My aunt and my Mom's friend will both be requiring wheel chairs for their visit to the parks. I have never been with anyone in a wheelchair and was debating going on this trip with them. I want to go, as I always want to go to Disneyland, but I thought I would find out if anyone else has been to the parks in a wheelchair or with someone in one. Is it a pain to get onto rides? I know that you go through the exit to get on the rides. Also, how much does renting a motor chair cost? They will most likely bring their own motor chairs, but I thought I would look into the cost to save the hassle. Can they ride everything, or are there rides that don't allow wheelchair access? Do you enter everything through the exit, like rides in Fantasyland that don't have stairs?

Much appreciated

When you enter the parks with a wheelchair or an ECV, you should be handed a special guide (if not, go to City Hall and ask for one), it explains the differences in entering and exiting rides when using a wheelchair, and also says which rides are wheelchair friendly, and which rides require a "transfer" (getting out of the wheelchair and sitting on the vehicle).

Sometimes, you do get to use an exit to enter, but basically only for those rides that are not designed to handle a wheelchair (too narrow, stairs, etc.), but on other rides you might end up waiting longer than using the standard queue (such as Spalsh Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc.) There are limits to how many folks that use wheelchairs can be on the ride at one time, basically due to the safety issue of having to evacuate the attraction if the ride breaks down.

Disneyland rental fees.

Wheelchairs - $30, with a $20 refund when returned ($10 net cost)

ECV - $55, with a $20 refund ($35 net cost), must be 18 or older to rent an ECV at Disneyland.

Adding onto Darkbeer's post, all of DCA is wheelchair friendly, so you use the same queue. If your aunt and friend can walk to transfer, there are a few extra things to be aware of. A few rides (Big Thunder Mountain and Screamin' come to mind) require you to be able to board quickly and if needed to be able to walk off the ride down steps. They will advise you not to ride if you are not able as they cannot physically assist you down the stairway.

The Disability Guide is very helpful. It explains on rides like Matterhorn you will go through the regular queue until you reach the chalets, at that point, you will enter a gate that has a HC sign and wait there til your turn. Rides like Space Mountain, you will wait in the large seated waiting area near the exit.

Most rides have limits as to how many wheelchair guests can be on the ride at once for evac purposes. Generally that number is about 5. POTC, Splash, HM, IASW, and Space, the wait can be longer than standby. Also, wheelchair users cannot take a wheelchair through the Fastpass line. If you want to get a fastpass, then park the chair and walk the fastpass line, that can be faster on most FP rides.

Adding onto Darkbeer's post, all of DCA is wheelchair friendly, so you use the same queue. If your aunt and friend can walk to transfer, there are a few extra things to be aware of. A few rides (Big Thunder Mountain and Screamin' come to mind) require you to be able to board quickly and if needed to be able to walk off the ride down steps. They will advise you not to ride if you are not able as they cannot physically assist you down the stairway.

The Disability Guide is very helpful. It explains on rides like Matterhorn you will go through the regular queue until you reach the chalets, at that point, you will enter a gate that has a HC sign and wait there til your turn. Rides like Space Mountain, you will wait in the large seated waiting area near the exit.

Most rides have limits as to how many wheelchair guests can be on the ride at once for evac purposes. Generally that number is about 5. POTC, Splash, HM, IASW, and Space, the wait can be longer than standby. Also, wheelchair users cannot take a wheelchair through the Fastpass line. If you want to get a fastpass, then park the chair and walk the fastpass line, that can be faster on most FP rides.


A couple of different experiences/points:

Haunted Mansion only allows two wheelchair users (that actually have to take the wheelchairs/scooters in) at a time.

My Mom was on a scooter and was able to use the Fastpass option on Soarin'--so there are some attractions that it is useful for someone in a wheelchair or scooter.

Malcon: on Big Thunder-- what is the ride down steps? The one time I went on Big Thunder with someone on a scooter she rode up the exit to the loading area--there were no steps? :confused:

Malcon: on Big Thunder-- what is the ride down steps? The one time I went on Big Thunder with someone on a scooter she rode up the exit to the loading area--there were no steps? :confused:

I'm not Malcon10t but we regularly share a brain... I think she means that if there's an evacuation, you might have to be able to go down steps to get off the ride.

Adrienne

My Mom was on a scooter and was able to use the Fastpass option on Soarin'--so there are some attractions that it is useful for someone in a wheelchair or scooter.Clarification, DCA is completely accessible, meaning you use the same lines, regardless of FP or standby. So, yes, WC can use FP in DCA. However, in Disneyland, the FP lines are NOT HA.

Malcon: on Big Thunder-- what is the ride down steps? The one time I went on Big Thunder with someone on a scooter she rode up the exit to the loading area--there were no steps? :confused:Adrienne is correct. If you watch when you go up the hills, you will see "steps" (in the rocks) along the side of the train. This is the evac path. If the ride "E-Stops", you have to walk off, and you will need to walk down the steps. You may take all the time you need to walk off, but you do need to be able to walk down the steps. Sorry my sentence was confusing. It sould have been, if you have to walk off the ride, there could be steps you will need to walk down.

Haunted Mansion only allows two wheelchair users (that actually have to take the wheelchairs/scooters in) at a time.Right. And you will be loaded into Doombuggies 5-9. Most rides can handle up to 5. Buzz can only handle 1 at a time for those who cannot transfer.

We just returned from our first trip with a wheelchair. Our son is able to transfer, so that wasn't an issue. We were surprised how different cast members make different decisions about rides. On Toy Story, we expected to wait in line. One day we did, the next time, the cast member let us in through the single rider line and we only waited about 10 minutes. Having to use the exits for entrance to rides in DL seemed to make the wait shorter. Of course, we tried not to be there during terribly busy times of day.

I highly recommend getting the guide at City Hall. We weren't offered one upon entering the park, and I kept forgetting to stop and get one, but I have looked at it online and it seems very helpful.

Good Luck!

FYI, the Wheelchair Rental rates went up...

Wheelchairs - $32, with a $20 refund when returned ($12 net cost)

ECV - $65, with a $20 refund ($45 net cost), must be 18 or older to rent an ECV at Disneyland.

This past trip, we rented from OC Medical. It was nice, but nothing majorly different from Deckert's.

can any tell me (ball park figures even) how many wheelchairs are availabe at Disneyland? We have a family trip the first week of December, and I am under strict advisement from my doctor to NOT walk due to knee problems. I have access to a wheelchair I can bring with me, or we can rent one when we get to Disney if they will be readily available. I don't want to plan on renting one, only to find out that quantity is limited and not have access to one.

Think it would be easier to deal with taking one on the airplane and KNOW I have access to one when I need it, or plan on renting one when we arrive? I can walk from the hotel TO Disney and back (we just won't tell my doctor that part), but I can't do the constant walking and standing. Not if I want to go for three days!

ANY help is appreciated!

We have a family trip the first week of December, and I am under strict advisement from my doctor to NOT walk due to knee problems.

I don't know how many they have, but regardless, there's no way to know if they will be all rented out on any given day/time. If you absolutely have to have a wheelchair, I would suggest either bringing your own or making arrangements to rent from a local company. That way, you won't be stuck with being without one.

Also, do you have someone with you that is capable of pushing you all day? Yes, you can use the wheels to propel yourself, but I'm pretty sure those are 'different muscles' than you're used to using on a regular basis. If you don't have an extra set of muscles (or two), you might want to consider getting a 'scooter' or 'ECV' and in that case I would recommend renting from offsite, because those DO sell out at times.

And unless you're staying right across the street, I wouldn't want to risk aggravating your knee by walking to/from the parks. (If you're taking ART or driving, that's another thing)

I would suggest bringing your own. It is probably much more comfortable that the Disney rentals and has adjustments which the Disney ones do not have.

And note that a wheelchair cannot be considered as a baggage item and also that if it folds and there is no other wheelchair on the aircraft, they are required to transport it in the First Class closet.

does anyone know what local places charge for ECV rental?? I don't want Hubby (or the monsters!) to get tired of pushing me around for three days. I know there is Deckert's, Scootaround and YesMobility or something??? Who has the best pricing? Prefering someone who can deliver to the hotel.......

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

does anyone know what local places charge for ECV rental?? I don't want Hubby (or the monsters!) to get tired of pushing me around for three days. I know there is Deckert's, Scootaround and YesMobility or something??? Who has the best pricing? Prefering someone who can deliver to the hotel.......

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!I like Deckert's. I tried OC Medical, and it was about the same as Deckerts, but more expensive.

I like Deckert's. I tried OC Medical, and it was about the same as Deckerts, but more expensive.

Thanks Malcon - I called today to reserve a scooter. They're going to deliver it to the hotel....I hope things go smoothly this is the first time we've rented something like this and I think Hubby is a bit leary!

Thanks for all the help folks!

Thanks Malcon - I called today to reserve a scooter. They're going to deliver it to the hotel....I hope things go smoothly this is the first time we've rented something like this and I think Hubby is a bit leary!

Thanks for all the help folks!They will deliver the scooter to the bell desk at the hotel. Not sure where you are staying. We stay offsite. All of the places we have stayed, we have been able to leave the scooter in the lobby or in a baggage room. Helps keep the room less cluttered, considering we usually have 4 adults and dogs (and kennels) with us.

T Not sure where you are staying. We stay offsite. All of the places we have stayed, we have been able to leave the scooter in the lobby or in a baggage room. Helps keep the room less cluttered, considering we usually have 4 adults and dogs (and kennels) with us.

We'll be staying at the Anaheim Camelot in one of the family suites. For part of the trip it'll be three adults and four kids so we'll be full! Thanks for the tip about keeping the scooter in the lobby/baggage room, we'll ask about that!

We'll be staying at the Anaheim Camelot in one of the family suites. For part of the trip it'll be three adults and four kids so we'll be full! Thanks for the tip about keeping the scooter in the lobby/baggage room, we'll ask about that!The family suite is good size (2 large rooms.) They have a good size lobby, so it shouldn't be a problem. Oh, and check out the Electrical Outlet thread to find Disneyland locations for "Emergency Chrages."