First trip to Disney

[SueM in MN]

Agree with pugdog.
We've been visiting WDW for about 18 years with DD and her wheelchair and in that time have ridden a lot of buses. Even about 5 years ago before they got newer buses, several drivers (who were interested in wheelchair travelers) posted that more than 95% of the buses were wheelchair accessible. All the new ones they have received in the last 5 years have been accessible.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have head, and I believe it is true, to get the GAC at town hall at the Magic Kingdom. I believe that they exercise the power to give people the card that has the most benefits.

Guest Services in any of the parks can give out the same cards. What does make a difference is having a CM who understands what you are trying to explain about your needs. We have had bad and good experiences over the years with Guest Services in all of the parks. The worst was a few years ago when the MK CM gave us a GAC made out for someone else - with their name on it, which allowed access to the accessible entrances (we could already use them because we had a child using a wheelchair). We have also had one of our best experiences at MK when a CM listened to DD's needs and suggested something we had not thought of.

 

[lowie]

First trip to Disney World

We are going on our first ever trip to Disney World April 5-14th 2006. I have 3 DD's ages 7,5,and 3. The 7 year old is a typical DD named Madison. Ali Elizabeth is 5 had has holoprosecephaly which causes severe epilepsy,severe eye abnormalities,and severe hearing abnormalities. Ali is also non-verbal,and uses a power chair. She can not sit up without total support. She is also dependent on a microvasive feeing button for nutrition, and uses a CPAP machine at night. Kendall is 3 had has severe quadriplegic CP, epilepsy, and PDD-NOS. She uses a PANDA chair but is verbal and eats solid food. I have a lot of questions:
1. How does boarding work on buses/monorails?
2. Is there a place where I can see a list of all the handicapped accessible rides?
3. How disability friendly is the Polynesian?
4.Would I be better off bringing Ali's non-folding Manuel instead of the power chair?
5. What is the GAC and would I need it?
6. Would I be better off bringing their bath chairs or renting from someplace?

Finally, just share your experiences.

Caitlyn

Just a quick idea... remember that the poly is all separate buildings and if you get caught in a rain storm you have to leave the mail building to get to your room... some other hotels are all attached. although you are not going in the 'rainy season' it's something to think about.
This will be an incredible trip for you, there are so many people who have all different types of disabilities. and the CM's area almost always very responsive.. i do agree with one poster who said that the buses are not always the best mode of transportation..

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

The CMs usually direct wheelchair users to the accessible seats in the back of the theatre. You'll need to tell the CM your daughter needs a seat up front.

I'll include the wheelchair accessible list, too. I am glad that it's been helpful.

When the map says ECVs must transfer-it is talking about the 3 wheeled scooters or the chairs Disney rents NOT electric wheelchairs. Here is a list of rides that you can drive your wheelchair directly onto without transferring, sorted by park:

Magic Kingdom---

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: (note-this ride doesn't fit all electric chairs--my standard Invacare Action electric wheelchair didn't fit-and the shooter is hard to reach, especially with contractures)

Stitches Great Escape (note-the bars that come down on the shoulders could be painful, especially if they are drawn up like mine-I haven’t ridden it-this ride has got a lot of bad reviews)

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Takes you through several classic scenes-awesome-easy access)

it’s a small world (easy access)

Liberty Belle Riverboat (Tour around a lake with some props and animatronics-kinda long-chair sits below level of bars, partially blocking view)-fits multiple chairs

Main Street U.S.A.-Railroad-steam train ride (I loved it. Round trip is best, there are scenes along the way.)-fits two chairs

Jungle Cruise (recently converted)

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (too short for some chairs)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible. There are always spaces for wheelchairs with seats for family members adjoining
(Storytime with Belle, etc. all children sit on the floor up front)

Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island are impossible for wheelchairs (you can do a roundtrip on the raft that goes to Tom Sawyer Island)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM, they're marked on a map-nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Epcot—

Ellen’s Energy Adventure (easily accessible-cute Jeapordy style beginning that then takes you back in time to Dinosaurs) fits three chairs

Journey Into Your Imagination (easily accessible-really cute/fun ride with a fully accessible interactive special effects playground afterwards)

Living with the Land (informational tour about various climates and agriculture)

El Rio Del Tiempo (accessible-boat ride tour of Mexico)

The Living Seas-Nemo & Turtle Talk!! (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access. At your own pace viewing of a live sea aquarium and the new Crush attraction)

The World Showcase (all areas accessible, although some areas may have alternate access)

Street shows are hard to see unless you arrive a little early to sit in front

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows (including Innoventions) are wheelchair accessible (*note: The Kid cot fun stop crafts will be difficult to do unless you have a tray on your wheelchair because the table and chairs are low and the supplies are scattered)

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM--- nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

MGM Studios—

Great Movie Ride (note-this ride doesn't fit all wheelchairs-my standard Invacare action electric wheelchair didn't fit and I had to ride sideways)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible

MGM has a lot of good shows-especially action/stunts--all with wheelchair seating

All night-time shows and parades have special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM-—nighttime shows are my favorite and are well worth the wait

Animal Kingdom-

Wildlife Express Train (train that shows you how Disney cares for their animals and takes you to the Conservation Station-may have to back on)

Triceratop Spin (note: I never rode this ride and I am not sure if it accommodates electric wheelchairs or just manual ones)

Kilimanjaro Safaris (mild thrill ride with a guide that drives you through authentic habitats to view real exotic animals-best experienced in the morning. Note: This ride is bumpy. You may need to back in to the ride vehicle.)

All the Character Greeting Areas and shows are wheelchair accessible (*only parts of the Boneyard. *Conservation is listed as accessible but I didn’t visit it.)

All the nature trails are accessible and have beautiful wildlife. There are many exhibits-a few viewing areas are a little difficult to get to.

The parade has a special wheelchair viewing areas-ask a CM

There are plenty of wheelchair accessible rides and awesome shows. Always carefully weigh out the risks of transferring.

Remember all shows are wheelchair accessible-don't miss the nighttime shows-especially Fantasmic-and don't miss Festival of the Lion King where wheelchair seats have prime views.

If there is anyway your daughters can transfer, I would do it for Soarin’ in Epcot. The ride is awesome. I cannot sit up without complete support and still was able to do it. You can pull your chair right up to the seat to transfer and the movements of the ride are smooth. My Dad sat on one side holding one arm with his other arm around my back/neck and my grandma sat on the other side and held my other arm...

Have a great trip!

Christamae

 

[DisneyMama63]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all of yall's help.
Caitlyn

 

[DisneyMama63]

Two more questions:
Are there companion restrooms in all the parks? If not, are the handicapped stalls rather large? The reason I ask is that both DD 5 and 3 wear diapers. I need a rather large are to fit me,DD 7, and DD 5 and 3's wheelchairs.

Have you used the child care clubs for a SN kid?Are the care givers there trained to change diapers and bolus feed?
Thanks,
Caitlyn

 

[SueM in MN]

Two more questions:
Are there companion restrooms in all the parks?

Yes. They are not listed on the park maps, but you will find them listed in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park - those are available from Guest Services or you can get an electronic version from a link in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.
The ones at MK are the busiest since there are only 6 of them in the park, most of the handicapped stalls at MK are not big enough for a wheelchair and many parents assume they are family restrooms.
You can also use First Aid in each park. They have cots that you can use for changes.

If not, are the handicapped stalls rather large? The reason I ask is that both DD 5 and 3 wear diapers. I need a rather large are to fit me,DD 7, and DD 5 and 3's wheelchairs.

The handicapped stalls in MK are almost all too small to get even one wheelchair in (we can't get DD's narrow adult wheelchair in and close the door). Some of the stalls at Epcot are a bit larger than that. The ones at AK and MGM are the largest, but may not be big enough for that many people. You may have to think of alternatives (ie, does the 7 year old need to be in the stall? could the 7 yr old stand right outside the stall with one wheelchair while you change the other child?)

Have you used the child care clubs for a SN kid?Are the care givers there trained to change diapers and bolus feed?
Thanks,
Caitlyn

The Child Care Clubs are not prepared to do that kind of care. This thread may be helpfulNo one has posted recently about using Fairy Godmothers or Kids Night Out, but I know people have posted in the past about using them and them having some caregivers who were experienced with special needs kids (although I'm not sure they would have anyone who could do bolus feedings; you might actually need a home health care agancy for that).

 

[DisneyMama63]

No, the 7 year old does not have to be in the stall. Thanks for the suggestion.

For the rides where my DD's have to transfer, do they have to park their chairs at the entrance and have us carry them in? Also, for rides requring transfering, does it matter if neither of my DD's chairs fold?
Caitlyn

 

[DisneyMama63]

Does anyone know the answer to the last question I posted?
Caitlyn

 

[SueM in MN]

No, the 7 year old does not have to be in the stall. Thanks for the suggestion.

For the rides where my DD's have to transfer, do they have to park their chairs at the entrance and have us carry them in? Also, for rides requring transfering, does it matter if neither of my DD's chairs fold?
Caitlyn

You will be able to take the wheelchairs right to the boarding area. Sometimes you can even park the wheelchair right next to the ride car (that would be most useful for someone who can do a transfer themself if the wheelchair is close enough to the ride car). After you get in, the CM moves the wheelchair out of the way.
they keep track of which car you are in (the cars are numbered where the CM controlling the ride can see it). When they see that car come around again, they know to get the wheelchair.
For the rides where a transfer is required, the wheelchair will be staying parked at the exit, while you are riding, so it doesn't matter whether it folds or not.
The only ride where folding matters is Pirates of the Caribbean. Folding wheelchairs are folded and put into the last row of the boat. Small non-folding wheelchairs might be able to also, but large non-folding ones, wheelchairs with many pieces sticking out or fragile wheelchairs won't be able to. The CM was able to put my DD's lightweight, narrow adult non-folding wheelchair onto the boat on our last trip.

For the attractions where a person can stay in the wheelchair, most of those are only one wheelchair at a time, so if your children must stay in the wheelchair, they will need to switch off.

 

[DisneyMama63]

question:
Some people have told me I need to get A GAC to allow us to sit up front at the shows with DD 5 who is paritally sighted/deaf...others have said just to let the CM at the entrance know. So is there A gac for this or not?
Caitlyn

 

[SueM in MN]

People have reported varying success with having a GAC that has seating in the front. Some people have said they have good luck with just telling the CM at the show that they need to sit near the front. Others felt that having a GAC worked well.
i think (from our experiences at WDW) that the time you visit may be a big variable. When it's really busy, the CMs are worried so much about just keeping things moving. That makes it harder to pay as much attention to accomidation as they can when it's less busy. And, if you go when it's less budy, there are less people who are trying to get the front seats.