Decisions, decisions, decisions - DLP or WDW in 2016

[carlins_leap]

Hi all,

Hope this is allowed in the DLP forum - please let me know if not.

We are paining over whether to skip this years visits to DLP and visit WDW - we can't make up our minds at all and I wondered if any of you wonderful DLP visitors who have also been to WDW could help out with your opinions please? Particularly anyone who may has had any special requirements for their trips or travelled with someone who had any.

Our youngest daughter has cerebral palsy and cannot walk yet, so she uses a wheelchair/adapted stroller on visits to DLP. They cater for her needs so amazingly well and the pass they issue her makes our holidays so much easier

I've been looking at plans for a Florida trip for a couple of years now and we decided that as 2017 is going to be a massive year at DLP and 2016 is full of repairs and refurbishments, it might be a good year to do one big trip to WDW.

I've only made it to the early planning stage and have been really surprised at the differences between how DLP & WDW manage access to attractions for guests with disabilities.

At DLP it has (for us at least) been very straight forward in providing evidence and getting a pass, but it seems much more informal at WDW with the need for use of a Disability Access Service being decided with a chat at guest services when you arrive - but from chats with forum members on the WDW board, it's perhaps not likely that our youngest will qualify for the DAS at WDW, which I found surprising.

I understand the WDW made changes to their policy for guests with disabilities and that different laws govern how they ascertain whether a guest needs a different level of access, but it has made us think more thoroughly about whether WDW would suit my daughters needs....if anyone can offer any advice or share their experiences with me, I would be extremely grateful

Thanks
Steve

 

[littlejen22]

I cannot imagine your child not qualifying. The American Disabilities Act does not allow Disney to require proof. All you should have to do is tell them that she cannot walk due to her disabilities and ask for a pass. The pass is not a guarantee to get to the front of line and honestly I do not know if you get anything more than you would without it and her using her wheelchair. Most attractions do not have room for a wheelchair so you will either go to a disabled line or to a back enterance or possibly told when to come back (or so I heard, never experienced that.). Most lines will be considerably shorter for you but a rare concordance it could be longer because you have to wait for a wheelchair accessible train car for example. WDW is amazing and they are great with kids that have limitations. I did not experience that but my Mom used a pass and a scooter and they were great, it has been 2 1/2 years since our last visit.

 

[juttawdw]

I was considerinng visiing wdw but with the new rules we decided against it.
When you are "only"wheelchair bound you don't get a das card all lines are adapted to wheelchairs.
When you have other medical issues you can be allowed a das but that is up to the cm.
I am in a wheelchair don't mind waiting like anyone else but also are epleptic and have several attaques each days which can be dangerous in lines, id i get a cm who will not accept it my holiday will be a waist so i stay in dlp.

 

[Minniesgal]

WDW do not give out a DAS pass for mobility issues as they stare a wheelchair can be used and the queues are all wheel chair accessible.

 

[Hipster Meg]

We were at WDW back in October and saw many people with wheelchairs/mobility scooters using the exit line; our son is autistic so qualified for a DAS with no problems.

Having had a look at the official guide https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me.../wdw-disability-access-service_2015-04-30.pdf I'd assume that your daughter would qualify. Cast members can't ask for proof of a disability but when we went we were very up front about our needs and got the pass with no problems at all.

 

[dogdangling]

Hi I would say plough your efforts into going to WDW.

I went in May to WDW with my mother who has MS and uses a wheelchair, we didn't bother with any special cards as she never really wanted to go on many rides and was just happy to get the Disney experience. When we got there she did actually show interest in some of the rides and went on a few, The jungle cruise for example we all got our fast passes and went to the queue and where allowed on, I've got to say the level of service was excellent from all the cast members we encountered and also at Universal Studios.

There is no need to worry, they look after you so well and assist as much as they can.