suzybeezy
I'm taken, but I have two evil stepsisters - lol
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2007
- Messages
- 451
We're planning a vacation to Disney World end of April and I'd like to ask some questions before we get there. Any help you could provide would be appreciated.
My son, Zach, 7, is not in a wheelchair but definately has stamina issues. He can walk, but not for long periods. We plan on getting a double stroller. My other son, Danny, 5, has developmental delays with a leaky aortic valve - and gets overheated easily. Our last trip, in May 2004, with my son Zach was fine. We were there through Make-A-Wish and he wore a little button that helped ease us through lines fairly quickly. My son Danny, overheated and was miserable. He got so cranky and overwhelmed we had to leave the park and go back and cool off at the pool.
This year we're going and making all the plans on our own. We will be staying off site at the Meridian Hotel - anyone ever been there?
1. Guest Assistance Cards. I understand from reading that these cards are provided at Guest Relations. I will be getting a letter from the doctor, just in case, to explain my kids issues. Waiting in long lines would not be good for either boy. I understand these cards are not a free pass to the front of the line, but do they help? What are the qualifications required, what does having this card actually do? I understand there are some rides with special access, but not all - which rides don't have special access? What can I do to ensure my kids have a good time and don't have to wait in long lines?
2. Parking - Since my son does not use a wheelchair, is it better to park in disabled lot or regular parking and use the tram? Which will provide the least amount of walking for my son?
3. Cost - Cost for the double stroller, how can we guarantee we get one, cost for parking? If we leave the park, do we have to pay again to come back later? We'll be using the stroller in place of a wheelchair. Will there be any problems fitting my 7 year old and 5 year on in the stroller?
4. Dining - I've checked out the restaurants in the parks - none overly impressive. We thought of going off site to eat. Any recommendations on a good value family dining meal?
5. Discounts - are there any easy to obtain discounts to dining or attractions?
6. Weather - what's the weather usually like at the end of April?
7. Crowds - I tried to do alot of research online about the peak seasons and I think the end of April is one of the better times. Anyone know what the crowds are like at the end of April?
8. Monorail - Not real well versed on the monorail system. Can we hop from park to park and leave our car in the parking lot? Is there a cost for riding? Where is the entrance to the monorail in the parks? Keeping walking considerations in mind, is it better to ride the monorail to hop parks or drive to each location?
Like I said, Zach can walk and his disability isn't overly noticable. He does have to wear leg splints. I'm wonder what I can do to help him be comfortable, wearing his splints and doing some minimal walking? I don't want him to get blisters (although he'll be in the stroller the majority of the time, I know Zach will want to get up and walk a bit). I also don't want him to fatigue and then be cranky.
9. Any advice on how to make the day as enjoyable as possible? We've already signed up for the customized maps through the disney site. We hope this will cut down on some of the walking - by not trackin' through areas where there are no rides the kids want to go on. What else can we do to plan ahead and make the trip as smooth as possible?
Sorry for so many questions, just want to make sure I'm as prepared as I can be to avoid any major headaches.
10 - Lastly - unrelated to Disney World. We're going to take 2 days to go to the beach. We were thinking one day Daytona Beach and one day New Smyrna Beach - any info on those beaches? Like where's the boardwalk actually located in Daytona? What are the pluses and minuses of each beach?
My son, Zach, 7, is not in a wheelchair but definately has stamina issues. He can walk, but not for long periods. We plan on getting a double stroller. My other son, Danny, 5, has developmental delays with a leaky aortic valve - and gets overheated easily. Our last trip, in May 2004, with my son Zach was fine. We were there through Make-A-Wish and he wore a little button that helped ease us through lines fairly quickly. My son Danny, overheated and was miserable. He got so cranky and overwhelmed we had to leave the park and go back and cool off at the pool.
This year we're going and making all the plans on our own. We will be staying off site at the Meridian Hotel - anyone ever been there?
1. Guest Assistance Cards. I understand from reading that these cards are provided at Guest Relations. I will be getting a letter from the doctor, just in case, to explain my kids issues. Waiting in long lines would not be good for either boy. I understand these cards are not a free pass to the front of the line, but do they help? What are the qualifications required, what does having this card actually do? I understand there are some rides with special access, but not all - which rides don't have special access? What can I do to ensure my kids have a good time and don't have to wait in long lines?
2. Parking - Since my son does not use a wheelchair, is it better to park in disabled lot or regular parking and use the tram? Which will provide the least amount of walking for my son?
3. Cost - Cost for the double stroller, how can we guarantee we get one, cost for parking? If we leave the park, do we have to pay again to come back later? We'll be using the stroller in place of a wheelchair. Will there be any problems fitting my 7 year old and 5 year on in the stroller?
4. Dining - I've checked out the restaurants in the parks - none overly impressive. We thought of going off site to eat. Any recommendations on a good value family dining meal?
5. Discounts - are there any easy to obtain discounts to dining or attractions?
6. Weather - what's the weather usually like at the end of April?
7. Crowds - I tried to do alot of research online about the peak seasons and I think the end of April is one of the better times. Anyone know what the crowds are like at the end of April?
8. Monorail - Not real well versed on the monorail system. Can we hop from park to park and leave our car in the parking lot? Is there a cost for riding? Where is the entrance to the monorail in the parks? Keeping walking considerations in mind, is it better to ride the monorail to hop parks or drive to each location?
Like I said, Zach can walk and his disability isn't overly noticable. He does have to wear leg splints. I'm wonder what I can do to help him be comfortable, wearing his splints and doing some minimal walking? I don't want him to get blisters (although he'll be in the stroller the majority of the time, I know Zach will want to get up and walk a bit). I also don't want him to fatigue and then be cranky.
9. Any advice on how to make the day as enjoyable as possible? We've already signed up for the customized maps through the disney site. We hope this will cut down on some of the walking - by not trackin' through areas where there are no rides the kids want to go on. What else can we do to plan ahead and make the trip as smooth as possible?
Sorry for so many questions, just want to make sure I'm as prepared as I can be to avoid any major headaches.
10 - Lastly - unrelated to Disney World. We're going to take 2 days to go to the beach. We were thinking one day Daytona Beach and one day New Smyrna Beach - any info on those beaches? Like where's the boardwalk actually located in Daytona? What are the pluses and minuses of each beach?