Tried and True Tips Disneyland in a Wheelchair or Scooter

We did it—we just got back from doing Disneyland in an electric scooter after visit in a manual wheelchair a few months ago. This guide will give you my personal tips for Disneyland in a wheelchair, scooter, ECV and more. 

We’ll talk about important mobility factors at Disneyland, including things you may not have thought about before like:

• Making the choice to use an ECV
• What you can ride at Disneyland even with a scooter or wheelchair
• How Mobility Access and Disability Access differ
• What having a mobility device does and does NOT do at Disneyland
• Why Disneyland wheelchair rentals might not be the best choice
• Navigating the pathways and rides with ease

Convince Yourself (or Someone Else) to Get the Wheelchair

There are many reasons NOT to get a scooter or wheelchair and I bet you’ve been running these over in your mind:

• “I don’t really need a wheelchair. I can handle walking.”
• “I don’t look like I need a scooter, so I shouldn’t use one.”
• “Using an electric scooter looks difficult.”
• “I’m embarrassed to use a wheelchair, what will people think of me?”
• “It costs too much to rent an ECv.”
• “I should postpone my trip until I am fully healed.”
• “I won’t be able to ride anything since I’m using a wheelchair.”

Most of these reasons—or excuses—are myths! And I am hear to tell you, if you’re on the fence, please consider using a wheelchair or scooter at Disneyland. 

Here are my arguments in SUPPORT of using a wheelchair or scooter at Disneyland Resort:

• “I don’t really need a wheelchair. I can handle walking.” Sure you can, but can you handle walking 8-10 miles per day for multiple days? Not to mention the added standing and waiting in between those steps. And how will your body feel during and after?

 

 

• “I don’t look like I need a scooter, so I shouldn’t use one.” No one should judge why you need a mobility device. And little to people know, it’s much harder to navigate the theme parks with a wheelchair than without. There’s steps to avoid, routes that get packed and alternate ride entrances that aren’t always easy to find. It takes tons of extra time, despite what people think.

 

• “Using an electric scooter looks difficult.” It’s easier than you think! Especially if you rent a sleek, less bulky one from an outside rental company. A few minutes of practice and you’ll be a pro!

 

 

• “I’m embarrassed to use a wheelchair, what will people think of me?” This one is tricky but let me tell you there are so many people using ECVs at Disneyland for various reasons, you’re in good company! And if using one means you get to spend a magical vacation with your family vs sitting out, pick the scooter!

 

• “It costs too much to rent an ECV.” The prices are worth it! Especially if you consider what you might end up paying in painful visits to the doctor from overdoing it. Many rental companies will even deliver and pick up at your Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel. 

 

• “I should postpone my trip until I am fully healed.” This is one for careful discussion and consideration with your doctor. If the doctor gives the all-clear, you’ll be surprised at what you can enjoy and accomplish at Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park during your visit. But, if you need to postpone, don’t delay making those changes.

 

 

• “I won’t be able to ride anything since I’m using a wheelchair.” Wrong! You can do almost everything even in a wheelchair—and with this article I’ll tell you all about alternative entrances, which rides require transfers and more.

Whether you have a wheelchair or scooter for daily use or are contemplating renting a wheelchair at Disneyland, we can get through this together. These Disneyland wheelchair tips are for you!

Disneyland Rides, Even with a Wheelchair

Most rides and attractions at Disneyland Resort are wheelchair accessible. Some require a transfer, which we’ll discuss later in detail. But first, here’s a full list of Disneyland rides that make accommodations for wheelchairs, scooters and guests with mobile disabilities:

1. Alice in Wonderland
2. Astro Orbitor
3. Autopia
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
5. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
6. Casey Jr. Circus Train
7. Chip ‘n Dale’s Gadget Coaster
8. Disneyland Monorail
9. Disneyland Railroad
10. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
11. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
12. Haunted Mansion
13. Indiana Jones Adventure
14. “it’s a small world”
15. Jungle Cruise
16. King Arthur Carrousel
17. Mad Tea Party
18. Main Street Vehicles
19. Mark Twain Riverboat
20. Matterhorn Bobsleds
21. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
22. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
23. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
24. Peter Pan’s Flight
25. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
26. Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
27. Pirates of the Caribbean
28. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
29. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
30. Space Mountain
31. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
32. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
33. Storybook Land Canal Boats
34. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
35. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
36. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

That’s more than 30 rides at Disneyland Park alone, not including entertainment and other attractions you can enjoy! So is it worth going? I’d say so!

 

 

Some attractions allow you to stay in your wheelchair or scooter for the duration of the attraction, and no transfer is needed. Others may require a transfer from ECV to provided wheelchair. Some require a complete transfer.

I have tons of helpful notes on each Disneyland ride and attraction, along with accessible access tips in a printable format.

California Adventure Rides, Even with a Wheelchair

California Adventure was built with wheelchair access in mind. Massive walkways and queues can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters alike, right in the regular lines!

Here is the full list of California Adventure rides that make accommodations for wheelchairs, scooters and guests with mobile disabilities:

1. Golden Zephyr
2. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
3. Goofy’s Sky School
4. Grizzly River Run
5. Incredicoaster
6. Jumpin’ Jellyfish
7. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
8. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
9. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
10. Radiator Springs Racers
11. Silly Symphony Swings
12. Soarin’ Around the World
13. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
14. Toy Story Midway Mania!
15. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

 

 

 

While the ride list is shorter at California Adventure, it’s a much different experience doing this park with an ECV or wheelchair. Not only because you’ll use regular queues but because there is tons of entertainment and non-ride attractions to enjoy. 

If you haven’t already, get your accessible access tips in a printable format. It includes Disneyland and California Adventure Park Wheelchair and Scooter Rides, Entertainment and detailed instructions for your vacation.

Skipping Lines and Disability Access 

You may have heard you can “skip the lines” with a wheelchair and this myth has been around for years, but current park operations doesn’t make it true. First, let’s talk Disability Access. 

What is the Disability Access Service Pass (DAS)?

Disney answers it best, “Disability Access Service (DAS) is designed to accommodate Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). The service allows Guests to schedule a return time that is comparable to the current queue wait for the given attraction. It does not provide immediate attraction access.”

 

 

Can I use DAS if I have a wheelchair or scooter?

Simply having a wheelchair or mobility device does not qualify you for DAS. If it is a mobility issue alone, do not worry about applying for DAS. But some will use a combination of DAS and their mobility accommodations. You can read about the Disability Access Service pass here.

Can I skip the lines if I use a wheelchair or ECV?

While there are different procedures for wheelchair access, you don’t get an automatic “front of the line” pass when you use a wheelchair. In fact, there’s often more steps involved and it can be complicated depending on the ride. 

Remember, at California Adventure you’ll use either the standard queue or Lightning Lane queue if you’re utilizing Genie+. 

At Disneyland Park, the procedure and how to you ride or enter the ride is different for almost every ride. It’s often helpful to have a walking member of your group a few steps ahead to look out for wheelchair signs because you usually need to check in somewhere before proceeding to the alternate entrances.

 

 

For example, in Fantasyland we checked in the red(ish) color umbrellas nearest the ride we wanted to go on. Sometimes they would tell us to go directly to the exit and sometimes they would tell us to return to the ride’s exit at a specific time. And it will be different for every ride depending on the wait times in the standard queues.

 

 

In other lands the umbrella color might be different (green above). But one thing that never fails, you can always ask a Cast Member at the ride entrance. My tip is to keep the wheelchair and rider off to the side where they can easily navigate to the next spot. Just send one person to talk to the Cast Member. They’ll direct you to the next step.

 

 

If a ride has Lightning Lane and you have purchased Genie+ for the day, always utilize Genie+ on the app, then proceed to the attraction (or attraction exit at Disneyland Park) for entry. The Cast Member check-in at the ride or an umbrella is for rides that don’t have Lightning Lane. 

Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair

First off yes, you can bring your own wheelchair or ECV to Disneyland. This is a fantastic option because one, no rental fee and two you can bring it with you where ever you need it, including outside of Disneyland Resort.

If you only use yours occasionally and don’t wish to travel with it, you can rent one before your trip here.

 

 

I recommend renting one from an outside company because they’re sleeker, easier to maneuver and you can keep them for the entire duration of your trip rather than renting each morning at Disneyland Resort.

How much is it to rent a wheelchair at Disneyland?

It is $15 per day for a manual wheelchair and $60 per day for an ECV rental at Disneyland Resort. View current pricing here.

• Sales tax and refundable deposit are an additional fee.
• Disneyland Resort wheelchair rentals are on a first come, first serve basis.
• Wheelchairs cannot be reserved in advance.
• You must be 18 years old, with valid photo ID to rent.
• Maximum ECV weight is 450 pounds.
• Maximum manual wheelchair. weight is 350 pounds.

Pick up your rental to the right of the Disneyland turnstiles or rent one beforehand and have it delivered to your hotel here.

 

 

If you only require a manual wheelchair, those are easy to get onsite at Disneyland Resort. But, I don’t recommend manual wheelchairs…

 

 

 

Why manual wheelchairs aren’t as good as electric:

• A traditional wheelchair is hard to push and control
• There are a lot of hills up and down in the parks that you might not realize.
• When my nephew used a standard wheelchair it was hard to push him and we all took turns. Anyone pushing is hunched over pushing the wheelchair—it’s uncomfortable for everyone.
• Anytime there is a downhill it can be nerve-wracking because you could easily let go and lose control of the wheelchair.

An electric wheelchair will probably make you feel more comfortable knowing that no one has to push you. to Electric wheelchairs are also a lot more plush and comfortable with the seating and have baskets available. 

 

 

Having been to the parks with people who have used both the electric wheelchairs and standard wheelchairs, I can confidently say the electric wheelchairs are a much better choice. 

Navigating the Parks with a Wheelchair

Now that you’re ready for your trip you may be wondering about the actual logistics of getting around. 

 

 

Here’s your step by step guide to navigating the parks from arrival, to security to nighttime entertainment.

Accessible Parking

Yes, there is accessible parking at Disneyland Resort; normal parking fees still apply and you must have a valid  disability parking pass to park in the designated spots.

Security Screening with a Wheelchair

Every person and item are subject to security screening. If you can step out of your scooter briefly you can opt to walk through the metal detector. Otherwise, security will do a screening with a handheld metal detector. 

Stroller as a Wheelchair

It’s true that stroller size guidelines were updated in 2019.

Read all about Disneyland strollers here. Disney Officials would also like to communicate in regards to stroller guidelines, “Nothing has changed about how we make accommodations for guests with disabilities. Meeting their needs is extremely important to us. Guests with disabilities who have questions or concerns about any of the updates may contact Disability.[email protected] or call 407-560-2547 to address their needs.“

 

Stroller as a wheelchair allows younger guests to remain in their stroller throughout the queue, and/or access wheelchair queues via exit or other means. Inquire about a stroller as wheelchair pass at Guest Services. More about special needs at Disneyland here. For a printable PDF from Disney with a short guide, visit this link. 

Entertainment Accessibility Viewing

There are so many things to do and see at Disneyland Resort including tons of live performances and shows.

All shows have accessible viewing areas set aside for guests with mobility devices as well. Cast Members will be your best resource when looking for a location for you and your group to watch parades and other shows.

 

 

Some parades and shows will allow you to watch in your wheelchair from any area and some have specific areas you can view from. 

Pathways and Pitfalls

Be on the look out for curbs, steps and ramps. Sometimes a Cast Member might be at an area and can direct you to the path the leads to ramps rather than stairs. 

When you have a group, create a “bubble” around your scooter. It’s much easier to navigate this way, especially when you need to back up or park your scooter. 

Common crowd choke points are more difficult to navigate, these might include:

• Parade routes immediately after parades or shows
• Firework, Wold of Color or Fantasmic viewing areas immediately after shows

Hang back for a bit and let the crowds move on before you do. Less stress for sure! The majority of my navigation tips involve where to get on rides and how you can make it easier on your travel. You can find those in my printable guide. 

I have tons of helpful notes on each ride, show and attraction, along with accessible access tips in a printable format. Get your Disneyland Wheelchair and Scooter Ride Guide here.

Do you have tips or questions of your own to add to this guide? I’d love to hear from you.