Anyone do a DCL cruise???

[tigger2on]

Hi
I am taking the family on the 5 nite double dip DCL cruise in Sept. 2008 and we have a severely disabled daughter whose in a wheelchair. She has been on the Wonder in 2001 but was much more managable in terms of weight and size.

In terms of beach wheelchairs? Do they have many? Do they have seat belts? and where do you find them on CC?

If I remember correctly, the family pool was not accessible to take her swimming on the Wonder. Is it the same on the magic?

Oceaneer's Club took her no problems last time but with her size and age, I think they move around the ship more so I was wondering if she can't stay on her own like last time, will they allow her to particpate a couple of hours a day if my DH or self stay with her. We are also bringing a babysitter....

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILTIES!

I can't answer this, but we have a couple of regulars who cruise a lot ad more than likely at least one of them will get back to you on this.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hello there! You might find answers to a few of your questions on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1343032 also about DCL. Any other questions I'm sure will be answered by everyone here. Whatever happens, have a great trip!

 

[dclfun]

I've never seen them run out of the beach wheelchairs. They don't have seatbelts though and are also tough to push on the sidewalk since they are designed for the sand. Is she still small enough to use the Mickey pool? It might be possible to transfer her into that pool and it's not so deep. As for the kid's clubs, they will try and work out something with you but cannot say in advance that they will allow any child with special needs that requires special assistance. Having said that, I've personally seen them pushing a severely disabled child in a wheelchair down a hallway from the kid's club. It might also depend on how many children are in the club during your sailing. Hope you have a good time!---Kathy

 

[tigger2on]

We did do a DCL Wonder CRuise when she was 4 in 2001 and they kept her in the OC with no issues. They only went from the OC to OL and did not wander the ship with the little guys.
She will be 11 ... almost 12 for the cruise but I am hoping that they allow her to be with the 8's and 9's as she is small for her age and I find that the younger the kids, the more accepting they are of her. 10-12's will have their own little groups and be running about. I don't want her to be ignored!

I will bring a velco belt to put on the beach wheelchair , though she can sit up cross- legged so maybe, she'll be ok without it. Since we are doing a double dip, I want to make sure that she is able to enjoy the island like the rest of us!

 

[OneMoreTry]

What about an older child -- around 10 -- who is not toilet trained? She won't "go" in a pool, she just can't time when she does go, so she has accidents.

 

[dclfun]

Someone posted once a link to a vendor that sold swim diapers for older children. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the place/vendor who sold them, but perhaps that would work since they don't allow anyone in the pools without swim diapers who isn't toilet trained. ---Kathy

 

[OneMoreTry]

Someone posted once a link to a vendor that sold swim diapers for older children. ...

My concern isn't swimming. It's the other programs.

 

[dclfun]

I'm sorry, I thought you were referring to swimming. They will say that non toilet trained children can't participate in the clubs but based on what I've heard, they will make exceptions for disabled children who perhaps might never be toilet trained. Does she wear pull-ups? You can also check on her at the clubs periodically and they do take children on a regular basis to use the bathroom. ---Kathy

 

[barkley]

Someone posted once a link to a vendor that sold swim diapers for older children. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the place/vendor who sold them, but perhaps that would work since they don't allow anyone in the pools without swim diapers who isn't toilet trained. ---Kathy

i thought what i'm about to post was the case but i just checked on dcl site to make sure (did'nt know if the policy changed since our last cruise). swim diapers are not permitted in any of the pools on dcl. non potty trained individuals are only permitted in the 'fountain' area near the mickey ears pool.

we did see cm's instruct parents to remove children from all of the pools if they were observed wearing swim diapers (apparantly it's against u.s. public health law for non toilet trained individuals of any age to enter cruise ship swiming pools or spas of any size including 'kiddie pool's' like the mickey ears-and disney adhere's to and enforces the policy.

 

[michelle9343]

I have been on 2 disney cruises with my DD. She has not been in the kids clubs except with me. The last cruise (11/06) They were willing to try but only at certain times, like during a movie. That would not work for DD she does not watch movies. My point they were willing to try but would not committ to keeping her.
CC is WC friendly. I would use her regular WC and transfer to the sand one only when you wanted to be in the sand. We really enjoy the far end of the family beach. It is very quite and a bathroom/ shower is right there.

 

[carymomof3]

Hi. We took the Double Dip on the Magic last summer. We were a family of 5, three kids: DD17, DS15, DS12. DS12 is physically disabled and uses a power wheelchair. They had no problem letting him join in the kids' club. Unfortunately, he was not much interested in the group activities and preferred the free time on the computers and game systems. He was disappointed with the limited time scheduled for those activities. So he ended up going only maybe two or three times.

The pool was inaccessible, so that was not an option for him.

He chose not to disembark at CC, so I didn't look into the beach chairs. We've used beach chairs in the past and they are difficult for DS to sit in comfortably because of lack of support etc.

After reading this, you might think he didn't enjoy the Magic. You would be wrong!! He absolutely loved it. He's a movie buff and took full advantage of the theater.

We booked 2 cabins. An inside, Cat. 11 for the two teens, and a Cat. 6 handicap for DH, DS12 and myself. We were in 6654 and couldn't believe the size. It was enormous! Plenty of room for movement in the chair and we measured the veranda at more than 50 feet long . DS spent loads of time cruising up and down the veranda. There was a table for 4 out there that was perfect for him to slide under and play with his things - also had 2 lounge chairs.

Interestingly, a couple of months ago, I pointed out to DS that another cruise line was now putting at least one pool lift on every ship (he loves to swim) and maybe next cruise we'd try that so he could get in the water. He didn't hesitate. "No thanks. I only want to go on Disney cruises."

Guess I need to start planning the next one!!

Good luck and have a great time!!