Originally Posted By BoyStory Well, yesterday- with just 3 days left until our long-awaited and already paid for Disneyland vacation- my 7 yr old son broke his leg! He has a full-leg cast with his knee bent in a 90 degree angle. We will be going to Disneyland with a pediatric wheel chair so we will not need to rent one. I've heard that the procedure for getting a handicap pass has tightened- will we have to provide any more proof of injury besides a kid with a full leg cast in a wheel chair? He was casted last night in the E.R. by an "on call" dr. and my mind wasn't exactly on getting a special note of injury. Of course, being that it's Friday- and he has been on bedrest all day- there was no seeing another dr. about a note even today. We leave on Sunday. I'm just hoping we don't have any problems with getting a pass b/c I'm gathering it would be impossible to stand in line with a wheelchair anyway. Also, he is able to get into a sitting position just fine, but I'm wondering with the the full leg cast if there are any restrictions for certain rides. I just want to be able to prepare him for what he can and cannot go on. This is all very new to us (going to Disneyland with a wheelchair). Thanks for any information/suggestions!
Originally Posted By BoyStory Okay, I just checked the "disablities" section on LP. It says that the special assistance pass is valid for up to 5 additional members of the party. This would be a HUGE problem as we are a family of 7 (5 kids;including my 21 month old). It wouldn't be much of a "family vacation" if we are to be divided in half the entire vacation. Please tell me they don't enforce this for immediate family members....UGH!
Originally Posted By dsnyredhead Since he will be in a wheelchair, he will not need a pass. However, I don't know what help you will have as far as trying to get extra members of your family through the line. Disney does need to set a limit to how many people they pass through on each pass and unfortunately, in your case they will likely have the additional members wait through the regular line. I know I am not sounding very accomodating but that is their current policy.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ We had no problems with larger groups on stuff like Pirates, where they can seat a lot of people at once. You are looking at one extra person, as the max. is 6 people. I doubt it will be a problem.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal The only attractions that he would not be able to go on are the ones where he would not safely fit inside any restraints. As long as he meets the height requirement, and at 7 it's likely he meets all of them, then he can go on. If his cast is bent at such an angle that he cannot fit within the safety restraints then he would not be able to ride. It sounds like his cast is molded to be in a sitting position so it should not be a problem to have him fit safely on an attraction. The rules for additional party members is generally enforced to avoid abuse, but it can also be amended to include your 21 month old as well. Particularly since this pass is for a 7 year-old and his family, you should have no problem in using the pass for the whole family. Also, keep in mind that the pass will be issued to your son and he must be attending the attraction in order to use it. Also, you should be aware that there are several queues that are fully wheelchair accessible and you and your party will be expected to use the queue in those cases. If the queue does not accommodate wheelchairs then the pass will be utilized. The queues in California Aventure accommodate wheelchairs and you can transfer at hte loading areas. The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities which is available either at City Hall in Disneyland or Guest Relations in California Adventure will tell you which queues are accessible. The pass you receive will allow you to use the alternate entrances to attractions that are not wheelchair accesible. You should not need any further documentation of the injury other than your son and his cast. There is a ramp up to City Hall and Guest Relations in California Adventure is fully accessible. Be sure to take your son in with you when you ask for the pass so they can see the nature of his accessibility needs. Have a fun vacation!!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins Oh, I hope your son isn't in much pain and I hope he'll heal completely. Disneyland CAN give passes for groups larger than 6. One year, on the last day of our trip, my stepdaughter spent the whole day throwing up in First Aid. She started feeling better in the evening and we wanted to try to salvage the rest of our trip. They gave her a wheel chair and a pass. We were a family of 8 at the time (our youngest wasn't born yet) so I went to City Hall to get a pass for all of us. They weren't very willing to give me one. I was invited to one of the back offices to plead my case. I pointed out that it was unfair to split up our nuclear family when a smaller family can even bring along mere acquaintances. I said I knew that an exception could be made (I didn't, but exceptions can ALWAYS be made, right?). It took a bit of time, they kept telling me no, but they never asked me to leave and they finally gave me the pass for 8. That was almost 10 years ago and I've heard that they've tightened their policy but I think a worthy Disneyland CM would recognize that you are not trying to abuse their system; you are just a large family that has had a bit of bad luck and are just trying to enjoy the park together. Besides, I don't think the 21 month old would count as part of the 6 anyway. Good luck.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Good Luck getting additional people over the number stated. We have been using a wheelchair in our immediate family for over 10 years now and for the most part they are pretty tough about enforcing the number.
Originally Posted By BoyStory Thanks for the responses folks! I reeeally hope you're right, imadisneygal! In general, I'm a pretty easy going gal, but with those battles worth fighting (like this one!) I am a "don't take no for an answer" type- as is my husband. It wouldn't even be worth the vacation if we can't go on rides as a family and if we have to repeat that 1000 times ...we'll get our pass. My husband is totally relaxed about the matter and is telling me not to worry about it b/c he knows we'll negotiate our family pass (wink). First stop...City Hall!
Originally Posted By DyGDisney BoyStory -- I agree that the baby probably won't be counted as part. After all, he's free to get in and he can't go on some of the rides because of the height. They shouldn't count him in the 5 extra people -- even though I know he counts!!!!
Originally Posted By BoyStory ^^^Yeah DyGDisney that's probably going to be our main grounds for an argument. My little invalid probably won't be able to ride many of the rides he's used to probably just based on the fact I don't think he should be jossled (just as you did with your dd). So basicly most of what mommy will let him go on will be those that his baby brother can go on as well. Sheesh, we plan and save for our ONE yearly family vacation at DL b/c we rarely get family time due to dad's 60 hr work-weeks...I'm hoping they use common sense and don't split hairs on this one.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney BTW BoyStory -- I emailed you some interesting non-disney info. I hope they don't split hairs too. Be sure to take advantage of the kid switch so you and your dh can both go on the "big kid" rides!!
Originally Posted By DyGDisney "BTW BoyStory -- I emailed you some interesting non-disney info." I should have done the winkey face after this!
Originally Posted By agent We went with my niece who has a disease similar to MS last November. We also had one more than allowed in our group. We never thought to ask if we could all go with her. She and one other simply went in thru the exits and waited at the front of the line area while the rest of us stood in line. When we arrived at the front, she would load in with our party and we would all ride together. It worked out really well for our group and she never felt left out, especially since she could tease us about having to stand in line so much!
Originally Posted By lauriesk Way to go, Agent. That was very considerate of your group, it's the right way to do it. Thank you.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins That is nice of you and it is similar to the way you have to do it if you have someone too small to ride (switch pass), in the way that at least one or some of your group have to wait in line. The only thing I don't like about it is that the family (if you are just one family) has to be separated for the length of time in line and sometimes that is significant. I love Disneyland for the time together, not just for the attractions. It's nice to have both. Smaller families get that.
