View Full Version : Disabled areas for viewing parades
Are there any areas for those in wheelchairs to get a good view of the parades? Our son is easily overwhelmed by crowds and I want him to get the most out of the experience.
Yes, or at least there was in the Animal Kingdom so I can only assume there is at all the parks.
They rope off an area specific for wheelchair guests.
Best bet is to pop into Guest Relations on the way into the park and I'm sure they can give you the specific areas for the parade viewing.
Brizzle
Magical Dreams
17-10-2004, 17:22
I am sure that there is in ALL Disney Parks.
Ask at Guest relations for the best places.
They usually fill up quick on busier days so get there early.
Your son should be fine in these positions marker out specially for them.
Don't worry. There is also someone close by to give you a helping hand should you need it.
Most of the shows have them too if you didn't already know!
Have a fabulous time!
[grouphug]
Nostromo
17-10-2004, 17:26
There is a very good area in Epcot's World Showcase for viewing the pyrotechnics. It is somewhere near the Japan pavilion. I suspect there are others too.
For AK, I saw some well placed wheelchairs just as we came out of Dinoland USA. I am not sure whether this was a designated wheelchair area or simply had been a well chosen vantage point, but the occupants of the wheelchairs had excellent views as the parade went past.
hi,
we stood next to the disabled area at MK a few years ago and had to keep telling people to not stand in front of the wheelchairs!
I did feel sorry for them as they had been waiting ages and to have someone stand infront of them was wrong. They did move once a few of us dragged them away!!!
DOM
There are disabled viewing areas in all of the disney parks. When you enter the park and pick up the park guide the viewing areas are marked on the map inside the guide. You do need to go to the viewing areas early as there is only so much space set aside but having said this the cm`s are very good and if they can squeeze you in they will.
On arrival at each park for the first time go to guest relations and ask for a disabled pass/card (I`m not exactly sure what they are called) and each time you want to go on a ride you can show the pass, it also includes the number of guests you have in your party.
Fortunately I have never experienced anyone standing in front of the disabled area, but if you do, see a CM and they will ask them to move, as unfortunately not everyone is considerate.
Hope you have a great time when you go!
Mandy
SunLover
18-10-2004, 05:14
You will find in addition to the separate viewing areas for guests in wheelchairs that at the parks, that most places you visit in the USA are much more wheelchair accessible than in the UK.
I'm sure you'll all have a great vacation [8D]
CarolAnn
18-10-2004, 12:46
As already noted, there are definately viewing areas for guests in wheelchairs. Unfortunately there will always be those who are a little selfish when it comes to restricting others view, whether you be a small child or in a wheel chair, but the areas are usually well marked and in really good spots along the routes.
My top tip is don't think geting there super early will help,often it means that for 30 minutes you think you have the best spot, then at the very last minute a crowd from no where appears in front of you, just before the parade begins!!! Leave it fairly close to time, then get a cast member to locate you in the disignated viewing area[msnwink]
Best wishes, hope you have a great trip.:)
Thanks for your replies and advice - much appreciated.[msnsmile2]
KirstieLou
18-10-2004, 17:12
Try the very end of the parade route at MK. I was there late Sept this year and we went to the very end of the route. We had loads of space with no-one in front or behind us.
Big Mack
18-10-2004, 20:42
Hi Fletch
just to let you know, we did not use any of the disabled viewing points for the parades, instead we picked what we thought would be a good spot and got their early. The reason for this was that we had seven in our group and so it would have meant splitting the group up if my FIL had used the disabled viewing points. (No way we would all have got in). The disabled viewing points do get very crowded themselves.
As others have said some people can be so inconsiderate it will astonish you. What we did was look for the marks on the road at MK where the poles for the ropes get placed, this then tells you where the boundary for the parade is going to be. Then you can get into a position where nobody will be able to stand in front of you because you will be right next to the rope. At AK they are not so advanced so look for the guys laying down a line of masking tape about 30-45 minutes before the parade. MGM do not put any markings down if i remeber right but their are loads of good spots especially around the sorcerers hat.
Hope this helps
Mack
heathercobbett
18-10-2004, 21:41
We took a disabled friend to Epcot last year and thought the viewing area was the best in the park.
Also,very sociable while waiting for the fireworks to begin.
And how wonderful the display is;we took another friend the previous year and he said it was worth the entry fee alone!
bluebirds
18-10-2004, 22:21
Hi my son is autistic and gets upset by big crowds. When we went to Disneyland Paris we had a disability pass for the 4 of us. You can use it for the parades and get a special roped off area. The disney staff are very helpful. The only prob is when Joe Public query your right to be there. Autism shows no outward signs of disability but believe me when theres alot of people my son gets abit wobbly. Mind you he can't wait for the big rides. He only has to grow just under half an inch and he will be big enough for Krakken at Seaworld and some of the other big rides. Help!!!!!!!!!:):)
heathercobbett
18-10-2004, 22:27
Bluebird, I know of somebody who has had leaflets printed to explain her disability and she hands them to the rude and curious.I am sure you get fed up of going through it over and over.
That was a timely reminder for which I thank you,as we have a family with an autistic child going out next year
Good luck to you;everyday life must be difficult,let alone going on holiday so I am in awe of your managing that
bluebirds
18-10-2004, 22:48
Thanks for the thought i cope so well. My son is very good considering his disability. He has a tick chart for each day that goes by until he goes to Florida. My friend who is also going with us also has an autistic son with alot of behavioural probs. If you hear of unexplained hurricaine in May 2005 in the Orlando region it will be him. My friend does have aleaflet i used to have a little business type card i used to show people they soon shut up.