im a newbie...can you help

[sparkleandmagic]

hi everyone.. Im planning on visiting Disney in florida with my family (kids, hubby and parents) however I have a few health conditions which means Ill definitely need to use a wheelchair.. mainly my Eds/hypermobility and fatigue/pots . I was wondering what support Disney offers. I have been to disney before my kids and before my condition became unpredictable so didn't need support from Disney.
any help would be great.

 

[powellrj]

Not exactly sure what you mean by support. If your needs are met by using a wheelchair, any help from Disney ends there. You can use handicap viewing area for parades and fireworks, but there really aren't that many of those and they fill up quickly. They have companion restrooms that are nice and while I have never used it, they say the first aid stands are nice too.

 

[sparkleandmagic]

thank you ..bit nervous about it all

 

[gap2368]

What kinda of things do you need most lines you can take the wheel chair through the line with you some you can even take it on the ride

What are you nervoce about

 

[sparkleandmagic]

hiya ..im nervous about coping with the heat and exhaustion/fatigue and mainly the pain...getting to and from the car park and peoples reactions to me being in a wheelchair(I can walk short distances) cant stand for any length of time due to pain/dizzy.. and my legs give way..i love Disney ..but im really only visiting again because my children are desperiate..this is a once in a life time trip for me.

 

[gap2368]

No one and I mean no one will care that you are in a wheel chair

Take your time to manage your fatigue do some shows take a break for lunch and dinner.

When are you going as some times it is not as hot as others

Some things you can do to stay cool

Fan with a mister
Cooling cloths
Umbrella to give you shade

Do you have a disability tag this way you can park closer or you can ask a CM when you are parking if you can park close to the tram

 

[sparkleandmagic]

yes I have a disability blue badge which I use for parking..we are going in early may 2017..i hope no one cares ..as i cant cope without it ..thanks for the reassurance..thanks for tips about the fan.. never thought of that.

 

[gap2368]

Then I would use your pass to park close. Do you have a wheel chair or are you going to rent one

 

[sparkleandmagic]

im going to use ones from outside renter..as I need it the whole trip

 

[gap2368]

You may want an ECV as there is a lot of walking / wheeling around Disney and it can be harder then you think

 

[powellrj]

Nobody will give you a second look. Everyone is too busy with their family to notice you so you will be fine! Use your blue parking permit, once again, nobody will notice!

 

[5kidsmommy]

No need to worry about other people, they won't pay any attention to you. My daughter has POTS and is very susceptible to the heat in Florida so she is in a chair when we travel. I would make sure to plan breaks because it can be very exhausting. You can bring water in or you can get free cups of water from the quick service areas, make sure to stay hydrated. Good luck and have fun.

 

[sparkleandmagic]

Thanks everyone for your advice.. u have all been really helpful ..x will look into pros and cons of wheel chair ecv..x

 

[kaytieeldr]

Umbrella to give you shade

Umbrella is a bad idea in any location as crowded as WDW. Better suggestion is a wide-brimmed sun hat.

 

[gap2368]

Umbrella is a bad idea in any location as crowded as WDW. Better suggestion is a wide-brimmed sun hat.

I use one every trip but I never put it up in a crowded area I will some times find a quiet place to sit most of the time it is in the sun and use the unreal for shade there. so yes an umbrella can be a good thing you just have to be a little smart on how and when you use it also bring a very small one. I will not use a hat as it just traps heat inside you. the first thing a nurse dose it puts a hat on a baby when they are born to keep the heat inside them. with the OP having problems in the heat this could be a big problem, with an umbrella you can hold it just over you and with one small enough you really are not in any one way and you do not have to open it all the way if the op has to have it open where it is crowded.

 

[RubySue]

OP - check the stickies at the top of disABILITIES page
The one titled disABILITIES FAQs-.....
has oodles of information.

 

[Shanti]

You can rent a motorized electric conveyance vehicle (ecv) instead of a wheelchair to get you around faster & easier if you like. Ecv's & wheelchairs are allowed on Disney buses, the monorail, & the larger boats.

Orlando has many ecv companies you can rent from & they'll have it waiting for you at your resort. My mom needed an ecv for our January trip, & we used Care Medical, which was flawless.

Also, if you stay at a Disney resort, be sure to book an accessible room. That will help with space for your wheelchair or ecv, safer bathing (tub with rails or roll-in shower, you choose the caregory you want), and they're typically on the 1st floor & closer to lobby so you don't have to climb stairs or travel too far.

 

[kaytieeldr]

and they're typically on the 1st floor & closer to lobby so you don't have to climb stairs or travel too far.

Not necessarily. Accessible rooms are generally interspersed throughout each resort, including various floors, wings, buildings, and distances.

 

[gap2368]

and some assessable rooms are on the higher floors they gave me one on the second floor at all stars ( even though I did not need one or want one or request one) so it may not be that close or anything like that

if the op can walk some like in the room then I would not ask for one as there will be enough room for a wheel chair or ECV in the room and this way someone that really needs one can have one. but if the OP feels they may need one then by all means get one

 

[lanejudy]

@sparkleandmagic

I second the recommendation to check out the disABILITIES FAQs sticky near the top of this forum. There is another, WDW Disability Access Service which explains the DAS program in the first post (don't read the whole thread); that may or may not be something to help you depending on your needs. There is an EDS thread on our disABIITIES Community Board as well. You may have found these already but I wanted to point them out just in case.

Also, if you stay at a Disney resort, be sure to book an accessible room. That will help with space for your wheelchair or ecv, safer bathing (tub with rails or roll-in shower, you choose the caregory you want), and they're typically on the 1st floor & closer to lobby so you don't have to climb stairs or travel too far.

This is incorrect. If the accessible features of the room are required, it is fine to book an accessible room. However one is not needed just for an ECV or wheelchair as either should fit in any WDW resort standard guest room. As another PP mentioned, accessible rooms are spread throughout resorts in all room categories and various buildings/floors -- NOT necessarily close to lobby or 1st floor.

Enjoy your vacation!