Disneyland trip with disabled mom. PLEASE read? Help?

[Dizneegal72]

1. This may take a bit but I'll try to be as brief as possible. Thank you for looking. Okay. My mother and I used to go to Disneyland just about every year for a while prior to 2007. Our last trip together was summer of 2006. In May of 2007 my mom had a catastrophic stroke. I was told she would die and if she lived she would basically be a vegetable with a low quality of life. Well, she defied that prognosis and is nowhere near a vegetable and has an awesome quality of life. Just different. Yes, she is disabled. Severely really. She is in a wheelchair full time. She is able to transfer and stand with support and even shuffle very few steps-with support. She was paralyzed on her right side. Her right arm is paralyzed completely. She has all her cognitive abilities but does have aphasia, which affects her speech.
2. Ok so there is a little background. Now I'll get to what I really need help with. My mom LOVES Disneyland. And she thinks she will never be able to get back again. So I want to surprise her. Like a TOTAL she won't see it coming surprise. But, there are obstacles of course and I need Help.
4. First BIG one: Flying. We live in Oregon. We will have to fly. I don't know how this will work. She won't be able to just walk onto the plane of course. We will wheelchair her into the airport. Anybody have any idea what happens from there? Getting her down the aisle of a plane to her seat could be problematic.
5. Second: Best off property hotel closest to Disneyland where we can walk and not have to take a shuttle? On our past trips we have always stayed on property, but that will not be in the budget this time round. I need a close hotel, with good accessible rooms that we can fit a scooter in (plan to rent one) and that has an accessible shower with grab bars and/or a shower seat. We could do without the grab bars but the shower seat is a must as she can't stand by herself. She can transfer in and out of an accessible shower just fine with bars or help.
6. Third: reasonably priced scooter rental companies that we can rent from for a few days that will deliver to the hotel on our arrival day and pick up from the hotel after we leave. I want to avoid renting from the park everyday and would like something she can have access to our whole stay so that we can take it to and from the hotel.
7. Fourth: Best time to take her? She has always wanted to see the park decked out for Christmas. But I have heard December has been quite rainy. We really need to avoid that if at all possible. It just wouldn't work for her anymore. Should I give up on the Christmastime idea? We always went in July or early October in the past. What do you all suggest? I'm thinking if December tends to be rainy we should go in the Fall?
8. Fifth: Better to stick with Walt Disney Travel as we have done very single trip in the past? Or would I do alright with Expedia, Travelocity, orbitz and the like? I need to be budget minded but don't what huge headaches.
9. Well, those are my big ones right now. I'm sure I'll think of more. Any insight is greatly appreciated. I want to give my mom a real special treat. So I need to think this through and plan accordingly. This would mean SO MUCH to her. And it would warm my heart and soul to see the huge smile on her face.
10. To all who read this through- bless your hearts. I look forward to all your advice.
11. Thanks
12. DeAnna

 

[awinangie]

Hi DeAnna,

I don't have many answers but I do know about the flying. Wheelchair users take their own chair to the gate and then they're transferred to a chair that's narrow enough to make it down the aisle.

I suggest you google something like "tips for travel for wheelchair users"... I'll bet you'll find lots of helpful info.

It will be great!!

 

[CassieF]

1. First BIG one: Flying. We live in Oregon. We will have to fly. I don't know how this will work. She won't be able to just walk onto the plane of course. We will wheelchair her into the airport. Anybody have any idea what happens from there? Getting her down the aisle of a plane to her seat could be problematic.

They have special wheelchairs that they use to transfer guests onto planes. You will be eligible for preboarding since it's easier to do this on an empty plane and then she'll stay in place upon landing until everyone else is off and they will help her deplane.

1. Second: Best off property hotel closest to Disneyland where we can walk and not have to take a shuttle? On our past trips we have always stayed on property, but that will not be in the budget this time round. I need a close hotel, with good accessible rooms that we can fit a scooter in (plan to rent one) and that has an accessible shower with grab bars and/or a shower seat. We could do without the grab bars but the shower seat is a must as she can't stand by herself. She can transfer in and out of an accessible shower just fine with bars or help.

I can't really help you here but most of them should have accessible rooms, just make sure to specify your needs when making the reservation

1. Third: reasonably priced scooter rental companies that we can rent from for a few days that will deliver to the hotel on our arrival day and pick up from the hotel after we leave. I want to avoid renting from the park everyday and would like something she can have access to our whole stay so that we can take it to and from the hotel.

Great idea and I know there are some local ones with good reviews. Apple scooters is a name that stands out to me but someone else can comment or check the disABILITIES board, I know they have a list.

1. Fourth: Best time to take her? She has always wanted to see the park decked out for Christmas. But I have heard December has been quite rainy. We really need to avoid that if at all possible. It just wouldn't work for her anymore. Should I give up on the Christmastime idea? We always went in July or early October in the past. What do you all suggest? I'm thinking if December tends to be rainy we should go in the Fall?

It's very hard to predict rain here. We don't get much, but if it happens to fall during your trip of course it will make it more difficult with your mother. If she wants to see holiday decorations I'd go for it. If you are very nervous you could even try for November as holidays usually start around Vetrans day weekend.

1. Fifth: Better to stick with Walt Disney Travel as we have done very single trip in the past? Or would I do alright with Expedia, Travelocity, orbitz and the like? I need to be budget minded but don't what huge headaches.

I tend to like to book my own stuff too give me more flexibility but if you prefer the easy of letting someone else it should work.

1. Well, those are my big ones right now. I'm sure I'll think of more. Any insight is greatly appreciated. I want to give my mom a real special treat. So I need to think this through and plan accordingly. This would mean SO MUCH to her. And it would warm my heart and soul to see the huge smile on her face.

The biggest suggestion I would give is to take it slow and plan for a relaxed time, not rushing from attraction to attraction seeing everyone. Be aware of how she's doing, take breaks as needed and most of all, enjoy your time!

 

[Geemo]

Check out Jet Blue PDX to LGB (Long Beach Airport) flights. They don't have the customary first class. You might be able to book a seat near the front.

Google scooters in Anaheim Ca for vendors in the DLR area.

Here's a map of places in the area you might look up online and see if they meet your needs.
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

Figment_jii has a thread of events and school breaks. It might help you decide when and when not to go.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/2015-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3358090/

I've used a travel agent and Disney travels to book in the past. Now I book everything myself. I save money this way.

Geemo

 

[Fastlaney]

Hi DeAnna! I have a lot of mobility issues though not as severe as your Mom. Your post really touched me because my daughter and I travel a lot and now that she is married and has a little boy we're making Disneyland a new travel tradition. We went to Disneyland twice in 2015, we fly in from Cincinnati or Nashville. All of the airlines and airports have wheelchairs that will take your Mom from the front door of the airport right to her seat on the plane. They are awesome about passengers with disabilities.
Both of our trips I rented my scooter, or ECV (Electric Conveyance Vehicle) as they're commonly called, from Deckert Surgical Co 714-542-5607. I made reservations ahead of time and Deckert delivered the ECV to my hotel and it was there waiting when we arrived. It's $5-$10 cheaper to rent them directly from Deckert than to get them from the hotels. Both trips we stayed on property at Paradise Pier and Deckert is who all the Disneyland hotels use to supply ECV's to their guests.
I would book the trip yourself. My daughter does ours and she saves us a ton of money. Last year we went in mid-March and it was beautiful and not too crowded. We went back again in early October for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was crowded the 2 nights we had tickets for the Halloween parties but it was very manageable for me even with the ECV scooter. We have always stayed on property at Paradise Pier so I have no idea about the Good Neighbor Hotels but we are actually looking into them for our upcoming trip this July.
I hope you and your Mom have a wonderful trip!!

 

[nikkislaght]

Deckerts Medical supplies is the name I Hear here most often in regards to off site wheelchair rentals...
When making your plane booking state there and then that you will have a disabled passenger... sometimes you can do it online. when booking your seat.. as with Jetblue. use them all the time,( from Oregon, not sure what airport it is, but last year we flew from Seatc to Portland then onwards... we had to board the plane via the tarmac,, so keep that in mind. I think it was Delta.. ) . I did this just about 2 weeks ago,, so when I check in they will be alerted...
some airlines require a phone call.. not sure which ones.. you will be asked if you need someone from the moment of check in to push you through security etc.. and they will take you all the way to the gate..

As a PP stated they have their one wheelchairs that will go down the aisles , and you will transfer onto one of those.. and they will gate check your own chair.. and they should meet you at the other end with aides.. etc..
Most hotels have a accessible rooms,, we stay at the Worldmark on Katella and they have a few and you need request them on booking.... its a time share hotel, the closer to D/L the more you will pay for a room ... the ART. has hoists for wheelchairs.. and you will be first on.. but last off..

If you can go for 5 days.. that way you can make the most of your trip. getting round Disney with a disability is slower than on foot.. relax and enjoy yourself.. have fun

 

[VandVsmama]

Getting onto the plane:
Airports have smaller wheelchairs that fit in the narrow airplane aisle, so she will need to transfer from her normal wheelchair to the airplane one. Make sure that when you make your plane reservations, you list your mom as disabled & will need wheelchair assistance down the aisle of the aircraft. And, of course, allow for extra time at the airport due to this.

Scooter rental:
A lot of DISers have rented successfully from Deckert in Anaheim. From what I’ve read, they deliver to your hotel & will pick it up at your hotel at the end of the rental period. Overall cost is a bit less than renting by the day from DL itself. Plus, you get the convenience of being able to use it from your hotel to the park, instead of having to use the wheelchair to get to DL, rent the DL scooter, stash the wheelchair somewhere, etc., etc.

When to go:
Since chances are this might be her last trip to DL and she’s always wanted to see it at Christmas time, go the week after Thanksgiving. According to http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/anaheim/california/united-states/usca0027, average rainfall in Anaheim in December is 2.01 inches and 1.38 inches in November. Keep in mind that this is an average. So maybe go earlier in December rather than later. If absolutely no rain is a must, then you should probably eliminate Nov-March altogether. Summer months you are least likely to get rain, but it is much hotter at that time of year and higher crowds.

Where to stay:
I'd suggest that you peruse hotel reviews on Yelp, especially the hotels on Harbor Blvd. Unlike Trip Advisor, businesses cannot pay Yelp to get better reviews. Absolutely closest one is Best Western Park Place Inn. Tropicana Inn & Camelot Inn's have a special going on in 2015 whereby you can get a certain % off your room rate if you stay at least 5 nights. If you are a AAA member, you can often get AAA discount at various hotels. Hojo's has a 15% off the room rate code off of the Mousesavers website (discount code = LKMS).

Use Disney travel or not?
You will likely not be able to get better deals by using Disney Travel. In fact, the opposite is likely true. You can get better room rates by looking yourself. I've gotten decent deals by doing it myself and I don't even use Expedia or Orbitz.

Misc. comments re: plane travel:
Given how disabled your mom is, something to consider when you are trying to decide which airline to book with is how does your mom handle drastic last minute changes these days after her stroke? For example, let's say you get a really great flight deal on Company X, but it's on time departure/arrival #s for your route are pretty lousy (50%, let's say). How would she cope with having to sit around an airport for several hours waiting for a later flight? Or if Company Y has a much better on time departure/arrival #s but is a little bit more expensive, maybe go with that one. Also consider how often you'd have to change planes, whether to fly into LAX or John Wayne/Orange County Airport, etc.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I have never stayed in an accessible room that actually has a shower seat. Now that might be because you have to ask for it and our stroke kid does better in the bath tub. So keep in mind that you may actually have to rent a shower seat and can probably do that from the scooter rental place. You should definitely book yourself because you are going to want to call the hotels personally and make sure you are getting a room that will work for your mom's needs. I suspect that, of the hotels that are close enough to walk, only a couple will actually have accessible rooms that work for your mom's needs, and probably only one room total and then you need to make sure you are absolutely guaranteed that room. It sounds like you are looking for a hotel room with a walk in shower, which is pretty rare.

Plane travel is actually remarkably easy as everyone has stated. Scooter rental will also be easy. I think the trick is going to be the hotel. It should be doable but you are likely going to need to do a lot of leg work to make sure you get the best room for her needs. I would get the hotel maps and start calling out from the closest to the furthest from the park and see what your options even are and then go from there in terms of picking the "best" one.

 

[Dizneegal72]

Thank you for the great info everyone! It is much appreciated. I also asked the same questions on a different board and I didn't get but one response. You guys are awesome. Keep any info you think would be helpful coming. I'm keeping track of everything in a little journal and will do all my homework based on all your excellent advice. Planning this trip is definitly much different from prior trips.

 

[nikkislaght]

Thank you for the great info everyone! It is much appreciated. I also asked the same questions on a different board and I didn't get but one response. You guys are awesome. Keep any info you think would be helpful coming. I'm keeping track of everything in a little journal and will do all my homework based on all your excellent advice. Planning this trip is definitly much different from prior trips.

The good thing to remember about Disneyland and the surrounding hotels.. is that they have been doing this for a LONG time... so a lot of places have people of all abilities come through their doors all the time.. do be afraid to ask for assistance or guidance when making your bookings..

 

[gardengirl2790]

I don't have a lot to add, but we are from Oregon too, and love flying Jet Blue to Long Beach airport (LGB) , which is a tiny airport and easy to maneuver in and out of. We are flying to LGB via Jet Blue in June, and we are paying just over $200 per person, roundtrip. We take a cab to Disneyland, that is a flat rate, and is around $50. Jet Blue used to not charge at all for your first checked bag, but I believe this policy has, or will be, changed. Good luck! Your Mom will be so happy!!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Disney is used to handling people with severe disabilities. They will be very supportive of your time at Disneyland. I think it's so great that you're doing this for your mom!

I don't have too much to add. But I was looking into the hotels on Harbor (across the street from Disneyland) for my own possible trip with my 85 year old stepmother who has similar issues. The Carousel Inn says they have shower seats and roll-in showers (http://www.carouselinnandsuites.com/accommodation/accessible-rooms-en.html). You may want to call them to see what they can do. I haven't stayed there yet because we're still trying to figure out if my stepmother can handle it or not, but it looks the most promising.