Hello!

[MSKL]

I am new to the DIS but am so excited to have found it!

My 8 year old daughter is going on her Make A Wish trip to Orlando in December! We are so excited but a little nervous. She has several diagnosis including epilepsy, completely blind, a chronic lung disease, a cyst in her spinal cord, and laryngomalacia among others.

She is OBSESSED with the Disney princesses (like her mom!) With her diagnosis she will not really be able to ride many rides which is fine by her as long as we get to meet the princesses, lol!

I have a few questions though:

- Does Disney World offer the audio descriptive services for the blind for their shows/movies?
- She does not eat by mouth (g-tube fed only) but really wants to go into the castle where the princesses are- is there a way to go without having to eat or is it worth the money for the experience? Will she be bored if she does not eat and is just sitting there?
- Are the parks easily accessible for the disabled? Can she ride the monorail in her wheelchair or will she have to get out to ride?
- I am assuming we can take her formula and supplies into the parks without any trouble?
- Any other tips or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thank you so much for your help!

Stacey!

 

[lovetoscrap]

!
I am going to move this to the disABILITIES board where they will be able to help you with all of your questions.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have time right now to answer, but will later today. I will say that WDW is VERY accessible. There are some attractions where your child will need to transfer out of her wheelchair, but for many, you do not.
And, you will be able yo bring the wheelchair all the way to boarding.
I'm sure you will get some answers from other posters.

Until then, I would point you toward the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome to the disABILITIES Forum!

SueM has pointed you towards the disABILITIES FAQ thread. You might also find the MAW - Wish Trippers thread helpful.

As for your specific questions:

1) Yes, WDW offers audio description services. I haven't personally used it so I can't give any feedback, but here is some more information: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/visual-disability-services/ Hopefully someone else will have some feedback about this.

2) Generally speaking, buffets or all-you-can-eat restaurants charge all guests over age 3, regardless of ability or intent to eat. Character meals and dinner shows are considered entertainment with a meal, rather than primarily a meal with entertainment. It doesn't hurt to ask for the charge to be waived, but we have received several reports on this forum of tube-fed children charged full price. That said, it may be possible for your MAW wish-granters to arrange something special; you will have to speak with them. Other than Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant at the castle, there really isn't anything else to visit at the castle to meet princesses. There are, however, other meet and greet opportunities -- princesses and other characters -- in the park that she can definitely do without additional charge.

3) As SueM mentions, yes the parks are very accessible. As the oldest park at WDW, MK will have the most alternate entrances, but even then most attractions are mainstreamed. There is very little that won't be accessible to your DD in her wheelchair. There is more information in the FAQ sticky.

4) Yes, you may bring anything you need into the park. There is one First Aid location at each park and you are welcome to go there for any medical needs or feeding time if that is what works best for you. They are air conditioned, and offer individual private space with a cot/bed if needed.

Feel free to ask any other questions that come to mind. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

I am new to the DIS but am so excited to have found it!

My 8 year old daughter is going on her Make A Wish trip to Orlando in December! We are so excited but a little nervous. She has several diagnosis including epilepsy, completely blind, a chronic lung disease, a cyst in her spinal cord, and laryngomalacia among others.

She is OBSESSED with the Disney princesses (like her mom!) With her diagnosis she will not really be able to ride many rides which is fine by her as long as we get to meet the princesses, lol!

I have a few questions though:

- Does Disney World offer the audio descriptive services for the blind for their shows/movies?
- She does not eat by mouth (g-tube fed only) but really wants to go into the castle where the princesses are- is there a way to go without having to eat or is it worth the money for the experience? Will she be bored if she does not eat and is just sitting there?
- Are the parks easily accessible for the disabled? Can she ride the monorail in her wheelchair or will she have to get out to ride?
- I am assuming we can take her formula and supplies into the parks without any trouble?
- Any other tips or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thank you so much for your help!

Stacey!

yes disney offer audio decryption stop by guess relations to get one
there are princesses ever where at disney and since this is you wish trip you will not have to wait in any lines to meet them I have done the castle but it was many years ago you may want to talk to make a wish and see if she can just do a meet the princesses there.
yes the park is very accessible to people she can stay in her wheel chair on the monorail as with a few of the rides
yes you can take anything that she might need into the park and you can even keep somethings at the first aid station if you like ( that way you do not need to cary ever thing with you)

have a great trip

 

[mamaVonna]

I am new to the DIS but am so excited to have found it!

My 8 year old daughter is going on her Make A Wish trip to Orlando in December! We are so excited but a little nervous. She has several diagnosis including epilepsy, completely blind, a chronic lung disease, a cyst in her spinal cord, and laryngomalacia among others.

She is OBSESSED with the Disney princesses (like her mom!) With her diagnosis she will not really be able to ride many rides which is fine by her as long as we get to meet the princesses, lol!

I have a few questions though:

- Does Disney World offer the audio descriptive services for the blind for their shows/movies?
- She does not eat by mouth (g-tube fed only) but really wants to go into the castle where the princesses are- is there a way to go without having to eat or is it worth the money for the experience? Will she be bored if she does not eat and is just sitting there?
- Are the parks easily accessible for the disabled? Can she ride the monorail in her wheelchair or will she have to get out to ride?
- I am assuming we can take her formula and supplies into the parks without any trouble?
- Any other tips or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thank you so much for your help!

Stacey!

Hi Stacey, I'm pretty new here as well and I see your questions have been answered, just wanted to say hi...my family will be there this December as well. Not sure on our dates just yet but hoping for the 9th-15th. I'm certain I'm driving my dh crazy with all my Disney talk so it's nice to jump on here from time to time with others who are going on a wish trip, and awesome getting tips from those WDW vets! I hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[MSKL]

Thank y'all so much for the help!

Lanejudy- thank you for the links!

mamaVonna- I know exactly what you mean, lol! It is so overwhelming and that is not even taking into consideration a special needs child! We will be there the first week in December (the 1st-7th).