Lots of help needed

[figment301]

This will be a bit of a long read, so thank you in advance for reading.

facts:
*Me: Chris My daughters: Caleigh (12) Emily (11)
*We will be traveling to Disney in July 2014 with the girls track and field team
*We have been to Disney world 4 times before and the girls have been dying to go back
*I have been dealing with a couple injuries since late September 2012 and since a re-injury in late June 2013 I have been out of work completely
*We have only ever traveled during low crowd periods and in cooler months and I have never dealt with injuries before (we always used the commando touring style- go go go all day/night long).

My concerns:
*with my injuries I will have to use a wheel chair as there is no way I can stand or walk for any length of time (any tips for traveling in a wheelchair, especially in the heat)
*How bad is the heat and are there plenty of shaded areas for me to "hide" (I don't do well sitting in the blazing sun)
*Is there any way to get a lot done with the crowds? Are all the ride lines hours long? How long should you get a spot before shows/parades/fireworks etc... to make sure you get a good spot?
*Basically I am freaking out that we are going to be miserable because of the differences and lack of being able to get to do all the things we love to do while in Disney

**As far as I can tell from reading up on the new fast pass rules I won't be able to reserve any in advance because we are going to purchase our tickets once we arrive in Disney with parents on the team who are in the Military. So I am worried about not getting to see the frozen characters (I am in shock that my "too cool" 12 yr old is mostly concerned with character autographs).


So the reason we are going in July instead of our normal time of year is because with my lack of income and the SUPER deals we are getting because we are traveling with the team(super low room rate on property and military park tickets) this is the only way we can get there at all.

Basically any tips from people who have dealt with July crowds and weather and if you dealt with all of it with a disability then please give me your ideas for a smooth trip.

I will post this in the disability area too. So if I can only have it in one place I apologize. Thanks in advance for any tips/help you can offer.

 

[disney*mom*82]

I was going to suggest the DisAbilities thread. You will find the most information there for you. WDW does have a DAS, which is a card that you can go to Guest Services and tell them about your situation and they can decide if you need one or if the regular line will be best for you. I would let them know that you can not sit in the heat, need to remain in the wheelchair, whatever it may be, that way they can help you best. They dont want to hear what your injury is just what you need assistance with. The DAS allows you to go to a ride on the day you are at the park and at the entrance will be a CM who can write down what time you and your party can come back and ride, you will then get to go through the fast pass line. Watch line waits, as it may be quicker sometimes to go through the regular line.

As far as the weather, yes it is hot. Maybe you can bring some mist fans, put some damp clothes in a cooler and use them when needed. There are usually plenty of shady spots and if you get the DAS you can have the freedom to wait in shade, eat, shop, etc while you wait to go on your ride. You can only schedule one at a time, but you can also use your FPs.

Hope this makes sense. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[glassslippergirl]

Ii'm sorry to hear about your injuries. But you should be able to have a great time. When I was your girls' ages, we always went to WDW with my grandpa whose heart problems kept him in a wheelchair. It really didn't stop us from doing anything. Disney is probably the best place in the world to go in a wheelchair-- they are so accommodating.

Like PP said, the DISabilities board will really help you. But here are my thoughts on your questions:

My concerns: *with my injuries I will have to use a wheel chair as there is no way I can stand or walk for any length of time (any tips for traveling in a wheelchair, especially in the heat)

I would suggest renting an ECV from an offsite service. You should be able to get info on these on the DISabilities board. You can rent ECVs in the parks, but there are benefits to renting from an off-site service. Most namely, you will have the ECV all the time. The service will drop it at your hotel, and you can use it getting to and from parks in Disney transportation as well as in parks and at DTD. You can only use the Disney ECVs in parks. It will also be a lot cheaper to rent off site. Some services rent ECVs with a canopy that may help with your heat problem. Call around.

*How bad is the heat and are there plenty of shaded areas for me to "hide" (I don't do well sitting in the blazing sun)

It's July in FL. It will be hot. Plan to do an air conditioned ride every other ride. In MK, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Ariel's Undersea Voyage, and Princess Hall (among others) all are in AC from line through ride. Shops are also all in AC. Stay hydrated-- seriously, a cup of water an hour-- you'll be surprised how much that will help. Get free ice water from counter service restaurants and refill in water fountains. There are shady places throughout all the parks, but everyone is looking for them in July. I think the ECV canopy will really help you.

*Is there any way to get a lot done with the crowds? Are all the ride lines hours long?

Ride lines will be long. Get there at RD and do your faves first. If a line is hours long, skip it and try again later. Your girls are old enough to handle little disappointments, especially when they can move on to something else great-- they are at WDW, after all.

How long should you get a spot before shows/parades/fireworks etc... to make sure you get a good spot?

At least an hour, maybe more. Here's where the canopy on the ECV comes in handy. You can rest and hold places for the parade while your girls maybe go in a ride with some others from their track team.

*Basically I am freaking out that we are going to be miserable because of the differences and lack of being able to get to do all the things we love to do while in Disney.

Don't think of it like that. This trip will be a different kind of great. I teach middle school-- kids your girls' ages-- you'll be surprised how well they can roll with the changes if you don't make a big deal about it. And you'll be with a group of their friends. If there's something you can't do, they can do it with a friend.

**As far as I can tell from reading up on the new fast pass rules I won't be able to reserve any in advance because we are going to purchase our tickets once we arrive in Disney with parents on the team who are in the Military. So I am worried about not getting to see the frozen characters (I am in shock that my "too cool" 12 yr old is mostly concerned with character autographs).

We're going to be in the same boat on our trip in May-- buying our passes the morning before the park opens. We just plan to take what we get-- no other choice. We've never been a RD family, but we are going to RD as best we can this trip. Remember, once you have the passes, you will be able to pull FPs for your entire trip.

If your DD is into autographs, can you apply now for the Chase Disney Visa? There's a special character experience available for cardholders in Epcot (all on AC). You even get a free 5x7 photo. If a couple if parents on the team get cards, it might be great for a unique team photo.

 

[DVCmom4]

I suggest look at camping stores for a cooling cloth. They are wonderful! It's a special towel that you put water on and spin it in the air it will get cool! No the water does not need to be cold. They are the best thing the family got for boy scouts. Lol.

I would also look into renting a scooter the a canopy. We rent them for my dad from Buena vista scooters. They are Disney approved.

Sorry for your problems but I know you'll have a magical time!

 

[Wendybird55]

I too recommend renting a scooter offsite as with the heat you will get very hot and tired moving yourself in wheelchair and/or your daughters will get hot and tired fast pushing. I would rent from offsite so you will have the scooter at all times...if you rent at the parks you can only use it in the parks and there's lots of walking and such to and from buses.

We go in August when it's very hot but crowds are less which helps. RD is very helpful in the heat. You'd be surprised at how much you can get done win the first few hours when you get to the parks early.

I would say make your FP+ selections for the afternoon as that's when the parks get crowded or early evening if you take an afternoon break.

Stay hydrated and wear light clothes. Not sure where you're staying, but we usually freeze bottles of water the night before in our room and then they stay nice and cold while in the parks and as they melt we have cold water to drink. There are plenty of places that can deliver water to your resort. Last trip we ordered a case of water from Costco and they delivered it our resort a day or 2before we go there and the resort held it for us. It does save money especially when water is $2.50 a bottle.

Afternoon breaks can be helpful especially in the summer when the parks are open later. Get to the park early hit as many rides as you can..go back in afternoon and relax and recharge your batteries and then back in evening when the heat may be a bit more manageable.

Sorry to hear about your injuries..I hope you get better soon. I'm sure you and your daughters will have a great time....enjoy!

 

[JennyDrake]

You absolutely want to rent an ECV from an offsite vendor!! Trust me! I went post surgery last year (ruptured Achilles).

Yes, the heat and the crowds and going to be very different from what you have experienced in the past and FP+ is significantly impacting standby lines.

Rope drop is your Best Friend. Get there EARLY with breakfast in your belly and be prepared to hit it hard until the crowds thicken. About 1 pm go back to your resort and rest and swim, then return about 4ish for another round. You are going when park hours are extended so there will still be plenty of time.

Use EMH mornings for sure!

For parades and fireworks you need to stake out a claim at least an hour in advance at this time of year.

ACCEPT that this will *not* be a commando trip and that you may not get everything done, but it can still be a great trip.

You really need a midday break in the July heat--if not the resort, try miniature golf! OR consider a water park for a day.

 

[over50visits]

AK may be our favorite park - in the winter! We avoid it in the summer months, because it is so hot and the most humid of the parks. Plus, there seems to be nowhere to cool down except in widely separated shops. Don't get me wrong, we love this place, but it is not a friendly place for us in the summer because our memories are of the heat! If you love animals, though, this is the place to be.

At the other end is EPCOT, where everything to do seems to be indoors, and the buildings are not far apart. It also feels the most wheelchair friendly. But, maybe not the place of choice for the group you're traveling with!

So...no perfect solution, but MK seems to have the longest lines (for almost everything now, including rides that for decades have been basically walk-ons), and the most familiar theming from childhood movies and TV. MK and HS seem the best themed for low stress fun.

Something for everyone everywhere, just consider the heat of AK before you choose there.

 

[ejcraft]

if the family that's getting the military tickets lives near a base, you can get those tickets ahead of time and add them to you MDE. you are aware the speciall military tickets only give you 4 days and the person can only get 6correct?, are you sure there aren't speciall ticket that are a reduced price that come with the package your getting thru the team, usually there are

 

[figment301]

if the family that's getting the military tickets lives near a base, you can get those tickets ahead of time and add them to you MDE. you are aware the speciall military tickets only give you 4 days and the person can only get 6correct?, are you sure there aren't speciall ticket that are a reduced price that come with the package your getting thru the team, usually there are

The military 4 day park hopper tickets are $169 versus the team site being $253 for the 4 day park hopper. So I will be getting 2 through the military discount (as my friends family have 4 members) and one through the team package. My friends husband is in the reserves, so the base they deploy out of is not near by. So that is why they have decided to just grab the tickets when we get to Disney. We also planned to use Disney gift cards with the target discount (hoping to still be able to use the pharmacy discount as well as the credit card discount). To cancel out the tax at least.

 

[figment301]

Thanks for all the suggestions I appreciate the input. I discussed the difference between the seasons from our usual travel time to the time we will be going this time. I explained that they may not get much done compared to other trips. They both said that they would be happy with whatever they got to do. So it is more me that is stressing. Luckily I am good about not letting them know I am freaking out lol