Stroller as a wheelchair question

[courtney1188]

We took our kids to Disney for the first time last year, and unfortunately found out in the moment that our five year old, who is on the autism spectrum, is prone to getting overwhelmed and scared by all of the sensory stuff going on in the nighttime shows. The workaround we figured out was that as long as he was in a stroller, he did okay - we would pull down the canopy and put the clear rain cover over it and he could see the show but felt safe and protected, and as long as we followed that system he was actually able to enjoy the fireworks! It also took care of other sensory issues too that had more to do with the crowd, benches, the water that tends to spray into the audience a bit at some shows, etc.

This got complicated when we got to Fantasmic, where they tell you to leave strollers behind. We talked to a CM and they were able to guide us to a wheelchair spot - it was a super low crowds night due to bad storms, so fortunately there were a ton of those spots open. The CM told us that if we stop by guest services they will give us a tag so that the stroller is allowed to be used as a wheelchair (that way we wouldn't have a million CMs try to stop us along the way, with us keeping having to re-explain that we were told it was okay to have the stroller and to sit there and why, etc.) It was our last night so that wasn't necessary, but he told us to keep it in mind for next time.

We're going again this summer and I've been thinking this over and wondering - how busy do the wheelchair seating areas usually get? It would be awesome for him to have his ideal setup here, but I would feel awful if we were taking that spot away from someone who had a greater need for it. We wouldn't be doing this everywhere, of course - I'm just specifically wondering about shows, especially the nighttime ones.

 

[AnneK]

Wheelchair spots are limited and will fill up quickly in the busy summer months. If your kiddo won't get to enjoy the show unless he is in a wheelchair spot, I would not feel guilty asking for one. Just plan to get there early so you arrive before they fill up.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We took our kids to Disney for the first time last year, and unfortunately found out in the moment that our five year old, who is on the autism spectrum, is prone to getting overwhelmed and scared by all of the sensory stuff going on in the nighttime shows. The workaround we figured out was that as long as he was in a stroller, he did okay - we would pull down the canopy and put the clear rain cover over it and he could see the show but felt safe and protected, and as long as we followed that system he was actually able to enjoy the fireworks! It also took care of other sensory issues too that had more to do with the crowd, benches, the water that tends to spray into the audience a bit at some shows, etc.

This got complicated when we got to Fantasmic, where they tell you to leave strollers behind. We talked to a CM and they were able to guide us to a wheelchair spot - it was a super low crowds night due to bad storms, so fortunately there were a ton of those spots open. The CM told us that if we stop by guest services they will give us a tag so that the stroller is allowed to be used as a wheelchair (that way we wouldn't have a million CMs try to stop us along the way, with us keeping having to re-explain that we were told it was okay to have the stroller and to sit there and why, etc.) It was our last night so that wasn't necessary, but he told us to keep it in mind for next time.

We're going again this summer and I've been thinking this over and wondering - how busy do the wheelchair seating areas usually get? It would be awesome for him to have his ideal setup here, but I would feel awful if we were taking that spot away from someone who had a greater need for it. We wouldn't be doing this everywhere, of course - I'm just specifically wondering about shows, especially the nighttime ones.

I would get the "Stroller as a Wheelchair" tag cause even if a CM lets you in a wheelchair spot and later a wheelchair comes and wants that spot you would have to move. plus on a crowded summer night you will most likely not be able to bring your stroller in. think about it this way you feel you need it for your son what about the parent with a sleeping child where do you draw the line

 

[courtney1188]

I would get the "Stroller as a Wheelchair" tag cause even if a CM lets you in a wheelchair spot and later a wheelchair comes and wants that spot you would have to move. plus on a crowded summer night you will most likely not be able to bring your stroller in. think about it this way you feel you need it for your son what about the parent with a sleeping child where do you draw the line

...Well, I would say you draw the line at a child who has a disability. Since that's literally what the pass (and this sub-forum) is for. Comparing a child whose brain doesn't process sensory inputs the same way as others with one who is just tired is pretty offensive, in my opinion. But yes, I realize that strollers are not allowed in Fantasmic without a tag - maybe I wasn't clear enough, but that's what quite a bit of my post was about.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Comparing a child whose brain doesn't process sensory inputs the same way as others with one who is just tired is pretty offensive

Sure - but we're not the people you have to convince Your son needs the stroller just as much as a person with mobility challenges needs a wheelchair. Don't ever feel guilty.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

...Well, I would say you draw the line at a child who has a disability. Since that's literally what the pass (and this sub-forum) is for. Comparing a child whose brain doesn't process sensory inputs the same way as others with one who is just tired is pretty offensive, in my opinion. But yes, I realize that strollers are not allowed in Fantasmic without a tag - maybe I wasn't clear enough, but that's what quite a bit of my post was about.

i have had the stroller tag and had parents complain when I was allowed a stroller where they could not bring theirs when they had a sleeping child and had to leave theirs outside so yes it happens. it may be offense to you but how would you like to be the CM who has to explain it and then the guest goes and complains at Guest Services and you get wrote up. yes I have had it happen to me. so next trip you don't have tag and then CM follows the rules and doesn't allow your stroller in are you going to be complaining. that is where I am coming from as I have been on both sides

 

[lanejudy]

Access with a stroller-as-wheelchair tag should never be denied just because someone else can’t bring their stroller in. I would stand my ground and expect a supervisor if that occurred. A CM should not get in trouble for allowing the tagged stroller and denying an untagged stroller.

We have heard comments from other guests. But as with many things, we learned to grow a thick skin and ignore those who want to complain.

OP - it sounds like on your prior visit you did not have a stroller tag but simply asked at each attraction. I am surprised it was allowed. That’s why it’s important to get the tag at Guest Relations. As for utilizing the HA seating - if that’s what your son needs, do not feel guilty using it.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Selket]

We did this for one of our children who had a muscle issue at birth that affected him a good bit during his infant and toddler years. I think from what you've said, it's a great way for him to experience the show or attraction or just the park in general. I would encourage you to arrive as early as you can and/or have a fast pass. There are also some spots for watching parades and fireworks (I used this area to watch both during the MNSSHP last year). Since it was a party and a special ticketed event, it didn't seem like those areas ever completely filled up but I'm betting that they do for something like Happily Ever After fireworks on a busy summer night.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Access with a stroller-as-wheelchair tag should never be denied just because someone else can’t bring their stroller in. I would stand my ground and expect a supervisor if that occurred. A CM should not get in trouble for allowing the tagged stroller and denying an untagged stroller.

We have heard comments from other guests. But as with many things, we learned to grow a thick skin and ignore those who want to complain.

OP - it sounds like on your prior visit you did not have a stroller tag but simply asked at each attraction. I am surprised it was allowed. That’s why it’s important to get the tag at Guest Relations. As for utilizing the HA seating - if that’s what your son needs, do not feel guilty using it.

Enjoy your vacation!

from what I understood her to say she had an untagged stroller that she was allowed in on a low night. I did get written up about an tagged stroller at my nonDisney park cause guest was unhappy that she could not bring her stroller in with a sleeping child when we allowed a tagged one in. she could not understand why tag was even allowed so she complained leaving out the part about it being a tagged stroller to guest services. so yes I got wrote up about it even though it was a tagged stroller. long story short

 

[courtney1188]

so next trip you don't have tag and then CM follows the rules and doesn't allow your stroller in are you going to be complaining. that is where I am coming from as I have been on both sides

Did you read my post? I never complained, not did I expect them to allow me - I didn't even realize strollers could be given the wheelchair tags for children with disabilities until the CM told me. And I was talking about getting the tag for the next trip. So I'm very confused by your response here. I feel like maybe your past experiences where you've been on both sides of this are causing you to make assumptions or remember things about your own experiences that don't actually match up with what I said or asked.

 

[courtney1188]

OP - it sounds like on your prior visit you did not have a stroller tag but simply asked at each attraction. I am surprised it was allowed. That’s why it’s important to get the tag at Guest Relations. As for utilizing the HA seating - if that’s what your son needs, do not feel guilty using it.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you! Yes, honestly, I was surprised too! One clarification though - we weren't asking at each attraction, we only did this for one night at Fantasmic. And it was an awful stormy night and Fantasmic was less than half full. It had been pouring rain for hours (this was last May when there was a week of awful rain every day that just dragged on for the majority of the day) and stopped right before the show, so there weren't many people. I was very grateful that the CM was able to make it happen for us - Fantasmic was at the top of my other son's wish list.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Did you read my post? I never complained, not did I expect them to allow me - I didn't even realize strollers could be given the wheelchair tags for children with disabilities until the CM told me. And I was talking about getting the tag for the next trip. So I'm very confused by your response here. I feel like maybe your past experiences where you've been on both sides of this are causing you to make assumptions or remember things about your own experiences that don't actually match up with what I said or asked.

the way I was reading your post I felt you might try to do again without the tag which I was trying to make you see that was not a good idea. but also others could read your post and try the same thing you were able to do so also trying to inform others. if you read all my posts even the mod was not believing that I could be written up over a stroller with a tag. if you end up using the tag do not be surprised if more than the first CM checks your tag as we do cover each other since that happened to me because by the time the complaint gets to us the person with the tag has gone and not able to help CM with the complain even if they would. back to your first post in a summer trip we got the last wheelchair spot so yes they do run out and 2 or 3 CMs did verify that we had a stroller tag that night

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Access with a stroller-as-wheelchair tag should never be denied just because someone else can’t bring their stroller in. I would stand my ground and expect a supervisor if that occurred. A CM should not get in trouble for allowing the tagged stroller and denying an untagged stroller.

We have heard comments from other guests. But as with many things, we learned to grow a thick skin and ignore those who want to complain.

OP - it sounds like on your prior visit you did not have a stroller tag but simply asked at each attraction. I am surprised it was allowed. That’s why it’s important to get the tag at Guest Relations. As for utilizing the HA seating - if that’s what your son needs, do not feel guilty using it.

Enjoy your vacation![/QUOTE since I was written up I have not stopped a tagged stroller but I do make sure another CM also sees the tag in case it happens again. as I say the parent that complained left out the part that stroller had a tag in the complaint so yes things do happen that should not. growing a thick skin does not change that this is in my file but I do cover myself now cause I did nothing wrong as a CM that time.