Wheel Chair "park priviledges"?

[smkaether]

Hi there! I'm concerned that my boyfriend has been given incorrect info regarding his mother being able to go to the front of attraction lines because she is going to be pushed in a wheelchair during our trip in April. She says that her and her group will get to go to the front of the lines at park attractions, and that she was told this by Disney. ??? I haven't found anything to confirm this to be true. I don't feel right about us getting to go ahead of people, and I would stay behind with my children anyways, but for my boyfriend and his daughter's sake, I want him to know what to expect....

 

[LilyWDW]

Hi there! I'm concerned that my boyfriend has been given incorrect info regarding his mother being able to go to the front of attraction lines because she is going to be pushed in a wheelchair during our trip in April. She says that her and her group will get to go to the front of the lines at park attractions, and that she was told this by Disney. ??? I haven't found anything to confirm this to be true. I don't feel right about us getting to go ahead of people, and I would stay behind with my children anyways, but for my boyfriend and his daughter's sake, I want him to know what to expect....

It is very wrong...

Most lines at this point are mainstreamed, meaning the wheelchair can go through the normal line. Other lines may be mainstreamed to a point and then the wheelchair will be pulled aside to wait (due to stairs or the like in the main line). Sometimes this can actually cause a LONGER wait for the party with the wheelchair.

I am sure someone else will be along who has more personal experience as I am just using information I have gained on these boards in the past.

 

[blondietink]

Toy Story Midway Mania is one ride I can think of right off hand where the wait for wheelchairs can be much, much longer than going through the regular line. It all depends on how many other wheelchair users are in front of you and whether or not they are tkaing their wheelchairs right on the ride.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I am pretty sure the *group* with the wheelchair person can only be a maximium of 5 or 6.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I am just echoing what has already been said. At most attractions the wheelchair will go in the regular line. The only way the wait will be shorter is if you get a fast pass. On the few rides that have a separate line for wheelchairs the wait is sometimes longer. At some shows you will have to wait for a longer time because all the handicap seating is full so you have to wait for the next show. They will allow five people to be with the person in the wheelchair. There are handicap viewing areas for parades for wheelchairs, which is great because it does offer the person in the chair a chance at a view without people blocking them, but you must try to get to the area about an hour before the parade because they are first come first serve. I hate to burst there bubble, but you are correct. Disney has done a wonderful job at making the park accessible for people with different abilities, but they are fair to everyone and the only people that get extra special attention are the make a wish families.

 

[Bete]

A few attractions have special lines that appear shorter, but in reality you wait longer to board the ride. You need a special car that will take a wheelchair. The ratio on a lot of rides is like 6 to 1. This means 6 regular people go on a attraction while only one goes in a wheelchair.

I know for example that Jungle Cruise has one boat out of 6 that is wheelchair friendly. Part of my group did the regular line while we waited for the special boat. We timed it and it took us 15 minutes longer on that ride.

For many shows you get the back row ; because, it's too hard to do it any other way.

Since more and more people live longer you have to expect more and more wheelchairs to be used. Well, the rides and shows have not been retrofitted for the increase in wheelchair use. Now, I will say some of the newer rides do a better job like TSM.



The parade areas set up for wheelchairs is limited, too and if you want a good view you need to staged an area at least an hour before time. These areas fill up and then you are out of luck.

 

[DarlingDisneyGirls]

ithink there sould be a wheel chair line but its wrong to have them go in front if ether people were up there frist same thing with the buses

 

[carrie1626]

We've taken my mom twice, with her being in her own wheelchair ( that doesn't matter). At the attractions and shows we all did ( there were 4 of us) we usually had a different ,or at least a designated entrance. and SHE IS STILL ELIGIBLE FOR FAST PASS!!

This is just a thought of mine- please take it with good intentions.

**BE AWARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU AT ALL TIMES. There is always going to be the parent, the child, the group of people ahead of you who SUDDENLY STOP in their tracks. I push my mom around a lot and I try to always be aware of the distance I leave in front of us.
** There will be people who don't "get it" when it comes to those who need a wheelchair. Ignore them. Most people are kind, so don't let those few morons get you down
** Depending on when you go, think about having some kind of pad on the seat that can act as a sweat and perspiration barrier. Actually, once in Nov we brought a beach towel just for our day at Epcot and my mom ended up using it as a blanket for her legs at night.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

 

[daisyduck123]

We just got back last week from a week's stay at WDW. My DD16 used a scooter some days, but other days DH or I pushed her wheelchair. I will tell you that at most attractions, the wheelchair fits just fine thru the regular line, & that is where your boyfriend's mother will be sent.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The lines for almost all attractions at WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that the queue is set up to allow wheelchairs and/or ECVs to go through the line just as a person without a mobility problem. As it was built prior to the ADA, the Magic Kingdom is most likely to have non-mainstreamed lines. Some attractions, such as Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion you will go part way through the regular queue and then be diverted. Other attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain or SpaceShip Earth you will initially be directed to an accessible entrance.

All the theaters are set up with seats (usually in the back row) removed so a wheelchair or ECV can pull into a space and there will be regular seating on either side of the space for the others in the party.

Where there are quantity limits on space, or other limitation involving accessibility, you may have to wait longer to see a show or ride an attraction than people without disabilities.

The normal (and official) response of Guest Relations to people with mobility and/or stamina issues is to recommend rental of a wheelchair or ECV. The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) is intended for "invisible" disabilities not related to mobility or stamina. A wheelchair or ECV is sufficient to notify Cast Members of special assistance normally needed. However, if a person has other issues, such as auditory or visual, they would probably also need a GAC.

Note that a GAC is not intended to allow bypassing of lines, and it so states on the card itself. The only people who will get the special Front Of The Line GAC are where a terminal or medically fragile child is traveling on a trip from Make A Wish or similar foundation.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just to add to what has already been posted, Most of the lines are wheelchair accessible thru the regular line (called Mainstream Lines).

The information in italics is the information about Mainstream Lines from the WDW page about Mobility Disabilities:
Walt Disney World Resort strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; that is, all Guests utilize the main entrance to the attraction. However, accessibility varies from attraction to attraction within Disney Parks. The Guide for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guidemaps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a Disney Cast Member at each attraction before entering. Mainstream queues can be found at these attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks. (it then goes on to list the Mainstream attractions).

Most attractions for all parks are listed as "Enter through standard queue" for attractions without Fastpass or "Obtain a FASTPASS OR use Standby Queue" on the new Guide for Guest with Disabilities maps for each park I picked up in October 2010. There is also a large red box on the maps which says "Guests with any mobility or queue related assistance needs are encouraged to use the Disney's FASTPASS option where ever possible." There is the same explanation about how to use Fastpass as on the regular park maps.
These are the attractions in each park with a different method of access other than the regular line, as listed on the map:
MK
WDW Railroad: Enter using ramp on the RIGHT on Main Street
WDW Railroad: Enter using wheelchair ramp on RIGHT at Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Obtain Fastpass or see Host for options. If FASTPASS is not available, enter thru access on RIGHT
Country Bear Jamboree: Enter thru door on LEFT
Hall of Presidents: Enter through door on RIGHT
Liberty Square Riverboat: ENter through exit on RIGHT or LEFT
it's a small world: Enter thru standard queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area
Peter Pan's Flight: Obtain FASTPASS or see host for options. If Fastpass is not available, see a host for options.
Snow White's Scary Adventures: Enter through Exit on RIGHT
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel: ENter through exit on RIGHT
Dumbo: Enter using ramp on RIGHT
Tea Party: ENter through exit on RIGHT
Barnstormer: Enter through exit on LEFT
Space Mountain: Obtain a FASTPASS or see a host for options. If FASTPASS not available, enter through queue on RIGHT

Epcot
Spaceship Earth: Enter through the exit on the RIGHT or LEFT
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the 3 Caballeros: Enter through the Standard Queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area.
American Adventure: See a host or hostess for access to second floor
Impressions de France: Enter through LEFT side of entrance hallway

Studio
Great Movie Ride: Enter through the Standard queue. A host will provide directions in the pre-show area
Studio Backlot Tour: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT
Fantasmic: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT

Animal Kingdom
Wildlife Express Train: Proceed through standard queue. A host will direct boarding
The Boneyard: Enter through the designated access gate

Everything other than these attractions I have listed say to enter through the mainstream or standby queue.

 

[smidgy]

ithink there sould be a wheel chair line but its wrong to have them go in front if ether people were up there frist same thing with the buses

you really should come with subtitles.. but, if you bothered to read anything before your post, you would know that , most of the time persons in wheechairs (and their families) end up waiting longer than other guests.

 

[goingroundthebend]

thank you as .i know i can ask GAc about help as ds has other issues that cause problems with his understanding but if he is on good day can wait in small lines and hoping that planning september the queues are lot shorter would not abuse it but for him its good to have the option

sadly the make a wish chairty he was nominated for is no longer doing international trips due to costs, so saving plotting and planning

Originally Posted by DarlingDisneyGirls
ithink there sould be a wheel chair line but its wrong to have them go in front if ether people were up there frist same thing with the buses

As for the bus i figure theres only maxium of 2 spaces suitable for wheelchairs so why priorty otherwise a very long wait as you or anyone thats able to sit or stand has choice of lots of seats and ds will have choice of two .So its simple maths

.I have this in uk where can wait for 3 or 4 buses becuase buggys in wheelchair space and they seem unable to read the sign that syas if wheelchair wishes to board you need to fold and dam site easier to lift a toddler than a 5 year old .Though i would if a adult in chair needs to board

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Post was edited by moderator - I have decided to remove the content as it differed slightly from the points I was trying to make.

No offence is intended and apologies if I have disrupted the flow of the thread.

 

[goingroundthebend]

can i ask what proof you needed as such .The motorablity thats pretty obvious as he is in wheelchair but know when in uk had to provide proof that he struggles with queues think last time took his school statement which lists all hi s issues

if they are to long and like you i try to balance it if its short queue and i feel he can mange then we will queue and were planning going when its quiet time of the year

We also wont be going on big rides where i imaine where the biggest queues are .He is just to small for them anyway

I have been known to mutter when theres been nasty comments how that spas*** is jumping the queue and were talking from adults by end of day i have biten heads of with thats fine you wnat his pass you have his disablity then

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look at post 6 of that thread which is about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC).
Like Mainstream Lines, they are meant to give assistance to guests with disabilities, not to shorten waits. They are not ‘front of the line passes’, just cards that give the CM a little information about needs that would not be visible otherwise. Most guests with wheelchairs don’t need a GAC.
The only people who do get 'Front of the Line’ access are children with life threatening conditions who are on Wish trips. And, even then, their special Guest Assistance Card does not mean they avoid waits in all cases.

For guests who want to avoid waits, many people have found that using Fastpasses and a touring plan is very helpful. That will allow you to wait the shortest time because there are less people in the park in general.

I am going to close this thread at this time since the original question was asked and answered.