Camping and handicap access

hainerfamily

Earning My Ears
Joined
Feb 27, 2008
Messages
71
I've found some information online but is conflicting, so I thought I'd ask the experts! So, here goes:

1. Do you park your car at your campsite? Or is there a central parking lot? We take our car to the parks because busses are very inconvenient for my son at the end of a long day.

2. The Boat from Camp to MK does not take wheelchairs, correct?

3. Are there any specific handicap sites at FW?

4. We are bringing our service dog (maybe); what is the kennel like? Do animals intermingle? Would you use the kennel?

Thanks for your help!

Lynn
 
I've found some information online but is conflicting, so I thought I'd ask the experts! So, here goes:

1. Do you park your car at your campsite? Or is there a central parking lot? We take our car to the parks because busses are very inconvenient for my son at the end of a long day.

2. The Boat from Camp to MK does not take wheelchairs, correct?

3. Are there any specific handicap sites at FW?

4. We are bringing our service dog (maybe); what is the kennel like? Do animals intermingle? Would you use the kennel?

Thanks for your help!

Lynn

You park at your site. We usually drive to Epcot, AK and HS as well, if you go early there is usually an accessible spot near the front. Driving to MK doesn't make sense since you still have to take a bus or the monorail to the park from the Transportation center.

Boat usually takes wheelchairs, but you should check with a cast member when you arrive.

No specific sites, unless you talking cabin, but be sure you have it noted on your reservation. (I would recommend a preferred site 100/200/300). Also call 5 days before you arrive to re-confrim your needs

Can't answer the kennel question, but if you have a self-contained RV you can leave the dog in the unit.
 
You can park one vehicle at your site. The boat to the MK from the campground is wheelchair accessible. The boats to the Contempery and Wilderness lodge are not. I have never used the kennels. we have always left the dog in her crate in the MH and that works for us.
 
4. We are bringing our service dog (maybe); what is the kennel like? Do animals intermingle?

Haven't used the kennel personally but I do know that all dogs are kenneled individually (no intermingling, play groups or anything like that)
 

1. Do you park your car at your campsite? Or is there a central parking lot? We take our car to the parks because busses are very inconvenient for my son at the end of a long day.
You can park your car at the campsite. You can have one camper, vehicle, and tent on the site, plus a golf cart. As long as you can fit it on the pad...

2. The Boat from Camp to MK does not take wheelchairs, correct?
It does take wheelchairs. You do not have to transfer either, there's enough room at the front or the back for it. For the little launch boats to the contemp/lodge, you do have to transfer to a seat. There might be enough room in the back or up at the front if the chair doesn't fold easily, but he can't stay in it. If you do want to get to the lodge, I'd suggest getting on the bus at the settlement and riding it over (it's also the bus for the orange route). Contemp will be much easier to drive to.

3. Are there any specific handicap sites at FW?
No, all of them are considered accessible. All comfort stations have handicap stalls, and roll in showers. There are select handicap cabins, so you will have to let them know when you make your reservation.

4. We are bringing our service dog (maybe); what is the kennel like? Do animals intermingle? Would you use the kennel?
Animals are crated individually. If you have a hard sided camper, you can leave him in your camper. But they are not allowed to be left in a pop up or tent if you are not present.
There are five kennels, one for each park and the fort. I would suggest taking your dog with you to the parks, and if he gets a bit overwhelmed, place him in the kennels at the park so you'll be closer to him. I'm not a fan of the new best friends company that has taken over, but they do a decent enough job. I wouldn't worry about your pooch. Plenty of cold water, and air conditioning.
While you're in the park there are "designated potty areas" usually backstage behind a gate. So just ask a CM where the closest location is. Sea World is nice because there's actual grassy areas in guest areas for service dogs, with poopy bags.


There's an older couple on here with 4 handicap kids in wheelchairs, and they're expert campers at the fort. And there's another lady on here with a service dog that stays in the fort as well.
 
Just be sure to bring a few gallons of your own water, and several bottles for the parks. Florida's water is a bit different, and I don't think you want a sick pup on your trip down. Some have problems with it, others don't.
 
I can't tell for sure, but is this your first trip to WDW? If you can give us some more details about your travel plans, mode, etc and we can give more detailed answers as to what you can expect and plan for.

We MAY be the "older couple" with the handicap children referred to above. If so, I'm not sure we're experts, but we have been there for a dozen or so years at least once a year with strollers and/or wheelchairs. We foster and adopt special needs kids, the three of which we now have are DD12, DD13, and DS13. We tow a cargo trailer for a golf cart, wheelchairs, spare supplies and food, and we usually stay 3 weeks at Christmas and maybe a week or so at other times during the year. I believe the main use of the trailer is to carry Christmas or other appropriate decorations. We often rent a car for at least part of our stay to go get groceries, visit other attractions, pick up medications, or make a Wal Mart run.

You don't say what functions or services you may be in need of, but we have a motorhome to which we added a chair lift for the five steps to the main floor. The FW premium sites are wide and paved, and the preferred sites have smaller concrete pads, but adequate for most needs. Due to rehab of one of the boats, some boats to the MK cannot take wheelchairs. I don't know when the rehab is supposed to be completed, but there could be some delay waiting on the larger launch to the MK if non-transfer wheelchair access is needed. There was mention of space at the front or back of the launch for wheelchairs, but there is also space in the middle for 4-6 wheelchairs and/or strollers.

Trails End is accessible by ramp for the Hoop Dee Doo Review and for the buffet and take out, and The Backyard BBQ is ground level with paved access. The campfire is awkward due to the gravel ground cover, but can be accessed with some assistance.

We never drive to any of the parks but ride the boat to/from MK, and on to EPCOT by monorail. Internal busses take us to the Outpost where the park busses take us to AK and HS. All the newer busses handle three wheelchairs, so that is rarely a problem since we only have three wheelchairs right now. I don't know your specific situation, but we find both the internal FW busses and the park busses to be a very convenient way to get to the parks and back, and leave the driving to the "fellow" up front.

We usually stay in the 200, 1400, or 500 loops, all of which are fairly convenient to most facilities and activities. 500 is primarily a pet loop, but you might see pets in all loops these days, and of course your service animal can stay and go anywhere. Check out the Google site map on a sticky at the top of the camping forum for more detailed information on loop and facility locations.

We often walk to the Settlement/Marina area with the wheelchairs, but since DW had back surgeries this summer, she drives the GC with one wheelchair on the back and I push the others along the wide and very available sidewalks. If we're going to AK or HS, we ride a yellow line bus to the outpost to catch the appropriate park bus. We also usually use the GC for the laundry and the trading posts depending on our site location. And the GC is very handy for looping, especially around holidays, during which there are also colorful GC parades.

And most of the time we don't feel all that "old". :cool1:
 
I was there in a wheelchair 2 years ago. I would highly recommend a premium site. I was in a full and I could not get to the door of my camper in my chair. Luckily I was able to walk short distances. The bus drivers were great, minus 1. The boat to MK is wheelchair accessible. Sometimes the water level makes it hard, but they just got creative with the boarding order to make the boat level with the dock. If the boat was too high, let a ton of people on before I boarded.

The comfort station is very accommodating. The shower is very roomy and has a fold down seat and handheld shower head.

You need to tell them that you will have a wheelchair and they will try to put you in a site close to the comfort station if that is what you need. They messed up on ours though, so still no guarantee.

Valet parking at the hotels is complimentary with a handicap placard.
 
FWIW, one of the boats to the MK has a slightly smaller door than the other. Our double stroller just barely fits. The other boat's door/entrance way is much wider. Also the docks at both FW and MK are floating, but depending on the number of people on the boat the doorway may not be perfectly level with the dock.
 
Well you're definatly not in your 20's. Pretty much every one on the boards seem to be "older" than me.

But I'm glad you found the topic. I knew you'd have lots of info.
 
Thanks for your replies!

We are a family of 4; our DS is 4 and has special needs, including his wheelchair, although he is mobile. We find that driving to the parks gives us a quick out if Mitchell has a meltdown. Once he's in his car seat, he tends to reset. The wait for busses and the lines very difficult for him.

Our daughter is 6.

Because traveling is difficult with DS we are thinking about buying a trailer for our family to reduce DS's anxiety -- and mine -- while traveling. We know the room will always be right. So, renting one first my mandate to make sure everyone does well!

So, this trip (and it's my 20+, my daughter's 6th and my son's 5th and my husband is somewhere less than mine and more than daughter) so we thought of renting a trailer (that we'll have delivered onsite). We always drive down now, so we have our vehicle with us.

We've heard great things about the campground and all the activities, so thought this might be the place for us; when we've stayed in the past, we've stayed:value, moderate, deluxe (with PIN) and recently started renting DVC points.

Any new tips??

You are a helpful bunch!

Thanks,

Lynn
 
if you want to rent a good trailer that will be delivered right to your site at the Fort, set up and has lots of extras, contact www.campatthefort.com

She is a member of this board and has a wonderful 5th wheel!!
 
the fort is just so relaxing and peaceful. You'll find many people on here that spend at least half their time at the fort rather than the parks. And since you're already park experts. This will give you a nice place to explore.
 












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