Very Merry Christmas Party Even and ECV

[Christine]

Hi everyone! Our large group is contemplating getting tickets to the Very Merry Christmas Party (we've never done one of these events before). Two in our group will be using ECVs. One of them could park it somewhere and walk and view the parade, while the other one will not be able to.

We are normally not parade people, but it's my understanding that the parade for this event is fabulous so we'd want to do that, but I'm very concerned about the ability to view the parade for someone who is not able to stand on their own for more than a few minutes. Is it even worth it to go with this issue or is there something in place for handicapped viewing. Both of these people are in their upper 70s. One has terrible arthritis of the ankle (but can walk and stand just doing normal activity but can't spend all day on their feet), and the other has issues with both knees as well as balance and has also been on chemo for cancer.

I think the first person I described with have no issues viewing the parade, but the other person definitely will.

 

[Selket]

I'm guessing parade viewing for those in WC/ECV for the MVMCP is just like it is for the MNSSHP - there's a special roped off area for guests in mobility devices and for at least some of their family. I'm not sure how many family members can come inside the ropes but I'd guess at least 3-4 per guest. The view areas fill up early for the early parade just like the regular areas do so you may want to arrive early for the best spot. Last year I went to the MNSSHP and watched the fireworks from that special viewing area then I moved over (not very far away) to the viewing area for the 2nd parade. The 2nd parade will be way less crowded. The special viewing area was fairly large from what I remember so it would have been possible to show up for the 2nd parade later - your person in an ECV just may not be in the first row near the street. Generally however it seemed like the family members standing in the area who were with someone in an ECV crouched lower or stood out of the way, etc. when the parade began. If they want to see the fireworks you might think about using the handicapped viewing area also - worked great for me. I think I showed up for the fireworks while the first parade was going on so no one was there for awhile but me - haha! I was tired though and just happy to hang out and crowd watch and wait for fireworks.

Definitely both can stay in their device - just plan to arrive early enough if you're going to the first parade. Perhaps someone knows how early you need to show up - maybe an hour ahead? Also if your party is very large so that not everyone can go into the special area, it seemed to me that there were plenty of spots just next to it so your family would be perhaps next to you outside the rope or not too far away.

 

[Staren]

One note, it seems that Disney has become much stricter on the number of companions allowed in the accessible area. There have been too many groups looking at the guidelines and adding “just one more” to fill up the area. It seems like they are sticking to only the wheelchair / ECV user plus one now.

 

[SueM in MN]

My daughter and I went to the Christmas party last year (2018) for the first party of the year. She is in a manual wheelchair and it was just the two of us.
We went into the area in front of the castle almost an hour before the parade.
Because there are also stage shows going on, we couldn’t even get into the area - it was very congested. A CM pointed us towards where the handicapped viewing area was, but we couldn’t even see it. She said she thought it was full anyway and suggested the other end of Main Street. We did get into that area; by the time the parade started, it was very full.

For all the accessible viewing areas, they line up wheelchairs/ mobility devices/strollers being used as wheelchairs right next to each other across the front of the area, along the rope. Other guests with that person are behind the person with the mobility device.

 

[Bjkandma]

For safety sake i would suggest that both in your party remain in their ecv. As much as everyone gets with it being so crowded, pushing\running into others happens. Also, when the crowds start toclear, knowing they are both seated is an immense relief (no falling\losing balance.) My advice is for you to remain in "your" spot and allow area to clear before trying to move.

 

[RaySharpton]

Below is a Disney Magic Kingdom Disability Map showing the three designated areas to watch the parade and two spots to watch the fireworks.

https://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/...ations/magic-kingdom/mk-0519-gfgwd-os-web.pdf

 

[Christine]

Below is a Disney Magic Kingdom Disability Map showing the three designated areas to watch the parade and two spots to watch the fireworks.

https://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/...ations/magic-kingdom/mk-0519-gfgwd-os-web.pdf

Thanks! Just read your other post/thread also which is extremely helpful!

 

[ttintagel]

Whenever I've watched a parade from a wheelchair viewing area, they've allowed one guest to stand behind the wheelchair and one to sit on the ground in front of it for a total of 2.