Disney Wish for Grandfather

[NancB]

My husband was just diagnoised with late 4th stage lung cancer that has spread to his bones and has him wheelchair bound for the rest of his days. We are DVC Members and have made WDW a big part of our lives. We have been planning a major trip in 2015 when we would first introduce WDW to our 3 grand daughters who willl all be just under 3. Time now being of the essence I would like to move that trip up to as soon as he has been cleared for travel so he can have that one last memory and our whole family can see the child inside of my husband that comes out every time we visit. I have no idea how to go about arranging for a trip to WDW with a disabled person or what if anything Disney or DVC does to accomodate special wishes. Any advise on how to start this process is greatly appreciated.

 

[KPeveler]

There are some adult wish granting organizations out there, but in general you will find Disney very accessible. Make sure he is comfortable in his wheelchair (correct size and padding). Call the hotel ahead of time so you can get an appropriate room. Some rooms have normal tubs with more handrails as well as rails around the toilets. Some have roll in showers. That will depend on what his needs are, although a shower bench can be put into any room.

Think about whether he can safely operate a scooter - mental and physical reflexes, things like that. He may prefer driving himself.

If he has medical needs beyond those met by a wheelchair then look into whether a DAS will be helpful. Also FP+ may be helpful.

Plan breaks and do not be afraid to use First Aid in each park so he can rest without having to leave the parks.

There are also wheelchair viewing areas for most shows - pretty much everything exceptn fireworks. They will be marked on the guidemap for guests with disabilities.

Check out the FAQs at the top of the page for more info. Hope this helps get you started.

 

[NancB]

Thank you.. it does get me started.. Any thoughts on when is the best time to travel as to times the park is the least crowded. In the past we never thought about crowds.

 

[Lisa71]

If this is truly a last wish I would plan soon and go when he feels up to it and not when it is really hot. Stay on site and soak up magic everywhere. Waiting for the right time may be never. We took my Grandpa to Disneyland when his health was failing and we had good memories. He had taken my Dad the year it opened. Glad I went.

 

[bopper]

Also with little ones + grandpa plan for slower days that you don't do as much. If you can swing it, consider stayign at a monorail resort hotel so he can go back/you can take him back/everyone could go back for a nap/rest.

Lowest Attendance, Least Crowded

January and Early February
From after New Year's Day, until just before President's Week, Disney World is relatively uncrowded.

Fall
After the kids are back to school, a more quiet period continues until just before Thanksgiving. Families with preschoolers might check for special promotions in September.

Weeks Between Thanksgiving and Christmas
Disneyphiles in the know have loved this period: Christmas decorations were up, yet crowds were less. Lately, however, it seems that more people have discovered this sweet spot.

 

[joanchris]

If you end up going sooner, in the winter, consider having a good, warm lap blanket. Many people who are non-mobile get cold very easily, without all the moving to keep warm. We were there last December and my daughter, who uses a wheelchair, was quite cold the day we forgot to bring something for her lap/legs. Since the grandchildren are still so small, doing "everything" won't be even remotely necessary. I would pick a few things at each park that are very special to him, things that he would really enjoy doing with the children or watching them do (ie, watch the grandchildren go on Dumbo). Make a list of those, and get those done first at each park, then if he's tired and needs a break he won't miss those important things.
If he just needs a break to stretch out (discomfort from the chair) for a short while, there are the first aide stations at each park, they would provide a cot for him to lay on for a while. They aren't all necessarily quiet, MK was quite noisy, but it would be a break without going back to the resort, even if you were able to stay at a monorail resort, just the time to go back and forth can eat into what it likely to already be a shortened day due to ages of the children.