Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 2 Getting Around

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair

You're At WDW - Now what?

Getting Around the Parks
Disney does a lot of things right when it comes to accessibility. They have ample disability parking. They provide ramps into all forms of transportation from the boats at EPCOT to the trains at the Magic Kingdom. There are lifts on the buses. There are companion bathrooms.

Much of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Navigating Walt Disney World pushing a stroller is tricky. Navigating pushing a wheelchair is even harder. The streets and pathways are crowded. The lines are long. It's hot. Disney has ramps into almost every ride and restaurant, but there are still steep ramps, hills and long distances to contend with as well as the crowds.

Don't try to push a wheelchair down the center of Main Street in The Magic Kingdom - stay on the sidewalks or travel through the shops. There are a series of grooves in the pavement intended for the various Main Street Vehicles that will catch your wheels. Also, The Magic Kingdom has very few curb cuts - and they aren't painted white - so you may have to bump over a curb. The Cast will wave glow sticks if you're about to crash off a curb during a night parade. In all of the Parks Guests may block curb cuts-especially around parade times!- not realizing that you have no other way on or off the sidewalk.

What is a Guest Assistance Pass?

Once you have a way to get around the next thing you will need is a Guest Access Card (GAC). If you are in a wheelchair the Cast Members are supposed to help you find an alternate entrance to rides, etc. and you don't necessarily need to get a GAC.

In our experience its best to take the few minutes at the beginning of your first day to stop by Guest Relations and get a Guest Access Card (GAC), particularly if you are using a non-standard wheelchair like a Convaid or other adult stroller. Guest Relations will provide you with an GAC as well as a tag for your Convaid that says "May Use Stroller as Wheelchair." You only need to get the GAC once - its good at every park for the length of your visit or for up to three months with an Annual Pass. The card is valid for the holder and up to five companions.

Notice the red sticker on her Convaid stroller

The Guest Assistance Pass is typically an alternate entrance pass. On many rides you will wait in the same line as any other Guest - the only difference being that when you get to the end you will enter through a gate rather than a turnstile (just like at the entrance to the Parks.) For instance if you don't have a FastPass for Toy Story Mania you will be sent to the StandyBy Line - at the end there is a gate to accommodate a wheelchair. At many popular Attractions such as Dumbo, Aladdin and Disney Junior Live on Stage you'll wait in the regular queue; there is no alternate access.

On other rides the alternate entrance will bring you to a separate loading area. This is the case at Spaceship Earth. If you enter through a separate entrance, a number of people from the regular line will board the ride, then a few from the alternate access line will be allowed on, in repeating sequence. A GAC will not necessarily get you on to the rides any faster. Your best best is to split up into small parties of two as they place those faster than larger groups on popular rides, regardless of which entrance you use.

Tell Guest Relations if you or your child can’t wait in line for medical reasons (heart condition, autism, etc). They may be able to provide you with a pass that will provide other accommodations such as allowing you to wait in a separate area.

Alternate Access line at Spaceship Earth - about 60 people ahead of us

When you can - use a FASTPASS! (If you aren't sure how to use your Fastpass, please follow the link.) A GAC is not a replacement for a Fastpass. Go ahead and get your Fastpass for the ride or attraction and return at the stated time. You will be escorted to the alternate entrance and admitted.

Also, be prepared to hear some grumbling from other Guests who think you are getting special privileges using your GAC. We've occasionally heard some ugly comments from other Guests. Try to remember that everyone is hot and many people are impatient. If they see you entering through another door they naturally think you are getting ahead of them in line.

There are amazing shows, parades, tours and special experiences you can enjoy that don't have any kind of barrier to entry - try to see Dream Along with Mickey in the Magic Kingdom! It's performed on an elevated stage in front of Cinderella Castle and everyone has equal access to "good spots."