Disney Cruises Handicap Accessible Pools?

[klynch]

I've had foot surgery and I'm wondering if the Disney pools have handicap accessible or ramps to enter the adult or family pools?

 

[atinkerbellmom]

The pools are one thing DCL is very much behind on on the ship. There are no easy entry levels there. Most require a step up and then down. The Goofy pool is so bad, you can not even see inside of it without standing up. By the Mickey Ears is a little area you can probably get to easier, but still a bit of a step up and then down. The pools are soooo tiny, much behind other cruiselines. So, I know not what you wanted to hear, but is the truth.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

There are transfer tiers at the quite cove pool, according to DCL. Can't tell you how they are IRL, I have to wat untill sept 2009 to find out. I agree with ATinkerbellMom, DCL is behind other cruiselines where this subject is concerned.

Have a good recovery!

 

[frdeb1999]

I don't remember seeing any. And the other poster is right about having to step up or down in most cases. I'm suprised they have'nt updated these with all the handicap laws, but I'm sure they will on the newer ships. Hopefully you'll be able to use them some how.

 

[klynch]

Thanks folks.

 

[klynch]

I finally got through to DCL. There is a HC transfer peir on the quiet cove pool. Not sure what that is. I seem to remember a 3 step teir (kind of like 1, 2, then 3 blocks stacked but all outside the pool) That doesn't really do anything for climbing back out. They just confirmed this. Pretty lame. I've been to other resorts that bolt a chair to the side of the pool and it slides up and down on a grooved steel rod. You affix a hand pump and manually pump water from the pool into an opening. This lifts or lowers the chair. Pretty simple, easy to care for an reilable. I'm really shocked Disney hasn't made some kind of arrangement like that. It's an easy retro-fit and they're known for quality and customer care. Who more than physically challanged and small childern need customer care more?

I'll get around this some how but what if there was someone who really had this as a lifelong problem (or was missing a limb)? Why wouldn't Disney address this simple fix?

 

[MGM94]

I had 2 discs in my back damage before our first trip on the wonder a few years ago. I was in a wheelchair and had to sit on a bit of a slant. The pain was unreal. But I was not going to miss this trip. I even had to lay flat on my back in the rental car all the way there. I could walk a few feet at a time with my Canadian crutches as well.

So I let my crutches take me the 3 feet from my chair to the adult pool. Sat down and worked my way in and out on them. Yes, they got a bit wet but no bid deal. If you can walk on one foot with crutches and some help from family, friends, etc, and you don't mind moving on your bum a bit, it all possible. You do have to climb the stairs in and out. 3 I think? But with help and crutches, you only have about 3 feet to your wheelchair. I looked a right fool, but I was determined to make it all work for me. Hope this helps.

 

[klynch]

You should have went to Lourdes rather than a cruise the way you've described your pilgramage to the pool. I hope it was worth it.....

I'll make it too, the point is, in the year 2008 there should be enough sensitivity to these issues that mega companies be out in front of these things and anticipate solutions before people have to make heroic efforts to use their facilities.

 

[sdaniel105]

Have not seen real HC accessible pools on any of the cruises we have done.

The ocean/ beach has a nice ramp into it.

Sean

 

[MGM94]

You should have went to Lourdes rather than a cruise the way you've described your pilgramage to the pool. I hope it was worth it.....

I'll make it too, the point is, in the year 2008 there should be enough sensitivity to these issues that mega companies be out in front of these things and anticipate solutions before people have to make heroic efforts to use their facilities.

LOL.

I was so hell bent on making that trip that I really put myself through hell and back. Another poster said they have not seen handicapped pools on other cruise lines. I thought about this and have to say I have not either. I think space makes it rather hard for them to do that.

I did remember that DCL was more difficult (Believe it or not) then other cruise lines to get around in a wheelchair. Because they built the ships with an old world look and feel to them. They went for more big wood doors that you have to open by hand, etc. This was a big problem for me. Other lines have a lot of glass sliding doors with automatic eye opening etc. I had to choose where I went in and out very carefully. I couldn't do the doors myself and it made work for the folks around me. They also had speed bump size humps to them. I just hated people making a fuss for me. Oddly enough it was always someone 65 and over who wanted to lift my chair over the bump. With all 220lbs of me. (I wouldn't let them) But you really learn a lot about people when you are in that kind of situation. So I do have to say that both Wonder & Magic are not the best places to be in a wheelchair, but if you want to make it work, it can be done. Hope your feet are on the mend as we speak. Good luck and enjoy the ship. It's a fun place to be sitting or standing. LOL.

 

[Ottawacruiser]

Hi klynch:

My DW and I were on the March 8th sailing on the Magic, and my wife is largely confined to a wheelchair. She can walk with crutches for short distances but spends the majority of her time in the chair.

As others have already said, there are no pools on the ship with ramps or lifts to help getting in and out of.

However, the Quiet Cove pool has zero-entry - meaning the edge of the pool is at the same level as the waterline. So, me wife was able slide in and get out unassisted - event though she doesn't have the use of her legs.

There are also some wide steps at the front of the pool area to access the area, as well as wide steps to one of the hot tubs. DW was able to use these to stand up, as well as to enter the hot tub.

I'm sure if you google "Quite Cove Pool +picture" you'll get sense for what is there.

We also found the ship to be not as accessible as we would have liked and we sent a rather lengthy message to the cruise line outlining a number of areas that could be improved.

Have a great trip!

Regards,
... Mike

 

[carymomof3]

This was the one huge downside of our DCL cruise. Our son (then 12 years old) is severely physically disabled and uses a power wheelchair for mobility. He LOVES to swim and did not get to do that at all on the cruise. The transfer platform at the quiet cove pool was a non-issue as he is under 18 and not allowed in that area. Given that the port stops (with the exception of CC) were not accessible to him either, he stayed on the ship for the cruise and would loved to have been able to swim. He had a great time, but it didn't seem fair that he couldn't participate in an activity that is a big part of cruising. We, too, sent a long note to DCL about it. Our next cruise won't be until 2012, so we are sure hoping they make changes on the new ships.

 

[MGM94]

This was the one huge downside of our DCL cruise. Our son (then 12 years old) is severely physically disabled and uses a power wheelchair for mobility. He LOVES to swim and did not get to do that at all on the cruise. The transfer platform at the quiet cove pool was a non-issue as he is under 18 and not allowed in that area. Given that the port stops (with the exception of CC) were not accessible to him either, he stayed on the ship for the cruise and would loved to have been able to swim. He had a great time, but it didn't seem fair that he couldn't participate in an activity that is a big part of cruising. We, too, sent a long note to DCL about it. Our next cruise won't be until 2012, so we are sure hoping they make changes on the new ships.

Now I love the adults only pool area. Can't stand the other pool areas at all. Too crazy and crowded. But if it would have been possible (and I don't know your sons personal situation) I think allowing someone under 18 in the adult pool because of their needs should be allowed. No zero zip other kids, but a parent and child with no other way to enjoy swimming on board, I wouldn't take issue with it and would hope others would also be so kind.