Looking for advice and help

[Flibbity]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice and thought this would be a great place to start!

First, a little background. I'm 30yo and live with my DH in Florida, about 2-1/2 hours from WDW. My older brother, however, lives in Iowa.

He is slightly autistic, but is fairly high functioning. He can't drive, has some social issues, but lives in an apartment and holds a job working at a grocery store as a bag-boy. He has never been to an amusement park as my
parents were not into amusement parks when we grew up. I thought it would be great for him to go to WDW with me and my husband

On top of that, his wife is in a wheelchair. I do not believe that she is mentally disabled, but she does have trouble speaking. She can
walk for small amounts with a walker, but generally stays in her wheelchair. When she and my brother came to Florida for my wedding, it was like the dream of a lifetime for her because she had never seen the ocean.

So, my husband and I got to thinking wouldn't it be great if we could fly my brother and his wife to Orlando and we could host them at WDW for 3 nights and a trip they never have experienced before.

There's the background, but now I need some advice from you all

1. I'm trying to figure out if these two would be able to handle the airport trip on their own. Last time they came to Florida, they were with my parents. My brother can push the wheelchair, but I know there would be at least one layover. Does anyone have any idea what sort of problems in the airports they might encounter that I am not thinking of?

2. What resort would you recommend we should stay at? Money isn't really a concern as I have a good job and could afford the trip for them. Are there certain resorts that are better at accessibility?

3. Can you take the monorail in a wheelchair?

4. Are there any places in the parks that are more unfriendly for wheelchair access? I have been to WDW numerous times, but I have never had to take that into consideration before.

5. Does anyone have suggestions for things that my brother might especially enjoy? He is in his 30s, but he may still have some occasional temper tantrums or social problems...

6. How would we work going on a ride? Would all of us be able to stand in line together?

7. Are there any restaurants at WDW that are not wheelchair accessible, or more difficult to get to with a wheelchair?

and finally...

8. Does anyone know any good books or other materials that talk about WDW with a disability?

Thanks for any responses I get in advance

 

[Nanajo1]

You are a great sister.
I can't help much with the airport.A Monorail Resort or any of the Epcot Resorts would be great for easy access. There is a Special Needs department to call if your DSIL needs a H/P accessible room.You can take a wheelchair on the Monorail. Most of WDW is easy to get around in a wheelchair. I would consider getting a Guest Assistance Card(GAC) for your DB. If he has difficulty waiting in crowds you could ask to wait in a more quiet area. Use fastpass. Your DSIL W/c will alert the CM if you need to use an alternate entrance and just tell the CM that there are 4 in your party.
I use an ECV and while some restaurants are a little crowded there is not one restaurant that I couldn't get in.
Pixie dust for a great trip.

 

[eeyore45]

Awesome! What a great goal!

I would encourage you to read this board, lots of FAQ's on wheelchair, on the "GAC" (guest assistance card), and experiences from those with their perspectives....

You will have to decide on whats best, but I would encourage you to look into renting DVC points and staying at an Epcot Resort, or on the monorail line, with easy access to the TTC...

Will you be doing quiet resteraunts, or character meals? Again, lots of experiences posted here - it seems as if the resort dining could be quieter, but again, it depends on what your needs are... It seems that the 1900 Park Fare character meal (buffet food) at the Grand Floridian may be a 'quieter' choice, but it depends on how many children, and how excited they'll be too...

Good luck, just keep reading, they'll be others to come and give their experiences!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

With two people who are not used to travelling and having difficulties communicating it might be a good idea for them to have an escort each way. One possibility to consider, which will add to the cost, is for either you or your husband to go out to Iowa and overnight and then travel with them to Florida and also assist them in getting back home.

 

[Flibbity]

Thanks everyone for your replies (and for the PM's that I have gotten as well).

I agree, Cheshire. I would most likely feel safest if I flew up to Iowa and escorted them down, even on a direct flight to Orlando.

On sad news, my mum just reported that they my brother and wife had a fire in their apartment. Thankfully, both of them are not hurt. However, things are not looking so good, so I might have to table my idea for a while...

 

[Nanajo1]

I hope your DB and SIL recover from the fire. A fire is devastating even if no one is injured. I hope you can get your plan back on track. It sounds like they could use the trip more than ever.

 

[SueM in MN]

With two people who are not used to travelling and having difficulties communicating it might be a good idea for them to have an escort each way. One possibility to consider, which will add to the cost, is for either you or your husband to go out to Iowa and overnight and then travel with them to Florida and also assist them in getting back home.

I agree. Sounds like an escort would be a good idea. Even for people without disabilities, a first trip by air and a transfer are kind of intimidating.
Sorry to hear about the fire. Hope things get settled down for them soon.

 

[kazzie]

What a lovely caring sister you are

Sorry to hear your DB and his DW have had a set back.Perhaps you can tell them about the trip you're planning to cheer them up?

I would like to say from what you have said I don't think it would be agood idea for them to travel alone,I hope it's OK to say that.It would be difficult enough for your DB to cope with,but it would be very difficult for him to be able to cope with another needy person in a noisy,challenging unknown to him environment.

A sccessful trip for them I suspect would be as trouble free and calm as possible.

I'd love to know if you organize the trip any further--Good luck.He is very lucky to have you

 

[Flibbity]

Hello again

Update on the fire:
The good news is that my brother and wife will be able to move back into their apartment this coming week. I just hope that the landlord is kind in his/her heart and does not try to make them move out. There was limited damage to their stove and cabinets which are being replaced.

So, I will continue to plan for a future Disney trip for them.

A couple of things I have found are good news!

1. I found out that if they fly out of a different airport in Iowa then I originally planned, there actually is a direct flight to Orlando through AirTran. I could either fly up there to pick them up and fly to Orlando with them, or perhaps we could get permission to have someone take them to the gate in Iowa? I'm not sure how that works.

2. I have another consideration for resorts. I need to be able to give them privacy, but I need to be able to be close by. Either we will have to get adjoining rooms at a resort, or stay in a suite on property. I don't know if they have suites that are accessible for wheelchairs. Does anyone know if they do? I am strongly considering the following resorts:
- Grand Floridian (for convience to monorail)
- Animal Kingdom Lodge (just because I think that they would both
really enjoy the animals)

3. I'm thinking an early December trip might be good for them. That way, it will be cool enough I won't have to worry about them overheating, the rain season won't be in full swing, and it won't be as crowded.

Enough babbling... I thought I would just give an update in case anyone was interested. Thank you for all your support. I love the DisBoards, and the disAbilities board seems like a wonderful community

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the update. I would call the special service number and explain the situation. They may help with the room choice. Pixie Dust for your DB and for your trip.

 

[eeyore45]

It sounds like connecting rooms would be the way to go, and I definately would call special services and ask for help with planning! (or resort choices)