Information Request???

[GhostHostMemories]

Hello all.
My co-worker just told me he knows of a family who was "gifted" a Disney Vacation by their employer (i'm guessing the family plans/pays and will be reimbursed from the employer). The hangup is that their daughter is in a wheelchair. I'm not sure of the extent of the medical condition. But my co-worker was stating this dad is a bit overwhelmed with the thought of planning a WDW vacation. I was wondering if travel agents might be a way to help assist this family in planning their vacation.

I saw there was a disABILITY forum, and I am sending that link, but wanted to possibly offer some additional tips/help for them.

Thanks in Advance

 

[lovetoscrap]

This would be a good question to post on the disABILITY board so I am moving it there.

 

[gap2368]

People in wheelchair really can do anything they are able to do at Disney ( lines, for the most part, are accessible) some rides you can stay in your wheelchair for, others you need to be able to get in and out ( some rides are easier, than other) but depending on what the person can and can not do will determine what they can do.

I do know a friend that cannot transfer out of there wheelchair and they have a great time at Disney.

 

[gap2368]

This is a good place to start looking you do not need to read it all but this should give you ( your friend) a good idea of what it is like to tour Disney with a wheelchair

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

 

[SueM in MN]

My youngest daughter is an adult and has been traveling to WDW since she was 11 months old.
Her first trip in a wheelchair was when she was just short of 3 years old.

Without getting into any medical condition information, it would be helpful to know how old the girl is and whether she is able to walk/assist with transfers or not.

Even if someone is not able to get out of their wheelchair, there are a lot of things to do and see.

 

[mamabunny]

And let me assure you - and your friend - that even at the Resort hotels, his daughter will be easily accommodated. There are rooms with roll in showers, curb cuts and ramps everywhere you want to go (including on and off of the internal bus system) and most of the pools have lifts so that if she can transfer, she can enjoy the pool as well.

 

[SteveMouse]

Please note that

And let me assure you - and your friend - that even at the Resort hotels, his daughter will be easily accommodated. There are rooms with roll in showers, curb cuts and ramps everywhere you want to go (including on and off of the internal bus system) and most of the pools have lifts so that if she can transfer, she can enjoy the pool as well.

Please note that if you need the features of an accessible rooom- like a roll-in shower- you must specifically reserve one- it’s a selectable option if reserving using Disney’s website, via phone, or using a travel agent.

If flying, the airline can accommodate a wheelchair, however the person who regularly uses the chair must transfer to a normal airplane seat for the flight: the chair will be transported, at not additional cost beyond the passenger ticket.

As the PP indicated, Disney’s buses are highly accessible, including Disney’s Magical Express, which is available at all times MCO (the Orlando airport) is open. (The DME does not serve Sanford airport).

Shuttle buses provided by off-site hotels can be a bit problematic when using a wheelchair- some don’t have capacity (or someone else is using it) and buses don’t run frequently.

 

[GhostHostMemories]

Thank you all for the great responses. As I stated, I'm 2 parties removed from the actual family, so I have no idea of age and medical condition, etc. I will pass this info along.

 

[FortForever]

While I've been a lifetime Disney World fan, and have been visiting at least annually since opening (with the exception of a few years,) it has only been as an adult that I've come respect how inclusive Disney is of EVERYONE. All sorts of differently-abled people can have a wonderful time there.