Could really use some advice re: park/ECV's/little kids

[HisKid]

I am going to Disneyland on Saturday with my husband and little boys, aged almost 2 and 3 1/2. I have not been in at least 10 years, and don't remember a lot of the park. I will need an ECV due to a severe foot problem. I can definitely walk enough to get on/off rides, etc. but standing in line or walking for an extended period are absolutely out.

-How do these work in lines?
-If there is a special entrance, does the whole family go through it, or do I go through and wait for them to get through the regular line.
-What should I make sure to do with the little guys (won't be able to be there ALL day, as they will completely melt and it won't be fun for anyone.)
-Is there a place that would be easier to eat and get food with an ECV (can't afford the nicest restaurants)?
-Any additional tips?

Thanks SO much for your help in this. I have never done the ECV thing before, and feel really self-conscious and embarrassed about doing it. I am hoping that they won't make it too big of a deal for me.

[MammaSilva]

First let me say, I have NEVER in all my trips ever had a CM make an issue of my use of the ECV
nor my daughters use of her wheelchair. Having said that...you'll have to walk to the rental area which is inside the parks. Not knowing your plans for the day I recommend getting there as early as possible because there are limited numbers of them and they often run out of them by mid day.

Here is the link to the mobility guide and a link to a downloadable PDF version of the guide for guest with Disabilities, read thru it and it will give you a ton of information and has each land and tells you which entrance to use.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...tyGSDetailPage

With children your babies age I'm going to assume you're thinking most of the tamer rides that you will find in Fantasyland or over in Critter country (The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh) they will keep the 4 of you together so no problems there.

As for where to eat, the ECV are large, for the most part no matter where you decide to eat you'll need to park and walk a bit, the exceptions to that would be counter service where you send the hubby for food and you stay at a table with the babies....a plan I highly advise. We like pizza port as a good option with mobility issues, the space is much 'larger' to manuever than some of the other places.

If this is your first visit in 10 years then I'm going on a limb and assuming your babies are going on their first ever visit...if that's the case then the 1st and foremost 'don't miss' is to take them to meet Mickey at his house in Toon town..sometimes you can get lucky and meet him in the town square but the visit in his house is usually a lot calmer and with you on an ECVyou can drive it thru the house BTW!) you can ask to go last (they put groups of people in at one time - always 'volunteer' to go last!)

there is a special car on the trains that you can drive the ECV into ...the only station you can't embark/disembark is Main Street...kids all love the trains. If you want to go on the Haunted Mansion, explain to the Cast Member you need to take the EVC to the loading area, they'll give you a color coded card to give to the CM at the Stretching room and they'll allow you to drive the EVC into the stretching room and wait for the special doombuggies.

Most of all use the tools you need to have a great trip with your family and don't let any fear of someone thinking 'something' about your use of an ECV spoil one second of your day.

[Malcon10t]

I second everything MammaSilva said. For us, taking the ECV on the train is a hassle, so I usually park it, then we ride all the way around. If it is evening and we are tired, we ride it around and around!! (I think the most we have every done is 4 laps.) I usually park it when we eat and walk to the tables.

Also, note they will NOT allow the children to ride on the ECV with you, so I am assuming hubby will be pushing a stroller?

As for the ECV lines, they are usually clearly marked. In Disneyland, they are usually (not always) the exits. Some rides, like Buzz and ToonTown lines are accessible, so you use the regular lines. In DCA, it is all accessible. CMs will help you out by pointing out the lines to use.

Have a great trip!!!

[daveywest]

My MiL also needed an ECV. If I remember correctly, most of the group waits in the normal line, while the person in the ECV (and a few (2 people?) who wants to wait with them) goes up the exit or other accessible entrance.

When the main party gets ready to get on, they let the cast member know about the person in the ECV, and the cast members are very accommodating.

I was told that they don't like the whole party going up the exit because it creates a crowd blocking the way out.

Most of the normal lines aren't very friendly to an ECV or wheelchair, but any cast member will point you in the right direction and make everything painless.

[VickiC]

They may not officially allow kids to sit in the lap of ECV users but it sure happens all the times.

[Malcon10t]

They allow 6 including the ECV user in the HA entrance. You won't need to separate your party.

If you are using a Disneyland ECV, CM's WILL stop you if you have children riding on the ECV with you. If you are renting from an outside company, it isn't an issue.

[Boo's Mommy]

I will re-iterate these comments that if you are renting an EVC from Disney, do not allow the kids to ride in it. It's a safety and liability issue for them as it is their equiment.
This shouldn't be an issue if you bring your own EVC or rent from another private company. Just be careful though and make sure the child sits flat and has no hands/feet dangling.

[HisKid]

No problem there. I will be renting Disney's ECV, but hubby will have the double stroller. If I were going to let one of the kids ride at all, it would literally be no more than a few feet, very slowly. I just don't think it is safe for the little guys, so I'll be self-scolding, hehe. Thanks so much for the info. Do you think that there will be enough room in the basket for a decent-sized backpack and a jacket or 2?

[MammaSilva]

Before we bought our own scooter, I used to set the backpack on the floor of the scooter behind my legs and kept the basket for things like the jackets, hats and drink cups/bottles. Another option is to use the straps to secure the backpack using the arms of the scooter and have it 'hang' off the back of the seat.

[tinksmom]

I hope you have a magical trip.

And don't worry about standing out. Disneyland is one of the few vacation places that is completely accessible to the disabled--enjoy yourself! Anyway, to be honest--most people are only interested in themselves!--they won't give you a second thought!

[Malcon10t]

The baskets can hold a decent size back pack, or you can put it on the back (but I don't like not being able to see it) , or there is usually enough room on the floor behind your legs (like MS said.) At Halloween, one of our pups was young and kept getting stepped on, so we had him "down" on the footboard. He is about 28lbs at the time. He had no problems, and I had no problem with him there.