Disney Cruise with disabled child

[triff411]

We are going on the Disney magic next month. It's the Mediterranean cruise. Our 4 year old son has cerebral palsy. How accommodating are the staff and members of the cruise staff? He is mobile but unsteady. He can't walk for long periods of time. We didn't require an adaptive room. Thanks for your help.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Accommodating in what way? Usually cruise staff don't interact with 4 year olds. Are you asking about staff working in things like the youth clubs?

 

[travelitis]

It sound like you might be thinking of the activity programs, because certainly the CMs on board would interact with him in the children's programs. There will also be the cabin steward and waiter, but it sounds as though that isn't a concern. The activity programs aren't forced activities. Kids can pick and choose what they like. Are you concerned he won't speak up and let them know when he is tired and just needs to rest? Sometimes it's hard for kids to do that, especially little ones.

 

[lanejudy]

If you haven't already, you'll want to download and return the Special Needs form (that might not be the exact name but it's available on the DCL site) and explain his needs/limitations with regards to the Oceaneers Club/Lab. Then you will want to go the Open House on embarkation afternoon and speak directly with the CMs about your son and your concerns. They likely will not have any issue with him in the Club/Lab, though I guess that might depend on what your specific concerns are; they will not provide a 1:1 aide to attend to him. If he can move from 1 area to another and sit he should be fine, he can skip any overly-active activities.

One big question - is he fully potty-trained? If not, they may not allow him to use the clubs except during "open house" times (which occur daily) with a parent; it is possibly they'll allow him in pull-ups with agreement from you to return every hour to help him. Children must be fully potty-trained, meaning they know when they have to "go" and can get themselves to the restroom, pull down and pull up pants by himself, wiping, handwashing. CMs are not allowed to assist with any of this process and actually will not be in the restroom with him.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[twinmum]

We have a son with CP who uses a walker, and a wheelchair for long distances. We first cruised when he and his twin brother were 12 - on the Dream. We have not sailed on the older ships, but can certainly tell you that the distances on the Dream were quite daunting. DS can walk a fair distance in his walker, but we found ourselves using the w/c quite a bit.

Do you have another means for him to get around...use a stroller sometimes? It might be a good idea to use this as a "getting from A to B" means of transportation so he can save his energy while in the clubs etc. And if he is walking around, allow yourselves plenty of time.

We've only had 2 cruises, and unfortunately, our twins didn't take to the clubs, maybe because they always have each other? however, I can assure that DCL cast members went out of their way to ensure DS's needs were met and he was having a good time.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PatMcDuck]

It was many years ago, but we had DS on a cruise (and our other 3 kids). He has Autism and Down syndrome, no real conversational speech.

They could not really take him in the child care club. They seemed uncertain and nervous. We left him once, for maybe an hour, they were willing to "try". But we had concerns about him not understanding taking turns for the computer, what if he got upset? (he knew about turn taking in general, more or less, but this was a new place and who knows). Also we had him use bathroom every 3-4 hours, and they would not help him with that at all, not ask him if he needed to go, not help adjust his clothing after he went. (I understand why they could not accommodate him, I was just mislead by a DCL CM before our trip, that the child care was trained to handle special needs kids. So I was not prepared.)

Sad to say, we did not enjoy the (3 day) cruise with DS. the other 3 kids had a blast. I had some trouble pushing him around the ship (he was 6 months post ankle fusing surgery), and tired easily, I think I just had a McClaren for him. Trouble with doors, and the lip on the floor from outside to inside. DS would tire by 8-9 pm. DH and I took turns walking the ship alone, while the other parent stayed in room with DS. Not fun, really.

Castaway Cay was tough too, DS is very fair skinned, and could not walk in the sand, etc.

Good luck, this was over 10 years ago, things might have improved. The Disney Parks suit us better, but that is just us. DS likes the rides and attractions at the parks.