Hello, I am not sure if I have introduced myself on this board yet or not.
I don't think you have, but I do think I met you on another board.
So, welcome to disABILITIES
I agree with KPeveler (I usually agree with her
) that you really should think about using the stroller most of the time. Many parents of 4 yr olds without cerebral palsy find that the distances in a day at WDW may be way too much for their children.
Most people don't really realize how much walking they will do in a day at WDW. One way to visualize it is to think of some place you know well that is about 2 miles from your house (school, church, store, etc.). Can you imagine your daughter walking there?
What about there and back?
Every day for the number of days you plan to be at WDW?
As was already mentioned, people estimate they walk between 4 and 10 miles a day at WDW. If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look in post #3, you will find some helpful links under the heading of WDW General Information (Un-official Links). Some that may be especially helpful are
- an estimate people made of the distance they walk each day at WDW.
- attractions with moving walkways.
- attractions with no place to sit while waiting.
- a height calculator so you can find which attractions your children are big enough to ride
My suggestion is to bring a stroller and get a Guest Assistance Card and/or sticker that allows you a "stroller as a wheelchair'. This lets you bring it into lines and have it treated just like a wheelchair.
If she is using the stroller in line, you will be using the accessible entrance and avoiding things like stairs. You will also be boarding at the place where they can slow or stop the moving walkways.
As KPeveler mentioned, Peter Pan can't be stopped. That and Tommorowland Transit Authority are the 2 attractions that can only be stopped in emergency.
You can get a GAC that allows you to use the accessible pathways when walking, but there are few attractions with stairs and you will still have to deal with distances. Many of the lines are very long - Soarin' is more than 1/4 mile from where you enter the line to where you board it. And, once you are done, it is an equal distance out. Using the stroller will help her to save her energy for things that are more fun than just getting around.
My DD no longer walks, but when she did, her gait and the difficulty maintaining balance meant that she used much more energy getting from place to place than an average child her age (if I remember from her gait analysis test, it was something like 4 times as much energy). Your daughter is probably similar. She will need to get up and walk from time to time to avoid getting stiff, but I would suggest you only park the stroller and have her walk when you can see the whole queue from beginning to boarding and are able to assure yourself that it won't be too long/far for her to walk.
As was already mentioned, in almost every case, a GAC will not shorten the distance walked.
I have read the forums and understand a little about the GAC card. I am wondering if it would be beneficial in our case to get one or should we just pass on this. I am really only looking for something that might alert the cast members that Bella might need extra help/time getting on and off rides. Of course, I and her father will be there to help her, but we will also be helping her little brothers as well. It would be awesome if someone was also there with a helping hand. I don't think she would need to go through the accessible line persay, just extra help getting into a ride and off. That make sense??
If you have the stroller in line for her, you would be able to take it all the way to the boarding area. That would probably be my choice with having other smaller children. THe stroller would alert the CM that something 'extra' is going on and you may need extra time. The GAC has stamps that explain a little about the needs of the person with a disability, but the stamps are rather general and it's still up to the guest to explain what would help best - would the moving walkway need to be stopped, or is slowing enough?
The CMs can't lift or transfer anyone. They can offer a steadying hand, but that works best for adults, who are older and since they are bigger only need that. Because 4 yr old legs are small, little kids usually need more than just a steadying hand.
Also if the GAC would be beneficial to us what should I have her doc type something up in a letter for her?? What should it say?
Follow the link in my signature again to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post # 6 of that thread is all about GACs. It does talk about doctor's letters. It can't be required that you have a letter and most CMs won't even look at it. If it makes you feel more confident, it won't hurt to have a letter - as long as you realize that it likely will not be looked at at all. If you do bring a letter, it should talk about your child's needs, not diagnosis.
Her biggest challenges are fine motor control in her hands and speech. At first when planning this trip I was worried how Bella would "fit in". This board has helped quell some of those fears. I have realized many many special needs kids go to Disney every single day and Disney is more than well equipped to handle their needs. I was worried about character interaction and them being able to understand Bella.
All of the characters travel with a handler. We usually clue in the handler by telling that CM that our daughter can understand, but can't speak. That helps a lot and we are right nearby if we need to translate for her. Many of the characters do sign language (as well as you can do it with oversized 4 finger mittens). The characters like Mickey and Minnie (the 'furry' characters) don't have a very big field of vision, so they can't always see someone as small as a child right in front of them. THey are very careful and gentle though.
Another thing you may want to look at since she doesn't speak is a picture communication board. This is a picture of one I made for my daughter for Magic Kingdom. There are more similar things in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread in post #3 under Communication Devices, PECs in the Specific COnditions or Concerns area.
Thank you
I just remembered one more question! (Sorry!) I really wanna stay at Port Orleans Riverside. I know that this isn't the most special needs friendly resort. Would I be better off switching my res to Port Orleans French Quarter and just taking the boat over to Riverside when we wanna do stuff over there?
We have stayed at both those resorts.
Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ)is smaller and more compact, which is why people say it is more special needs friendly. The rooms are pretty much the same at both resorts. POFQ has elevators in all buildings, but that doesn't mean your room will be near the elevator and if you are on first floor on either resort, you won't be concerned about elevators anyway.
But Port Orleans Riverside (POR) has nice walking paths between everything. The Mansions area does have elevators, but some people find it farther than Alligator Bayoo.
If you would be trying to get from POFQ to POR a lot, I think you would be better off just staying at POR. THe boat is nice, but you will waste a lot of time waiting for it. There is a walking path between the 2 resorts and you would be faster walking.
I will def look into the GAC card and using her stroller as a wheelchair. I guess I am just naive on how far we will be walking. She does fine at our own little zoo here at home, but that isn't a 4 - 10 mile walk!! I am debating whether to get a double stroller from Orlando Stroller rental or going out and buying my own beforehand. I am going to look loclally to see if she would actually fit comfortablely in one first though. She is pretty small for her age probably only weighs 43 - 47 pounds. We have been looking into those picture communication boards. Her speech therapist is working with me and we are currently fighting the inurance fight 
One more question: Would I be able to request a first floor room for her since stairs are somewhat of a concern. She is very unsteady on stairs and if she doesn't bump all the way down on her rump she is likely to fall.
