WOC, Dinner Packages, and wheelchairs

[OrthoDad]

Has anyone done the WOC dinner packages with a wheelchair? Is the "special viewing area" for the dinner packages accessible? Or, will they just divert a wheelchair to the disabled viewing area?

We have two sons with cerebral palsy in wheelchairs. We did the WOC FP thing last year, but we still needed to get there fairly early, because we had heard that the disabled section filled up quickly, and that it was hard for folks in chairs to see the show unless they got there early.

We have friends coming to see us at DL next month, and we're trying to decide if we should do the dinner package, or just do the FP thing and get there really early.

thanks!
Wade

 

[skiingfast]

Has anyone done the WOC dinner packages with a wheelchair? Is the "special viewing area" for the dinner packages accessible? Or, will they just divert a wheelchair to the disabled viewing area?

We have two sons with cerebral palsy in wheelchairs. We did the WOC FP thing last year, but we still needed to get there fairly early, because we had heard that the disabled section filled up quickly, and that it was hard for folks in chairs to see the show unless they got there early.

We have friends coming to see us at DL next month, and we're trying to decide if we should do the dinner package, or just do the FP thing and get there really early.

thanks!
Wade

Each area of Paradise park, has one or many HA spots. Blue, PD, Yellow and Red all have them so it does matter what FP you get.

Take a look at the link which has a picture showing where the PD HA area is. You can see the ramp on the right of it to access it.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40715234&postcount=191

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

I don't have any helpful input yet, but I would be interested to know what you find out. We are going to be there the end of August with my brother. He has CP as well, and is in a wheelchair. I was planning on doing the dinner option at Ariel's Grotto for the preferred dining FP's, but really, the most important thing would be which section has the best view for him.

I haven't taken the time yet to thoroughly read the entire WOC thread, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that people had gotten a better view from their wheelchair by staking out a front rail spot early rather than the actual HA area. Hmmm... We're fine with taking the time to stake out a good spot, but I would just hate to have his chair blocked at the last minute. He has some vision problems, so I really would like him to have the best chance to see the show as well as he can. He's going to love it! We are all very excited to see WOC for the first time!

Have a great time!!

 

[ArchOwl]

I was in the Preferred Dining section to see WOC and was post surgery on my knee. I wasn't in a wheelchair, but did have a knee brace. However, this was last summer, so I know things may have changed since then.

As of last summer, the Handicap area for the PD section had two benches directly in front of a rail section. There were spaces between and next to the benches for wheelchairs. There were several people in wheelchairs who rolled up to the railing and the rest of your party was supposed to stand behind you (either behind the bench if you were seated, or behind the wheelchair).

On the particular night we saw WOC (second show), there was enough room, so a CM told my hubby that he could sit next to me on the bench. However, this is only if there is enough room.

We lined up about 45 minutes prior to the show (our dinner took longer than planned), and we were the first ones in the handicapped section. However, I think things may have changed since then. On the WOC Viewing Chart thread, I think they may have made the PD section smaller? If so, I don't know how that may have affected the HA.

 

[Vala]

It was as you describe in November.

The handicapped area for PD did seem very small to me, but I can't judge how it was before. I went twice. First night was okayish, second night it was absolutely packed.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

For all the Handicapped sections, you need to line up 5-10 minutes before the earliest time listed on the Fastpass. For WOC there tends to be much larger Handicapped groups "enjoying" the area.

Eg" Two weeks ago in the upper Blue area two large (6 ea) teenage groups presented their GAPs and the 12 of them took up all the bench seats. The Cast member knew them and they all were laughing and having a good time. I could not tell which of them deserved the GAP.

Later, an elderly lady with a 4-leg cane like from "UP" arrived and had to stand behind them. She was unable to stand for long and asked for assistance from the cast member. When another cast member asked the teenagers to let her sit down they all refused. A cast member then had to help the women with the cane back up the steps the to top area where someone gave up their seat to her.

Most Guests are kind and considerate, but I see this type of behavier all the time at WOC. Usually they are teenagers or a large family.

The WOC Cast Members tend to be new, and not as skilled as the others.

Just get there early to get a seat.

 

[OrthoDad]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll probably just do the FP thing and get there early.

W

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll probably just do the FP thing and get there early.

W

Do not overthink the WOC.

It is not that difficult to have a good view without a lot of hassle. The Handicapped areas for Blue - Yellow - and the Preferred Dining are some of the best spots to view the show.

1. Go to City Hall and get a Guest Assistance Pass. This will help a lot in getting on all the rides at the Disneyland Resort.

2. Have one person obtain Blue or Yellow WOC Fastpasses by taking all tickets to the Grizzly River Run between 9:15 - 9:45 am. This takes 5 minutes. If you go later and get Red Section Fastpass it is still OK, just not quite as close to the center.
. OR Picnic meals ($16/ea.) Same Blue or Yellow as GRR Fastpasses and work exactly the same.
. OR for Preferred Dining ($40/ea.)

3. Show up 5-10 minutes before the time listed on the Fastpass. Ask the Cast Members where the entrance for Handicapped is. They will direct you and your group will be admitted FIRST. Take snacks or drinks if desired. While waiting talk to the others around you, it is a great way to pass the time. If others have small children with them, insist that they stand in front of you.

RELAX and Enjoy an amazing Light / Water Show.

 

[ArchOwl]

For all the Handicapped sections, you need to line up 5-10 minutes before the earliest time listed on the Fastpass. For WOC there tends to be much larger Handicapped groups "enjoying" the area.

Eg" Two weeks ago in the upper Blue area two large (6 ea) teenage groups presented their GAPs and the 12 of them took up all the bench seats. The Cast member knew them and they all were laughing and having a good time. I could not tell which of them deserved the GAP.

Later, an elderly lady with a 4-leg cane like from "UP" arrived and had to stand behind them. She was unable to stand for long and asked for assistance from the cast member. When another cast member asked the teenagers to let her sit down they all refused. A cast member then had to help the women with the cane back up the steps the to top area where someone gave up their seat to her.

Most Guests are kind and considerate, but I see this type of behavier all the time at WOC. Usually they are teenagers or a large family.

The WOC Cast Members tend to be new, and not as skilled as the others.

Just get there early to get a seat.

Wow, that is really different then when I saw WOC. They were policing the seating. ONLY the person who the GAC was for could sit down. My hubby stood behind me and when another group came into the handicapped area with a wheelchair, the CM did NOT let the others sit on the bench. She made them stand. About 2 minutes before the show, since we were first in the handicapped area, she came up to my husband and told him since there was room he could sit down on the bench next to me. She was really on top of things. I guess it depends on who is running the area.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Wow, that is really different then when I saw WOC. They were policing the seating. ONLY the person who the GAC was for could sit down. My hubby stood behind me and when another group came into the handicapped area with a wheelchair, the CM did NOT let the others sit on the bench. She made them stand. About 2 minutes before the show, since we were first in the handicapped area, she came up to my husband and told him since there was room he could sit down on the bench next to me. She was really on top of things. I guess it depends on who is running the area.

It varies a lot. They tend to station the new WOC Cast members at the Handicapped sections.

SOME are not skilled at policing the seating, and as show time approaches are overrun with late comers that see a less crowded area. Since the Fastpasses are taken as you enter an area, "Guests" can slip into the Handicapped or Preferred Dining when a Cast Member is not watching (often). They have to depend on the honesty of the "Guest".
Not all Guests behave to the highest moral standards.

Most WOC Cast Members are skilled and diplomatic in seeing that the bench seats and the areas are utilized properly.

Overall, if you arrive in a reasonable time you should have a positive result.

 

[KPeveler]

Oh, and do not be afraid to tell the CMs to move one of those benches if they did not leave room for wheelchairs to be along the rail! I was one of the first in the HA area for blue and they had left room for 2 (TWO!!!) wheelchairs to be along the railing - the rest were benches. Most people were parking their wheelchairs and transferring to the bench, but there was no option for those of us who could not transfer. Seriously, leaving only two spots in the entire disabled viewing area is ridiculous! We just got a CM involved and they moved things so the MANY people with wheelchairs could enjoy the show.

They were not policing the area and most of the people on the bench did not need to be sitting - many of them offered their seat to me so I could see, but I cannot transfer from my wheelchair. I also could not see over their heads (I am child sized and have essentially a child-sized wheelchair).

CMs are really good about helping if you got there first or early. Since I was probably the 3rd or 4th person into that area, there was plenty of time to fix issues.