Disney Cruise w/ disAbled child

[JiminyC_Junkie]

We are planning a Disney cruise in Sept. 2007. My 5-yr old nephew has Cerebral Palsy, wears leg braces, and has limited use of his right hand and arm. He can walk, but sometimes gets a little wobbly and unsteady.

Has anyone traveled with a disAbled child on Disney Cruise? Would you be willing to share your experience? Were there activities they could participate in at the Oceaneer's club? Any helpful suggestions regarding dining or other activities on board?

This is our first cruise and thought Disney would be the most accommodating of children with disAbilities. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[LisaBi]

My son has Down Syndrome - so his issues/needs are very different from your nephew. DCL was wonderful with him. While they couldn't provide one-on-one care, they did everything humanly possible to include him and make sure we was being supervised closely enough.

 

[Chloesmom]

I considered going on a Disney cruise this summer and I called to clarify if my Dd would be able to be in the kids oceaneers club. Basically what I was told was that they cannot guarantee any one on one cae so if your child needs help doing anything as basic as pulling up their pants when they potty to giving themselves an insulin shot they cannot say a CM will be able to help. They recommended my Dd who is diabetic not come if I was worried about her getting attention. They did go on and on about the other activities that she would eb able to participate in but I decided not to do a cruise just yet.
Also, I had a friend who cruised with Disney earlier this year and she said that the kids club was so busy it appeared that they were understaffed to her. Her DD was lost once and no one was concerned about it. they pretty much had a " its a ship.. where is she going to go" attitiude. It all just makes me too nervous.

 

[Selket]

I wonder if you should also post on the cruise board. I have seen different issues discussed there about children with special needs and the childcare clubs on the ship.

My younger son is 5 and a type 1 diabetic and we're booked for a cruise this October. He is also highly allergic to peanuts. From everything I've read the staff does a great job with the kids and I do plan to leave him there for activities and check on him often (which he is used to). I don't expect them to give him insulin, etc. but I do expect them to be able to handle emergencies. From all I've read it seems like they should be able to do that.

I would think your nephew should be able to participate in the kids clubs with everyone else. I would post on the DCL board here and also give DCL a call.

 

[JiminyC_Junkie]

Thanks for the great info. I sent an email to DCL and received back the following:

Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab offer programs and
activities for children ages 3 - 12. Disney Cruise Line requests all
children wishing to take part in the Youth Activities to be:

*Completely potty trained (not in diapers or pull-ups and able to go to
the restrooms totally independently)
*Able to interact comfortably within the counselor to child ratio
groups. Counselors are not able to provide one-on-one care
*Able to interact comfortably within the counselor to child ratio with
peers of their own physical size and within the established age
groupings 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, and 10-12.

If your child does need one-on-one attention, you can accompany your
child or children in any of the programs or activities that are
occurring in the areas any time throughout the cruise.

Family Time is also available in the both of the areas from 5:30pm -
6:30pm each evening, except for embarkation. Family Time is a great
option for children or adults to enjoy the programming areas; however,
no structured programs are taking place during this time. A family
member would need to stay with the child or adult.

These guidelines have been set in order to ensure each child has a safe
and enjoyable visit to Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer
Lab.​

My sister and I are planning on taking turns with Gehrig while at the kid's programs. Since Gehrig needs help getting redressed after going to the bathrom, we will need to stay with him. Hopefully, we can hang out at the back of the room and not cause any "uncoolness" to rub off on him. We also try to do the she stays with him for a while, then we swap. That will give us each some destress time too.

Thanks again for the info. We are getting so excited for our first cruise! He is going to love the Pirate night

 

[Selket]

I am glad you got it worked out! I plan to "see how it goes" - how comfortable I feel leaving him there and so forth. I figure I can always hang out close by and check often.

 

[michelle9343]

I have cruised twice with my 9yr old DD. But I have never left her alone in the club. She does need one on one care. But I have to say both trips I went to the clubs and the CM were very willing to try and keep her , if only for a little bit. I chose not to even try because she is always with me ( I have no one to watch her at home) and she is non-verbel and not toilet trained. I was afraid to leave her.
Disney does give you a pager and if your DD is comfortable to be alone and is able to communicate her needs to the crew members, I think they would be able to keep her and beep you if she needed you or needed help after using the bathroom.