First cruise help

[CPME]

Hi! We're going on our first every cruise next month and really excited!

My 6 year old son has cerebral palsy and we're lucky enough to be going through Make A Wish. However, he is wheelchair bound and can't even sit up without his chair and we've just had our room allocation and weren't lucky enough to have got an accessible room.

It's not the end of the world, but I'm wondering if those who have cruised before can tell us what the chances are of getting and storing a non-folding wheelchair in the room. If not, I know there is a wheelchair storage park on Deck 6 but we're on 2 and I don't fancy going up and down 4 floors to leave the chair everytime we have to go back to the room. Are they strict on wheelchair storage or is storing it every now and then in a quiet spot by the elevators possible?

Thanks very much!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Do you know the number of the room you have? I see you are in an accessible room. There are special rooms with extra space and I think DCL would put you in one of those.

There are many options, they will look after you, I think you will be in a special room and be ok, if not the stateroom host will organise where to store it, I have seen them stored near elevator shafts.

If you know which one, post the number and the people here can respond if they have been in it.

Enjoy and have a wonderful time.

 

[CPME]

We're in room 2114! It seems a good room by the reviews and right next to the elevator lobby so that's possibly why? But it's not accessible or larger than normal so not sure whether it will actually fit in or not.

Thanks for your reply!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We're in room 2114! It seems a good room by the reviews and right next to the elevator lobby so that's possibly why? But it's not accessible or larger than normal so not sure whether it will actually fit in or not.

Thanks for your reply!!

Yes I assume that's on the Magic or Wonder deck 2. A standard room.

Accessible rooms do have far more space but DCL will look after you, you are near a wide elevator shaft so it could be kept there but your stateroom host will advise.

You could ask DCL/ Make a wish if they have any accessible rooms available.

 

[clten]

If it is not an accessible cabin, I doubt a chair will fit (we had difficulties with the folding travel chairs we had when we traveled with our parents). They are good about letting you have the chair in the elevator lobby as it causes a lot of difficulty when left in the hallway. Have you sent any information to Special Services to let them know that your son will be in a chair? E-mail them and let them know and also let them know that if a handicap accessible cabin is or becomes available that you would have need of it. (Even if they can't get you into an accessible cabin, they will make sure your dining table is near an aisle so you can easily get to/from dinner table every night. Also if you are doing any port adventures, they will contact you to let you know how you may be accommodated!)

 

[CPME]

Thank you so much! I'm feeling better now knowing his chair can possibly be stored in the lobby. It's possible of course to be in the correct place but in an emergency I'd rather not carry him up 4 floors

We did ask for an accessible room when booking months ago and were told they were all gone but we could be placed in one if anybody dropped out. We've now been given our room number 34 days before travelling so it seems very unlikely now but I'm ok with that as long as I have the security of his chair nearby. DCL have been informed of all his requirements so I'm hoping that's why they put us near the elevators and I'm sure they'll help with everything as much as possible. Feeling great about it all now, and even more excited (if that's possible!)

Thanks guys

 

[lanejudy]

A pediatric-sized chair *may* fit, likely to be tight if it does. Depends on the size (width) of the chair -- standard stateroom doorways are 25.5 inches, but even if you get it in the door you won't get past the bed. I believe they do have some storage by the elevators for scooters, and a wheelchair could likely be stored there as well. Keep in mind that it is not necessarily "secured" or supervised so you'll want to remove anything important when you leave the chair. I'm rather surprised that MAW would not have gotten you an accessible stateroom, unless you had specific needs for this cruise date. Maybe they'll get you re-assigned when they work on GTY or *GT room assignments.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[CPME]

Yes, this is the only cruise that leaves from and gets back to the UK with no need for planes, which he can't travel on, so it was either go on this cruise in a standard room (which was all that was available) or don't go at all and i'm happy to put up with a room that doesn't fit a chair in to get him on his dream cruise. So it's our fault really, not MAW or DCL's, but if they let us keep the chair nearby I'll be hugely relieved!

Really hoping the children's clubs will take him too even though he doesn't speak as he'd love an hour or two of fun by himself.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, this is the only cruise that leaves from and gets back to the UK with no need for planes

Ah, that makes sense. I didn't realize which cruise you are taking or where you are located.

Really hoping the children's clubs will take him too even though he doesn't speak as he'd love an hour or two of fun by himself.

If he can be in the Club/Lab without direct 1:1 assistance, they'll be fine with him. Verbal skills aren't required. He can bring any communication device (if he needs one) as well, or there may be a CM who knows sign language (if he signs), or they manage to communicate by gestures. If he needs 1:1 assistance, you are welcome to accompany him to Open House times.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[CPME]

Thanks for replying! No he won't need a 1:1, he'll be happy to just sit and watch most likely but will need moving from area to area every so often so I hope they'll take him, at least for short periods. He'll get sick of his boring Mum and Dad for 12 days otherwise Thanks for setting my mind at rest

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Thanks for replying! No he won't need a 1:1, he'll be happy to just sit and watch most likely but will need moving from area to area every so often so I hope they'll take him, at least for short periods. He'll get sick of his boring Mum and Dad for 12 days otherwise Thanks for setting my mind at rest

Praying it all works out and that your entire family enjoys this cruise!