need help...

[wbh1964]

We are going to WDW end of July. MY 13 yr old dd is in a wheelchair (she now has her own wheelchair) Last year when we were at Disney was our first experience with her in a wheelchair-we rented one there (her condition has deteriated since then and that is why she now has her own wheelchair...we are "new" to learning how to handle life for her in her chair. When we were at WDW last year, she waited in like just like everyone else...only difference was she was in the wheelchair. The heat REALLY bothers her and its not that we are asking for special treatment but standing in long lines in July is really had for her. Our family is traveling to WDW in July for business or we wouldn't go at such a hot time. Our 17 yr old ds wants to take her to the parks a couple of days while my hubby and I will be working the expo at the convention center. Now, having said all this...is there any way for us to obtain a pass that would allow her to go in a different entrance or is there anything they can do not to have to be in the heat so long in lines...are there places she can wait while he stands in line for both of them? WE appreciate all advise especially since we will not be there to assist them on the parks. I will add that we are staying at Pop Century...first time at the value resorts and they are already treating us great even b4 we get there! We have always stayed at the Poly or Wild Lodge but Disney in general has been great with booking our rooms to meet her needs!
Thanks again!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABIITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #6 is where to start for you, looking at the Guest Assistance Card.

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

The GAC is normally not given just for mobility/stamina situations. If there is a necessity to wait out of the sun, the card will have a certain stamp on it to alert the CMs at the attraction and there are procedures in place.

I would definitely suggest looking in the FAQs; also Post #3 has many situations listed alphabetically with links to other related threads.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Agreeing with Cheshire (of course) and also adding another thing. While avoiding standing in the lines and being in the sun is a great thing, think about the rest. You'll only spend x-amount of time of your time dealing with lines, the rest of it you will be walking through the parks, to and from transportation etc. All of those times will also be spend outside in the sun. If she's so sensitive to the sun she can not do lines in it, you'ld be wise to look into taking precautions for specifically all of the time you will not be in a line but will have to be out in the sun.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Ditto on the GAC thing, and adding a couple more points, just for fun .

You might want to look into getting some kind of 'portable shade', to go on her wheelchair. I know you can get parasols and umbrellas that will clip on to a wheelchair frame, and might just keep the worst of it off her. I've never used such things on mine, but then I live in Britain, so sun isn't so much of an issue If you do go with this, make sure she realises how far it sticks out - I've recently changed wheelchair (to a lovely new shiny lightweight one!!), and it takes a little while to get used to any changes to your 'personal space', so to speak. Basically, try not to poke anyone's eyes out!

Make sure they know to pace themselves, and not try to do everything in the few days they're in the parks. I've learnt the hard way that pushing yourself too much, can take a while to creep up on you, then it really hits you hard! If she needs a break at any point, she can lie down in the First Aid rooms for a bit. It doesn't have to be a 'medical emergency' to use these beds, she just has to explain what she needs, and they'll sort her out. They will also have ice-packs and so on, if she has trouble regulating her body temperature.

Make sure they stay inside as much as possible. A lot of ride and show lines are all, or mostly, indoors which will be a big help. For those that do have outside lines, the GAC can help, as can Fastpass. Encourage them to take plenty of breaks in the air-con (an ice cream break is a perfect excuse for anyone, of any age!), and they might want to avoid outside shows, like Indiana Jones.

Would I be right in guessing that she's partially mobile? If she is (like me!) she might find it easier to use the wheelchair cars, at least on some rides. Obviously, this will need to be done with consideration for others in wheelchairs, but I find that getting in and out of ride cars all day wears me out so much, I have to leave the parks all too soon. I'm afraid I've not been in July since I started using a wheelchair (we always go in September, when it's quieter), so I don't know what the waits for the accessible cars are like then.

Anyway, hope this helps!!

 

[DiliDaliDisneyFan]

May I suggest some cooling products? I have a cooling hat from this company: http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com
P.S. note, there's a sale!!!

I also own a cooling vest, cooling wristbands, and cooling neck wrap from http://www.steelevest.com/

The cooling vests work very well, but are REALLY REALLY heavy when you have to take along all the cooling packs involved. I found it unbearable to wear at MK when I had to do a wheelchair one year. I stuck with the cooling hat and my little battery-powered mister fan. To "re-cool" the cooling hats, you just soak them in ice water for 5-10 mins. These have saved me many times from overheating.

The cooling neck wrap is also handy, but requires gel packs that only cool for up to 2 hours, depending on temperature.

The cooling wristbands I own are NOT worth it. They don't stay cool for more than 20 minutes. NOT recommended for long term cooling!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

L.L. Bean now makes UV-protectant clothing and accessories (hats, swimsuits, etc.) so you might want to look into those to protect your daughter's skin from the sun.

They also make insect-protectant clothing and accessories.

(I don't shop there, just saw an ad on a Web site tonight for it and thought it sounded interesting so I clicked on it.)

 

[ireland_nicole]

Also, the vast majority of queues are at least shaded, and an awful lot of them are air conditioned (thank you God)... so the hardest part will probably be getting from place to place.

 

[ireland_nicole]

May I suggest some cooling products? I have a cooling hat from this company: http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com
P.S. note, there's a sale!!!

I also own a cooling vest, cooling wristbands, and cooling neck wrap from http://www.steelevest.com/

The cooling vests work very well, but are REALLY REALLY heavy when you have to take along all the cooling packs involved. I found it unbearable to wear at MK when I had to do a wheelchair one year. I stuck with the cooling hat and my little battery-powered mister fan. To "re-cool" the cooling hats, you just soak them in ice water for 5-10 mins. These have saved me many times from overheating.

The cooling neck wrap is also handy, but requires gel packs that only cool for up to 2 hours, depending on temperature.

The cooling wristbands I own are NOT worth it. They don't stay cool for more than 20 minutes. NOT recommended for long term cooling!

Thanks for this info, slightly OT (sorry guys) but DD can have seizures when she overheats, so I'm looking into the hat!