Tell me about being disabled, but mobile at DL We Did It

[cruisehopeful]

My husband is mobile, but has a disability card because there are times when he cannot walk too far or for very long. He only goes to DL when he feels like he can handle it. So, he hasn't been in a couple years. We had one visit a few years ago where he hurt himself and ended up using a wheel chair. It was too hard to navigate around people and he said people were cutting him off the whole time. He ended up just avoiding the parks because it was too hard to get around.

After visiting the parks last night with my daughter, it finally occurred to me, that my husband could probably get front of the line or something if he shows his disability card. We actually never thought about it before because if he can't walk around much, he just doesn't go to places like DL. I'm wondering if anyone else who is mobile has used a disability card at the parks. I'm trying to envision if it would be worth it for him to try going for a couple days again with a cane or walking sticks. I am thinking that even if he can get ahead in lines for rides, he will still be stuck with lines for food and then not being able to find a place to sit. I suppose making dining reservations would be the cure for that.

 

[Zbugz]

Disability cards are not issued for mobility challenges. If one has a mobility issue at DL, they can get a return time from a CM, which is commonly the wait time minus 10 minutes. He won't be sent to the "head of the line". DL would recommend having him rent a wheelchair or ECV to assist in endurance.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You're in a rough spot. The best solution is an ECV but if he refuses because he finds the parks too hard to navigate you are back to where you started. As the previous poster stated Disney does not issue Access Cards for mobility issues. The old "front of the line" type system just completely broke down a couple years ago and was changed out for the new DAS system. Under DAS you get a return time based on the current wait time for that specific ride, for instance if RSR is 60 mins they'll give you a time 50-55 mins from then (they shave a little time off for transit to/from the stands to get the return time). I don't know what a disability card is (maybe the parking placard?) but I do know that Disney won't look at doctor's notes or anything of the like for issuing a DAS. We had a party member with mobility issues who refused a wheelchair or ECV then last summer he was in very bad shape halfway through (had used a cane) and either got an ECV or couldn't do the parks. His love of Disneyland won out. He LOVED the ECV. He went on to day rent them at other theme parks (like at Knotts) he loved it so much. Yes, they are tricky to navigate in crowds but physically the trip was so much easier on him when he took that plunge. And it also became easier on the rest of us because previously every time we encountered a line of any type we worried he was going to start having problems. The ECV was excellent all the way around. (A wheelchair would have been an absolute pain.) If he steadfastly refuses an ECV you are in a very tricky spot as a DAS isn't issued for mobility problems. Here's the link to DAS information below. And as you said a DAS wouldn't solve your other problems. (Even with TS reservations we often had to wait around outside 5-15 mins before being seated.) I have been there with a family member with this issue, it's very tricky territory to navigate. I sincerely hope you are able to figure out the best solution for both of you.

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me.../dlr-disability-access-service_2014-12-09.pdf

 

[cruisehopeful]

Thanks. That is very helpful. It looks like the DAS is like a fast pass?

I'm guessing ECV rentals sell out fast. If he decided to just go around using a cane and later decided he wanted an ECV, would there even be any available? We could probably rent one when we get there and then let him walk as long as he can if it is safe to keep those parked somewhere. FWIW, the disability card I mentioned in the OP is the card issued with the parking permit. He carries it in his wallet. I don't know that he ever needs to use it for anything. It may just be to prove that he is the owner of the parking permit since those can be carried from car to car.

I was looking at the VIP tours, too. That would make for a very expensive day, but if it boiled down between doing that or never going to the parks again, I'm sure we'd end up doing it once in a while. That would probably be doable with just a cane or walking sticks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disability cards are not issued for mobility challenges. If one has a mobility issue at DL, they can get a return time from a CM, which is commonly the wait time minus 10 minutes. He won't be sent to the "head of the line". DL would recommend having him rent a wheelchair or ECV to assist in endurance.

In our experience, as this relates to mobility issues (and not the DAS card), the return time option was only available at certain rides (in our experience, we used it at Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates...there were something like 10 rides we could do that with). There were a few Fantasyland rides where they directed you to the exit instead (no return time) - this happened at Toad, Snow White and Pinocchio.

In DCA the return time option was not available at all (for mobility issues), as all of the lines are wheelchair accessible.

*I am only referring to our personal experience with accessing the rides with a mobility issue (Stroller as a Wheelchair card). I am *not* referring at all to the DAS. We did not have a DAS card.*

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thanks. That is very helpful. It looks like the DAS is like a fast pass?

I'm guessing ECV rentals sell out fast. If he decided to just go around using a cane and later decided he wanted an ECV, would there even be any available? We could probably rent one when we get there and then let him walk as long as he can if it is safe to keep those parked somewhere. FWIW, the disability card I mentioned in the OP is the card issued with the parking permit. He carries it in his wallet. I don't know that he ever needs to use it for anything. It may just be to prove that he is the owner of the parking permit since those can be carried from car to car.

I was looking at the VIP tours, too. That would make for a very expensive day, but if it boiled down between doing that or never going to the parks again, I'm sure we'd end up doing it once in a while. That would probably be doable with just a cane or walking sticks.

The DAS cards are not given for mobility issues, just so that's clear.

 

[Zbugz]

In our experience, as this relates to mobility issues (and not the DAS card), the return time option was only available at certain rides (in our experience, we used it at Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates...there were something like 10 rides we could do that with). There were a few Fantasyland rides where they directed you to the exit instead (no return time) - this happened at Toad, Snow White and Pinocchio.

Good point. My dd is paralyzed, so almost everything in DL is inaccessible for us. We also get return times at Space, Alice and BTMRR. The rest of the dark rides in Fantasyland just have us queue up at the exit. Only one disabled guest (DAS or mobility) party can be on the ride at any given moment, so the actual wait time frequently exceeds the regular line, even with the 10 minute allowance.

 

[Zbugz]

Thanks. That is very helpful. It looks like the DAS is like a fast pass?

Yes, but your husband would not qualify for a DAS since he has a mobility issue. DL will insist that his mobility be solved with an assistive device, such as a wheelchair or ECV, whether it is BYO or a rental from them or another company.

 

[cruisehopeful]

My husband is going with me to DL in a couple days. He's said he won't use an ECV and that his walking sticks will be fine. He could barely get around the house last night, so I'm actually encouraging him to not go to DL at this point. He insists he can go and sit most of the time. It should be a slower day, so maybe that will work for him.

My question is, if my daughter and I decide to ride Peter Pan, would we be able to wait through the line and add him in when it is our turn? I supposed I can get that answered there, but am sitting here wondering now. He did say he doesn't care if he can't go on any rides, but I am trying to figure out some things he can do.

 

[agamble]

There wouldn't be any way for him to join you later without pushing through the crowds in the line. What about a walker? My friend uses a folding walker. We took our kids to Discovery Kingdom and it's what she used. It had a fold out seat that allowed her to sit whenever she wanted.

 

[cruisehopeful]

There wouldn't be any way for him to join you later without pushing through the crowds in the line. What about a walker? My friend uses a folding walker. We took our kids to Discovery Kingdom and it's what she used. It had a fold out seat that allowed her to sit whenever she wanted.

I'll look into that. It sounds like a good idea.

 

[SMD]

My husband is going with me to DL in a couple days. He's said he won't use an ECV and that his walking sticks will be fine. He could barely get around the house last night, so I'm actually encouraging him to not go to DL at this point. He insists he can go and sit most of the time. It should be a slower day, so maybe that will work for him.

My question is, if my daughter and I decide to ride Peter Pan, would we be able to wait through the line and add him in when it is our turn? I supposed I can get that answered there, but am sitting here wondering now. He did say he doesn't care if he can't go on any rides, but I am trying to figure out some things he can do.

Go to the accessible entrance with his mobility device (are his walking sticks a medical device like a cane?) and see if they'll accommodate him. If the reason he needs the accessible entrance is stamina or mobility related, I would expect to be turned away most of the time. However, with a device like a walker or rollator, it can't be left in the regular loading area so you'd need to load the ride at the exit so it will be there when you unload. But in most cases something like a cane can go in the ride vehicle.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I think if you go to the exit they will give him a return time due to mobility issues with the canes.

 

[cruisehopeful]

We decided to try a one day visit and it worked out fine. It was a Monday and while DL is always much more crowded than I'd like, it was doable. He used his walking sticks, which look like ski poles, but are made for hiking/walking. They were easy to deal with in the normal lines for everything. At Small World and Indiana Jones, cast members saw him in line and asked if wanted any additional assistance. We used the elevator at Indiana Jones, which was our last ride of the day and probably made a huge difference for my husband.

Throughout the day, he was able to find seats whenever he needed to sit down for a while. We had one sit down dinner reservation, too. I don't think he would have had such a good time if it was crowded to the point that there was nowhere to sit. Sadly, his favorite ride, Jungle Cruise, caused him a lot of discomfort getting in and out of the boat because the steps were too steep. I guess he won't be going on that one again.

At least now we know he can handle it on a non blocked out Southern California AP day. I'm not sure how a multiple day trip would work out, but if we stayed at Grand Californian, it would be easy for him to go lay down for a while if he needed that, provided he is still doing as well as he is now.

 

[wilkeliza]

We decided to try a one day visit and it worked out fine. It was a Monday and while DL is always much more crowded than I'd like, it was doable. He used his walking sticks, which look like ski poles, but are made for hiking/walking. They were easy to deal with in the normal lines for everything. At Small World and Indiana Jones, cast members saw him in line and asked if wanted any additional assistance. We used the elevator at Indiana Jones, which was our last ride of the day and probably made a huge difference for my husband.

Throughout the day, he was able to find seats whenever he needed to sit down for a while. We had one sit down dinner reservation, too. I don't think he would have had such a good time if it was crowded to the point that there was nowhere to sit. Sadly, his favorite ride, Jungle Cruise, caused him a lot of discomfort getting in and out of the boat because the steps were too steep. I guess he won't be going on that one again.

At least now we know he can handle it on a non blocked out Southern California AP day. I'm not sure how a multiple day trip would work out, but if we stayed at Grand Californian, it would be easy for him to go lay down for a while if he needed that, provided he is still doing as well as he is now.

For Jungle cruise I wonder if he would be able to request the lift if there was a wheelchair near by. I'm not sure if they still have the short use wheelchairs but worth asking if you go back since it is his favorite ride.

 

[lalasmama]

We decided to try a one day visit and it worked out fine. It was a Monday and while DL is always much more crowded than I'd like, it was doable. He used his walking sticks, which look like ski poles, but are made for hiking/walking. They were easy to deal with in the normal lines for everything. At Small World and Indiana Jones, cast members saw him in line and asked if wanted any additional assistance. We used the elevator at Indiana Jones, which was our last ride of the day and probably made a huge difference for my husband.

Throughout the day, he was able to find seats whenever he needed to sit down for a while. We had one sit down dinner reservation, too. I don't think he would have had such a good time if it was crowded to the point that there was nowhere to sit. Sadly, his favorite ride, Jungle Cruise, caused him a lot of discomfort getting in and out of the boat because the steps were too steep. I guess he won't be going on that one again.

At least now we know he can handle it on a non blocked out Southern California AP day. I'm not sure how a multiple day trip would work out, but if we stayed at Grand Californian, it would be easy for him to go lay down for a while if he needed that, provided he is still doing as well as he is now.

Did you use the handicap access for Jungle Cruise? While the steps would have still been steep, it allows extra time getting into the boat and getting settled. I often can't feel my feet (peripheral neuropathy), and ask to get on at the handicap access point so I can go slowly. They have never said no.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Did you use the handicap access for Jungle Cruise? While the steps would have still been steep, it allows extra time getting into the boat and getting settled. I often can't feel my feet (peripheral neuropathy), and ask to get on at the handicap access point so I can go slowly. They have never said no.

We actually didn't notice that. We were in the regular line and when we had to go up the stairs, he just waited down at the bottom and rejoined us when came by down. It would have been helpful if he could have boarded in a different way.

 

[lalasmama]

We actually didn't notice that. We were in the regular line and when we had to go up the stairs, he just waited down at the bottom and rejoined us when came by down. It would have been helpful if he could have boarded in a different way.

I haven't been during the refurb, but I assume it's pretty much the same for the access. Basically, to the left of the ride, to the left of the market, there's a Jungle Cruise cast member. Tell them you can't do the stairs, and that you need extra time to board. They will give you a time to come back, and let you enter through an alternate access point, where there will usually be 2 cast members to help you board.

For me, it's nice that I'm not "rushed" onto the boat, and I can find my footing a lot easier without all the extra visual movement around me!

 

[Malcon10t]

We actually didn't notice that. We were in the regular line and when we had to go up the stairs, he just waited down at the bottom and rejoined us when came by down. It would have been helpful if he could have boarded in a different way.

The HA side still has the steps, but it would be a little slower to load. You wouldn't have people behind you. You would go to the exit and explain your situation to the CM, they would probably give you a return time, you'd return then and they would add you to a shorter line. Then after a boat unloads, you would load at the exit, allowing you exit time to get in.

 

[lorijohnhill]

For Jungle Cruise, in the accessible loading area you can request extra steps. I'm not sure the exact name of them (memory issues) but they are small boxes that they add to the steps to make each step a shorter distance. Basically it changes the two steps into four. I request them every time because my knees can't handle the steep steps.