Disneyland Paris

[Sazuburns]

I'm just back from Disneyland Paris with my dh (in wheelchair) and two sons (5 and 2yrs 6mths).

If anyone has any questions about the resort, I'll do my best to answer them.

Sarah x

 

[BillSears]

Paraplegic and full time WC user here. I've never traveled outside of the USA but I've always been curious about how accessable other countries are. How was Europe? I'm curious about hotel rooms, shops, restaurants and general getting around parts. I'd love to visit Europe one day but have always thought it wouldn't work out.

 

[Sazuburns]

Europe is hit and miss. Here in the UK I don't think we've caught up with the USA yet, although there are newish laws relating to accessibility in the workplace. Public transport is something of a problem, as although most buses are wheelchair accessible, the London Underground is far from wheelchair friendly, with most stations having stairs and escalators. Only a handful of stations have elevators (and they are either the very deep ones or the very new ones).

Disneyland Paris itself is reasonably accessible. There are disabled-access rooms in all the hotels, the site is much smaller than Florida, and pretty much everywhere is in walking (or rolling) distance, although it is worth staying in one of the closer hotels. There is no real need to leave the resort unless you want to go into Paris, and for example the Disneyland Park (Magic Kingdom) is a 5-minute walk from the Studios. Of the two parks the Studios is more level with fewer kerbs and the attractions are more accessible too, meaning there is no need for a GAC.

Sarah x

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info.
We've had foreign exchange students from Belgium, Thailand, France, Russia and Albania. They all were surprised at how accessibel most of the US is compared to their home countries. But, when you consider that our oldest buildings are newer than some of their newer ones, it's no wonder.

 

[BillSears]

Yea Sue, the older buildings are what worries me. I'd be afraid that I could visit the UK and then all I'd see is the outside of buildings and my hotel room.

Sazuburns, Thanks for the information. I may just have to put the UK on my future travels list.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Originally posted by BillSears
the older buildings are what worries me. I'd be afraid that I could visit the UK and then all I'd see is the outside of buildings and my hotel room.

Whilst it is true that the UK is a few years behind US in terms of disabled access, it as not as bad as you seem to think.

It is true you can't use London's subway system, but London's Taxis (Cabs) are now required by law to be wheelchair accessible. Getting around within London would not be a problem. Eveything built or substantially refurbished in the last ten years will also be accessible. Almost all major tourist attractions will be accessible, though you might find you have to go to a side entrance to get in. (For instance, Tower of London is mostly wheelchair friendly, but there are a couple of areas accessible only by stairs.

Disability access in UK is not perfect, but there is still plenty to do and see, even if you have trouble getting around. There are several good 'Access' guides to UK tourist attractions.

(even WDW isn't perfect!)

BTW, I use a powerchair and live in London.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

I was hoping you would add something to this, Andrew.
I know that Paris and Brussels are not that accessible from what I have heard, and my older DD was in Moscow and said it was not very accessible at all, but I thought the UK was a bit more accessible and I'm glad you could report it was.
I would be interested to hear about some of the Scandanavian countries. Since they make some really innovate products for people with disabilities, I suspect they might have some innovative ways to make things accessible too.

 

[Sazuburns]

It is true you can't use London's subway system, but London's Taxis (Cabs) are now required by law to be wheelchair accessible. Getting around within London would not be a problem. Eveything built or substantially refurbished in the last ten years will also be accessible. Almost all major tourist attractions will be accessible, though you might find you have to go to a side entrance to get in. (For instance, Tower of London is mostly wheelchair friendly, but there are a couple of areas accessible only by stairs.

I certainly didn't mean to give the impression that London was totally inaccessible.

To be honest, my children are too young for most traditional tourist attractions just yet (short attention span!) so we haven't done that much in Central London and the things we have done we usually do by car as it is easier for dh, but Andrew is quite right about the cabs, and as I said, most buses are fine too.

Sarah x

 

[BillSears]

Originally posted by Sazuburns
Andrew is quite right about the cabs, and as I said, most buses are fine too.

So cabs have wheelchair lifts of some sort or are they a transfer in and store the wheelchair somewhere? Just asking because lifts would be a major cost to the cab company and they'd have to all be vans.

Thanks for the information guys. I should realize that a country isn't going to make things accessable just for vistors they're going to do it for thier own citizens so it should be fine. I guess I just keep thinking like a tourist.

 

[JeannieNM]

Dear Bill,
Hi! I have not been to Europe since I was paralyzed, I am a T5 para and a full time wheelchair user. We have not gone to Europe because up until now our daughter has not been old enough for the sightseeing.

We have however been to many countries in the Caribbean and many places in Mexico.

Third world countires are usually not accessible in the traditional sense however they are far more accessible then Disneyland. I was in Puerta Vallarta with another women, we were outside a resturant reading a menu, then we saw 10 steps to get into the resturant. Not a minute later 4 men appeared and carried me and my wheelchair up the stairs.

The internet is a great source of information. You might want to start with www.access-able.com. There data base is kinda outdated but thier links are excellant.

Paraplegia News has had some articles on wheelchair travel in Europe. There was a wonderful one on the UK last month or the month before.

I have found with enough patience, research, money and a smile that you can go just about anywhere. (I was dog sledding in the Juneau ice fields the previous summer).

I hope you make it to Europe, it is wonderful.

If I can be of any help please feel free to email me at Rtravel@aol.com

Jean

 

[DANID]

Hi

I wonder whether you can advise how you got from airport to disneyland paris

my brother is going next week and as yet we do not have a transfer booked - he is flying into cdg with air france and has 2 carers withhim - he has cerbral palsy and phsyically handicapped - he has little movement and requires his chair at all times so cannot ideally be lifted in and out - also he is travelling with carers and they have to be careful about health and safety regulations with regard to lifting him. its his first holiday in 19yrs so we want to make sure it goes smoothly.

any advice is appreciated - we were advised the train from cdg is a good option - did you do this ??