Hi Heidi,
Welcome to planDisney. Let's ensure your parents can enjoy all the magic Disneyland has to offer for their upcoming anniversary!
The Disneyland Resort is committed to accessibility, and there are a lot of services offered for those Guests visiting with
disabilities. It sounds like your main focus is ensuring your father is able to move around the parks comfortably, so I'll touch on some offerings specifically for Guests with
mobility issues, which start as soon as you step on property.
Disneyland offers parking for Guests with disabilities throughout the resort. When you pull into one of the parking structures, simply ask a Cast Member to point you to the designated parking area. If one of these spaces is not available, they will assist in finding you a spot closest to the tram or bus, depending on where you are parking. At the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures, a tram service takes Guests to the Main Entrance Esplanade or Guests with mobility issues may ask to use a shuttle service. At the Toy Story Parking Area, bus service transports Guests to the parks and these can accommodate most mobility devices.
Guests are welcome to bring their own
mobility device or Electric Conveyance Vehicles (EVC) and wheelchairs are available for rent at the Stroller Shop just to the right of the Disneyland Park Main Entrance Gate. You can't miss it! One thing to note here is that these are first-come, first-serve. Another option would be to reach out to a private mobility rental company. ScooterBug offers length-of-stay rentals and delivery to Disneyland Resort hotels. If they are not staying on property, I would still give them a call to see if they have rental options for Guests visiting for the day. If your father does have his own device, there are a few regulations to consider. Mobility devices must have 3 wheels or less and be able to stand on their own when unoccupied or powered down. Additionally, dimensions cannot exceed 36" in width and 52" in length.
Now that we've sorted out how your father will travel around, let's move into the parks and ensure him a magical day. As you likely know, attractions have various boarding methods depending on the ride vehicle. I mention this as it might be helpful to review ahead of time to map out their park day. Essentially, some attractions will allow guests to stay in their mobility device, some will require a transfer to an available wheelchair, and some will require the Guest to transfer or walk to the ride vehicle on their own or with assistance from their party. I recommend taking a look on the
website to see which attractions offer which boarding methods ahead of time, and, of course, you can always ask a Cast Member when you approach the queue.
Another service that is offered is
Location Return Time which allows Guests to receive a time to return so they do not have to wait in the queue itself. Note this is only currently offered at Disneyland Park, but simply ask a Cast Member if it's available and for their assistance.
This was a lot to absorb! If you have any follow up questions, we are always here for you at planDisney! Be here to get your parents a complimentary Celebration Button available at most retail locations. They will be showered with well wishes, and perhaps even some pixie dust.
Magic awaits!
Tara