We are taking our daughter to DISNEY WORLD!! I am SO excited - they say it's the happiest place on earth and honestly... theme parks have become sort of my therapy over the years... a place I can go to forget all about any problems or cares in the world... where one can eat funnel cake and ice cream with a blatant disregard for all things healthy. It's awesome.
So I'm going to wager a guess that going to Disney with children is a challenge at the best of times but going in a wheelchair is even more so. I've been reading disability boards and forum posts to try to glean the absolute most out of the trip while making it as comfortable for my daughter specifically as possible.
I promise to report back on my finds but here is what I am planning to do:
- We will take a double stroller to the park instead of the wheelchair so her baby brother will be able to have his own seat (and we only have to manage pushing one thing)
- We will go the day ahead to get a Disney GAC (guest assistance card) to help us use alternate entrances for rides and to use the stroller as a wheelchair. I've read mixed reviews on this and it is up to the guest services person to decide what type of card you get. You can get a "stroller as a wheelchair" stamp which allows you to take your stroller IN line (rather than leave it behind) or you can get one with double arrows on it which is the alternate exit card. I believe there are other card types relating to autism, inability to be in a crowd, etc.
- I'm hoping to get parking close to the park.. I'm not sure how this will work but I know that having to get on a tram to the park will NOT work so here's hoping (fingers crossed)
General information from Disney World http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities/ or specifically mobility issues http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities/mobility/
They have PDFs specific to each park - a nice guide detailing each ride's accessibility features.
Disability Guides for: