Disney Parks Accessibility Guide for Disabled Visitors

To assist guests with disabilities that visit Walt Disney World each year most attractions, restaurants, shops and shows are accessible. Disneyland® is very "disabled friendly". Disneyland, opened on July 17, 1955, is an American theme park in Anaheim, California, conceived by Walt Disney, the park was built in one year at a cost of $17m.

Currently the park has been visited by more than 515 million guests since it opened, including presidents, royalty and other heads of state. In 1998, the theme park was re-branded Disneyland Park to distinguish it from the larger Disneyland Resort complex. In 2007, over 14,800,000 people visited the park making it the second most visited park in the world, behind the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

To assist guests with disabilities that visit Walt Disney World each year most attractions, restaurants, shops and shows are accessible. In some cases, however, guests may need the assistance of a member of their party to fully utilize these areas. For instance, at some attractions people using wheelchairs may need to transfer from their wheelchairs onto a ride. Hosts and hostesses are not permitted to physically transfer Guests from wheelchairs and recommend that people with disabilities plan to visit with someone who can physically assist them, when necessary.

The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for Guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four Disney Parks as well as Guest Services locations at the Walt Disney World® Resorts. Guests with specific disability concerns can visit Guest Relations at any of the Theme Parks for additional information and assistance.

Main Content

How many Disneylands are there in the World

Disneylands are present in California, Florida, Paris, Japan and Hong Kong at the moment. Disneyland first opened July 17, 1955, and was the world's first Disney park - Walt Disney World in Florida opened in 1971, Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992, Disney's California Adventure opened in 2001, Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983, and Disneyland Hong Kong opened to visitors on September 12, 2005.

Disneyland California

Walt Disney's original theme park. There is now a newer park, called Disney California Adventure, that has been built right next to Disneyland.

Many Disneyland Resort attractions offer access for people with wheelchairs or mobility disabilities. The following types of mobility access are available:

a) Ambulatory Requirements: A few attractions require Guests to walk by themselves or be assisted by members of their party.

b) Wheelchair Accessible: Many attractions allow Guests to remain in their wheelchair during the experience.

c) Wheelchair Transfer Required: Some attractions require Guests to transfer from their wheelchair to a ride vehicle by themselves or be assisted by members of their party.

d) ECV Transfer to Wheelchair: A few attractions require Guests to transfer from their Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) to an available wheelchair at the attraction and transfer from their wheelchair to the ride vehicle by themselves or be assisted by members of their party.

Walt Disney World Florida

A huge park featuring two water parks, lots of resorts, plus four theme parks Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in our queues. We strongly suggest these Guests consider using a wheelchair, personal scooter or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV).

For Persons with Mobility Impairments

Many of the transportation systems at the Walt Disney World® Resort are accessible to Guests with disabilities. All bus routes are serviced by buses which are equipped to accommodate various types of wheelchairs. Methods of accessibility vary from attraction to attraction within the Parks.

The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guide-maps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. Watercraft access varies depending on the type of watercraft and the existing water levels and conditions. Guests may bring their own wheelchairs or rent one at any of the four Parks. Complimentary wheelchairs are available for Guests with limited mobility, to travel to and from disability parking and the nearest wheelchair rental location.

For Persons with Visual Impairments

Braille guidebooks are available at Guest Relations in all four Theme Parks. These guides give Guests a general overview of the Theme Park. Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland have handheld devices that provide audio descriptions of attractions. The Audio Tour provides the Guest with a detailed "guided" tour of the respective Park. It provides Guests with a specific route to follow, complete with distances between attractions and key stopping locations.

For Persons with Hearing Impairments

Assistive Listening Systems utilize a lightweight wireless device that receives a signal from overhead transmitters at certain locations in order to amplify sound. Receivers are available at Guest Relations lobbies in all four Theme Parks. A portable captioning system uses a wireless handheld receiver to display text in locations where fixed captioning systems are impractical, such as moving attractions. Sign Language interpretation can also be requested for other special events and shows, including the "Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue" and "Disney's Spirit of Aloha" dinner shows, with a minimum of 14 days advanced notice. Reflective Captioning is available at many theater-type attractions at the Walt Disney World® Resort. This technology utilizes an LED display to project desired captions onto an acrylic panel positioned in front of the Guest. Pay phones equipped with amplified handsets are widely available throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Resort Paris is a holiday and recreation resort in Marne-la-Vallee, a new town in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. Disneyland Resort Paris features two theme parks, an entertainment district and seven Disney-owned hotels.

You will find all the information you need to for your visit in their guide for guests with disabilities.

Wheelchairs can be rented at the "Stroller/Pushchair and Wheelchair Rental" shop. The majority of attractions have been adapted to suit your needs and special access procedures are in place for guests with disabilities. Many attractions are wheelchair accessible while others may require a transfer.

Some attractions offer induction loops for persons with hearing impairments. Special symbols can be located at each attraction indicating any limitations or restrictions.

A limited number of spaces are reserved for Guests with reduced mobility in the Guest parking.

Hong Kong Disneyland

The park is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island, and opened to visitors on September 12, 2005. The park consists of four themed lands similar to other Disneyland parks: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland.

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotels offer disabled access rooms with special equipment and facilities. Service animals are welcome in nearly all locations throughout Hong Kong Disneyland. However, service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times.

Guests of Hong Kong Disneyland with those requiring special assistance can bring their own wheelchairs to the Park. Limited wheelchairs are available for rental at the Disneyland Fire Department on Town Square.

All toilets throughout Hong Kong Disneyland Resort either have facilities designed for access by Guests using wheelchairs or are adjacent to companion restrooms.

Nearly all attractions, shops, restaurants and shows are accessible. Certain attractions require Guests to transfer from their wheelchairs to a ride system either by themselves or with assistance of a member of their party.

There is a shuttle for people with disabilities running between different locations of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort available for those upon request.

Braille Guidebooks are available from Guest Relations in City Hall. Some attractions and service locations utilize an inductive loop audio enhancement to assist Guests requiring use of a hearing aid with communication. Disneyland Hong Kong

Disneyland Tokyo

A 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. There are seven themed areas made up of the World Bazaar, the four classic Disney lands: Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and two mini lands, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown. Tokyo Disneyland opened on April 15, 1983. Tokyo DisneySea opened on September 4, 2001.

For the general comfort level of Guests using wheelchairs, bumps and slopes have been kept to a minimum and are easy to navigate. Public telephones, water fountains and mailboxes have been set at a low level for easy access.

Special areas for Guests using wheelchairs have been established in the viewing areas of shows, parades and theater attractions.

Three varieties of wheelchairs are available for rental: standard, motorized and power-assisted.

Guests with Assistance Dogs are able to use most Park facilities, including attractions. However, some attractions may not be suitable for Assistance Dogs.

a) Tokyo Disneyland Park

The following attractions offer varying degrees of accessibility for persons using wheelchairs.

b) Tokyo DisneySea Park

The following attractions offer varying degrees of accessibility for persons using wheelchairs.

How Many Rides are there at Disneyland

According to Disneyland in March 2008 there are 55 "attractions" in Disneyland and 36 rides including:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
• Disneyland Monorail
• Disneyland Railroad
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Fire Engine
• Gadget's Go Coaster
• Haunted Mansion
• Horse-Drawn Streetcars
• Horseless Carriage
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• It's a small world
• Jungle Cruise
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
• Omnibus
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Snow White's Scary Adventures
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Thanks to Disney staff for keeping us updated on information, attractions and rides.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.