Accessible seating situation in Fantasy Walt Disney theater?

I was wondering what the seating situation would be like for a party of 6 with one of whom will be in a wheel chair? Is there a certain section or entrance we should use? A certain time to be there by to make sure we get one of the spots? Being our first cruise we hope to see all the shows but more importantly are wanting to spend the time together. Thanks for any help.

The two different class of ships have different seating arrangements.

The Magic class is just one large auditorium of seats with designated wheelchair positions.

The Dream class has a 2 tier auditorium, so a balcony above the "stalls", but again they have designated wheelchair positions.

The DCL website states:

Special Access, Seating and Entrances

Special viewing areas at scheduled onboard activities are set aside for Guests using wheelchairs while on their vacation. Assistance with accessible seating at the Walt Disney Theatre can also be arranged by contacting a Crew Member outside the theater entrance at least 10 minutes prior to show time.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/guests-with-disabilities/

On the Magic class there were definately wheelchair positions at the rear of the theatre on each side (deck 4), with a couple of seats adjacent to them to the side and more below.

Sorry, just seen your on the Fantasy!

Here's a report detailing the process and whats available on the Dream class (so most likely the same on the Fantasy!)

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2011/02/disney_dream_wheelchair_access_1.html

2. Theater seating in both theaters is VERY much better. A person in a wheelchair may now sit in the front, middle or back of the theaters. This is exciting, especially in the Walt Disney Theater, where many of the shows have stuff coming down from the ceiling. Getting to the front and middle level seats in the WD Theater does require a host to assist you; you have to go through a crew area, on special elevators, and though some water tight doors at the front of the ship. The host has to call the officer on the bridge and arrange to have the doors released when the person in the wheelchair is coming through. After the shows you have to wait for a host to come help you back out. But it is really worth it!!

HTH's!

ex techie

I was wondering what the seating situation would be like for a party of 6 with one of whom will be in a wheel chair? Is there a certain section or entrance we should use? A certain time to be there by to make sure we get one of the spots? Being our first cruise we hope to see all the shows but more importantly are wanting to spend the time together. Thanks for any help.

As one who had shows ruined by people who "wanted to spend the time together" but apparently didn't want to miss the shows so they apparently compromised by talking through the shows, I would request that you keep them separate. Please don't talk through the shows in your together time.

I'm not saying you would for sure, but just the way those two were juxtaposed in the sentence, I felt it should be clarified. :)

As one who had shows ruined by people who "wanted to spend the time together" but apparently didn't want to miss the shows so they apparently compromised by talking through the shows, I would request that you keep them separate. Please don't talk through the shows in your together time.

 

I'm not saying you would for sure, but just the way those two were juxtaposed in the sentence, I felt it should be clarified. :)

And there was I reading the post as they all just wanted to be seated together, not separated by the wheelchair user being cordoned off in another specific area.

Just goes to show how we all can interpret a written word in a very different way!

ex techie

Ex Techie thank you so much for that information. That is just what I was looking for. I greatly appreciate it!

And there was I reading the post as they all just wanted to be seated together, not separated by the wheelchair user being cordoned off in another specific area.

 

Just goes to show how we all can interpret a written word in a very different way!

 

ex techie

That is how I meant it. Thanks for assuming the best :)

No worries and have a great cruise!

ex techie

On the Magic and Wonder, guests who can transfer out of their wheelchairs can sit in the front. You have to get to the theatre 30 minutes early and be escorted thru crew areas. You can wheel into the theatre, transfer to a front row seat (IF it is still open) and the wheelchair will be stored out of the theatre. After the show, a CM comes with the chair and escorts you out again. These are regular seats and your family is welcome to sit with you. However, they are not reserved seats. You must get there before other people have taken them.

There is reserved wheelchair seating (no transfer necessary) at the back of the theatre on the Magic and Wonder. These are the only seats available to guests who can't transfer.

I realize that OP asked about the Fantasy. But I give the above info for completeness.

Thanks for the additional info moki'smommy!

I was always backstage when the house was opened and closed, so didn't get to see if and how disabled guests were accommodated to the front row.

ex techie

On the Magic and Wonder' date=' guests who can transfer out of their wheelchairs can sit in the front. You have to get to the theatre 30 minutes early and be escorted thru crew areas. You can wheel into the theatre, transfer to a front row seat (IF it is still open) and the wheelchair will be stored out of the theatre. After the show, a CM comes with the chair and escorts you out again. These are regular seats and your family is welcome to sit with you. However, they are not reserved seats. You must get there before other people have taken them.

 

There is reserved wheelchair seating (no transfer necessary) at the back of the theatre on the Magic and Wonder. These are the only seats available to guests who can't transfer.

 

I realize that OP asked about the Fantasy. But I give the above info for completeness.[/quote']

 

I appreciate it nonetheless. It will probably be useful to know someday.

We have cruised the Dream twice which is the sister ship to the Fantasy.

There is wheelchair seating available on the entry level of the theater, the only issue you may run into is sometimes in this area you are not able to see the screens to either side of the stage completely.

There are "cut outs" in the main area which provide plenty of seating to the inside and the row in front of the cut out. As someone mentioned you need to go at least 30 minutes early as a crew member certified to open the watertight doors you will have to go through has to summoned. The lift that is used is tight and cannot accommodate more than a chair and one person besides the crew member. I recommend having your family go in and find the seating you want while you make a very interesting journey through the crew quarters and backstage. After the show is over, very promptly someone was there to escort you back up and out.

I COMPLETELY understood your comment, wanting to go on a family event and be told because you need accessible seating you get to sit by yourself or if you are lucky ONE companion - concerts, sporting events - if I wanted to go by myself I would, but can't stand to be isolated due to convenience of the venue.

Enjoy! The shows are first rate!

We have cruised the Dream twice which is the sister ship to the Fantasy.

 

There is wheelchair seating available on the entry level of the theater, the only issue you may run into is sometimes in this area you are not able to see the screens to either side of the stage completely.

 

There are "cut outs" in the main area which provide plenty of seating to the inside and the row in front of the cut out. As someone mentioned you need to go at least 30 minutes early as a crew member certified to open the watertight doors you will have to go through has to summoned. The lift that is used is tight and cannot accommodate more than a chair and one person besides the crew member. I recommend having your family go in and find the seating you want while you make a very interesting journey through the crew quarters and backstage. After the show is over, very promptly someone was there to escort you back up and out.

 

I COMPLETELY understood your comment, wanting to go on a family event and be told because you need accessible seating you get to sit by yourself or if you are lucky ONE companion - concerts, sporting events - if I wanted to go by myself I would, but can't stand to be isolated due to convenience of the venue.

 

Enjoy! The shows are first rate!

I appreciate the response, thank you! When you say the elevator has enough room for a chair, is that a standard wheel chair or can an ECV fit in there and the theater cut outs, or on those nights should she just use her collapsible chair?

ECVs fit on the elevators. Not sure about the cut outs.

hmmm

I don't have any experience w/an ECV as I do not have the ability to transfer or propel a manual chair and use my power chair 24x7.

Depending on the skill level of the driver ;) I think the ECV might fit -- the lift is more long and narrow (like a sideways elevator) think "parallel park" but the turns into the theater might be tight.

My chair is a power chair and I looked up the dimensions so you could compare it to your ECV (24.25" X 35.5") My chair is standard to larger frame and I "just" fit into the cut out without blocking the main aisle which is behind you (very easy pull-in parking).

If transferring is a possibility you may want to use the chair to go down to the main theater area and then transfer to a seat in an area of your choice.

The only time in 3 cruises w/DCL I ever had an issue with "fitting" was this past cruise in the main dining area, in all 3 dining rooms I kept getting the back wheels kicked by people/staff walking by or behind our table. Next time I cruise I will definitely be checking on this ahead of time once we've boarded.

The Royal Palace has steps at the main entrance, but there is a 2nd entrance around to the right (if you are standing in the atrium looking at the doors of the dining room).

Thank you both very much. We will probably just have my MIL use her regular chair during dinner and show time to keep it simple and for spacing.

Unrelated to the theater seating, I was wondering if my MIL rides her ECV on should one of us push around the regular chair, or should we put a tag on it and would one of the porter deliver it to the room? thanks again.

Unrelated to the theater seating, I was wondering if my MIL rides her ECV on should one of us push around the regular chair, or should we put a tag on it and would one of the porter deliver it to the room? thanks again.

I would think they would deliver it, but personally given the way a lot of the baggage is treated I would bring it on yourself.

Do you have a lock for it? If so you could leave it in the DCL wheelchair area once you board without someone else taking it until you are ready to collect it?

ex techie

That's a good idea thanks.

Honestly, I wouldn't check anything that critically needed. Baggage handling is horrible.