Wheelchairs, Injuries, Lines...

[angelfaerie52]

Hey all,

I recently got in a minor accident and I wound up spraining my right ankle pretty badly. I also broke my jaw and had some other minor injuries. I am from the Orlando area, but my family and I had a little getaway booked to Disney next weekend that I think I am going to go to still just as a treat to me as I haven't seen them in months. My mouth is going to be sealed shut, too. ANYWAY, I know that I can rent a wheelchair, but I may have trouble walking onto any rides unless I bring the crutches... which i'll probably have to.

If I go anywhere in the parks and show my medical documentation, do you know if there is anything Disney can do for me so I don't have to physically stand in line anywhere? I hate to milk the system, but I think that this trip would cheer me up after this stupid accident that is leaving me stuck in the house for two weeks... Any advice from anyone in similar situatons would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TOTGuy]

Don't worry at all about "milking the system". We are very receptive to people who need accomodations. You don't even need documentation. All you have to do is when you go to your first park stop by guest relations and ask for a "Guest Assistance Card". They will ask you what kind of accomodations you will need, ask for the alternate entrance AND wheelchair stamps. These stamps will enable you to use either the fastpass or wheelchair entrances to expedite your visit. They should have no problem, especially if you are in a wheelchair with your jaw wired shut. They will also ask how long you want the card for, I believe they can write it for three months at a time. I have a condition and I use a GAC on my days off. One card will work at all four parks for the entire length indicated on the card. Let me know if you have anymore questions. I hope you feel better!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Sorry to hear about your accident - hope you still have a great time at WDW

 

[minnie61650]

Disney started mainstreaming most of their lines in the late 1990's. Those in WC/EVC will usually enter in the regular line. You will be able to stay in the WC until just before boarding most of the time.
Sometimes the WC (and up to 5 members of your party) may be pulled from the mainstream line part way down so they can board the ride in an Accessible area. NOTE: This does mean head of the line but just another to wait where the ride will be accessable. WC's can't climb steps so sometimes they need to take an elevator. Or they may need to board a ride where the riders usually exit in case
they need an accessible vehicle or need the moving sidewalk slowed or stopped so they can board. Also they need an area where they can leave the WC if they transfer to the ride.


You can pickup a book for Guests with disabilities at Guest Services and it will explain which rides you can stay in your chair , and which ones require you to transfer etc.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[Lindsy1052]

Hey all,

I recently got in a minor accident and I wound up spraining my right ankle pretty badly. I also broke my jaw and had some other minor injuries. I am from the Orlando area, but my family and I had a little getaway booked to Disney next weekend that I think I am going to go to still just as a treat to me as I haven't seen them in months. My mouth is going to be sealed shut, too. ANYWAY, I know that I can rent a wheelchair, but I may have trouble walking onto any rides unless I bring the crutches... which i'll probably have to.

If I go anywhere in the parks and show my medical documentation, do you know if there is anything Disney can do for me so I don't have to physically stand in line anywhere? I hate to milk the system, but I think that this trip would cheer me up after this stupid accident that is leaving me stuck in the house for two weeks... Any advice from anyone in similar situatons would be greatly appreciated!

Gone are the days when you could go to the front of the line and get right on a ride. They had to do this because people started abusing it. Not needing a wheel chair they would rent one anyway just to jump the lines, not right, but this is what some people were doing. A lot of the rides have a special waiting area if you are in a wheel chair. The rest of your party gets on the regular line and when they reach the front, you join them.

 

[Craig & Lisa]

In 2001, we had brought my mother-in-law to WDW before she passed. At the time she was ok for short walks but could not go for long without having to stop for a rest. We rented a wheelchair for her and the CM's were very accomidating. She said she had no problems waiting in line but sometimes the CM's insisted that she go the other way. She didn't like it but she never complained outloud. Just be prepared for those few who have an observational problem. Have fun and sorry for your misfortune, hope everything heals up fast and nicely.:wave:

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Hey all,

I recently got in a minor accident and I wound up spraining my right ankle pretty badly. I also broke my jaw and had some other minor injuries. I am from the Orlando area, but my family and I had a little getaway booked to Disney next weekend that I think I am going to go to still just as a treat to me as I haven't seen them in months. My mouth is going to be sealed shut, too. ANYWAY, I know that I can rent a wheelchair, but I may have trouble walking onto any rides unless I bring the crutches... which i'll probably have to.

If I go anywhere in the parks and show my medical documentation, do you know if there is anything Disney can do for me so I don't have to physically stand in line anywhere? I hate to milk the system, but I think that this trip would cheer me up after this stupid accident that is leaving me stuck in the house for two weeks... Any advice from anyone in similar situatons would be greatly appreciated!

Milk the system... I've heard far too many tales of people with absolutely no real need for special accomodations milking the system... So milk away... If it make you feel better a guy a work with loves telling the story of his first trip to Disneyland where a friend took them and gave some BS story about a hurt foot so that they could bypass the regular lines and skip to the head.

 

[disneygirl1972]

10 yrs ago I went to the World after breaking my patella and having surgery, ( it happened on another vacation, and we did this as a make-up trip). I was using a cane @ the time, and had a very difficult time walking any great distances. Disney was great, the wheelchair could be pushed up to if not onto most ride vehicles. They will stop some of the ongoing ride vehicles, allowing you to carefully board. If your crutches can't fit in the vehicle, they will hold them for you, and bring them to the exit, if it is in a separate location. I know this has been a while ago for me, but I'm sure they are just as wonderful as I remember.

Have a great trip!!

Julie:xmas:

 

[jtced]

Wheelchair in Sept 07

We just got back in September. We were there with my mother in a wheelchair. (She fell 3 weeks before we went, messed her knee up pretty badly, just had surgery last week) We didn't have a problem with the lines so much, but the guest that don't notice the chair until they were in her lap. The only place we had a a big problem was the Haunted Mansion. We went through the whole cue line as directed only to get to the turnstiles to be turned around and have the CM ask us why we didn't get out at the Handicapped gate, they had to flag down the CM to let us through the gate. (Little to be said that this was the 1st day it was opened, maybe staff wasn't fully trained on this?? Don't know??)

Most places the CM will notice you, we found a lot of CMs busy talking or not really paying attention to the handicap gate. I guess this might be something you have to overlook, since some people think you are getting at the head of the line. (By the way, you try to push around 150+ lbs all day, NOT the same as a stroller)

I hope that you get better service of the handicap enterances then we did. Good Luck, Get Well!

 

[mickey&me]

We took my mom, who has terrible knee problems, in spring '06. She too can only walk or stand for short periods of time and then must rest. She rented an ECV. At the accessible entrances to all the rides and attractions that she wanted to go to, we found the CMs helpful and understanding--we were never ignored. When she told them that she couldn't stand in line for more than a few minutes at a time, they invariably honored the request, even w/o the GAC. By all means, GO with no guilt and forget your problems for a while. They'll still be here when you get back!

 

[angelfaerie52]

Thank you all so much for the feedback! I don't care about cutting in on lines, but I do know that some rides like Space Mtn, Big Thunder Mtn (if I can even go on them with my jaw... have to ask my doctor tomorrow), that the chair can't go through the queue. I figure by then I should be able to hop out of the chair, maybe... taking it one day at a time. Maybe I'll even be able to walk slowly, I just think a full day or even half day at the park will be too much for me.

I feel silly going when my jaw will be sealed shut, but it is supposed to be a family visit and I will not see them until after the holidays... my break from law school. My mom is understanding, but my aunt would be disappointed if we didn't get to the parks. Now I feel like I can and I might as well ask for a GAC... do I need to bring any medical documentation for that? If it has info on the accessibility level for each ride, that is cool..

Also, I heard TTA makes you leave the chair... do you know if I could use my crutches and/or a cane to go up the moving ramp? Thanks so much....

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Thank you all so much for the feedback! I don't care about cutting in on lines, but I do know that some rides like Space Mtn, Big Thunder Mtn (if I can even go on them with my jaw... have to ask my doctor tomorrow), that the chair can't go through the queue. I figure by then I should be able to hop out of the chair, maybe... taking it one day at a time. Maybe I'll even be able to walk slowly, I just think a full day or even half day at the park will be too much for me.

I feel silly going when my jaw will be sealed shut, but it is supposed to be a family visit and I will not see them until after the holidays... my break from law school. My mom is understanding, but my aunt would be disappointed if we didn't get to the parks. Now I feel like I can and I might as well ask for a GAC... do I need to bring any medical documentation for that? If it has info on the accessibility level for each ride, that is cool..

Also, I heard TTA makes you leave the chair... do you know if I could use my crutches and/or a cane to go up the moving ramp? Thanks so much....

If your jaw is still wired shut you'll be taking quite a risk with any roller coaster type ride.