I am sure that Mike or Sue will come in to clarify my response, but I am under the impression that there is nowhere to "sit and wait" for most rides and shows. If you have problems standing, Disney will suggest you rent a wheelchair or scooter... I cant think where you would sit and wait for something like space mountain or even Small world... perhaps Sue or Cheshire have more info
As Cheshire Figment already replied, many places do not have anywhere to sit and wait unless you bring your own seat (wheelchair, ECV or walker with a seat).
This is true for rides, but also shows and movies. Most of those have a preshow or preload area where guests wait for their turn at the show. Your wait there will usually be at least as long as the show is (you came into the room as the guests for the last show entered the theater and you will wait there until the show they are watching is over and they have emptied the theater).
Some of the preshow areas have benches, but the majority do not and if the benches are already full, other guests will not usually move to let you sit.
Thank you. I'll probably take you up on sending you a PM soon.
I had considering getting a GAC as well. I had also considered buying a pair of crocs for our next trip as well. I know all too well about the fatigue. It's my biggest issue along with the pain right now. Thankfully I could sit and halfway relax when DH was riding some rides that I didn't and/or the kids couldn't go on (most of those I didn't really care about riding so sitting out didn't bother me). However it was not a totally relaxing time for me since I still had the kids. Thankfully my mom went with us but I don't think she'll be going back with us (I'll just say she didn't really enjoy the trip and was in a cranky mood from the moment we left on the trip...which made for an enjoyable 2 week vacation).
If you have not already loked at it, check out the GAC information in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Also, keep in mind that a GAC will not usually shorten the distance you have to walk. You can get a GAC that would allow you to use the wheelchair accessible entrance (bypassing stairs for the few rides that have stairs and also boarding rides with moving walkways at the accessible boarding area). Using wheelchair accessible entrances doesn't mean a shorter wait or less distance. Often, people with wheelchairs or ECVs are routed to the exit for boarding right before the regular line reaches the boarding area. Since you are at the exit, there is little room for seats.
Another question. If you rent an ECV from somewhere other than Disney where do you keep it when at the resort? Is there enough room to keep it in your resort room? I know keeping our jogging stroller in our room this trip was on the tight side. Getting a handicapped room would not fit our needs since we'd need a place for the kids to sleep.
You may find it's not a problem to keep it in your room. If you find that removing a table of chairs would allow you to have enough room to store it, just call Housekeeping and ask for furniture to be removed.
Some people store the rental ECV with Bell Services or at the resort front desk. Depending on how far your room is from those, that might be a good option for you.
Also wanted to clarify that handicapped rooms are no bigger than non accessible rooms. Some of the handicapped rooms have only a raised seat toilet and grab bars for the tub; they are otherwise exactly the same as a 'non-handicapped' room.
In the fully wheelchair accessible rooms, the
bathroom is larger to make space for a roll in shower and room to park a wheelchair by the toilet. To get that space, the sleeping area is actually smaller. The accessible rooms use the same space as non accessible rooms, they just divide the space differently.
