Can anyone tell me how Disneyland's policy for the SAP are these days?

My sister has Down's and along with that she has very bad knees. She walks with a slight limp and can not walk long distances or stand for long periods of time. At times she has been known to use cane. Would she be allowed to get a SAP so she didn't have to stand in lines for the long rides. She could probably manage the short lines, but the long ones we are worried about.

She was able to get one in the past, but wanted to see if she would still be able to under DL's new rules for the SAP.

She was able to get one in the past, but wanted to see if she would still be able to under DL's new rules for the SAP.

You really won't know for sure until you get there and actually ask (they remain pretty vague with the policies), but based on what you describe I suspect that they will simply instruct you to rent a wheelchair and not offer any other type of accommodation.

-Jeff

With the wheelchair, w/o SAP, can she use it to go to the exit, say like on Indiana Jones, or will she have to wheel through the whole que? Either way, we do have plans on getting a wheel chair for her.

If you rent a wheelchair and don't have a GAC (the "new" SAP program) you use the regular queues for the ones that are accessible, use the alternative entrance for the ones that aren't (which is the majority just an FYI). In Disneyland there really are only a few accessible queues, the guide for Guests with Disabilities will give you a lot of information on where to go to ask for CM assistance. I have to agree it's too hard to say Yes you'll get a GAC or no you'll just get told, we suggest you rent a wheelchair. It seems to vary 'moment to moment' depending on which CM you get when you go to City Hall.

Thanks guys!

It will be the first time we will be manuvering a wheelchair around the park.

From someone who does it every trip, a few new things to bring to your attention. The Trains now have ramps/cars for wheelchair accessiblity that just ROCK!!!!!!!! Obviously the Main Street station is the one exception but I heard it from a very reliable source that they are looking at ways to change that in the next few years. Using the train as part of your transportation system and not just an attraction will help relieve feet and aching backs if you're not use to dealing with a wheelchair.

The new system is based on a persons needs and not diagnoses. So when you go in to guest relations they will ask you what type of assistance you need. From what you have just described it looks like your biggest concern is a mobility issue or endurance. For this they will advise you to rent a wheelchair. Some attractions you will wait in the regular Que (Like you mentioned indy) and others there is a alternate entrance. There have been a lot of changes to the special assistance pass it is now called the guest assistant card becasue people thought that "pass" implied you went right up to the front of the line. The new cards have differant stamps that indicate the guest needs while they are at the park. If you have a wheel chair you do not need a pass unless she has other issues other then mobility that would effect her boarding of a show or attraction. An example I can give you is if she has vision problems they have a pass that allows you to sit up front on shows and attractions. MammaSilva always has great advise for people who use wheelchairs becasue she has been to the park a lot and knows the in's and outs of "Rolling through the park." So if you have any questions about certain attractions ask her she is very well informed!!!
I hope you have a great visit and let us know how much fun you had!!!!!
Toursbabe

Thanks for the info Toursbabe.

Question though, Can I wheel chair navigate the Indiana Jones que? Through the bat dung tunnels? Just curious.

Thanks for the info Toursbabe.

Question though, Can I wheel chair navigate the Indiana Jones que? Through the bat dung tunnels? Just curious.

The entire Indy queue is wheelchair accessible and that makes it more fun since she can get the whole experience that is Indy!

There is no such thing anymore as a Special Assistance Pass. There are two possibilities: one is that for mobility and/or stamina issues Guest Services will now recommend the use of a wheelchair or ECV; the other, for invisible disabilities is the Guest Assistance Card (GAC).

The GAC does not, and is not intended to, allow front-of-the-line access. It is based on need and not diagnoses as two people with the same diagnoses may not have the same needs. This can include such things as vision problems and needing to sit at the front of shows, need to use a stroller as a wheelchair, wait out of stong sunlight, etc. The GAC program has worked very well at WDW for many years.

The entire Indy queue is wheelchair accessible and that makes it more fun since she can get the whole experience that is Indy!

Very cool. I know in the past she never could make it through the whole line. Now she can enjoy the que with the rest of us.

you'll stay in the queue right to the stairs then they'll pull you out thru that exit and have you use the elevator to go up then cross over to the OTHER elevator to go back down to the loading zone.