Disneyland for People with Disabilities

You want to visit Disneyland but you have a disability and you are not sure how it will go. Disneyland tries to assist those with disabilities in any way it can but, as we shall see, there is some discrepancy between policy and practice.

When you arrive at the Disneyland parking lot you will see many parking spaces for people with disabilities. If you show your placard at the gate, you can be guided to these parking spaces. Trams take guests to the park and they have ramps for wheelchairs but you may not be able to use them. In this case, vans will take you. There are many staff in the parking lot and you can ask them to order up a van.

Once in the Park go to Guest Relations and pick up the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. This is also available in Braille for those with vision disabilities. Also available are audio tours. Wheelchairs can be rented and Disneyland has both manual and power chairs. If you have medication, such as insulin, that needs refrigeration, you can leave it at the First Aid station located at the north end of Main Street. Try to get a special pass at City Hall or at Guest Relations. You may get one with no trouble; you may be told you don't need one because you have your own wheelchair; you may be told you no longer need one.

All entertainment has wheelchair seating, as does the parade route. These are first come, first serve. If you are hearing impaired, you can get a sign language interpreter if you make this request 14 days in advance. Closed captioning and reflective text are also available.

Many lines are wheelchair accessible and if not, there is an alternative entrance, usually at the exit.

Service animals are welcome but they can't ride on some of the rides. If they can't ride, a Cast Member will stay with the animal while the guest is on the ride.

There is some disconnect between Disneyland policies and the practice of some employees. There is confusion over the special passes with some staff at the attractions requiring them while staff at City Hall or Guest Relations sometimes say they are not available. Some staff are rude and impatient. Disneyland needs to do more training of its staff on disability issues.

If at all possible, try to go to the Park in the off season when it is not so crowded. If you are in a wheelchair, the crowds may continuously bang into you.

All in all, Disneyland is still a great experience for a person with a disability.

WHERE TO STAY

MICROHOTEL
4751 West Century Blvd.
Inglewood, Ca 90304
310 491 7100

The Microhotels meet all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and more. Their staff are trained to assist people with disabilities, to treat them with respect and to use "people first" language.

This would be a good place to stay if you want or need to be near LAX

HOLIDAY INN ANAHEIM
1240 Walnut
Anaheim, Ca 92802
714 555 0300�

Located one block from the Disneyland main gate, the Holiday Inn features all accessible rooms, some with roll in showers. Staff are trained to assist and respect people with disabilities.