Troublesome Turnstiles

[PrincessSarah314]

It's been 2 years since my last trip to WDW since last year I went to DLR and I can't remember which rides had turnstiles and which ones didn't.

I DO however remember dreading every turnstile I encountered because of my size.

I know some attractions have those new electronic turnstiles that are wider and open (I assume they are wheelchair accessible as well) but I just can't remember.

Which attractions have the old ones? Or the new ones? I'm trying to decide if I'll need to obtain a GAC or not.


Thanks!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As almost all attractions are mainstreamed, those that still have turnstiles (or even the electronic counters) will have a gate that is marked and you can use that gate. When I was working at both Sounds Dengerous and the Indy Stunt Show, at the podium we had a button to press to add to the count for people who did not use the turnstiles.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most attractions actually have been updated with the wider, auto-counting gates.
The only one I can think of at WDW that has a turnstile and does not have a gate next to it like Cheshire Figment mentioned is Haunted Mansion.
For that attraction, guests using wheelchairs and ECVs are pulled out before that point, so there is no 'wheelchair gate' next to those turnstiles. For Haunted Mansion, talk to the CM greeting guests.

For any others, you can go through the wheelchair gate. But, it's important that the CM knows you are doing it so they can add you to the count. That may not be vital in attractions where guests load continually on the ride cars, but for shows, they need to know how many people are inside so that they don't have more guests than available seats.

 

[Bill McKim]

Not to be rude, but being overweight is not a disability and is not an appropriate use of a GAC.

 

[cranbiz]

While you believe that overweight is not an appropriate use of a GAC (and others may feel this way) what the OP is looking for is a way to enter an attraction without being stuck in a turnstile.

A GAC is just that, a Guest Assistance Card. It is NOT and never was, a FOTL pass. If the GAC is used as intended, a way to alert CM's that the guest needs alternate accomodations to enjoy the attraction, then I have no issue.

I'm big but not huge and I have trouble with the Haunted Mansion turnstile. Asking if there is a way to enter the attraction without using the turnstile is appropriate. The OP has a right to ask for alternative entrances and not to be embarrassed by getting stuck in a turnstile. The OP was not looking for a way to avoid the line but a way to be able to enjoy the ride.

 

[Bill McKim]

I totally agree with you cranbiz. I do not mean to be insensitive. I just don't understand why a GAC is needed, because frankly, it isn't. All the OP needs to do is ask a greeter. The cast are trained to assist as needed. Also, I don't recall mentioning a front of the line pass, as we are all aware that a GAC does not accomplish this.

 

[ambertides]

At WDW, I've never needed a GAC for turnstiles. If the stroller/wheelchair gate won't open, I just wave at a cast member and point to the stroller gate and they let me through. Mostly I have problems at the railroad, Haunted Mansion (I'm not sure this one has a gate, actually, so I squeezed myself through earlier this year, but just barely - I was sure I was stuck for a few seconds! and so were others around me as they hopped to the other line! - and haven't been back since), and IASW. But at the railroad they just move a barrel for me, and at IASW, I just go through the wheelchair gate.

Not to be rude, but being overweight is not a disability and is not an appropriate use of a GAC.

My understanding is that a GAC is required at Disneyland if you do not fit through the turnstiles. Without one a CM will not let you through the wheelchair gate. So unless you expect the people to themselves to the other side, it is how things are (were?) done by Disney at DL. Luckily it's easier to deal with at WDW.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't want this to get into a discussion of whether or not being overweight is a disability.

Whether someone thinks it is or not, the fact is still that the turnstiles are too tight for some people.
So, if they can't get thru, they do need to know some information here.

At WDW, I've never needed a GAC for turnstiles. If the stroller/wheelchair gate won't open, I just wave at a cast member and point to the stroller gate and they let me through. Mostly I have problems at the railroad, Haunted Mansion (I'm not sure this one has a gate, actually, so I squeezed myself through earlier this year, but just barely - I was sure I was stuck for a few seconds! and so were others around me as they hopped to the other line! - and haven't been back since), and IASW. But at the railroad they just move a barrel for me, and at IASW, I just go through the wheelchair gate.

At WDW, a GAC is not needed to use the wheelchair gate because most of them are right next to the turnstile.

Clarification for Small World - the turnstile is at the exit, not the entrance. The wheelchair gate is right next to it.

Another place I thought of that has a turnstile is the entrance of Country Bear Jamboree. There is a wheelchair ramp and a door to the left of the main entry where the turnstiles are.

My understanding is that a GAC is required at Disneyland if you do not fit through the turnstiles. Without one a CM will not let you through the wheelchair gate. So unless you expect the people to themselves to the other side, it is how things are (were?) done by Disney at DL. Luckily it's easier to deal with at WDW.

That is my understanding from reading things people have written - at least at Disneyland, which was not built with accessible lines. Because many of the attractions have different wheelchair entrances, they do use GACs for access to them.
Disney's California Adventure was built more recently and things are more accessible.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

Thanks everyone for all the info! I have never had an issue at WDW in the past--as everyone else has said I have always just asked a CM to use the gate and not had a problem.


Having just returned from DLR however, I did obtain and need to show a GAC that was stamped "provide alternate entrance" in order to avoid the turnstiles.

Also, because the park is older and less accessible as Sue pointed out, it was not quite as easy to meet up with my party in order to ride. (There were 7 of us, and the max amount for a GAC is 6).

I guess I am just being overly cautious, but I wanted to make sure the policy at WDW hadn't changed recently. I also am sure that I am not the only person on the DIS who would like to know which turnstiles are more troublesolme for us overweight people.

I remember the HM turnstiles all too well; and I also was convinced I was going to get stuck, although I was able to squeeze through easily.

But can someone tell me where the gate for HM is? It's my mom's favorite ride, and I realllllly don't want to attempt that turnstile again!

 

[Figmificent]

At HM it's not really a gate per say... it's a chain with a handicap symbol hanging off of it. I have seen some poor people waiting and waiting here, so make SURE you tell the CM at the entrance that you'd like to use that option. I believe it's right when you get near the carriage in the que, but I'm sure someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong!

 

[SueM in MN]

At HM it's not really a gate per say... it's a chain with a handicap symbol hanging off of it. I have seen some poor people waiting and waiting here, so make SURE you tell the CM at the entrance that you'd like to use that option. I believe it's right when you get near the carriage in the que, but I'm sure someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong!

It is a gate with the wheelchair symbol just at the hearse on the right side of the queue. Push the gate open and walk thru.
There is a small path that leads past the side of the hearse. Once you get to the end of the hearse, there is a chain with the wheelchair symbol hanging from it and a sign that says something about waiting for "a servant" to assist you. That is where you wait.
The CM will know that you are there; sometimes there is a wait because the 'servant' waits to let people into the area if there is not space. It is not aways immediate.

Since you do not have a wheelchair or anything visible that shows you need to use that entrance, you should talk to the greeter CM about your need to use it. Guests with wheelchairs and ECVs do not need to talk to the CM or show anything.

The turnstiles in the line are after that point, just before entering the building.

 

[Figmificent]

Thanks Sue! I knew someone would sort me out I know about the needing to wait, but lets just say it was a LONG line for HM (it was August and we were with 1st and prob. only timers or I NEVER would have waited... it was like 30-45min), and they were still there when we were leaving... I felt so bad for them I was going to hunt down a CM but finally saw one heading towards them.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

It is a gate with the wheelchair symbol just at the hearse on the right side of the queue. Push the gate open and walk thru.
There is a small path that leads past the side of the hearse. Once you get to the end of the hearse, there is a chain with the wheelchair symbol hanging from it and a sign that says something about waiting for "a servant" to assist you. That is where you wait.
The CM will know that you are there; sometimes there is a wait because the 'servant' waits to let people into the area if there is not space. It is not aways immediate.

Since you do not have a wheelchair or anything visible that shows you need to use that entrance, you should talk to the greeter CM about your need to use it. Guests with wheelchairs and ECVs do not need to talk to the CM or show anything.

The turnstiles in the line are after that point, just before entering the building.

At the risk of sounding like a fool--what do you mean the turnstiles are after that point? Doesn't that mean that I would still have to go through the turnstile?!?

 

[SueM in MN]

At the risk of sounding like a fool--what do you mean the turnstiles are after that point? Doesn't that mean that I would still have to go through the turnstile?!?

Not a fool at all.
The turnstiles are after that point.
This picture shows the hearse. The people standing to the left of the hearse, talking to the CM have already passed thru the gate I talked about and the CM is at the point of the chain.

The gate would be to the left just off the picture. The 'regular' line continues on past that point (off the picture to the left, then makes a turn toward the building). If you continue past the hearse, the only access is by going thru the turnstiles.

For guests who go thru the wheelchair gate, the CM will ask whether the guest can walk about 200 feet and stand for 5 minutes. Those who can't (like my DD) need to miss the stretching room. Those who can, are taken thru a back entrance into the stretching room and from there, follow the regular path/boarding for the attraction.

 

[koolaidmoms]

At the risk of sounding like a fool--what do you mean the turnstiles are after that point? Doesn't that mean that I would still have to go through the turnstile?!?

No. She just means that the point to go through the turnstiles is further down the main walkway. You will be turning off before that point and will not have to go through the turnstiles.

If you have any real concerns PM me. Both my DP and I are extremely large people and do WDW 1-2 times a year. I can let you know what works for me.

 

[lovetoscrap]

For guests who go thru the wheelchair gate, the CM will ask whether the guest can walk about 200 feet and stand for 5 minutes. Those who can't (like my DD) need to miss the stretching room. Those who can, are taken thru a back entrance into the stretching room and from there, follow the regular path/boarding for the attraction.

Really?? Geez, they told me that since I had to use the w/c entrance I couldn't go in the stretching room and had to go directly to the ride cars. I love the stretching room!

 

[SueM in MN]

Really?? Geez, they told me that since I had to use the w/c entrance I couldn't go in the stretching room and had to go directly to the ride cars. I love the stretching room!

Whenever there has been someone ahead of us using an ECV or a park rental wheelchair, they have always asked the guest if they could walk and stand that distance. We were just at MK on Monday and they asked the person ahead of us.
They did ask us if DD could walk and since she can not, we had to bypass the stretching room. Sorry to say, if you need to actually board at the exit where they can stop the moving walkway, you don't get to go in the stretching room.

 

[bouncy54]

For guests who go thru the wheelchair gate, the CM will ask whether the guest can walk about 200 feet and stand for 5 minutes. Those who can't (like my DD) need to miss the stretching room. Those who can, are taken thru a back entrance into the stretching room and from there, follow the regular path/boarding for the attraction.

This is way better than at DL! If you go through the wheelchair gate in CA, you're not asked if you can walk. They make you stay on your scooter and then it's a painstakingly slow process to get on the attraction. The one good thing was that my son and I got to see some of the "underground" workings of the mansion because we had to disembark using a different track.

I can manage 200 feet of walking... I think. How far is 200 feet?

My son just told me that 200 ft. is about from our rec-room to our mailbox at the end of the driveway. I think I can do that!

 

[lovetoscrap]

The 200 feet I can do if I haven't had a bad day, the standing is the bigger problem but I LOVE the stretching room so it would be worth it as long as it is early in the day before I get too tired and sore.

I haven't been asked, just shown where to go to get in the Doom Buggy. Now I will be sure to ask next time.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is way better than at DL! If you go through the wheelchair gate in CA, you're not asked if you can walk. They make you stay on your scooter and then it's a painstakingly slow process to get on the attraction. The one good thing was that my son and I got to see some of the "underground" workings of the mansion because we had to disembark using a different track.

I can manage 200 feet of walking... I think. How far is 200 feet?

My son just told me that 200 ft. is about from our rec-room to our mailbox at the end of the driveway. I think I can do that!

But, the trick at Haunted Mansion is that:
1) First you have to walk into the stretching room from where your ECV/wheelchair is parked.
2) Then, you have to stand for the stretching room show.
3) Then, you join a slowly moving throng of people walking in almost dark to the boarding area. The line gets gradually narrower to deliver a single file line of guests to the boarding area.
4) The moving walkway can't be slowed or stopped there.
5) After the ride, you will need to walk back to your wheelchair or ECV.