Planning a theme park vacation is never easy, but adding in traveling with someone who has a disability can be even more challenging. Especially as places like Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, change the rules on who qualifies for disability access and what that access provides to families who need it. In fact, disability access at Disney is harder to get as the parks have revised who is eligible for the service.
As someone who traveled with her grandparents to Walt Disney World multiple times a year, I get that traveling with a wheelchair or other disability can be challenging. My grandmother was wheelchair bound and needed special accommodations. And even though this was before Disney changed its rules for disability access service, it was never “just a walk in the park” to ensure that she and the rest of my family had a great time.
If you’re taking a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you’re going to want to keep reading, especially if someone in your family has a disability. We’re breaking down each of the park’s rules for getting disability services, what other accommodations are available, and more.
How disability services work at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World offers a range of disability services to accommodate various needs.
Disability Access Service
Walt Disney World’s Disability Access Service (DAS) is for guests who have a developmental disability and cannot wait in a regular line for an extended period. The service allows guests to request a return time for attractions via the My Disney Experience app. So instead of waiting in line, the guest and their family can enjoy a different part of the park.
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To register for DAS, you must complete an online video chat. You can do this 60 days in advance of your park visit. There is no in-person option at any of the theme parks. DAS is confirmed or denied during the video chat, and Cast Members determine eligibility. Party sizes are limited to the guest using DAS and three additional guests.
Guests with wheelchairs at Walt Disney World
Guests who use a wheelchair at Walt Disney World have a few options for services. If you’re using Disney transportation, all of the modes are wheelchair accessible. Those who are driving to the parks can use the handicap parking areas, which are closer to the front of the parking lots.
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Additionally, there are dedicated areas to get on attractions for those who need more time. Some attractions, like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom, allow guests to stay in their wheelchairs if needed. A full list of attractions that allow guests to stay in a wheelchair is here.
Taking service animals to Walt Disney World
Service animals (dogs or miniature horses) are permitted at Walt Disney World. They must stay on a leash at all times. When it’s time to get on attractions, you should talk to a Cast Member about the available options, including putting the animal in a portable kennel while you enjoy the ride.
Other disability services at Walt Disney World
There are a handful of other disability services across Walt Disney World. For those who are deaf and hard of hearing, there are sign language interpreters for live shows. Assistive listening devices can be used with headphones at attractions and entertainment. Sign language interpreters are available on specific days at each park. The schedule of interpreted performances is updated weekly and can be downloaded in advance of your visit.
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Guests who are blind or have low vision can use a Disney Handheld Device for audio descriptions of select rides and entertainment. There are also Braille guidebooks, portable tactile maps, and stationary Braille maps around the parks.
How disability services work at Disneyland
If you’re traveling to Disneyland, you’ll want to know about the variety of accommodations the resort has for guests with disabilities.
Disneyland’s Disability Access Service
The DAS system at Disneyland is essentially the same as Walt Disney World, but you can have an in-person conversation in addition to the virtual chat option. In-person consultations can be done the day of your visit at the Accessibility Services Kiosk. This is located on the east side of the Esplanade near Disney California Adventure. After you’ve entered either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure, you can make your first attraction return time in the Disneyland app.
Guests with wheelchairs at the Disneyland Resort
If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, there are options to ensure they can do as much as possible at the Disneyland Resort. There are dedicated load and unload areas on select rides for those who use a wheelchair. There is also a long list of attractions where guests can stay in their wheelchairs and not have to transfer. These include rides like the Disneyland Railroad and Toy Story Midway Mania.
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Taking service animals to the Disneyland Resort
Service animals (dogs and miniature horses) are allowed at the Disneyland Resort. Service animal relief areas are located around both parks, the Downtown Disney District, and the three Disneyland hotels.
Other disability services at the Disneyland Resort
Those visiting Disneyland who are deaf or hard of hearing can utilize Disney’s assistive listening and handheld captioning devices. There are also American Sign Language interpreters that can translate shows, character meet and greets, and attractions. To ensure you can utilize this service, you should always download the list of interpreted performances from the Disneyland website. The schedules are released on the first of every month.
Families who are traveling with someone who is blind or has low vision can check out one of Disney’s handheld devices that features audio descriptions of the parks, attractions, and entertainment. Additionally, the parks offer Braille handbooks and portable tactile maps.
