Some advice needed for disability

[Joanne_in_London]

Hello,
I have been going to Disney for over 30 years now, and my parents own a house in Orlando. However, until now we have all been fit and healthy enough to enjoy the parks without any problem. My mum has been very unwell with liver problems since last November and is undergoing tests constantly etc. The upshot is, she get very worn out walking or standing around for long periods, especially in heat, which we have already said we will hire electric scooter for her for the parks, but is there any way we can get help in the parks for her to get on rides sooner etc?
Thanks very much in advance for your replies, I know you guys are always so helpful!
Jo x

 

[disneyholic family]

Hello,
I have been going to Disney for over 30 years now, and my parents own a house in Orlando. However, until now we have all been fit and healthy enough to enjoy the parks without any problem. My mum has been very unwell with liver problems since last November and is undergoing tests constantly etc. The upshot is, she get very worn out walking or standing around for long periods, especially in heat, which we have already said we will hire electric scooter for her for the parks, but is there any way we can get help in the parks for her to get on rides sooner etc?
Thanks very much in advance for your replies, I know you guys are always so helpful!
Jo x

check the dis disabilities board - they have lots of information..
and you can post this question there...

 

[chmurf]

but is there any way we can get help in the parks for her to get on rides sooner etc?

sooner, no. Actually using "help" might result in even longer wait times.

You can go to guest relations to get a GAC (guest assistance card) for your mother. You don't need any medical document or statement from your GP, CMs won't look at them. Your mum will need to explain what her disability is and what she can and can't do, and the CMs will decide what kind of GAC she qualifies for.

With an ECV it will be more obvious for the CMs at rides. Depending on rides and type of GAC, your mother and companion (up to a certain number of accompanying individuals) might be allowed to enter through the exit. But this will not get you front of the line access.
It might even be a longer wait, since you'll need to wait for the "accessible" car/doombuggy/boat or whatever, if she needs to board with her ECV. Or you'll need to wait for transfer. CMs will help her board the vehicles.
GAC or disability does not qualify as a "fastpass", and as stated you might even be waiting longer than riding standby. Still you most of the time will be able to wait in an air conditionned area, and avoid standing in the queue, but don't expect this to shorten your wait time (I can't stress that point too much, as it's often a misconception that disabled guest get faster on rides, this is not true)

I'm a handicapped person myself with hidden disability.
It's a good advice to read the faq over the disability board here.
Just a word of caution though, even if the people over there are nice and helpful, it's frowned upon to give the impression that one is looking for front of the line access because of a disabled member of the family (I'm not saying you are, I'm saying some have tried to, and the topic is quite sensitive)

 

[LauraDaveCharlie]

Hi, a few years ago my Dad damaged his knee just before we left for a trip. He soldiered on for a few days but, as WDW hols can be hard work on the legs, he really started to struggle. So for the last few days we rented him a wheelchair at each park. We didn't have a GAC - didn't even know about it at the time. We mainly just needed to push him around as he couldn't walk the distances between attractions but he did start to struggle to stand in lines as he had aggravated the knee by not giving in sooner. So we did use the wheelchair entrances to rides a few times. Occasionally, this was a plus in terms of wait but for most of the time it was a disadvantage as we often had to wait longer than the regular queue. We also felt that the back row we needed to use in theatres sometimes was a worse place to sit than elsewhere.

Bottom line is the cast members will be really accomodating but you have to be even more flexible about wait times etc than if you are all able bodied.

Hope you still have a great time!

 

[Joanne_in_London]

Thanks guys!
Ill check out the disability boards too x

 

[darthtatty]

some great advice there
The best way to jump the queues is to use fastpasses as much as possible.

Are you planning on hiring the scooters at the parks?
It would work out very pricey and the scooters are limited.
Plus the fact it is still a long walk to get from the car parks/transport to the entrance of the park.
Lots tend to hire scooters that are delivered, theres plenty of advice on the disAbility section of the board.
good luck

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

We also felt that the back row we needed to use in theatres sometimes was a worse place to sit than elsewhere.

Remember that there is no requirement to sit at accessible locations if one can transfer. It is very much OK (and in many shows actually a big help for those that can not transfer when there are very few of these spots) to take your ECV into the theater, transfer or walk to any desired seating location, park the ECV out of the way at the appointed location per CM. Enjoy the show, and afterwards retrieve the ECV. This is actually a way that will greatly shorten waits and increase options for shows like FOTLK etc. where there are very few accessible seats and those who can not transfer often find they will be turned away long before the show starts and while other guests can still enter. When being able to transfer, that will make the difference in seeing this show or having to come back another time at those moments.

Also the level of need will impact wait times. For instance those of us who can not transfer and need an accessible ride vehicle will wait a lot longer than those that can transfer but in the same accessible line at rides like TSM, IASM, KS, Buzz, Jungle ride etc.etc. Many times I will find myself waiting for an accessible vehicle to come round where others can just walk right on.

Shorten wait times? That is up to yourself entirely. Using a good touring plan, fastpasses where possible etc. At WDW no illness or disability gets preferential treatment and rightfully so, IMHO. Only exceptions are kids on their MAW-trip and even that is not a given.

You'll want to invest some time in reading the stickies at the disABILITIES board. Really any and all basics of doing WDW with any type of mobility aid is being explained in there with as many details as pics of lines, lists of what rides require transfer from ECV to manual wheelchair (will be provided at the ride) to be able to enter the line etc. etc.

Also invest some time to read up about general stamina stuff. For instance some folks forget doing their homework in this and thus have no clue that if needed you can go to the first aid stations to have a rest. For many that will be enough for a second breath and takes out the need to go back to the hotel. Smart planning upfront and this so does not have to feel like "missing out". Combining a rest moment while the rest of the family enjoys a ride your mom would hate anyway or isn't safe/smart for her right now is making for a perfect usage of time for all involved.