Very concerned, traveling from UK

[bookwormde]

If you are used to traveling without dedicated assistance of a sighted person, you will manage fine. Certainly not a the pace of a typical family, WDW is better that way anyway.

I am guessing you are staying on site,

WDW CMs are in the vast majority great, and while other guest my not always be comfortable, many are more than happy to help other vacationers figure it out.

I would suggest getting the resort and park maps ahead of time and having someone help you get a physical sense of the layout.

Orlando airport is particularly challenging to navigate, so I would definitely ask for disability assistance when you book you tickets.

I would also write WDW and ask for information on accommodations for your family.

Here is a link to a local support organization, I do not know much about them, but some have youth community services volunteers that are available as guides so they might be worth calling for infomation and ideas

http://www.lighthousecentralflorida.org/

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

They managed to get to Paris and around the Disney park there. I don't know how they do it, but they have worked out traveling issues and navigating around before.

Thing is, when reading the posts sounds like a common problem for those having done DLRP before WDW. Because DLRP is such cr*p about inclusive society there is much segregation going on and thus front of the line on basically any and all disabilities and "disabilities". I see bussloads of folks around here in Europe that then think this thus applies to WDW. Nice and peachy to read about accessibility but expecting that fotl-perk that comes with segregation (which is no perk with many disabilities, since the rides itself are just as much unaccessible, but that's another subject). And thus come to the conclusion that because WDW does not do with fotl it thus has to be not doable. You would not believe the hissy fits I've heard and seen being thrown about WDW "being discriminatory" from those never have been, just because they've learned it does not offer their beloved fotl-card blue DLRP does. Or certain national parks, for that matter. Many having been used to such a situation have become believers that only way to accomodate whatever is to offer front of the line.


Reading the posts, it would not surprise me beyond believe that this family might be counting too much on the fotl-card blue option of DLRP to be their way around WDW. Which we all know will not be. And yes, they need to be very much prepared for this or they will be at high risks of very quickly concluding it thus will be a lost trip. Luckily they are on here before the trip. So information can be given and gathered and this trip can be a great one. Something as "simple" as being informed and knowing what to expect and what not upfront can make a huge difference so I'm glad this is one of the pre-trip topics instead of post trip.

I'm one of those strong believers in self-abilities. I'm familiar with enough folks and families with such visual problems they do travel around blind and do so solo succesfully. Including international travel, busy crowded locations and such. Because of that I know that doing WDW solo (or as a group without someone with "proper enough" vision) can be done succesfully by some, which does not always have to be "equal" to the "severity" of their impairments. Some totally work it out on their own, others are fine after dropping in at Guest Services and having maps explained to them detailed enough -and if need be make tactile notes or alike-. It can be mindboggling to those that have no visual problems giving the huzzle and buzzle, constant bumping into they already experience and a new place, but it isn't a mission impossible for all with (very) serious visual impairments. But; those I have seen do that succesfully can also navigate most lines without any problems. That is then where I get a bit lost, knowing structure of most lines.



Panda; can you explain what would warrent you needing no and/or reduced waiting time? As you've already read over and over again there is no such option at WDW because it is accessible (unlike DLRP). But more importantly, explaining your reasoning behind it will help castmembers at guest services and us here help you ease your mind about worries, smooth out bumps where possible or prepare you for what bumps there simply will be.

Also can you help me understand why that would apply to lines but there would be no problem finding your way around the parks? After all; there are no options that can be offered to magically make getting around the parks easier unless one were to themselves engage someone sighted to guide them around. Just like those using a manual chair but having limited armstrength will have to either take along someone to push them, use an ECV or accept they will be able to cover less ground and/or use more time for such and factor it in. Or are we missing something here that you can enlighten us about?

Have you worked out how to get around to and from the parks yet? Again, this is where you might -will- experience differences from what you are used to at DLRP. So if not looked into it yet; smart thing to do beforehand and work out a doable plan.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Others may be able to offer feedback on this idea and say if it is an awful one. Don't kill me if it is


What about hiring a 'sitter' at Kids' Nite Out? (Or whatever that service is called?) You can hire ostensibly for your son. They do offer care in the parks, you'd just be coming along too That way, someone could guide the way for you and get you through the parks in roughly the same time frame as a traditionally sighted person.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Others may be able to offer feedback on this idea and say if it is an awful one. Don't kill me if it is

What about hiring a 'sitter' at Kids' Nite Out? (Or whatever that service is called?) You can hire ostensibly for your son. They do offer care in the parks, you'd just be coming along too That way, someone could guide the way for you and get you through the parks in roughly the same time frame as a traditionally sighted person.

Im not in the business of murder, so non of that from me, sorry.,)

If going the "seeing human" road, I do think there are much cheaper options, though. For instance the vast options of volunteers, esp. when covering the expenses.

Not Sure about the other options within or outside of the NHS but there are even systems in certain countries that would cover indicated help abroad fully or to a set limit (for instance cost of dame care at home). I for instance van fully get all needed care, help, nursing etc covered upto a set amount per hour, whether it being hete at home in NL, at wdw or where ever globally. Travel costs and other expenses would be a point of discussion (would be an option but could too much pressure on my set yearround budget) but much cheaper route of using local professionals is also covered. That can be perfect options to individualize help and care

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Dang wrong button.

Adding; even here not all know about these options or in certain situations being able to get an indication just for vacationing. Very illustrative of how important it can be not to assume one omkwamen their national or local legislation, but to make sure to check options and if need be file claims and/or refile before knowing for sure. Obviously it depends on options available but sometimes there are more than one dateert dreaming of.

 

[SteveMouse]

You may run into significant challenges in finding a US provider willing to accept NHS or other foreign (non-US) insurance. The provider would need a contract with the insurance provider, unless the recipient of services paid and then sought reimbursement from NHS.

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you all for your advice. We will definitely get the GACs for each person. I am very realistic about the challenges, which is why I'm doing lots of research and planning now. We manage because I have a bit of sight and we all have a lot of determination. We will have a good holiday

You definitely are doing your research and seem to be very realistic about the challenges involved. As a sighted person, it's hard for most of us to comprehend how you go about your daily life much less how you would get around an amusement park as large as WDW. But you certainly seem to be prepared for that and ready to find your way around without a sighted guide.

My comment about being realistic was with regards to expectations of what accommodations WDW can offer - since what you are used to being offered in the U.K. and Europe is vastly different from here in the U.S. due to our disability laws and mainstreaming or desegregation. You can and should explain your needs at Guest Relations, and you can request "no waiting" for your son's needs, but don't be surprised if they tell you that can't be accommodated. Don't get me wrong, WDW will do all they can to assist and I think CMs at each attraction will add whatever pixie dust they can, but you will be at WDW during a very busy time of year and eliminating wait time for any disability simply cannot be expected. Being prepared for that and having alternative plans as to how to help your son deal with waiting is the "realistic" I had in mind.

Again, my best to you and your family. I do believe that with the proper planning and expectations you will have an enjoyable time.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You may run into significant challenges in finding a US provider willing to accept NHS or other foreign (non-US) insurance. The provider would need a contract with the insurance provider, unless the recipient of services paid and then sought reimbursement from NHS.

Which is pretty obvious, IMHO. Standard practice when visiting about any country other than ones own. Pretty recently within the EU we've come to a situation where it (can be) a lot easier and pretty much almost like a same experience as home but that is so recently, any of us will remember and still be used to the older way beforehand. Heck, same thing when needing care for those vacationing here. Needed care will never be withheld, but money will sure as heck be taken care off including requiring payment on the spot for some nationalities.


This is also one of those things where then national systems can come into place. For instance within our situation with that general normal daily care and/or help you will be handed the indicated budget over beforehand. It's up to you to sort out the bill -which then is no problem as a "self paying" customer, pay and within the set time limit afterwards to justify your spending by handing over all required proof (like bank and/or creditcard statements, bills that have to fit certain requirements suited to the local standard so to say etc). Only when they find you doing things not allowed with the funds and or find you can not justify the money or some of it, is it that they will demand a refund for the amount they deem not justified or used. Most of the times it's not even really fined unless clearly it being a case of fraude. So I basically book my vacation already knowing how much €€€€ I've got for care I can use at home and abroad. I got the money in my account before ever flying out and if needing prepayment can make that payment with the awarded funds without ever touching my own private budget. I can even use up more hours of care per week than I would average per week at home, as long as I stay within the given year budget. Or more of a certain type of help or care because the situation can be very different. When your indication would not fit and you see that problem beforehand you can even file for a bigger budget to suit that. As long as it fits within the indication norms, you can then get your budget upped purely to not just cover a year round needs for when you would stay at home 24/7/365 but for instance 50 weeks of home care + 2 weeks of care for that planned WDW trip that leaves you requiring more help. All in all a very userfriendly realistic system.

I know there are other countries around the world where things can be taken care of upfront to such an extend one does not have to be faced with temporarly footing the bill themselves before getting it refunded. But as with all things; something one always has to look into and sort out all details before making plans or decisions based on such things. Now our system is pretty high level luxery on this part and obviously unfortunately not an option for everybody globally. But I've seen many people worlwide have been surprised over the years by what within their systems they've found to be available, expecting nothing even within close range to it. I was the same until diving into this subject (shockingly it's still pretty unknown here also, when it comes to vacation options). That's why I posted with the tip to always look into knowing all options available, nevermind how unlikely they sometimes seem. Hope for nothing, but aim for what you need and not stop until making sure there is no such thing or you don't qualify and always educate yourself and all the details that might surround it.

Basically this is a special care subject but I hold it to the same standard as any possible unexpected healthcare costs while abroad; make sure you know your options, know what you might run into, where you might be confronted with a co-pay or footing the bill and needing to file after getting back home and make sure that whatever those options are; they fit your financial abilities. Nothing worse than needed unexpected healthcare while abroad, let alone then being faced with a bill you might end up paying or needing to claim back later that you can not afford without serious financial problems. Pure nightmere.