Handicapped Questions

[ftc316]

We are heading down in Mid November and have some questions about handicapped stuff. My wife has head trauma issues. She can walk the park if need be, but may use a wheelchair from time to time. She has her handicapped card and all. Questions are more of attractions. Does handicapped get you onto any attractions faster. Is a handicapped card hardly the same as a wheelchair? Would only use it if wait time was insane anyway. Say any time after 9am for getting on Studios Toy Story Ride. Any info on this topic as well as other ammenities we are not aware of for handicapped would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Monty]

Allears.net has a whole section on disability at WDW that is well worth reading.

 

[Tom]

We are heading down in Mid November and have some questions about handicapped stuff. My wife has head trauma issues. She can walk the park if need be, but may use a wheelchair from time to time. She has her handicapped card and all. Questions are more of attractions. Does handicapped get you onto any attractions faster. Is a handicapped card hardly the same as a wheelchair? Would only use it if wait time was insane anyway. Say any time after 9am for getting on Studios Toy Story Ride. Any info on this topic as well as other ammenities we are not aware of for handicapped would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

A "Handicapped Card" (didn't know there was such a thing) isn't a free ticket to the front of a line. She would need to rent a wheelchair in each theme park and kindly ask the Cast Members at each attraction what the wheelchair policy there.

They also have signs at most attractions explaining how disabled persons can navigate the line. Most newer attractions have lines designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and then the disabled person just transfers to the ride vehicle at the boarding platform.

Older rides are the ones where you typically need to enter via the exit, thus allowing room for a wheelchair to pass.

If I'm not mistaken, Toy Story Midway Mania can accommodate a wheelchair through most of its line, with a place to pull out early to get to the platform (due to the staircase).

Just to forewarn you, and not to downplay your wife's disability at all, but just walking up and telling a CM that your wife received head trauma won't get you to the front of the line. Being in a wheelchair only allows "cutting" privileges because wheelchairs don't fit. Nobody earns special privileges - it's merely an inconvenience issue.

 

[The Mom]

Does she have mobility issues, social issues, or specific medical issues, or any combination?

For example, someone who, due to a documented medical or other condition, will act out if forced to wait in line can get a GAC which MIGHT shorten the wait. There are no guarantees. Someone in a wheelchair (or not) who just doesn't like waiting in line (like 99% of us, especially children) will not get one. Or, should I say, should not get one.

I took my mother, who had to use a wheelchair (she used a walker at home) and sometimes we got on faster, sometimes we actually waited longer. Sometimes we had a better view (mostly fireworks and parades) sometime the view was worse (some of the theaters) The goal is to make the overall experience as close as possible as every other guest, NOT necessarily better.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm a therapist specializing in cognitive rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain injuries. I'm also a self-described WDW expert of sorts. If I can answer any specific questions for you, please post them here on this thread and if I have any ideas for you I'll respond.

 

[hemloc]

I certainly wouldn't recommend Toy Story Mania to ANYONE who has had traumatic head injuries, actually. It could cause some serious seizures. It may seem benign to the average joe, but it's better to be safe then sorry!!

 

[Tom]

I certainly wouldn't recommend Toy Story Mania to ANYONE who has had traumatic head injuries, actually. It could cause some serious seizures. It may seem benign to the average joe, but it's better to be safe then sorry!!

Good point. I didn't even consider that point the OP made.

With that said, there are several rides that his wife shouldn't ride, including any coaster, any of the dark rides (jerky), TSM, and so on.

FTC316: If your wife has indeed suffered a head injury, be sure to heed all of the warning signs at each attraction.