I am trying to get an early start on planning a trip to Disneyland with my grandmother. Most likely it will just be the two of us, so I am trying to plan as much of our trip in advance as possible. I am shooting for a weekday in early November to minimize crowds, but still get to see the Christmas decorations. This will be a one day trip, coming from and returning to San Diego. She has mobility and balance issues - she normally uses a walker, but I think I will need to rent a wheelchair on this trip as she doesn't have the stamina to walk all day. She also has limited hearing, and I will need to assist her in the restroom (this part should be easy, as I am female).

She has a permanent disabled person parking placard, and I don't think parking and getting to the tram will be much of an issue, at least not at the start of the day. If I rent a wheelchair at the park entrance can it be taken to the parking lot when leaving and left with a CM? Bringing a wheelchair from home is not feasible as the one she has is too big to fit in my car!

I am thinking that the best way to get her on the rides will be to use a wheelchair until getting near the loading area and then using her walker and my assistance to get her into the ride vehicles, but I am open to suggestions. She would probably be most interested in rides like PotC, Haunted Mansion, Small World (will it be closed in early Nov. for the SW Holiday install?), Jungle Cruise, DLRR, and other more "gentle" rides and the various shows. I don't think she would have any interest in more violent rides like Indy, Splash, Matterhorn, etc.

I am planning one of our meals (most likely lunch) to be at the Blue Bayou, do they have wheelchair accomodations or will I need to help her to a seat? Are reservations still required? Will the resteraunts allow her to order from a child's menu (she doesn't eat large meals)?

I am a AP holder, if I go to Disneyland without her before our trip will I be able to pick up a copy of their guests with disabilities guide? Any idea on the best discount on admission for her?

I want to make this trip very special for her as she hasn't been to the park since the '70's, and this could be her last trip to Disneyland. Any suggestions (includign things I may not have mentioned) would be deeply appreciated!

If I rent a wheelchair at the park entrance can it be taken to the parking lot when leaving and left with a CM? Bringing a wheelchair from home is not feasible as the one she has is too big to fit in my car!

No. If you rent a wheelchair, you'll have to leave it at the security entrance/exit when you leave. I don't know how lightweight her wheelchair is but if it's at all a "lighter" wheelchair, I'd consider borrowing a car from a friend or another family member to use her chair. The chairs at DLR can get heavy when you're pushing them all day!

I am planning one of our meals (most likely lunch) to be at the Blue Bayou, do they have wheelchair accomodations or will I need to help her to a seat? Are reservations still required? Will the resteraunts allow her to order from a child's menu (she doesn't eat large meals)?

I don't know about the child's menu question but she will be able to take the chair into the restaurant.

An alternative to the child's menu- perhaps the two of you could split a meal and if that's not enough food for you, you could order a dinner salad to compliment your portion?

I am a AP holder, if I go to Disneyland without her before our trip will I be able to pick up a copy of their guests with disabilities guide?

Yes, just go to City Hall and ask for one.

Adrienne

No. If you rent a wheelchair, you'll have to leave it at the security entrance/exit when you leave. I don't know how lightweight her wheelchair is but if it's at all a "lighter" wheelchair, I'd consider borrowing a car from a friend or another family member to use her chair. The chairs at DLR can get heavy when you're pushing them all day!


Adrienne

I have found this to not be the case on one occasion. AK, I don't know if you meant that you have to leave the wheelchair at the DLR exit...or at the DTD exit for when you leave to go to the parking structure.

When I was at DLR last October...and on crutches, we rented a wheelchair at DL. When we left the park to go rest at our hotel, the CM told me we would have to return it at the wheelchair rental spot..then pick up another one later that evening. What a pain in the butt it was trying to shop...and enjoy DTD without one! (which we did before we went to the hotel). I was sooo tired and worn out from using those stupid crutches for such a large walking area...I really needed that rest then! And poor Lisap...having to watch the clutz.. that I am, getting from the Grand Californian to DL. :rolleyes:

BUT...
The next day, when we rented a wheelchair again...we were able to take it outside the park (DL)...to DTD...then over to DCA...with no questions asked...no one stopping us. Boy, what a much more enjoyable day it was for us. I was able to enjoy shopping, eating and just generally getting around without the pain of those icky crutches!

I highly doubt that they will let you take the wheelchair out to the parking lot though. That seems just a little too far away from the actual parks, that I am sure someone will question you.
I am going back down to the parks again this October. Again I am on crutches...(but sure hoping that I will be off of them by the time I get to the park. I will however, have a 'boot' on my foot for sure)...and you better believe, if I need a wheelchair, I am hoping I can enjoy the full use of it by taking it to DTD...over to the Grand Californian...and to DCA without having the hassles of turning it in at DL...going to DCA to get another one, etc., etc.

Good luck when you get to the parks!

If my experience this year is something different than what I experienced last year...I will post what experience I did have.

Have fun. :D

The Disneyland.com Website has a lot of information on mobility issues. Here's the link:

Disneyland Resort - Guest Services - Mobility Disabilities (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/guestServices/mobilityDisabilitiesListing?id=MobilityDisabilitie sPage)

You can also download the "Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities" in PDF format and save a trip to the park.

http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr/content/eng/guestServices/disabilitiesListing/GuestsWithDisabilitiesJun04.pdf (http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr/content/eng/guestServices/disabilitiesListing/GuestsWithDisabilitiesJun04.pdf)

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

My grandmother's wheelchair is very large and heavy, the park rentals have GOT to be lighter than hers! Also, I don't have a way to borrow a car from someone else to try to bring her chair anyways, and really would prefer not to as studies have shown that many traffic accidents happen when someone is driving a car that is not their own.

As for not having to make a trip to pick up the Guidebook, thanks for the links, but I still want to go up there this month as I haven't been to DL since May and I'm getting anxious to go again!

Now, does anyone know how far in advance you can make reservations at the Blue Bayou?

What day of the week would be the least busy? And does anyone know if some of the shows are going to be dark on a particular day? I want to take her to as many of the daytime shows as possible (esp. the Billys at the Golden Horseshoe) while still trying to avoid crowds.

Any suggestions for ticket discounts? I used to get the military tickets, but I have heard that they now ask for military ID when you use them so that won't work. We are both San Diego residents so we qualify for the resident discounts if they will be having any at that time.