Wheelchair user + young child

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

This one I actually have seen enforced by security, where a kid is hanging off the back of grandma's ECV. There's no way Disney is going to allow this.

That’s a shame. There’s a huge difference between hanging off the back of a wheelchair and riding on something specifically designed for that purpose. Could have been an elegant solution to the problem.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I believe the OP plans to visit Disneyland in California not WDW in FL. That said, it’s a much smaller park with less walking distance to get between attractions. OP, I would consider whether this is a family trip or an adult trip at a faster pace with more “big” rides. Taking a 5-yr-old is a different trip regardless of mobility issues, often taking a slower pace with more breaks and a focus on the “kid” experiences. Think about what is the focus for this visit.

In reference to the other comment about terrain, Disneyland isn't super smooth/level/flat everywhere either.

And honestly it's much more narrow pathways than World and a wheelchair pushing a stroller will be much harder to do in areas of major congestion, like the bridge to Adventureland from Main Street

 

[RoseGold]

That’s a shame. There’s a huge difference between hanging off the back of a wheelchair and riding on something specifically designed for that purpose. Could have been an elegant solution to the problem.

I mean yea, hanging off the back is less safe, but a roller board on a motorized vehicle is definitely not safe. There's no way that one will fly.

 

[SteveMouse]

do vr but in h There are two separate but related components here.

One, Disney has considerable latitude for constraints that apply to equipment they own, such as a wheelchair they rent to guests. Those constraints apply to Disney chairs/ecvs, not others.

Two, Disney property is not public property. Disney can, may, and does develop and enforce compliance with policies, some of which apply to employees and some to guests. The policies cannot violate law. It can request that people not following the rules be removed. The removal is done often/usually by sheriff or police, not Disney CMs independently.

I would expect security to express some concern about safety and strongly request that one not put themselves and, presumably a loved one, in a hazardous situation.

 

[RoseGold]

Totally agree, rental is a very different scenario.

Not really. The rule is for all mobility devices to be single rider:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/

IIRC, there used to be a loophole for manual wheelchairs, so maybe you could lap ride those? This sure looks like it closes that as well.

 

[piccolopat]

There are some wheelchairs that are really wide and might be able to accommodate an adult with a child sitting next to them but that would require someone to push it. I also found a two person mobility scooter. Very expensive and there may be other options like it but I thought I'd mention it.

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa.com/products/e-wheels-ew-66-2-passenger-3-wheel-scooter

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa....-seat-mobility-scooter?variant=13548855820323

 

[RoseGold]

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa.com/products/e-wheels-ew-66-2-passenger-3-wheel-scooter

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa....-seat-mobility-scooter?variant=13548855820323

Those violate the park rules for single rider and for dimensions. I've seen specialized, complicated chairs that likely exceed the dimensions, but this ain't that. I've never seen any kind of sidecar arrangement.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/

 

[SueM in MN]

There are some wheelchairs that are really wide and might be able to accommodate an adult with a child sitting next to them but that would require someone to push it. I also found a two person mobility scooter. Very expensive and there may be other options like it but I thought I'd mention it.

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa.com/products/e-wheels-ew-66-2-passenger-3-wheel-scooter

https://www.electricwheelchairsusa....-seat-mobility-scooter?variant=13548855820323

A 2 person scooter would not meet Disney’s rule about one person per device.
Plus, looking at the specifications, the first link says the overall length is 70 inches - which is 18 inches longer than the allowed length. It also has a 50 inch turning radius, which would make it unusable in lines (and hard in narrow areas).

The device in the second link is also over the 52 inch allowed length - it’s 58 inches long, so over by 6 inches. It says he turning radius is 7 feet, which doesn’t sound at all correct, but from looking at it, it still would not be able to turn in line.

Those types of big devices are really for driving around outside near home on sidewalks or bike paths - transporting them would be very difficult since most transportation can’t accommodate anything over 48-52 inches long.

 

[SueM in MN]

I mean yea, hanging off the back is less safe, but a roller board on a motorized vehicle is definitely not safe. There's no way that one will fly.

I agree.
I did see a child standing on one of those scooter boards while someone drove the ECV. This was not at WDW. The child stepped off or got off balance and the driver didn’t notice, leading to a nasty spill

 

[Lilsia]

I agree.
I did see a child standing on one of those scooter boards while someone drive the ECV. The child stepped off or got off balance and the driver didn’t notice, leading to a nasty spill

I am with you on this SueM, putting a 5 year old on one of those standing boards behind the adult so that they can not see them is an extremely bad idea. The ones that attach to the stroller has the parent standing right there next to the child, plus it is not going at EVC speeds.

 

[WillowHaven]

The other thing to consider is that the terrain is not always perfect. Animal Kingdom paths are rough and bumpy, Epcot has some hills and bridges. It is not the same as going into a store. And as I said, WDW is a lot of walking for everyone, that is why I suggest a lot of breaks, especially for little kids. Not only does that help with their stamina, but little kids get much more easily over stimulated than adults do. That is why you see so many melt downs at the park, they just can't handle all of that input. Taking it slow and taking lots of breaks is beneficial even if they are in a stroller.

We all have sensory issues, so we will already be going slow.

I believe the OP plans to visit Disneyland in California not WDW in FL. That said, it’s a much smaller park with less walking distance to get between attractions. OP, I would consider whether this is a family trip or an adult trip at a faster pace with more “big” rides. Taking a 5-yr-old is a different trip regardless of mobility issues, often taking a slower pace with more breaks and a focus on the “kid” experiences. Think about what is the focus for this visit.

Yes, we would be doing Disneyland.
And your question is exactly what we're thinking through and why I wanted to find out our options if we bring the littlest. If we want to go in the near future, we have to bring the 5yo. If we want adults only, we have to wait a bit longer. Decisions, decisions!

My concern would be, how will you keep a 5 year old by your side .

This is a big concern for me, especially because he is a runner. We may just need to wait until he's older to visit the parks.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We all have sensory issues, so we will already be going slow.



Yes, we would be doing Disneyland.
And your question is exactly what we're thinking through and why I wanted to find out our options if we bring the littlest. If we want to go in the near future, we have to bring the 5yo. If we want adults only, we have to wait a bit longer. Decisions, decisions!



This is a big concern for me, especially because he is a runner. We may just need to wait until he's older to visit the parks.

something to think about if you are doing a day trip, do you have a family friend or teen neighbor who would/could come with your group to push your youngest? I would be thing this way as you say your youngest is a runner with all you you adults in "chairs" he is going to be able to get thru crowd where you guys are going to be slowed down. some thing scares him and he if off without you. you are not going to be able to get thru crowd like him. and I say this working at a small park and a grandmother of some special needs and yes one is a runner

 

[ttintagel]

I think Disney has to have these rules in place for their own protection, because for every one person who can manage to safely share their mobility device with a child, there are a whole bunch who can't. And since they can't follow every guest around all day trying to establish who falls into the first category and who falls into the second, they have to be able to say, "It's not our fault; we told you not to do that" whenever an accident does happen.