Disabled Vet w PTSD going to Disney - Advice please?

[DisneyDreamer0610]

My husband is 100% disabled for PTSD and TBI. We are going to Disney as a second honeymoon and renew our vows for our 10 year anniversary. We are planning on staying at Shades of Green but now I'm not so sure. Can we get the military discount and stay at another resort on Disney property? I'm concerned that SoG is too close to all the fireworks at MK. Is there a travel agent someone can recommend that can help me with all this? I feel so overwhelmed! We have our dates, and airfare but everything else is kind of up for discussion. TIA!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

There are times when you can get better and more accurate information here on the Disboards than from a travel agent.

I haven't been to the SoG resort, but I have stayed at the Poly which is just across the street. The fireworks aren't as loud as if you were in the parks, but you can definitely hear them.

Is there a particular park that you might be spending more time at than the others? What is your budget?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have stayed at SOG and don't recall the sound of the fireworks being a problem. You could always use ear plugs during the fireworks if even a faint fireworks sound in your hotel room is an issue.

 

[nemajovc]

I am a librarian - dad was Korean vet in later years 100% PTSD so for u I googled " PTSD veteran fireworks disney" and found lots of help like blog from wife of hubby with PTSD (2012 but updated) with a little on disney: http://lifeafterhomecoming.blogspot.com/2012/09/disney-tips-for-ptsd-and-military.html?m=1

And disboards post http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3114623

And this one is 2009 and about Disneyland but mentions good tip- pre- marking a map with "safe" quiet areas to take breaks http://disneyland.livejournal.com/483257.html

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

our budget is workable...we are just wanting to look at all our options right now. I really wish I could just talk to someone at Disney or a travel agent to tell me actual prices. I'm so frustrated right now because I want to plan this out but I can't call anyone...

I think we will spend more time at HS this trip but we will also be looking at AK My husband is very outdoorsy and I love MK ...so any park I'm sure we would be happy we just want to know what options we have with the military discount. Does the Disney military discount apply to 100% disabled as well or is it just active duty for the disney resorts? That answer in itself would kind of answer the rest of my questions and settle our indecisiveness lol!

TIA for all the wonderful tips! I love the blogs and will definately read up on their ideas!

 

[aaarcher86]

our budget is workable...we are just wanting to look at all our options right now. I really wish I could just talk to someone at Disney or a travel agent to tell me actual prices. I'm so frustrated right now because I want to plan this out but I can't call anyone... I think we will spend more time at HS this trip but we will also be looking at AK My husband is very outdoorsy and I love MK ...so any park I'm sure we would be happy we just want to know what options we have with the military discount. Does the Disney military discount apply to 100% disabled as well or is it just active duty for the disney resorts? That answer in itself would kind of answer the rest of my questions and settle our indecisiveness lol! TIA for all the wonderful tips! I love the blogs and will definately read up on their ideas!

100% disabled is included.

 

[Zooshoveller]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-4-day-tickets/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-hotel-rate/

 

[Zooshoveller]

There are also fireworks at Epcot. Disney will have the firework show times posted. Maybe y'all could plan to be inside somewhere or something during those times?

Also check the SOG website. I think it's shadesofgreen . Org ?

 

[Gracie09]

Just thinking about fireworks, there are several shows that use them. Obviously wishes and illuminations and fantasmic. But there is also (at least during my last visit) a castle show several times a day that had small fireworks. Indiana jones has gun fire (you can sometimes hear it as you walk by). Muppets has a cannon shot albeit obviously in jest because it's the muppets. Soarin has fireworks at the end as well.

I know you didn't ask specifically about that but I thought it might be helpful. Have you thought about staying at animal kingdom lodge or kidani village? It's very peaceful and really nice there. There are animals, a nice pool. The cm are great. The downside is the buses but in all honestly they aren't that bad. Kidani picks up first except for dtd.

 

[powellrj]

My DS also has PTDS and I understand the fireworks. It was scary the first time it happened.

Can I offer some advice, you may want to consider off-site in a condo or a pool house. I know not only were the fireworks hard for DS, he also had a hard time with the crowds and even trash on the walkways or on the side of the road. When we go to Orlando, he never goes to the parks. He just finds the crowds and the noise to be overwhelming.

If you stayed off-site, he would have a safe place to go to and get away from the noises and crowds. You can have your own pool and he can spread out and relax.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

My DS also has PTDS and I understand the fireworks. It was scary the first time it happened.

Can I offer some advice, you may want to consider off-site in a condo or a pool house. I know not only were the fireworks hard for DS, he also had a hard time with the crowds and even trash on the walkways or on the side of the road. When we go to Orlando, he never goes to the parks. He just finds the crowds and the noise to be overwhelming.

If you stayed off-site, he would have a safe place to go to and get away from the noises and crowds. You can have your own pool and he can spread out and relax.

Don't forget to visit Guest Services to ask about a guest assistance card (not sure if he has trouble with crowds/lines)...Disney can be tough with PTSD but you would be surprised how many people have panic attacks and similar issues. Talk to a CM - they are helpful. Someone that is helpful is to find out when the parades are and try to avoid arriving then...the crowds are crazy!

 

[mukorasirish]

Have you thought about Animal Kingdom Lodge? It is far enough away from the parks that is seems removed. If he is outdoorsy there are plenty of animals and sights he can see. If the parks were overwhelming for him it might be a good alternative as there are sights and things to do there without having to enter the parks.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My husband is 100% disabled for PTSD and TBI. We are going to Disney as a second honeymoon and renew our vows for our 10 year anniversary. We are planning on staying at Shades of Green but now I'm not so sure. Can we get the military discount and stay at another resort on Disney property? I'm concerned that SoG is too close to all the fireworks at MK. Is there a travel agent someone can recommend that can help me with all this? I feel so overwhelmed! We have our dates, and airfare but everything else is kind of up for discussion. TIA!

With regards to the military discount - you won't get the same rate you would get at SoG at Disney-owned resorts. Disney does not own SoG. Disney does often (if not always) have a military-discount ticket that you can get regardless of where you stay. I don't know that Disney ever offers a military discount for WDW resorts, since SoG is on property. Keep in mind that SoG is on par with at least moderate Disney resorts, if not deluxe. So you may get a similar rate on a Disney value resort, but there will be a huge difference in accommodations.

However, I think price should only be part of your hotel decision. Your DH's peace of mind is more important than the hotel room.

 

[yoopermom]

How about a cabin at Fort Wilderness? It would feel more like a real home, be out "in the woods" (you could ask for the back of a cabin loop, to be farther away from the bus noise), there's a porch to relax on, and lots to do at the campground itself.

Terri

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

This is all so helpful! Thank you!

Last time we went we got a GAC card no problem (before the big hoopla about disabled people "selling their services" to get through the lines fast)

How has getting a GAC card for alternative entrance been since? My husband can't do the crowds in lines...he can manage being in the parks when they aren't so crowded so long as when we go to the rides he has the GAC card and isn't "trapped" in a crowded line. He can't stand for long periods of time either because of the damage from blasts in Iraq. He's "too young" to admit to needing a wheel chair or cane to help him through the parks.

I had my hubs look at the resorts and he likes Port Orleans Riverside...is it quiet enough and away from the hustle and bustle to let him feel relaxed? He also wants to go fishing and it says somewhere that you can do catch and release fishing at a few resorts. Anyone heard of this? Is there a place to rent jet skis to ride on the water? These are the things he is interested in if it gets too crowded in the parks.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

The GAC no longer exists. Now there is the DAS which allows for waiting in an alternate location and then entering though the FP+ line. If you look at the Stickies at the top of the disAbilities section, you'll be able to find the one explaining how the DAS works. He absolutely will qualify for the DAS if he can explain why he needs to be able to wait somewhere other than the regular line for the problems relating to his PTSD. (He doesn't need to say he has PTSD, but to explain the needs caused by the PTSD).

The DAS will not help with the mobility issues at all (it could result in his walking extra, in fact) and WDW will tell him that for those he needs to use a wheelchair or ECV. I know he's young, but it really might be worth his considering an ECV. It will give him the independence he won't get from a wheelchair and he will not be the youngest ECV user by far. He can also always park it and walk so only use it for the longer distances between lands or other sections of the parks. I'm probably younger than he is and have needed to use a wheelchair or ECV at the parks since I was 20. (My disabilities are related to a genetic condition.)

 

[mukorasirish]

We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and LOVE it. It is very quiet. There is a place to fish but honestly it is just a little hole and we only caught a 2 inch sun fish. There aren't jet skis to rent there as the hotel is on a waterway not a lake. You can rent a motorized fishing boat or the little motorized boats. We love the boat ride down to Downtown Disney. There is also lots of room to walk and rent the bikes. When we stay there we usually go to DTD each night for dinner.

I hoep whatever you decide you have a wonderful trip!

 

[OurBigTrip]

With regards to the military discount - you won't get the same rate you would get at SoG at Disney-owned resorts. Disney does not own SoG. Disney does often (if not always) have a military-discount ticket that you can get regardless of where you stay. I don't know that Disney ever offers a military discount for WDW resorts, since SoG is on property. Keep in mind that SoG is on par with at least moderate Disney resorts, if not deluxe. So you may get a similar rate on a Disney value resort, but there will be a huge difference in accommodations.

However, I think price should only be part of your hotel decision. Your DH's peace of mind is more important than the hotel room.

There are indeed military discounts for Disney hotels - they normally run September to September. Discounts vary between resorts, and not all resorts are available for all dates. In general, the higher level of resort, the bigger the discount.

We currently booked at Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, 2BR Savana view, with a 40% discount.

I can't speak for POR, but POFQ is a wonderful resort as well...small, quiet and very pretty.

 

[KristenFNJ]

I know this is sort of way out in left field and is a huge long shot, and not a direct response to the original question, and I also realize that all sorts of things impact a decision like this (one of which, in this case, is time-not sure when your trip is!). However, I thought it might be worth mentioning, if you haven't already become familiar, with service dogs for PTSD. I realize that this is a suggestion for life, not just for a trip! But a service dog could make any of these situations, from firework noise to crowds, (especially if those occur when you're not prepared for them) easier to cope with. The Battle Buddy Foundation was created to connect service dogs with veterans specifically coping with PTSD and TBI (whereas usabattlebuddies provides service dogs for veterans coping with many other physical conditions as well, TBBF focuses specifically on PTSD and TBI). Look into tbbf.org if you get a chance. Maybe not for this trip, but perhaps just for an option in the future.

Thank you both, for his service! All the best to you both!

 

[Hoodie]

We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and LOVE it. It is very quiet. There is a place to fish but honestly it is just a little hole and we only caught a 2 inch sun fish. There aren't jet skis to rent there as the hotel is on a waterway not a lake. You can rent a motorized fishing boat or the little motorized boats. We love the boat ride down to Downtown Disney. There is also lots of room to walk and rent the bikes. When we stay there we usually go to DTD each night for dinner.

I hoep whatever you decide you have a wonderful trip!

FYI - the boat rental facility at POR is now closed. They still have a boat to Downtown Disney though.