Is There A Forum for disABILITIES For DCL Patrons?

[Rantybaby]

I'm a 58 years old woman with limited mobility I would like to ask questions about DCL cruising. But I would like to hear from another cruiser with limited mobility! (I would like to even hear from parents with adult children with mobility issues, too!)

Able-bodied people can be helpful, but sometimes if you don't walk or roll in my shoes you don't understand what I'm going through! SO I SHUT DOWN!!

ARE THERE ANY MOBILITY LIMITED CRUISERS WHO WILL TELL ME THEIR EXPERIENCES?

 

[lanejudy]

to the disABILITIES Forum!

There are some cruisers who read/post here, but there is not a specific DCL disABILITIES forum. You are welcome to cross-post your questions in both areas. I do know there are at least a few mobility limited cruisers on the main DCL Forum.

 

[Groot]

to the disABILITIES Forum!

There are some cruisers who read/post here, but there is not a specific DCL disABILITIES forum. You are welcome to cross-post your questions in both areas. I do know there are at least a few mobility limited cruisers on the main DCL Forum.

There should be! It would be VERY helpful with planning on taking a personal mobility device, different staterooms, excursions, etc.

 

[tobikaye]

Do you have specific questions? We cruised the Dream in 2014. My sister was a bit more mobile back then using just a rollator, but I was already assessing for future trips.

For any cruise I take her, I just have to make sure she has an ADA roll-in room. I also would try to make sure all ports are dock and not tendered for ease of coming and going. Other than that, sometimes elevators might take a while at busy times.

We hadn’t cruised since she is now using an EVC mainly due to outside life making cruising more difficult. We have had a lot of family/health issues since 2014 that made not being able to turn right back around to get home difficult, so limited to land trips. We have an Alaska cruise that is booked with cancel for any reason insurance and refundable airfare.

 

[Leia's Mom]

I’m not mobility challenged; however, I took my mom on an annual DCL trip for as long as she was able because of her severe mobility and other issues. I know that if any of us can help you in any way, we’d be happy to. (Kid of a double amputee dad and a stroke patient mother . . .)

 

[MS_Warrior]

I'm a 58 years old woman with limited mobility I would like to ask questions about DCL cruising. But I would like to hear from another cruiser with limited mobility! (I would like to even hear from parents with adult children with mobility issues, too!)

Able-bodied people can be helpful, but sometimes if you don't walk or roll in my shoes you don't understand what I'm going through! SO I SHUT DOWN!!

ARE THERE ANY MOBILITY LIMITED CRUISERS WHO WILL TELL ME THEIR EXPERIENCES?

I’ve done one Disney cruise and several other cruise lines. I have limited mobility and use a scooter. If I can help, let me know.

 

[ppony]

I've done DCL a few times, the last time I had my wheelchair. I'd be happy to answer questions. As others said you will find answers here and on the cruise board.

 

[sweetinmaine]

I've sailed on all 4 ships with my ECV. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you may have.

 

[SG131]

I've sailed on all 4 ships with my ECV. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you may have.

I'm not sure about the OP, but I'd love to hear how that went. My mother started using a mobility device in Feb 2020, so she's had a few trips around the parks with it, but hasn't tried to cruise with it. We are supposed to cruise May 2022, though I'm not sure if we will end up postponing again. Right now we have two adjoining room. I'm concerned that maybe she needs an ADA room, but those seem to be only at the ends of the ship and she will only stay in the middle due to motion. How hard is it to get an ECV into a normal room? Are there any other difficulties we should be prepared for, like is there parking at the restaurants?

 

[lanejudy]

I'm concerned that maybe she needs an ADA room, but those seem to be only at the ends of the ship and she will only stay in the middle due to motion. How hard is it to get an ECV into a normal room?

Unless it's a small ECV, it may not fit into a standard stateroom. Doors are 23" wide, compared to 32" for an accessible room. There are designated parking areas on each ship for those who's mobility equipment doesn't fit in the stateroom, but depending on her ability to walk she may need your help moving it to those areas. It may not be on your deck. If it does fit into the stateroom, it may block the entrance area which also includes the closets and bathroom doors; there isn't space to fit an ECV around the queen bed.

The Dream-class ships has some mid-ship accessible staterooms. The Wish should also have more mid-ship options for accessible staterooms. Fewer choices on the Classic ships and they may all be forward/aft.

 

[KPeveler]

I could not fit my manual wheelchair into a regular stateroom door. We need the accessible room anyway, but it may be that she needs an accessible stateroom. I would call the Disney Cruise Line number at 1 (800) 951-3532 (according to google) to ask about accessible cabins mid-ships. Also, accessible cabins sell out fast, so act as early as possible.

 

[Mydustydog]

I've cruised several times using a scooter - on the smaller ship - Magic, and the two larger ships Dream and Fantasy. My equipment is a PRIDE Victory 10. We will always cruise using a HA room, for the scooter storage but mostly for the accessible walk in shower. I have very bad weak knees and I'm not steady on my feet. We tried a regular room on the Magic once, using the storage area on deck 6 for the scooter and that was ok, (very crowded, tons of huge strollers, and you had to squeeze in to get an outlet to charge). However I found I couldn't safely get in the shower due to the step up and over the tub to get in. I ended up going every morning to the spa to use their showers (which is free and accessible to everyone). Believe me, as nice as they were having to do that was miserable. On the Dream and Fantasy ( and even the Magic) cruising with a mobility device is great. Yes, the elevators can be a challenge but we routinely used the forward and aft elevators as much as possible instead of the main elevators - less crowded. The hallways can be dicey especially when luggage is in them, but otherwise its fine. We found the crew was more than helpful if needed, and we have a blast regardless of my mobility issues. Oh and someone mentioned ports that tender - we avoid itinerarys that have those ports or just remain on the ship. Excursions that are scooter friendly are not easy to find as well. Good luck and please ask me if you have any questions!!