I appreciate all the information on the web that has "analyzed" the different viewpoints for watching the fireworks show at DL. And let me say up front, that Disney in general does a great job of accomodation for my 2 boys with cerebral palsy in wheelchairs. They have really given us some true magical moments by the special attention that CM's give to us.

We have figured out the best place for a person in a WC for Fantasmic; on the back row, up against the ropes. This works because everyone in front of us sits down. DL also has great places for us to watch the parades.

But what about the fireworks? It is always a true fight for my sons to watch the fireworks. We've gotten close to the castle, and away from it, and it has worked ok, but I'm constantly fighting with people to protect my children's view. The problem is that people always seem to come and try to stand in front of my boys. I can't imagine someone standing in front of a child in a wheelchair so that their view is blocked, but it happens almost everytime we're there.

Does anyone have some advice about this? Places that might work with good viewpoints? Any CM's out there with advice about how to handle people like this? Thanks in advance.

W

I appreciate all the information on the web that has "analyzed" the different viewpoints for watching the fireworks show at DL. And let me say up front, that Disney in general does a great job of accomodation for my 2 boys with cerebral palsy in wheelchairs. They have really given us some true magical moments by the special attention that CM's give to us.

We have figured out the best place for a person in a WC for Fantasmic; on the back row, up against the ropes. This works because everyone in front of us sits down. DL also has great places for us to watch the parades.

But what about the fireworks? It is always a true fight for my sons to watch the fireworks. We've gotten close to the castle, and away from it, and it has worked ok, but I'm constantly fighting with people to protect my children's view. The problem is that people always seem to come and try to stand in front of my boys. I can't imagine someone standing in front of a child in a wheelchair so that their view is blocked, but it happens almost everytime we're there.

Does anyone have some advice about this? Places that might work with good viewpoints? Any CM's out there with advice about how to handle people like this? Thanks in advance.

W

A CM once told me that the best place to watch the fireworks was in the middle of Main St., near Coke Corner. The way I keep people from blocking my kids' view is to be in the very front in front of the castle, but that might not work with wheelchairs. I say give it a try; your little guys deserve to see everything just as much as the next person!

:-)

But what about the fireworks? It is always a true fight for my sons to watch the fireworks. We've gotten close to the castle, and away from it, and it has worked ok, but I'm constantly fighting with people to protect my children's view. The problem is that people always seem to come and try to stand in front of my boys. I can't imagine someone standing in front of a child in a wheelchair so that their view is blocked, but it happens almost everytime we're there.

Does anyone have some advice about this? Places that might work with good viewpoints? Any CM's out there with advice about how to handle people like this? Thanks in advance.

WI was going to suggest the Main Street Station, but then I remembered it isn't accessible from a chair. If you were to get there early enough, I would think the front of the standing area in front of the castle would be an area that would be good. Others have suggested back by IASW.

As far as adults standing in front of the chairs, many will do it, just not thinking. I doubt they do it on purpose. Most simply don't look down. We face this often as we have a service dog. People will just walk into the dog, step on the dog, smack the dog, simply because they don't look lower than their own chest levels. You probably see the same issues with teh chair (people stopping dead in front of you, walking into the chair, turning into the chair, etc...)

getting there early is important. we sit right in front of the castle BEFORE they put the ropes up for the evening fireworks

If there are several of you, you can eat your dinner while you are waiting.

getting there early is important. we sit right in front of the castle BEFORE they put the ropes up for the evening fireworks

If there are several of you, you can eat your dinner while you are waiting.
We did this our trip last week, and we put the wheelchair in the back of the sitting area, right at the bricks that seperates the walkway. We did get there about 730 to stake out for 925pm, but we had great seats and everyone loved it.

Hi,
My 3 1/2 year old daughter is in a wheelchair. It is so small and cute, it is often mistaken for a stroller. With a closer look, one can see it is indeed a wheelchair. At DLR, I am often reminded by the CM's to "breakdown my stroller" before getting on the Monorail, etc.
We have made several attempts to find a good view of the fireworks, so far no luck. We have waited hours in front of the castle, only to have other rude guests shove themselves into the 3 inches that I have left in front of me.
I have explained my daughter is in a wheelchair, could you please stand behind her? They have turned around, looked down at her, and said "oh, I didn't know" BUT they still wouldn't move. I said "now you do know, can you move?" They pretended they couldn't hear me or something... Anyway, I talked to CM's and they said they couldn't ask the person to move. I asked about better seating and they couldn't give me any suggestions other than ISMW.
My daughter is also visually impaired. She CAN see and LOVES the fireworks and light displays. My husband will usually take her out of her chair and hold her up during the entire show. I feel sad though for others that don't have that as an option. By next year, we won't be able to do that anymore.
We are going to DLR on Tuesday for 3 days. I came here in hopes that someone had suggestions on where the best place to see though show would be. Hopefully we can find a good spot for the fireworks this time...:)

Debi

Thanks everybody for the responses!

We pretty much do what some folks here suggest: we get there early, get the wheelchairs on the back edge of the area where people sit up close to the castle, and wait (and usually I go get dinner for everyone). We even usually sit off to the side, maybe by a planter or garbage can, so the wheelchairs don't cause really much more of an obstruction to view than what was naturally there.

If people stand in front of us, we usually politely ask them to sit down (which is what most of the people around us prefer anyway since most people are sitting!!!). And, if we have to, I have my guys "stand" in their chairs: one son can stand pretty well and he leans against me, the other one doesn't stand independently, but I hold him while he "sits" on the back of his chair.

It's good to know that we've got it figured out as well as anybody, but I agree that Disney needs to work on this, like they've done for the parades. I guess I had hoped that someone had a "secret place" where people in wheelchairs had a perfect view....

Thanks for the responses!
Wade