Leaving Saturday... have a few ?s - Pics added

[mykidsintow]

Pics link:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v432/_kulali_/Disney08/

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I have been to WDW many times. However, my experience with special needs at Disney is limited. The last time we went was 06 and my daughter was in a kidkart on that trip (she was 2). Many reservations we had we were asked to leave her kidkart outside, they said there was not room.

First, I would like advice on my daughters mode of transportation. She has a power chair. She is now 4 and quite good at her chair. Usually anything that happens is because others walk in front of her or get too close to the back end (robo has a back in that will get ya!). She has only ever hit one person and it was no fault of her own. She would *prefer* to take her power chair and be completely independent. She wants to "drive to see the princess". Of course mom is concerned with so many people and a 4 yr old in a power chair. She is very tiny (23 lbs) so most people have enough sense to move when they see such a little person driving. I am questioning taking her little push chair (which she detests). I am scared she will be so excited she will lose her normal careful driving skills. I would *love* opinions, please!

My next quetion is her service dog. We have taken him to Dollywood and Kings Island. He has been superb in eating establishments (always). He is great at stores, etc. He has been on 2 rides and didn't mind, or care. He did bark once at Dollywood beside a pond full of ducks and I was upset, but noone else seemed to mind or care. Downtown Gatlinburg a big dog tried to jump him and he was none too pleased, but overall he has always been wonderful. I am just curious about others experiences with service dogs at WDW. He will bark and make a *big* stink to alert. He does whatever it takes to get our attention when our daughter is having breathing difficulty or her tempature is off (she can't regulate her body temp), of course this is totally acceptable since its his job. When I spoke to the lady on the phone she said we would be required to bring "paperwork to prove he is a service animal".... Ummmm isn't that illegal?! I do have his ID and keep it and his rabies documentation in his vest. I was just shocked an establishment such as Disney would ask for "paperwork to prove". This got me antsy about their overall acceptance of service animals. Anyone?!

I appreciate any and all experiences! I am just getting the pre-trip jitters I think. We have never been on such a big trip since getting the dog and a powerchair. Thanks!

Beth

 

[AuroraBeauty]

When I spoke to the lady on the phone she said we would be required to bring "paperwork to prove he is a service animal".... Ummmm isn't that illegal?! I do have his ID and keep it and his rabies documentation in his vest. I was just shocked an establishment such as Disney would ask for "paperwork to prove". This got me antsy about their overall acceptance of service animals. Anyone?!

First, have a magical trip! Be flexible since it is such a big trip for your family with the service dog.

Second, here is a link with a document from the US Department of Justice which you may want to print out and take with you. Note that Florida has signed on to the information. I've also included a 2nd link with similar info.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/svcanimb.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm

Here are the links for Disney:

Link to Service Animal info for all parks
Link to Guests with Disabilities Main Page

And this is directly from WDW website regarding Magical Express: Q. Can I travel with a service animal and use Disney's Magical Express Service?

A. Yes. Service animals are permitted to travel on the motor coach with their owner;

This may be helpful to you as well: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/common/Plain?id=PlainMobilityDPage

Here is a phone number for a Guest with Disabilities customer service group. Maybe someone there will be helpful in answering your questions. If so, program their number into your phone incase your have problems. Guests with Disabilities: 407-939-7807

Hope this helps!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

The woman who asked for papers had probably just been misinformed, probably by someone who was also misinformed, themselves. You shouldn't have to take papers, though you can choose to.

As for her powerchair, I suggest you take it, if that's what she feels comfortable in, but also either take or be prepared to rent a stroller. The crowds can be pretty big in Disney, and there's a HUGE amount to take in, so she may decide that a stroller would be better for her. Alternatively, does her power chair have carer-controls, so you can take over if she's tired or overcome? Tying a balloon onto her chair may help her become a little more visible, though there are a lot of people in their own little worlds at Disney. Just make sure you can tuck the balloon out of the way, so it doesn't stick up on rides and at shows!

Here are a few links to helpful pages on Disney with a wheelchair. Firstly, there's The Mouse On Wheels. This has detailed information on boarding rides. There will probably be a lot that isn't that useful to you yet, as I'm guessing your DD is still small enough to be carried for transfers. This thread is full of tips for wheeling Disney. Both of these links, and a whole lot more, are in the Disabilities FAQ.

I'll probably think of more later, but I have to go and get ready for a lecture now. Good luck on your trip and have a wonderful time!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

First of all, I would suggest you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

From the way you have written your post it appears to me that you will be driving. If so (or even if flying) why not take both chairs? That way she could start off using the PC, but if it does not work out you have her regular push chair available.

Or, if you are unable to bring both, and there is need for a wheelchair, you can use a stroller and get a GAC card or tag which will allow use of a stroller as a wheelchair. Then you are allowed to bring the stroller into lines and restaurants where they would normally not be permitted.

And once you have looked at some of the other thrreads please ask any questions; most of us can help and answer them. (and we have some regulars on the board that havve SDs).

 

[SueM in MN]

Agree with the other information posted about the Service Dog. You do not need to bring anything to prove it is a Service Animal.
If it will be staying in the kennels for any amount of time (for example, if you decide not to take it with to the park for one day, for whatever reason), you would need to bring information about vaccines that are needed to board the dog.

If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, look in post #3. Near the bottom of the page, there are some links about Service Animals. The first link in that set is an ADA factsheet about Service Animals; the Department of Justice recommends printing out and giving copies to places/businesses that need education about Service Animal rights. It's nice because it is short and aimed at businesses. The only questions you may legally be asked are whether it is a Service Dog and what Tasks related to a disability the dog performs for you. That's it.

Echoing some of the things already written to think about regarding the power wheelchair:

• She is a good driver, but is she a good driver for many hours a day? What about really busy conditions? MK is about the worst as far as congestion, with AK second. Epcot is a good place to practice since it is more open and less crowded usually.
• Driving the power wheelchair takes more attention and is more tiring in busy situations, so you can expect she is going to tire more easily. Even kids who are in strollers or are walking get more tired with all the excitement.
• What happens when she "gets excited and loses her normal driving skills"? When my DD gets excited, she goes into extension, which means that the arm on the joystick gets very tight and stiffly stretched out in front of her.....which means the joystick gets pushed straight ahead and she drives forward without much control. Not a good thing if you are driving a power wheelchair.
• In order to get into some attractions, she will need to be able to pull into and back into spots. If you are using the buses, she will need to be able to sort of parallel park to the left (the wheelchair parking spots on the buses are on the left side of the bus - driver's side). If she can't do those things, she can practice before going.
• How easy is it to get her out of her power wheelchair compared to the manual? For MK, there are very few rides with wheelchair cars and she will need to be transferred. Even though she's small, a whole bunch of transfers in one day can get very tiring (for both you and for her). So, if it's easier to transfer from the manual chair, you might want to use that some days at MK. The Studio and AK have many more things where she can stay in the wheelchair.
• Do you have an attendant control? If so, how good are you at using it? Is it in a good spot for you to drive it comfortably for hours at a time? If not, can you use her control? Is it in a comfortable spot for you to use? Keep in mind that if you need to walk beside her to use it, some spots are kind of narrow. (I'm much better at driving my DD's power wheelchair using her actual joystick than I am using her attendant control, but with her joystick, I sometimes have to stand behind her and reach over her to use it in tight places.)
• I would not tie a balloon to her wheelchair. We tried that once and it is at face level for people and kept bopping me in the face as I was walking beside DD.
• If you don't want to take her manual wheelchair, how difficult is it for you to push her power wheelchair when it is in freewheeling mode? If you can't drive it and she is too tired to, you may have few options but to push it. So, you want to make sure that it's possible.
• I agree that it might be best to take both her manual and power wheelchairs. That way, you have more options. If you don't have any problem driving her power chair, it may not be necessary to have. But, if you are not able to, having the manual chair would certainly be a nice option.
• If you don't take her manual wheelchair, would it be possible for her to sit in a WDW rental stroller? (There is a picture in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in the post # 2. Also in that part, there are links to companies that rent special needs strollers (mostly Maclaren Major strollers). If she could use either a WDW stroller or one of those, you would not need to bring your own manual wheelchair along.

Good luck whatever you decide and ask any questions you can think of.

 

[mykidsintow]

Thanks for the input!

Her chair does have parental controls, but I am much more likely to run over someone than she is (Did I just admit that?). Parental controls on her chair aren't for the faint of heart!

I do think that you are correct and we should take her power chair. Maybe I just needed encouragement. We will be driving, but we don't have space for both chairs. We will be taking a smallish stroller for a "pinch", but living with her stubbornness and her in a stroller would crush a trip. However, since we will have her power chair and her walker (she can use it for short distances, like going to eat within the resort since it has a little fold down seat to rest). We will also have 3 sets of adult hands. As I said she is 23 lbs. Its no big deal to pick her up and someone else pick up her walker.

Transfering on and off of ride isn't a problem. We will pick her up and head on, like we did last trip. While she is very small she has a very large power chair (its 300 lbs, has hydrolics, etc). I am not sure it would fit well on rides. We will use it when we eat (it adjusts easily to any table height and she sits well) or in shows. However, on rides it will be easy to transfer her.

Renting a stroller/chair for her there isn't an option. We can hold her and keep her comfortable. However, in any generic type stroller or chair she can't sit comfortably with her scoliosis and contractres.

Thanks again! I am starting to feel better. Any "dog preparation" tips?

Beth

 

[mykidsintow]

• She is a good driver, but is she a good driver for many hours a day? What about really busy conditions? MK is about the worst as far as congestion, with AK second. Epcot is a good place to practice since it is more open and less crowded usually.
• Driving the power wheelchair takes more attention and is more tiring in busy situations, so you can expect she is going to tire more easily. Even kids who are in strollers or are walking get more tired with all the excitement.
• What happens when she "gets excited and loses her normal driving skills"? When my DD gets excited, she goes into extension, which means that the arm on the joystick gets very tight and stiffly stretched out in front of her.....which means the joystick gets pushed straight ahead and she drives forward without much control. Not a good thing if you are driving a power wheelchair.
• In order to get into some attractions, she will need to be able to pull into and back into spots. If you are using the buses, she will need to be able to sort of parallel park to the left (the wheelchair parking spots on the buses are on the left side of the bus - driver's side). If she can't do those things, she can practice before going.
• How easy is it to get her out of her power wheelchair compared to the manual? For MK, there are very few rides with wheelchair cars and she will need to be transferred. Even though she's small, a whole bunch of transfers in one day can get very tiring (for both you and for her). So, if it's easier to transfer from the manual chair, you might want to use that some days at MK. The Studio and AK have many more things where she can stay in the wheelchair.
• Do you have an attendant control? If so, how good are you at using it? Is it in a good spot for you to drive it comfortably for hours at a time? If not, can you use her control? Is it in a comfortable spot for you to use? Keep in mind that if you need to walk beside her to use it, some spots are kind of narrow. (I'm much better at driving my DD's power wheelchair using her actual joystick than I am using her attendant control, but with her joystick, I sometimes have to stand behind her and reach over her to use it in tight places.)
• I would not tie a balloon to her wheelchair. We tried that once and it is at face level for people and kept bopping me in the face as I was walking beside DD.
• If you don't want to take her manual wheelchair, how difficult is it for you to push her power wheelchair when it is in freewheeling mode? If you can't drive it and she is too tired to, you may have few options but to push it. So, you want to make sure that it's possible.
• I agree that it might be best to take both her manual and power wheelchairs. That way, you have more options. If you don't have any problem driving her power chair, it may not be necessary to have. But, if you are not able to, having the manual chair would certainly be a nice option.
• If you don't take her manual wheelchair, would it be possible for her to sit in a WDW rental stroller? (There is a picture in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in the post # 2. Also in that part, there are links to companies that rent special needs strollers (mostly Maclaren Major strollers). If she could use either a WDW stroller or one of those, you would not need to bring your own manual wheelchair along.

Wow thanks Sue! I think we were typing at the same time. If she is excited she just is excited "typical excitement", nothing happens to her physically like extension, etc.

We have had her chair at Dollywood on thanksgiving weekend (it was a nightmare crowd) in 06 (but that park is just tiny). She wasn't a great driver then, but I did use the parental controls for a good portion of the day. She isn't great at backing, but I can help easily. It is *much* easier on me to transfer her from her power chair. Her power chair sits about typical chair height, but her push chair is 12" high. It requires much more back effort for us to transfer her from her push chair.

I know some little power chairs are small and kids can go unnoticed. Her chair is more substancial than that. She is taller in it than most little kids walking around at the parks.

I am *thinking* at this point going with her power chair is the best option for us. I am not 100%..... I just know she has waited so long for that independence and I would hate for her to not have it.

Beth

 

[SueM in MN]

Wow thanks Sue! I think we were typing at the same time. If she is excited she just is excited "typical excitement", nothing happens to her physically like extension, etc.

We have had her chair at Dollywood on thanksgiving weekend (it was a nightmare crowd) in 06 (but that park is just tiny). She wasn't a great driver then, but I did use the parental controls for a good portion of the day. She isn't great at backing, but I can help easily. It is *much* easier on me to transfer her from her power chair. Her power chair sits about typical chair height, but her push chair is 12" high. It requires much more back effort for us to transfer her from her push chair.

I know some little power chairs are small and kids can go unnoticed. Her chair is more substancial than that. She is taller in it than most little kids walking around at the parks.

I am *thinking* at this point going with her power chair is the best option for us. I am not 100%..... I just know she has waited so long for that independence and I would hate for her to not have it.

Beth

We've been back and forth about taking DD's power wheelchair to WDW for all the above reasons.
She drives it well when we are at places like shopping, but we have not brought it for WDW for about 3 reasons (OK, I just thought of another).

• She has at least one seizure each time we are at WDW. We are concerned about what would happen if she was driving at the time.
• She get excited to the point of arm extension many times during the day at WDW; if she was driving the power wheelchair when that happened, it would be really bad. She is also afraid when this happens, so she's not too upset about taking the manual chair and not having to worry about things like this.
• Her wheelchair without her in it is about 300 pounds and putting it into freewheeling push mode means it is very heavy to push. DH can do it, but not for long.
• I am good with her joystick, but unless she is really tired, she would get ticked off at me driving with it. So, that leaves the attendant control (which someone -not saying who- has run over her feet with too many times to be comfortable using) (And DH can't drive it with the joystick or attendant control.
• She also uses a computerized communication device to talk. It seemed like too much trouble to have both, so we chose having ability to communicate over independent movement (she can propel her manual wheelchair, just not long distances).
• We were worried about the power wheelchair on the plane.

Well, I guess I came up with more than 3 reasons.
I think, in your case, the power wheelchair is a good choice:
- since you are driving and don't have to worry about the plane.
- since your DD has a strong preference for being independent, I think you should honor that. Maybe you need to set some ground rules ahead of time regarding when you will take over the driving, but I think it's great that she is not afraid of going somewhere busy like WDW that might be intimidating.

Hope you have a great time and let us know how things went.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

[*]I would not tie a balloon to her wheelchair. We tried that once and it is at face level for people and kept bopping me in the face as I was walking beside DD.

Good point, didn't think of that!

As for the "dog preparation tips" I don't have an SD myself, but a few tips I've picked up here are:

Make sure the dog is used to crowds. From what you've said already, I figure he / she is, I just thought I'd stick that one in just in case.

Make sure you have a water bowl, to let them drink regularly. I've heard people here talk about folding water bowls, but I've no idea where you'd get them.

Some people have got some kind of cream they can put on the SDs pads to stop them burning their feet. I have no idea what it's called, but I'm sure someone will jump in and come to my aid!

Be prepared for a lot of people (trying to / asking to / coming up and) pet(ting) your dog. Apparently there are quite a few people who act as if they've never seen a dog before, when they're at WDW. "Don't pet me, I'm working" signs have had mixed reviews, some say they help, some don't.

Can't think of any more, really. Hope this helps a bit, though.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We have a few regulars here who use SDs. One is a Cast Member who is also in a power chair. Morre than likely within a couple of days the SD users will chime in also.

And I'm glad the information is useful for you.

One other thing I thought about. If you do not have it, try to get a copy of "Open Mouse" by Deb Wills and Deb Koma. This is an excellent guidebook for people with disabilities. I realize it is getting late, but if you contact either amazon.com or www.passporter.com (the publisher) and ask for FedEx overnight (or even second day) you will have it before you leave.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I have no experience with SDs or Chairs but 2 of my 3 childrens are "special" and have a siezure disorders. Know their triggers. Take notes of when she seems tired and try and stressed out. These seem to be the times when a siezure is most likely to happen. Plan several breaks during the day to get out of the sun and destress. Just getting out of the sun and taking a break maybe getting a cool drink or something can minimize those triggers. If you have already seen the parades a good time to go on rides is then as the lines are almost non exisistant at those times. Everyone else is at the parade. Remember you don't have to do everything in one trip. No one will have a good trip if you try that. Good luck.

 

[mykidsintow]

Thanks for the extra "tips". My daughter doesn't have seizures. She also doesn't have triggers. She wouldn't miss parades for the world!

We have a travel water thingy. Its a bottle and you squeeze it to let water into a tray. When he is finished drinking you haven't lost a bowl full. We have food, treats, snacks, vests, leashes, etc.

Our plans have changed and we are actually about to leave in an hour! We are very excited. I guess we are as "prepared" as possible. Now we can just relax and enjoy the trip!

Thanks again for all the tips! I will update towards the end of next week once we are with friends/family and have left Disney.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Does DD have a horn on her chair? A dear childhood friend had a bike horn on her chair for when people were being oblivious. In a crowd it might help.

 

[mykidsintow]

I wanted to follow up! Julia did *awsome* in her chair. I am so glad we opted to take her power chair. We did have a problem with rude people cutting her off. We opted for the balloons on her chair. A few complained they were in their face and I told them that was the point, hahaha. Anyway, with the balloons she did much better, she was noticed more easily. She also learned to say loudly "I need my mom! You are in my way! MOVE PLEASE!" I walked in front with her service dog and daddy walked behind her with our son... our system was quite successful.

We were given the GAC. We didn't have any waits at all really. It wasn't very busy. Julia can't tollerate heat so it was very pleasant weather and as long as she wasn't in the sun long she did fine (she overheats and can't control her body temp well).

Her service dog did well. He went bonkers over sea gulls the first day (he had never seen sea gulls and well, he is a bird dog). We told him to leave it and put him down to watch them awhile and it was mostly smooth after that. I do think Disney needs to work on their service dog potty stations. I mean comeon taking a dog out behind a building where you are "supervised" and there is a 1X2 patch of grass.... I mean its Disney. They could totally do better!

So thanks everyone for your helpful insight! We survived and it was a blast! Julia was given princess treatment as always! We purchased tickets for our next 2 trips.....

 

[merryweather20]

Geez I can't getover someone complaining about a child's balloon

Glad you are back, and you enjoyed your trip!

 

[mykidsintow]

I also wanted to add... the resort *DID* ask me for PAPERS TO *PROVE* her dog is in fact a service dog. I informed them it was illegal (again as I had done on the phone), but they didn't care and made me show them proof.

I do believe I will be writing a big nasty letter about this and my attorney friend will me sending it on my behalf. I just think that is totally *NUTS* like because I was nicely telling them on the phone it was illegal to ask so they put it in the computer we *HAD* to prove it like its not so? HELLO look at my kid in her chair.

Its like the time my husband had the GAC and they *had* to see it.... ummm? Yah we bought this $30K cart for our kid to drive around for fun and painted her up to *look* different to get through lines faster .... LOL totally absurd to me. Most didn't ask at all.... Julias disfferences are very noticable.

I had a ton of ppl ask about the dog (nothing new). One woman said "Umm excuse me? What is this?" and wiggled her finger and I said "UMM.... A DOG"
and walked on. Poor lady. I kinda feel bad now, but well she deserved that answer! My husband busted out laughing.... I couldn't resist!

 

[LauraVV]

We recently returned from Disney. We had a wonderful time. I purchased a scooter for myself since it didn't make much sense to rent one for half the purchase price of the one I got. My daughter uses a Convaid Cruiser. Both of our children have service animals.

At Disney, they do tend to ask you to leave strollers outside. I'd bet that since your child was two when you went the last time, they thought her w/c was a stroller.

The dogs went on several rides. It was just a wonderful time. We stayed at the Polynesian and had a great first floor room. We could easily walk the dogs.

It was absolutely a trip of a lifetime. We ate tons and tons. Really enjoyed the Deluxe meal plan. Loved the swimming and the Pirate and Princess party too!

 

[LauraVV]

Geez I can't getover someone complaining about a child's balloon

We had a guy yell at us at Animal Kingdom. Said we were taking up too much space. I guess grumpy people go on vacation too!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm so happy for ya'll! Thanks for posting the update, I was really hoping it would be a good experience. Congrats, mom, for loosening the apron strings.(Although I sure have a tough time of it.)LOL

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'm so glad you had such a good trip, thank you for updating us all!

Big congrats to your girl for learning to speak up for herself! It's an essential skill to learn if you use a chair, and it's great that she's learnt it so quickly!

Some people really are idiots, aren't they? I mean, complaining about a kid's balloon! If they were standing close enough to her chair to get the balloon in their faces, it's their own stupid fault! Oh, and I liked your come-back line on that!

One woman said "Umm excuse me? What is this?" and wiggled her finger and I said "UMM.... A DOG" and walked on.

I love it!!!

I think letting Disney know that you were made to show proof, is a very good idea. It's important that they train all their CMs to know the law, and to follow it! Getting your attorney friend to send them the letter should give them a little 'encouragement' too. It will also give it a bit more clout than a 'regular' guest complaint.

Glad you had such a fun time!