Waiting for Frozen with older adults

[AZMermaid]

Hi all! We come home in two weeks and are bringing my parents who are in their late 60s. My mom can have a hard time standing still for long periods. It isn’t to the level that a GAC is needed, but we want to see Frozen, the Sunday noon show. I’m concerned about her waiting. Getting in line late for the balcony isn’t an option with the stairs. Does anyone know if we (family of 4) can wait in line and have them wait nearby on a bench until it’s time to go in?

 

[ashley0139]

Hi all! We come home in two weeks and are bringing my parents who are in their late 60s. My mom can have a hard time standing still for long periods. It isn’t to the level that a GAC is needed, but we want to see Frozen, the Sunday noon show. I’m concerned about her waiting. Getting in line late for the balcony isn’t an option with the stairs. Does anyone know if we (family of 4) can wait in line and have them wait nearby on a bench until it’s time to go in?

If you talk to an usher as you enter, they should be able to give you a bench pass. This would allow your parents to sit on the benches right outside the theatre until they open the doors. They will also be allowed to enter first to give them additional time to get seated. They may need to explain why they need to wait there instead of with the masses.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Can’t help with Frozen but there are long lines all over DLR... FYI standing issues don’t qualify for a DAS (new version of GAC) anyway because they can be solved with a wheelchair. I’d look into an ECV rental for her. She could park it when she wanted to walk but it will make everything accessible to her. My father is the same and it took many trips to get him to come around but once he did it made trips so much easier on all of us (there is a lot of stress on everyone else in the party as they worry the person is hurting while standing so much, didn’t realize just how stressful it was until we weren’t worried about them anymore).

 

[Huff]

FYI standing issues don’t qualify for a DAS (new version of GAC) anyway because they can be solved with a wheelchair.

Stamina is not the only reason and sitting for long times can often aggravate the problem but that discussion is better done on the proper forum. Sounds like the nearby benches will work for the OP. Generally Disney is pretty good at finding ways to accommodate whatever the need.

 

[lalasmama]

I have a hard time standing in a stationary position. There's a few options... First, there is an elevator, so don't worry about the stairs! However, in my experience, I ask the CM where to go because I can't do the stairs, and have some issues with my feet that make shuffling in a crowd with lots of other shuffling feet increase my risk of falling. (That is, if I'm shuffling my feet and someone accidentally hits my feet, I'm likely to trip. In a line with bars on the side, like in an attraction line, there's not much shuffling, and not much pushing, so I'm usually fine, but the cattle call of the Hyperion Theatre is another game all together!) They have always ushered me into a waiting area that enters a moment earlier than others, so that there's time to get to an appropriate seat without fear of falling or being tripped or otherwise get off-balance.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Speak with the CMs at the entrance to the waiting area for the theater. They should give your mother a "snowflake pass" (I think that's what it's called) to sit in the area with benches. If there is room, you and/or your whole party can wait with her; but, if other guests need the benches, the rest of your party will be asked to wait in the lines and to meet up with your mother later (so be sure she knows where/how to meet up with you in case you get split up).

 

[AZMermaid]

Thanks everyone. I thought about an ECV, but I dont think she’ll go for it and walking isn’t really a problem. Even the slow movement of a typical line is ok. It’s just the standing in one place.

It sounds like we can talk to the CM- great to know. We dont at all mind waiting in the regular line if we can connect back up with her. She loves stage shows and hasn’t been to DLR in over ten years... so I know she’d love Frozen. Also great to know there is an elevator to get upstairs!

The last time we saw Frozen, they still used the Fastpasses. How early should we get there for the 12:00 show on a Sunday? Is 11:30 early enough?

 

[Nonsuch]

...How early should we get there for the 12:00 show on a Sunday? Is 11:30 early enough?

You might want to arrive earlier, but 11:00 should be early enough.
Once you are in line, just ask a CM (that are usually walking near the lines to assist guests) for a "bench pass" for your parents.

 

[gary1955]

Hi all! We come home in two weeks and are bringing my parents who are in their late 60s. My mom can have a hard time standing still for long periods. It isn’t to the level that a GAC is needed, but we want to see Frozen, the Sunday noon show. I’m concerned about her waiting. Getting in line late for the balcony isn’t an option with the stairs. Does anyone know if we (family of 4) can wait in line and have them wait nearby on a bench until it’s time to go in?

if you need to arrive late, don't forget about asking to use the elevator to get to the upper levels.

edit: I see this has already been mentioned