Wheelchair viewing area for Spectro?

[welovedis]

Hello everyone!

On our trip to WDW in Sept, we will be accompanied by my mom, who has some mobility issues. Right now she walks with a cane @ home & uses an ECV when @ the grocery store, etc...places that have them available. She is thinking about using an ECV while we are @ WDW this fall. My mom was not planning on renting an ECV for the whole trip, just for the larger parks & when she is very tired. She had some problems with dexterity as well & sometimes finds the ECVs to be difficult for her to manuver (sp?). She is concerned about crowds and getting frustrated using the ECV in the crowds (even though it will be value season). DH has even suggested that he can push her in the smaller parks in a regular w/c.

We will be attending Spectromagic the first night we arrive--on a Sat. This is the only scheduled time for Spectro while we are there so we are prepared to be in a crowded area. We also plan on staying for the FITS fireworks. Are there any good parade spots that are good to watch both the parade & the fireworks? I understand there are wheelchair viewing areas for the parade, but have not idea where they are & how early to arrive.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Michigan]

There are wheelchair viewing spots but they fill up very fast and unfortunatally people who are able to stand that use the wheelchair viewing spots stand blocking the way for those that can't stand from seeing the parades. The fireworks are up so it doesn't matter where you watch them from unless you want to see Tinkerbell fly then in front of the castle before the stores on the right hand side walking down mainstreet from the castle is a good place to see them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to agree with Michigan. The handicapped viewing spots are well marked on the maps, so you won't have a problem finding them. They do fill up very quickly and if you have more than a few people in your party, they may not be able to stay in the wheelchair viewing area with your mom.
Because of that, we don't use those areas any more. My DD is not patient enough to wait in one spot quietly for 2 hours of more. The last time we did use the wheelchair viewing was at Epcot. They would only let one person stay with her (because it was very crowded) and she ended up parked behind a tree and couldn't see a thing. There was a man sitting next to her who also could not get out of his wheelchair. he had an obstructed view (but not quite behind the tree). Beside him and my DD, there were several empty ecvs and wheelchairs whose users had gotten out and stood up or sat on benches in the viewing area. Those ecvs and wheelchairs had great views.
We just got back from WDW (DH and I). The night we saw Spectromagic, we waited about 1.5 hours on the curb in front of the train station at Main Street. Hope that helps you to figure out what time to line up. September shouldn't be so busy though.

 

[lisapooh]

I honestly think that if an wheelchair or ECV is vacated and the user is going to stand or sit on a bench that they should be asked to release that spot to a paerson who is remaining in their ECV or wheekchair. Just leaving the ECV or wheelchair in the viewing area should not be allowed. This is not fair to guests who need those spots. That is really abuse of the system in my opinion.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree. If someone is going to get out of their wheelchair or ecv, there are many places they can park without taking up a spot from someone who can't get out.
At the very least, the CMs should be saving the good view spots for people who will be staying in their chairs. One of the problems is, that the areas are crowded and it's really hard to move anyone around once they are in there.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I went in May to DisneyWorld with a friend who uses a power wheelchair. When we started looking for a place to view the Spectromagic parade, a wonderful CM called us over and took us to the Wheelchair seating area. It was right near the Liberty Tree, I think (I remember seeing a big tree right behind us). It was wondeful!! There were only us and one other group there. Plenty of groups of non-wheelchair users ignored the signs and tried to sit there, but the CM was great and politely asked them to move. We had front row views, and gave hi-fives to all the characters coming by! We went to the later of the two parades that day, which is always less crowded. But I was very happy with the wheelchair viewing area, and very pleased that Disney enforced the rules there.

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[SueM in MN]

There is another viewing spot for wheelchairs in the circle in front of the castle. That's the one I was thinking of at MK, but the Liberty Tree spot is probably better. The area in front of the castle is like a zoo during parades. The area by Liberty Tree is a lot less busy.
I do agree that the CMs are good about keeping people who don't have a wheelchair or ecv out of the area.

 

[welovedis]

A big THANKS for your help & ideas everyone! I am thinking that since she is able to move from her wheelchair we might just try to see the parade from an area that we could also see the FITS fireworks & Tinkerbell's flight too. So I am assuming that the right hand side of Main Street is the best area--but exactly where?

I was thinking of going up Main Street & parking us near the Plaza Ice Cream Parlour -- but now I am thinking we will need to be up farther-like sitting on the circle area. If we sit near the LTT, I think we would be too far away for Tink. What do you all think about that idea?

 

[SueM in MN]

The circle of main Street just in front of the castle is where most people wait for Tink, but it's really busy.
If you move after the parade, a good place to view Tink's flight from is in Tomorrowland on the Fantasyland side of Cosmic Ray's Cafe (I don't have a map with me, so I'm not sure I have the name right). She goes from the castle to that area. You can see the cable she flies on, so if you have a clear view of the cable, you will see her.

 

[lisapooh]

The problem with that area is that the castmembers are not as vigilant and people often come and sit on the curb in front of you and then decide to stand when the parade comes.

 

[welovedis]

Ok, thanks again! I guess I will probably scope things out a bit as long as we get there early. I feel that since she can move from her wheelchair and stand even for a bit, then we will probably not use one of the wheelchair viewing areas. I'll try to figure out a good spot to catch the parade then head over to that spot in Tomorrowland where we can see the cable for the fireworks & Tink.

Thanks so much!

 

[lisapooh]

It is a long time standing and the wheelchair area near the castle is a perfect spot for seeing the fireworks too. You can see Tink fly from there. The handicapped section in Liberty Square is the best but you can't see the fireworks well or Tink fly.