Wheelchair experience at DL/DCA 11/2-11/3

[Kuzcotopia12]

1

 

[SMD]

Instead of saying that your daughter can't walk, it might have been better to explain that your daughter couldn't transfer from the wheelchair. On rides like Little Mermaid, it might have made more sense to the CMs to say that she needs your assistance to transfer, so she needs the moving walkway stopped. Just saying that she can't walk, had ankle surgery or has bone pain doesn't adequately describe her mobility issue. Also, instead of going to guest services and coming back later, did you try asking for a ride lead?

On Space, from the FP return there is still quite a long queue, so I'd say a 20 minute wait isn't totally out of line. I'd rather have a FP to come back to the HA entrance than wait in that little alcove and inch the wheelchair forward for an hour or longer.

On HM, there is a separate HA entrance. I've never seen a wheelchair in the regular queue. If you waited in the regular queue without asking a CM first, that's not on Disney. There is a limit for how many non-ambulatory guests can ride due to evacuation procedures. Also, their goal is to only stop the ride once per cycle. I don't know that they succeed there, as it seems to stop 2-3 times per ride every time I ride. And honestly, once I don't mind, but 3 times is pretty annoying. I appreciate that they try to load and unload wheelchairs at the same time to keep the ride moving. I have 3 friends in wheelchairs, two can transfer and one can't. One who can transfer uses a wheelchair full time, one only at DL due to ankle surgery. (I've never been with 2 of them at the same time.) The one who can transfer chooses not to use the wheelchair on HM, the one who can't will do HMH first thing in the morning, when the HA wait is shorter. My friend who can't transfer from the chair is an AP, and plans visits in a way that takes into account wait time and procedures at HA queues.

As far as the wait on Jungle Cruise, there is only 1 boat that can accommodate a wheelchair, it takes as long as it takes to make a circuit. The HA waiting area is not that big, so it makes sense that they would try to keep it clear so wheelchair users who can transfer can get through. It may seem frustrating, but at least they have a dedicated ride vehicle, when many rides don't.

 

[Kuzcotopia12]

1

 

[alizesmom]

Sorry for the experience but here you're preaching to the choir. Maybe post on another forum to help others understand?

 

[SMD]

Just FYI, I didn't explain my daughter's medical issues to the CMs. Obviously, we weren't asking for anything and I felt no need to do that. When asked - I did say she couldn't transfer unless the wheelchair could be brought right up to the car.

As for HM, no CM was near the front of the ride when we walked up. After they saw us, we were pointed in the right direction. I would avoid that ride in the future because it's simply too difficult and the wait time too long.

Thank you for your comments. I was just trying to describe our experience. Obviously, I've never dealt with a wheelchair in the park before. I'm not an expert on that by any means. It sounds like you are.

I'm not an expert, I was just trying to explain that I've used the HA entrances on some of the attractions you mentioned. To me, your post came off as complaining about some things that first of all, not anything Disney did wrong (you assumed you should use the regular queue at HM) and second not any different than ambulatory guests go through (waiting with a FP at Space). You also said that people didn't understand that your daughter can't walk due to bone pain. I did offer the advice that that bit of information is, while meaningful to you and your daughter, is not helpful to CMs when loading a ride. If you did explain that she can't transfer and the CM told you that she had to walk, that might be an issue. I know there are some rides on the park map which say the guest must transfer without assistance. That may be one of them. But if the CM didn't articulate that, or state something like they couldn't stop the walkway now, but would later, than again, I'd ask for clarification from a ride lead, as they would know the procedure for that specific ride.