traveling w/ person in WC

[june@imsarc.com]

We (6 of us) will be traveling with a friend in a wheelchair. I know years ago I saw people in WCs being permitted to travel to the fastpast line and board the ride that way. Is that still the case? My friend will not want to ride everything, just a select few rides. Also, how many people can travel the FP way with her (if it is still allowable). Thanks!

 

[Talking Hands]

Most rides are mainstreamed except in the Magic Kingdom and these are gradually being changed so they are. Unless there are other issues that require other accommodations you will be using the regular lines or getting fastpasses for all of you.

 

[BillSears]

Yep, I suspect those people you thought were getting access through the fastpass lines actually had fastpasses.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

Thanks much for the info!

 

[peemagg]

Also, unless your friend is riding the ride, you won't be able to access the alternative entrances. You will have to wait in the lines like everyone else.

 

[jparc]

All six of you will be able to go through the line together but I believe that is the limit. Most rides you would enter the usual entrance and then the staff will direct you where to go. Some rides you may have an additional wait if your friend is not ambulatory as there are certain ride vehicles that are specifically designed to allow for wheelchair guest to transfer easily.
( haunted mansion, dumbo, jungle cruises, buzz light year- those are the ones I can think of.) We took my daughters friend with us last year for MNSSHP. It was fun. Hope you have just as much fun as we did!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your chair or ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

In the disABILITIES FAQs thread that Cheshire Figment mentioned, post 11 lists the ‘Mobility Access’ for each attraction from the WDW park maps for guests with disabilities.
As other posters mentioned, most lines are Mainstreamed, which means the line is accessible and all guests wait together in the same line. Looking at post 11, you will see that the access for most attractions is listed as “Use the Mainstream (or, some say, Standard) Line.” For most attractions with Fastpass, the map says to “Enter thru the Standard Line or obtain a Fastpass."

 

[Mary976]

As has been previously mentioned, most rides have mainstreamed lines now, especially at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot (although I think Spaceship Earth still has an alternate entrance).

The Magic Kingdom is hit or miss in terms of lines and boarding. Some lines are mainstreamed, but some have alternate entrances. I highly recommend picking up the special accessibility guidemap when you enter the park. We used to not bother with these but they make a big difference in knowing where to board. Our last trip, we didn't see them displayed with the rest of the maps, but you can get them inside guest services.

Anyway, there are a few MK rides where you might get on faster than if you had waited in the regular line. On our last trip, that happened to us on Jungle Cruise. Then at Small World, we saw people just walk on the ride and we waited 20+ minutes for the wheelchair boat. The same thing at Winnie the Pooh, where we got fastpasses. Just as we got the the front of the line, the wheelchair "Hunny Pot" went by and we had to wait off to the side until it came around again.

Hope you have a fun trip!
Mary

 

[KPeveler]

Just reiterating one point - if the person with the wheelchair is not riding the ride, and the attraction is not mainstreamed, the party cannot use the accessible entrance. Just like with a GAC, if I am not riding, my party cannot bring me along with them and use the GAC. I never ride Tower of Terror, so my party must split with me and go on their own, or I can wait with them but not use my GAC. Hope this makes sense.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

My friend will not be traveling with us after all. She was checked in to the hospital the other day with multiple hip and spine fractures, no real plan yet on treatment plan or discharge. We're keeping her in our thoughts and prayers.