M2JRA
One Bedroom
Posts: 231
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Post by M2JRA on Jan 24, 2024 13:28:41 GMT -5
Hi all! I will be traveling in May with my mom, who is almost 80 and will be using a scooter. She wants to purchase G+ and ILL to minimize waiting. I know there are many resources out there on how to best use these, so I will have to climb the learning curve between now and May! Meanwhile, I'm looking for advice from MO on these points: - I recall wheelchairs board Spaceship Earth from the exit. Is it still done this way? If so, is there any point in booking a G+ for it? Are there other rides where this would be a consideration? I think most have accessible queues, but there might be something I'm not thinking of...? Haunted Mansion??
- I also recall that there is sometimes a separate wheelchair entrance for seating at shows. Two part-question on this one: (1) do any of these shows that Mom is interested in have a separate entrance for wheelchairs: Lion King, Feathered Friends, Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing-Along? (2) and again, any point booking G+ for shows with separate wheelchair entrances?
- Mom can walk short distances on flat terrain and can do a handful of stairs if there's a handrail. Would she be able to do the Moana walk-through DRY path? Would it be an improved experience by her doing so versus scootering through (I'm gonna assume they've made it accessible)?
Please feel free to share any other tips/tricks to traveling with a scooter in the age of G+! Thanks! |
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Jan 24, 2024 15:31:30 GMT -5
Jungle Cruise and BTMRR. I just asked my friend about this the other day.
I am pretty sure Lion King had a separate entrance/line.
Frozen singalong goes in the back of the theater and technically has a different line but it's that big mob scene for that show.
When you depart Epcot there is a separate line on the skyliner for scooters. At closing it can take a bit so just be prepared. (Not sure where you are going to be staying) The main station at CBR has separate lines too. RR has one too sort of but the cars are not pulled off the line like everywhere else. My mom drives a scooter once a year for a day and has no issues getting on and off the skyliner.
I cannot answer the question about Spaceship Earth since we did it last March.
I'm not much help on how this works with Genie+, but I'm guessing you wouldn't need to book them. That's a huge guess since I haven't done it. My mom and I only do Epcot. Soarin and Living with the Land she stays in her scooter the entire time and they move it after to gets out to ride.
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Post by helenabear on Jan 24, 2024 16:25:52 GMT -5
Yes spaceship better if you go in at the back of the ride where you exit.
Haunted Mansion you also go in a separate entrance when she gets to the line.
BTM is the exit.
Jungle Cruise you'll go into an exit and you can remain in your ECV if stairs are hard.
Small World is also the exit and have to transfer to a wheel chair. You may ride in the wheelchair.
Buzz lightyear you will need to transfer to a wheelchair however if you want to remain in the wheelchair the whole time you are able to.
Pooh is normal but you must transfer to a wheelchair to do the line.
I know there are other required to transfer but can't recall where all of them do it. Like the safari, I know you transfer and I think it's towards the end, but I'm not 100% sure where as it's been a while since I've done that with someone in an ecv.
With special entrances you do usually get a return time of sorts instead of having to book G+.
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M2JRA
One Bedroom
Posts: 231
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Post by M2JRA on Jan 25, 2024 10:42:58 GMT -5
Thank you for this feedback!
I'd forgotten about BTMRR - that's exactly the kind of thing I'm thinking about. During the F+ days we'd booked one of our FPs for BTMRR and then were directed to line up along the exit path where parties with accessibility needs queue to board at the exit. Negated having the FP+ altogether. Trying to avoid that sort of thing with G+ if possible. We are content to wait our turn, of course, but would prefer not to "burn" a G+ on things that end up not using it.
We are staying at BLT so I don't think we will use the skyliner (though she would love it - maybe on our Epcot day we'll take a break and just ride out and back for fun - she does not have hoppers so no need to take it between EP and DHS). I will look for the separate boarding line for that, if we do it.
She can transfer, no problem. And she can walk short distances on even ground usually, but in crowds where people might jostle her, and she may need to pivot/swerve, she would be worried and probably immobilized (if trying to walk unassisted). In queues, standing for more than a few minutes becomes an issue and she really cannot do more than 5-6 stairs at a time. Generally speaking, mobility, stamina, and balance are a problem, so the scooter gives her much more confidence and independence. She is so excited for this trip! Luckily her bucket lists for each park are fairly short, so we can afford to be patient and take our time with whatever comes along. I'm just trying to be prepared ahead, since this will be a different touring style. Thanks again for the feedback!
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Post by helenabear on Jan 25, 2024 18:48:27 GMT -5
I think she'll have a fantastic trip! Sorry about weirdo typos above, I started to write and got interrupted many times (cats) lol. My aunt was unable to do Jungle Cruise at the end of her life and being able to stay in her ECV was like a magic day for her. She couldn't stop smiling. It was the step down to the boat she couldn't handle. I would imagine Navi would have been hard for her too (I believe that one is transfer to wheelchair?  but I think can handle the line). I get what you mean about a different touring style. It was completely different. I didn't realize how people never gave room for ECVs so the whole walk through the park was slow. I hope she has a great time! |
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but I think can handle the line).