Stroller as wheelchair, and parade viewing areas?

[sherry7]

My DD, age 3.5, has mild hypotonia (low muscle tone) in her ankles. She wears Sure Step SMO braces to help the problem, but she still gets tired much faster than a typical child her age. I had posted a question on this board a couple of weeks ago, and decided to get a "stroller as wheelchair" tag for her for long ride lines.

Just wondering though, how does that work for parade viewing? Can she use a handicapped viewing area with the "stroller as wheelchair" tag, or should we just line up super early so she can get a spot near the curb where she can see from her stroller? We're headed to WDW tomorrow morning, so I'm hoping I get an answer to this question.

 

[akcire]

My DD, age 3.5, has mild hypotonia (low muscle tone) in her ankles. She wears Sure Step SMO braces to help the problem, but she still gets tired much faster than a typical child her age. I had posted a question on this board a couple of weeks ago, and decided to get a "stroller as wheelchair" tag for her for long ride lines.

Just wondering though, how does that work for parade viewing? Can she use a handicapped viewing area with the "stroller as wheelchair" tag, or should we just line up super early so she can get a spot near the curb where she can see from her stroller? We're headed to WDW tomorrow morning, so I'm hoping I get an answer to this question.

Yes she can use the wheelchair area.

That said, many of the wheelchair parade viewing areas are in super sunny places. Also so many people at Disney are using mobility devices these days that the wheelchair viewing areas often fill up. Obviously if she is in a stroller she won't be able to see anything if she is parked behind an adult in a wheel chair and an adult on a scooter.

That said. I used FP+ for the parade at MK and it was the only FP+ I really enjoyed. It was a reserved area similar to wheelchair but with more space and I got there right before the parade. Also the whole section was reserved throughout the parade, meaning we had lots of space to ourselves.

If the FP+ parade is not available. I suggest staking out a shady spot along the curb. That way you can be assured a viewing place for your daughter to actually be able to see the parade.

The last time I went to wheelchair parking with my daughter I ended up with her on my shoulders throughout the parade, which is obviously suboptimal for many reasons.

 

[lanejudy]

We have used the reserved H/C viewing areas for parades when using a stroller-as-wheelchair. If it's crowded, you may be restricted in how many people can enter the reserved space -- possibly just 1 plus the stroller-as-wheelchair because they want you to be directly in front or behind the mobility device. They also line up the ECVs, etc., quite close together, making it very tight. And as PP mentioned, it might be a hot sunny area, or simply not the most desirable viewing spot.

Personally, we prefer to scope out our own location along the curb and plan to arrive early enough to save it, eat a snack, take a break.

Enjoy your vacation!