use of disabled viewing areas

[nee]

Ihave used a GAC at wdw and disneyland Paris several times in the past to sit in the disabled parade viewing areas.
I do not use a wheelchair but have trouble with standing for long periods and balance problems. This year though at wdw they would only let wc users and their parties in. It did not seem fair that the people sitting down were all able bodied and they would not let me sit
I had to stand in the crowds as I was traveling alone with my 9 yr old daughter and could not disapoint her, but twice I nearly fell into a group of children sitting down because even a slight push knocks me off balance and I felt so drained afterwards.
Do you know if this is a new rule ?

Happy christmas to you all

 

[WDWwandering]

i dont like it either...

Even tho disney is one of the most accessible places on earth for the disabled (myself included) i dont kno what is goin on with the viewing for parades and such. They used to have special areas for wc and ECV guests and i dont understand why its gone now...i also dont understand how they can get rid of such things either and still comply with ADA rules...i have been goin to disney for MANY years (both as some one who can walk and someone who cant) and have always been amazed at how barrier free it is..until recently. This whole parade deal is quite the inconvenience. Its suprising how rude people are that they would stand in front of someone who is in a wheel chair and has no other option for viewing the parade but to mix in with everyone else. the whole concept of having no seperate handicapped ride entrances for attractions anymore also kinda irks me. ive been told by many a cast member that the normal ride que will fit my wheel chair and it does...sort of. ive had one too many embarassing experiences getting stuck in the que for test track. I realize that people abused the seperate entrances and viewing ares inorder to beat the crowds but its not helping any of us who are handicaped in any way. somethings gotta give. :veryconfu

 

[Elaine]

Disabled viewing areas

When were you there last? We were there in August and all of the viewing areas were in place. Nothing seem to change. As they modernize the MK, they are making the ques wider to accomodate the ECV's and such which is ok. The MK being the oldest of the 4 parks is the least handicapped friendly but still very accessible. The only ride we don't do very often is Pirates of the Carib. It's a shame because it was one of our favorites. A hand held wheel chair in that steep and winding que line is killer. My husband is not a little man and I have little or no control of the chair going down hill. There is a side entrance that we were able to use a couple of times but they won't do it anymore...so we can't do the attraction anymore.

 

[nee]

We were there in February this year and yes the viewing areas are still there but what I meant was they allow wc users to sit at the front, but the people with them can sit on the wall behind.
They would not let anyone who was disabled sit in there unless they had a wheelchair which I thought was unfair and yes I had a GAC and bought proof that I was disabled

 

[Invero]

Re: i dont like it either...

Originally posted by WDWwandering
the whole concept of having no seperate handicapped ride entrances for attractions anymore also kinda irks me.

This is being done for a bunch of reasons. Disney has always been good about making sure those guests who are disabled get treated just the same as everyone else, and get to experience everything than an able bodied person can. By integrating the queue lines, it provides the same experience for everyone. It's only fair.

Another reason is to discourage the misuse of rented wheelchairs. Too many people were renting wheelchairs just to skip the lines. Since Disney cannot legally question the validity of ones disability, other methods were put in place to discourage the misuse.

 

[Elaine]

Disabled viewing areas

Fantasia Boi...Can't they ask for Handicapped ID such as the card that comes with handicapped license tags or state cards issued to people that are handicapped that don't drive used just for ID? This issue has bothered me for years. You can clearly see that some people are riding those ECV's for recreation and have the $ to rent one not because they need it. I've often thought is could be controlled better if the ECV's were handled mainly at the hotels and a smaller # were offered at the parks. If you qualify for a special needs room you should honestly need an ECV. All in all the Viewing areas and attractions have been great. Pirates is the only one that I feel is actually dangerous to the other people around you. I truly feel that they could do better there. It's a shame that we now can't do it anymore. It was always one of our favorites. Buzz Lightyear is (Ithink) the newest ride that you actually do the queue line and it's fine. There is no need(other than to save the other peoples ankles and feet) to get on any ride first because you are handicapped. They really do a fantastic job of accommodating I think.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Unfortunately Elaine, Disney legally CANT Ask for proof of a disability. It is against the law. As far as the line, A CM one time had told me that the Americans With Disabilities Act actually says that they are to try to provide the exact same experience for all guests, disabled or not. Hence if there is a line that an wheelchair, ECV, etc can go through, they should be allowed to and not let into the attraction via a side entrance. If people want to take advantage of a system that is in place for others who arent as mobile as myself, so be it. I Am just grateful that I have two good legs and am healthy enough to run around Disney at will!!! Belle