My First Trip w/a Disability.....what I learned

[Snow Shoe]

Hi there!!

Well we have been back for just about a week unpacking, looking at our memory maker photos, and thinking about when we’ll be going back. This trip was so very different form any other one we had done in the past. This was the first time in 23 trips to Disney, that I had gone as a person with a disability. I didn’t know what to expect or how to approach Disney. Back in mid February I lost my left leg below the knee to a freak accident at home. By early May I had received my prosthetic leg, and had started physical therapy. When I told my physical therapists about going to Disney they both cringed at the idea. But I was determined to go, and have fun doing it! So here is some of what I learned....

• Talk to Disney and ask questions. You can’t believe what they will do for you. They bent over backwards to help me at every chance. Whether it was room accommodations, to ride access in any park or restaurant. We are DVC owners at Boardwalk where our reservation was. When we arrived I explained the situation to Guest Services and asked for a shower chair not expecting what happened next. They asked me to have a seat in the lobby and in the following 15 minutes they had found a handicapped accessible room, changed over our dining plan reservations and our FastPasses moved over to a new reservation and made the changes to our Magic Bands. All of this for just asking for a shower chair. Amazing

Magical Express changed the motor coach from a standard one to one that had a wheelchair lift
for me.

• The Disabled Access Services (DAS) card is wonderful. If you’re using Magic Bands, like we were, the DAS is now digitally tied to them, there is no card to keep up with now. In some instances when we went to get a time to come back for at a ride, they just sent us on our way up the FastPass line. The longest time we had to wait to come back was 30 minutes. The best experience using the DAS was at the Haunted Mansion. The CM’s went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience on the ride. They even stopped the Doombuggy conveyor so I could get on and off the ride safely. This is a wonderful thing Disney has created, take advantage of it.

• I used a scooter most of the time to get around. I know if it wasn’t for the scooter I would have had a very hard time getting around. If your disability necessitates you using one, do it without any regret.

• If you are flying, talk to your airline about what services they can help you with. We were able to get on the plane ahead of anyone, and get settled in before other passengers boarded. They also offered us curbside pickup in a wheelchair to security and then on the otherside of security resuming service to the gate.

• Research, ask questions of anybody, and learn all you can before going. The well informed person will have a more successful and enjoyable time.

 

[gap2368]

So sorry to hear about your accident

I will say I am a little confused on why you needed a DAS card.

Now that I have time I know someone that is an amputee and they have asked for a DAS card and been told they do not need one.

 

[mamabunny]

So sorry to hear about your accident

I will say I am a little confused on why you needed a DAS card.

Now that I have time I know someone that is an amputee and they have asked for a DAS card and been told they do not need one.

Remember that the DAS is based on NEED, not diagnosis. So, the person who points to their prosthesis, and says "I need a DAS" probably will have a different outcome than the person points to their prosthesis and says "I am a recent amputee, and I cannot yet do the following things: (insert list here)" The CMs at GR base the DAS on what the guest needs in the way of accommodation that can't be "fixed" with a mobility device.

@Snow Shoe - I'm very sorry to hear about your accident, but I'm so glad to know that your first trip back was a success!

 

[gap2368]

Yes I know it is need vast the person that I know listing thing that a mobility aid would not help with he was recent I think 3 or 4 months out he had a trip planded before his accident I am glade the OP had a good trip and I let my friend know that someone else got a DAS for a similar disability

 

[OurBigTrip]

So sorry to hear about your accident

I will say I am a little confused on why you needed a DAS card.

Now that I have time I know someone that is an amputee and they have asked for a DAS card and been told they do not need one.

I'm surprised as well...assuming there is no other disability aside from mobility, this pretty much goes completely against everything Disney has previously said about the DAS.

 

[aretha30]

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. It sounds like you're on the mend and getting stronger every day.
It sounds like Disney went above and beyond to accommodate you and you were able to have a magical time. This is wonderful! I'm so happy to hear this.

 

[Kaytie]

Some of the adjustments that were made for the OP could also be arranged in advance by the guest: let DME know when booking that a bus with a wheelchair lift will be needed, reserve an accessible room.

 

[DisneyOma]

OP, when changing rooms, they didn't need to touch your reservations and FP+. They just had to key in a new room. Unless someone screwed up and dumped all your reservations and FP+ when they changed your room, that is. Glad you were able to get them back!

 

[KPeveler]

There are a lot of changes that happen after a major amputation like that. There are a lot of changes in general musculature, medications, the whole body goes through an adjustment. Even sitting up for a while can be too much. Years from now, the OP may or may not need a DAS. But there is a lot more than just needing a prosthetic that comes with an injury like that.

OP - so glad you had a great vacation!