FP+ and shows with wheelchair seating/wheelchair vehicles

[startraveler]

This is kind of a weird question. Here goes.
There is no way to reserve a wheelchair space at a show when you reserve your FP+, correct? In the past, I have been turned away from shows due to the wheelchair seating being full or in one case I needed a "larger party" to sit in the remaining open space. Is having a FP+ reservation enough to guarantee a space? Or do they still seat wheelchair users and parties until the space is full and then turn people away - so if they give out too many FP+ to wheelchair users I might still be turned away unless I get there early? Does this make sense.
Also, if I have a FP+ say for BUZZ and the wheelchair car is out of commission, is there anyway other than going to the attraction and finding it out from CM to be notified? Any special services that I could sign up for to get an email or something. I know that the Imagination wheelchair car has been down for almost a year, but it is not noted anywhere. People have complained about not being told until they get right up to the loading area. Also if I show up and use my FP+ to get in and then can't ride the ride when I get up to loading, can I get another FP or is that one just blown? I have been turned away from Aladdin, Safari trucks, and others right at the loading point when there has been a problem with the vehicle .
Just trying not to waste FP+s. I'm used to having to stand in two lines separate lines to ride an attraction. But am also used to riding at the end. Haven't been since FP+ rolled out for AP. Don't really know how it will affect my touring.
I know that it is unlikely that anyone will know because the population of people with my needs is a pretty small pool of people. But you never know who is lurking.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom]

Good questions! I look forward to reading some constructive and helpful responses.

 

[JohnD]

This is kind of a weird question. Here goes.
There is no way to reserve a wheelchair space at a show when you reserve your FP+, correct? In the past, I have been turned away from shows due to the wheelchair seating being full or in one case I needed a "larger party" to sit in the remaining open space. Is having a FP+ reservation enough to guarantee a space? Or do they still seat wheelchair users and parties until the space is full and then turn people away - so if they give out too many FP+ to wheelchair users I might still be turned away unless I get there early? Does this make sense.
Also, if I have a FP+ say for BUZZ and the wheelchair car is out of commission, is there anyway other than going to the attraction and finding it out from CM to be notified? Any special services that I could sign up for to get an email or something. I know that the Imagination wheelchair car has been down for almost a year, but it is not noted anywhere. People have complained about not being told until they get right up to the loading area. Also if I show up and use my FP+ to get in and then can't ride the ride when I get up to loading, can I get another FP or is that one just blown? I have been turned away from Aladdin, Safari trucks, and others right at the loading point when there has been a problem with the vehicle .
Just trying not to waste FP+s. I'm used to having to stand in two lines separate lines to ride an attraction. But am also used to riding at the end. Haven't been since FP+ rolled out for AP. Don't really know how it will affect my touring.
I know that it is unlikely that anyone will know because the population of people with my needs is a pretty small pool of people. But you never know who is lurking.
Thanks in advance.

I went with my folks in April and my mother required a wheelchair. We made a FP+ for Illuminations. For us, it made sense because we would end our ADR at LeCellier just before the show. So we were scanned in for our FP+ and they had an available wheelchair spot for us. Was it guaranteed? No, it worked out for us.

Many rides with wheelchair access still require FP+ (e.g. The Land). But others, like SSE, don't. We found out upon arriving that we could enter through the exit. They put us in a waiting area to wait for a CM to escort us to the disembark area from the ride. We left our wheelchair and my mother was mobile enough to walk up to where people were getting off the ride. We got on, coasted past where most board the ride and exited at the same location we got on.

 

[startraveler]

thanks for the response

 

[startraveler]

Anybody know what they do if the space is full or the one special car is out of commission?

 

[JohnD]

Anybody know what they do if the space is full or the one special car is out of commission?

I really think they would go out of their way to accomodate you. If able bodied people are standing in handicapped designated areas, CMs will make them move. If the handicapped areas are full, they would probably put the wheelchair immediately adjacent to the area, either to the left or right. Also, is the person in your party at least able to transfer from the wheelchair to a ride vehicle car if needed? CMs are capable of stopping the motion of the ride to allow this.

 

[startraveler]

Thanks so much for trying to help me out.
No, it's me and I cannot bear weight to transfer. Rides that have special ADA cars for wheelchairs don't have another car adapted for a transfer. Only three rides I can transfer to. One is easy - Soarin. They just kind of throw me in the seat. Two are hard and can only be done when my companion is well rested! Haunted Mansion and Space Ship Earth. I don't have long to keep riding those. I'd love to ride the new 7D ride, but first I'll stand in line and look at it. I can get into some rides using gravity, but I can't use it to get out. Don't want to close down the ride or anything! So say something like Journey into Imagination, I can't do if the "wheelchair" car is still offline. No official word on this. Anecdotal is still it's not coming back anytime soon.
Yes, they have gone out of the way for me in the past. Ex: bringing the Jungle Cruise boat with the lift out after it was "put away." I really appreciate it. But I have been turned away from shows after waiting in long lines, and all the people behind me get in. Even told at Nemo Show once that if I had more people in my party I could come in, but that the remaining space was for larger wheelchair parties. I'm used to adapting to the frustrating stuff because they do go out of their way for other stuff. With this new system of getting FP in advance and only getting three (doubt if I'll be backtracking around the park to go to kiosks) I don't want to waste a fast pass if the special car is out of commission.
I guess one of things I'm really asking is that if I use a FP+ and can't ride the ride for whatever reason, will they give me another fast pass then? Do I have to wait to use the other two to get somebody to try to get me a fourth from a kiosk? I never had fast pass before because a few lines are not accessible and there is a special entrance. I also had a GAC card to use at others. I have heard that wheelchair users are not entitled to the new cards - more for cognitive disabilities. Just trying to figure this new stuff out. I really appreciate your responses.

 

[BroganMc]

Thanks so much for trying to help me out.
No, it's me and I cannot bear weight to transfer. Rides that have special ADA cars for wheelchairs don't have another car adapted for a transfer. Only three rides I can transfer to. One is easy - Soarin. They just kind of throw me in the seat. Two are hard and can only be done when my companion is well rested! Haunted Mansion and Space Ship Earth. I don't have long to keep riding those. I'd love to ride the new 7D ride, but first I'll stand in line and look at it. I can get into some rides using gravity, but I can't use it to get out. Don't want to close down the ride or anything! So say something like Journey into Imagination, I can't do if the "wheelchair" car is still offline. No official word on this. Anecdotal is still it's not coming back anytime soon.
Yes, they have gone out of the way for me in the past. Ex: bringing the Jungle Cruise boat with the lift out after it was "put away." I really appreciate it. But I have been turned away from shows after waiting in long lines, and all the people behind me get in. Even told at Nemo Show once that if I had more people in my party I could come in, but that the remaining space was for larger wheelchair parties. I'm used to adapting to the frustrating stuff because they do go out of their way for other stuff. With this new system of getting FP in advance and only getting three (doubt if I'll be backtracking around the park to go to kiosks) I don't want to waste a fast pass if the special car is out of commission.
I guess one of things I'm really asking is that if I use a FP+ and can't ride the ride for whatever reason, will they give me another fast pass then? Do I have to wait to use the other two to get somebody to try to get me a fourth from a kiosk? I never had fast pass before because a few lines are not accessible and there is a special entrance. I also had a GAC card to use at others. I have heard that wheelchair users are not entitled to the new cards - more for cognitive disabilities. Just trying to figure this new stuff out. I really appreciate your responses.

I realize this post is from a month ago, but a few things are confusing me.

Journey Into Imagination has two wheelchair vehicles. Both were working when I went on two weeks ago (end of September). I was able to do this attraction with no FP+ and just the usual wait for the wheelchair car to cycle around to me. (About 5 mins extra in the loading bay.) There was no wait to board. I attempt this one when there's no wait which is most of the time.

It sounds like the FP+ fireworks viewing spots got wheelchair sections. I used my FP+ for that last December 29 for Illuminations because I had a late arriving flight that day. They weren't reserving any wheelchair zones then. I complained about it mightily. Sounds like that was addressed. Still I wouldn't bother burning a FP+ on fireworks for EPCOT. There are plenty excellent wheelchair viewing areas around the lake already. Some much better than the FP+ viewing.

Same is true for most parade viewing places. Not worth the FP+ for wheelies.

If the wheelchair car is down, managers will offer a Re-Entry Pass for wheelie guests. Just ask and explain your predicament. Winnie the Pooh broke down while I was on it in September. They gavee re-entry passes for something else to compensate.

Also, ask at the rides before you get in line. CM greeters should know if the vehicle is working. If not, their coordinators will. It saves you and them time not wasting energy in line for something you cannot do. Only time I've ever gotten turned away was when the vehicle broke just as I got to boarding or I forgot to ask before I entered.

In general FP+ isn't worth it for wheelies were there's special seating at a show or event. Wheelies are counted differently and accommodated. Use your FP+ for rides that are popular and have more than 30 minute waits. Spaceship Earth doesn't require a FP+ at any time for wheelies. You board at the exit and enter the line that way. CMs will take down names and have you wait your turn inside. it helps to avoid this attraction first thing in the morning. Afternoon and evening it tends to be a walk on.

Jungle Cruise, Living with the Land and Star Tours also use alternate queues for wheelies. If it's crowded, they'll give you Return Time tickets. Otherwise they will pull you aside and direct you to the proper waiting area.

I'm not sure why they turned you away from the Frozen Sing-a-Long.I think you misunderstood. They have limited seating on the mezzanine for large wheelchairs (aka size of scooters) but more seating in front for standard-sized wheelchairs. Could it be you misunderstood and the CM was thinking you needed the extra space of an ECV? If so, they should be able to fit you into a later show. If they aren't being responsive, I'd pay a visit to Guest Relations or talk to a manager.