.
If your DD has only mobility disabilities that would be taken care of by having a wheelchair, then you don't anything else. If she has other issues/difficulties with waiting in the rgeular lines, you can go to guest Services with her and request a Guest Assistance Card. It is not meant to (and usually won't) shorten your wait in line, but will make the CMs aware of other accomidations you need. You don't need a doctor's letter for this (although some people do bring them for their own peace of mind). Legally, according to the ADA, they can't require a letter or any other proof of disability in order to give accomidation that you need (and they will usually say that they do not want/are not allowed to look at it).
It would be helful to know a little more about the type of disability your DD has. The advice might be a little different depending on what the needs are.
My own DD with a disability is 18 yrs old, has spastic quad CP and other disabilties including ADD, non-verbal, compulsive and behavior where she gets "stuck" on certain subjects. She also has a lot of "personal space" issues.
The last time we went to SeaWorld was quite a while ago. I do remember it being quite accessible. The things I especially remember and would give for hints are:
1) Check the times for shows. It seemed like the next show we wanted to see was always at the other end from where we were. By looking at the schedule, you would be able to plan your day out better.
2) We were there in late April and with all the water at Sea World, it can get quite humid, so prepare for that.
3) Most of the shows have wheelchair seats that are in the splash zone and some seats that are not. If you care whether you get wet or not, ask before the show starts which you are in.
4) SeaWorld does have discounts for people with disabilities. They have information about it on their website (they've changed their website, but it used to be under the ticket information at www.seaworld.com). You have to ask about it when you get there (not prepurchased tickets).
They do have a link to a PDF file about accessiblity that you can download to your computer and print out.
For WDW, most of the lines are Mainstream Access, which means that the lines are accessible and everyone (wheelchair and ecv users) wait in the same lines. For some rides/attractions, there is a wheelchair boarding are at the exit. This is mostly for rides which include moving walkways or where the entrance and exit are in differnt places. having wheelchair users board at the exit gives more time and space for boarding, allows the CM to slow or stop the moving walkway if needed and allows the wheelchair to be waiting at the exit when you get off.
Here's a link to the DIS page about touring WDW with mobility disabilities. It does include a list of rides/attractions where you cans tay in the wheelchair for the entire wait and ride and also lists Mainstream rides.
Here's a link to the official Disney page that has links to download copies of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park (the booklets that thedisneymom mentioned). They are sort of lacking in detail - most of them begin with "Proceed through the Mainstream queue...". They do, though give a little information about the type of ride/show it is (like "slow moving boat ride" vs "turbulent thrill ride"). They also tell how long each attraction is, which can be very helpful to some people.
If your DD has only mobility disabilities that would be taken care of by having a wheelchair, then you don't anything else. If she has other issues/difficulties with waiting in the rgeular lines, you can go to guest Services with her and request a Guest Assistance Card. It is not meant to (and usually won't) shorten your wait in line, but will make the CMs aware of other accomidations you need. You don't need a doctor's letter for this (although some people do bring them for their own peace of mind). Legally, according to the ADA, they can't require a letter or any other proof of disability in order to give accomidation that you need (and they will usually say that they do not want/are not allowed to look at it).
just in case you are interested, I did the Behind the Scenes tours at Sea World Orlando a few years ago in an ECV. I was very impressed with the guides who went out of their way to be sure I could see, and could keep up with them at times they were going places that required maneuvering. Of all the parks in Orlando, Sea World is the most accessible (JMHO, but I've been to them all!)
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