Worried About Doing Disneyland Disabled

[katmigordon]

I've been trying to plan for a trip next May, our very first actually.
The more I read the more I fear the fact that we are both disabled is going to make the trip a misery.
It's looking like there is a lot we can't ride - including a couple I was really looking forward to Pirates and Mr Toad,
I'm also pooh sized and keep hearing reports about how much smaller the rides are in DL than they are in WDW.

Then comes the issue of food, with so much of it being counter service, I have visions of trying to maneuver around crowds on my wheel chair, trying to balance food in one hand, drink in another and trying to steer my chair at the same time trying to find someplace to set our food down and eat.

And it seems (from what I've seen from youtube) that you don't line up to meet characters, but follow them around the park talking to them... how are they going to feel about being followed around by someone in a wheelchair? And is it true that you have to take your own selfies with them? Because how am I going to angel that right when my head will probably be even with their waist?

Sorry about the trauma dump, but somebody on another thread mentioned that I should make a thread with these fears and see if anyone might have some words of wisdom for me. I really want to love Disneyland.

 

[Wesley815]

Sorry about the trauma dump, but somebody on another thread mentioned that I should make a thread with these fears and see if anyone might have some words of wisdom for me. I really want to love Disneyland.

Great questions/valid concerns and I'm sure others will reply with their own personal experience. I worked at the parks 10+ years ago and Cast Members would do everything possible to accommodate making each situation feel the same regardless of wheelchair or different mobility.

Disney has put together detailed website as well-
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

 

[BrianL]

I think you will find it just as friendly as WDW, though some of the walking areas can become more congested. It is possible to navigate though. On characters, some of them do have designated spots and lines - there is a Princess meeting hall space and such - however at DL they sometimes have to walk to their place as there is no backstage access/utilidors for them. This is where you see them walking around and talking with guests as they go. There is usually a spot for taking photos and such, at least for a lot of the characters. I am sure that the characters and handler CMs will be as friendly and helpful as they can be.

So, don't be afraid - go and have fun! I am sure that you have some additional considerations and all, but it's still Disneyland.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I have absolutely no idea where you’re getting your information from but the narrative is completely false.

The only attraction plus sized guests complain about is the general seating area of Submarine Voyage. But this can be remedied by letting a CM know you need additional space and they will reserve two seats for you. But this wouldn’t apply to you anyway since there’s a separate seating area for disabled guests, which can also accommodate guests of very large sizes as well so that everyone can enjoy the attraction. (Also, most plus sized guests don’t have problems with Matterhorn but some very large or tall guests do - but they’re okay with the front seat since it has more room - it’s the same ride vehicle used at Space Mountain in WDW).

You can select your seats at any counter service restaurant, place your order via mobile order and pick it ip when it’s ready. You’ll have your table reserved and set when your food arrives.

The character meet-and-greets are identical to WDW - designated spots people line up for.

 

[KimberMama]

It might be a good idea to email Disneyland’s Accessibility Services to ask some of your specific questions. But here are some thing I know based on my experiences as a Pooh-sized person who uses a walker:

1) If you can transfer from your wheel chair you should be able to ride PotC. Same for Mr. Toad, you would request a location return time, enter through the exit, and ask for extra time to board. Location return times at Disneyland (for the attractions that don’t have ADA accessible queues) will be your best bet and for the most part are required if the line is over 5 minutes long or if the cast member insists). DCA has ADA accessible queues and some queues at DL are accessible as well. If you can’t transfer from the wheel chair at all you definitely need to get with a cast member or at least search for threads of people who do DL without being able to transfer.

2) I can fit all of the rides at DL and DCA, so I suppose it depends just how Pooh-sized you are.

3) It sounds like table service restaurants would be a better choice for you. You could also look at menus and decide which foods would be easier to maneuver with, such as places where you could carry the food in a bag rather than on a plate (bring your own bags) such as a corn dog, burger and fries, etc.. Can you attach a cup holder to your chair? If not, you can buy bottled beverages from most food carts, which should be easier to carry unopened.

4) For the most part you absolutely do line up to meet characters, at least the main ones (M&M, Donald, Goofy — although Goofy also wanders at times, some princesses, etc.) and not the ones who wander the park (Mad Hatter and Alice, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, etc.). But even the wandering characters will stop and talk to you. Sometimes there will be PhotoPass photographers, but not with the wandering characters. For the wandering characters, they kneel down for photos with children and I’m certain they’ve had training on how to interact with guests in wheelchairs. For your situation I might choose to meet Mickey at his house, where you can take a little more time and there will be a photographer.

I won’t pretend doing DL as a disabled person is as easy as it is for an able person, as I’ve done it both ways. I’m looking forward to continued healing and hope to be walker free by late August.

 

[KPeterso]

I am a Disneyland local and go with my mom in a wheelchair all the time. I am with others that you got some bad information.

1. Agree with others, if you can transfer, you can ride basically everything. I will say that I find Matterhorn super uncomfortable - I am pooh sized - but my issue is with getting out since my knees are above my hips. But if you can do Space at WDW, you should be fine. I skip that one there. I can think of no reason why you would be unable to ride Pirates or Mr Toad.

2. Also pooh sized and I fit on everything. Agree with others might depend on how Pooh sized.

3. I have done it several ways. Found a table and parked mom at it while I was running into a quick service to grab some food. I have also taken her in with me and asked a cast member to carry a tray for me. From the spot I got the food to the register and then to a table. I have never had a cast member say no to me.

4. Characters - Many have permanent meeting spots. Some on Main Street come out from backstage will have a group form around them. They get to kind of choose where specifically that they want to go for their meet. So just follow them to where they decide to go and get in line. All characters will have a character handler with them. Just ask if they will take a quick picture for you. Or I have had a few times the CM is not readily available and I will ask the guest behind me in line if they will take a picture. And I am sure that the cast member will bend down to be in a selfie if you want. I treid to find a picture of one down at my mom's level but am not seeing any right away. I have seen characters get down to toddler levels many times though.

 

[irlandaise]

1) If you can transfer from your wheel chair you should be able to ride PotC.

I didn't realize that, but I just looked around the net and found some videos of people doing that. This video even shows a transfer device that CMs can provide:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7291873015871196459

(Pirates is 43 seconds into the video.)

As KimberMama and others have said, do look over the accessibility information on the DL website and feel free to call them with specific questions.

 

[katmigordon]

Do the villains have specific spots to meet? I'm a big villain fan, not so much fab five and princess. Though I do love some of the more "modern" princesses like Merida, Belle and Tiana. Huge Mary Poppins fan.

I think you will find it just as friendly as WDW, though some of the walking areas can become more congested. It is possible to navigate though. On characters, some of them do have designated spots and lines - there is a Princess meeting hall space and such - however at DL they sometimes have to walk to their place as there is no backstage access/utilidors for them. This is where you see them walking around and talking with guests as they go. There is usually a spot for taking photos and such, at least for a lot of the characters. I am sure that the characters and handler CMs will be as friendly and helpful as they can be.

So, don't be afraid - go and have fun! I am sure that you have some additional considerations and all, but it's still Disneyland.

 

[katmigordon]

1) If you can transfer from your wheel chair you should be able to ride PotC. Same for Mr. Toad, you would request a location return time, enter through the exit, and ask for extra time to board. Location return times at Disneyland (for the attractions that don’t have ADA accessible queues) will be your best bet and for the most part are required if the line is over 5 minutes long or if the cast member insists). DCA has ADA accessible queues and some queues at DL are accessible as well. If you can’t transfer from the wheel chair at all you definitely need to get with a cast member or at least search for threads of people who do DL without being able to transfer.

I can transfer - but only if they have one of those special seats where I can sit and slide - because I can't step up and down, my mobility issues deal with my knees and my ability to step up and down.

3) It sounds like table service restaurants would be a better choice for you. You could also look at menus and decide which foods would be easier to maneuver with, such as places where you could carry the food in a bag rather than on a plate (bring your own bags) such as a corn dog, burger and fries, etc.. Can you attach a cup holder to your chair? If not, you can buy bottled beverages from most food carts, which should be easier to carry unopened.

There don't seem to be a lot of choices for sit down restaurants.

 

[mamaburrito]

I can transfer - but only if they have one of those special seats where I can sit and slide - because I can't step up and down, my mobility issues deal with my knees and my ability to step up and down.


There don't seem to be a lot of choices for sit down restaurants.

Are you concerned about the number of sit down restraunts or the food options? What type of food are you looking for? We can all give options if you share your likes.

 

[BrianL]

Do the villains have specific spots to meet? I'm a big villain fan, not so much fab five and princess. Though I do love some of the more "modern" princesses like Merida, Belle and Tiana. Huge Mary Poppins fan.

There aren't a lot of villains except at Oggie Boogie Bash, though I have seen Cruella on Main Street. She would be one who walks to her spot then back to backstage. One of the main character dispatch areas is at the corner between Main Street (Hub) and Tomorrowland (there are some restrooms nearby).

If you are a huge Mary Poppins fan, then make sure to watch for when the Disneyland Band plays her over to the King Arthur Carousel. If you time it right, you can even ride on it with her! I do not know if timing on that is published, but it's about the coolest thing ever.

 

[irlandaise]

There aren't a lot of villains except at Oggie Boogie Bash, though I have seen Cruella on Main Street.

Are you one of those people who doesn't consider Darth Vader and Kylo Ren to be villains?

 

[brentm77]

I've been trying to plan for a trip next May, our very first actually.
The more I read the more I fear the fact that we are both disabled is going to make the trip a misery.
It's looking like there is a lot we can't ride - including a couple I was really looking forward to Pirates and Mr Toad,
I'm also pooh sized and keep hearing reports about how much smaller the rides are in DL than they are in WDW.

Then comes the issue of food, with so much of it being counter service, I have visions of trying to maneuver around crowds on my wheel chair, trying to balance food in one hand, drink in another and trying to steer my chair at the same time trying to find someplace to set our food down and eat.

And it seems (from what I've seen from youtube) that you don't line up to meet characters, but follow them around the park talking to them... how are they going to feel about being followed around by someone in a wheelchair? And is it true that you have to take your own selfies with them? Because how am I going to angel that right when my head will probably be even with their waist?

Sorry about the trauma dump, but somebody on another thread mentioned that I should make a thread with these fears and see if anyone might have some words of wisdom for me. I really want to love Disneyland.

My daughter is currently using a wheelchair while adjusting to her prosthesis, and I just want to reassure you—the park is absolutely manageable, even without DAS. She had a wonderful time at Disneyland. Are you ambulatory? That could help me tailor some suggestions better for you.

Edit: I saw your note about limited transfers—my daughter was in a very similar spot early on following her amputation. Cast Members were fantastic: for rides like Pirates, they provided a step device that let her sit and scoot down using her arms. Watching a few videos ahead of time might help you feel out whether that’ll work for you. She managed every ride transfer using just one leg, so I really believe it’s doable. Take your time and ask for what you need—don’t rush just because others are waiting. Truly, people can pause a few extra seconds so you can board safely. And for rides like Haunted Mansion, don’t hesitate to ask them to slow down the moving walkway. They may phrase it in a way that feels like you should rush, but be honest about what you need.

As for food, my daughter has always had someone assist her, so I can't say solo dining is entirely seamless. That said, places like the upper level of Hungry Bear are typically low-key. I’d recommend simply asking if a Cast Member can help carry your tray—chances are they’ll happily step in.

We had one rough moment near the wishing well, where a Cast Member asked my daughter to “move along” even though several able-bodied guests were allowed to linger. It was upsetting, and I gently returned to explain that her wheelchair is her legs—she shouldn't have been singled out. The Cast Member denied she had treated her differently, burst into tears, and literally ran away, which was tough—we weren’t trying to scold, just to help educate. I still believe in speaking up respectfully when these things happen. Some people just need a little more awareness, and that’s okay.

Please don’t let that discourage you. That was our only negative experience, and it was a blip in what was otherwise a fantastic trip. Speak up when you need to, and don’t be afraid to say: “Please treat me like anyone else.”

You’ve got this. I truly think it’ll be more enjoyable—and easier—than you expect.

 

[mom2rtk]

There are some characters that walk around without the express purpose of stopping for photos. But there are a bunch that have traditional lines. You just have to get a sense for which are which.

 

[BrianL]

Are you one of those people who doesn't consider Darth Vader and Kylo Ren to be villains?

No, I'm the type of person who frogets that Galaxy's Edge was added to DL.

 

[Kit Jackson]

There are characters who have a designated stationary spot where they meet people. You wait in line. There is often a cast member/PhotoPass photographer who will take a picture with your phone, so it doesn't have to be a selfie.

 

[LKing]

I forgot about Cruella. She's out often as is Captain Hook and the Evil Queen.

 

[irlandaise]

Are you one of those people who doesn't consider Darth Vader and Kylo Ren to be villains?

No, I'm the type of person who frogets that Galaxy's Edge was added to DL.

Fair enough! Although I think Vader is in Tomorrowland, not SWGE.

 

[carouselDL]

I forgot about Cruella. She's out often as is Captain Hook and the Evil Queen.

Gaston too, at least as of last year! He, Captain Hook, and the Evil Queen should all be in Fantasyland.

Do the villains have specific spots to meet? I'm a big villain fan, not so much fab five and princess. Though I do love some of the more "modern" princesses like Merida, Belle and Tiana. Huge Mary Poppins fan.

I've seen Belle in Fantasyland (arguing with Gaston, actually, which was awesome lol). Tiana is pretty frequently around New Orleans/the Mark Twain (roaming), and iirc Merida is sometimes out on the path to Small World (stationary). Hopefully someone who's been more recently can confirm!

 

[katmigordon]

Are you concerned about the number of sit down restraunts or the food options? What type of food are you looking for? We can all give options if you share your likes.

Here's what we're looking a so far:

Breakfast - jolly holiday bakery
Lunch: Carnation Cafe lunch
Dinner: Troubadours for potatoes (I'd love to do table service here - but don't see any options that would work for us.