Need your best non-ride tip/things to do

[Erie Islands]

Maybe the Killimanjaro Safaris in AK? Unless FIL is still feeling nauseous from chemo. This thread is great...my DH is having back surgery in a couple of weeks and we are visiting first week in March, so I'm looking forward to letting my teenagers go off by themselves and having relaxing time with DH doing non-rides. We love to eat at the Plaza Restaurant in MK. I think you can eat outside? I know there are tables outside and it's a great people watching spot and it's set away from the crowds. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Hugpug]

May I suggest if you can afford it is if he like to fish. They have fishing excursions on bay lake and seven seas lagoon. I hear ths bass are huge. It is a catch and release. There are so many things mainly the shows and parades. Kinda do them with breaks inbetween in case he needs to rest for a couple hours. I see you are staying at the boardwalk so there is the night life on te boardwalk,boat to Epcot. If you are driving be sure and get a handicap parking card.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Also in DTD is Cirque du Soleil, which is wonderful.

There are many tours in the parks to pick from, also.

And, besides the regular show attractions in each park, there are daily specifically listed shows that are given in the Times Guide for each park.

 

[addicted2disney]

You could also go stroll around on the boardwalk. YOu can leave through the International Gateway over next to France. You can just walk around the lake, check out the stores, restaurants, and resorts over there. Dolphin had the biggest Christmas tree when we stayed there a few years ago. It was so pretty.

 

[BFIrrera]

I would go to:

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm -- Steve Soares' page. It lists a lot of the performances throughout the parks. Sometimes, the times he lists aren't always accurate when you get to the parks I've found (but he's usually pretty accurate). Grab a times guide for whatever park you attend in addition to the listings here. There are plenty of things to see even if your FIL never gets on a single ride.

I would also read over Deb Will's page: http://allearsnet.com/pl/special.htm
for visitors with special needs.

Don't forget the many theatre presentations: American Adventure, the four 3-D movies, Hall of Presidents, Impressions De' France, etc.

AK - this is the park I'm personally least knowledgeable about, but, by the time you go, the Finding Nemo musical will have opened. I personally am afraid of birds so haven't seen Flights of Wonder, but have heard it's great. There's also the Lion King and Pocahontas shows here AND a parade. There are lots of paths in the Oasis and there are the two "walking" paths that he should be able to maneuver through (I've seen others on these scooter things there)...the ones with the gorillas and the tigers. While the rest of you ride Kali River Rapids, he can certainly be entertained watching the monkeys at the temple (I don't ride the ride 'cause I don't want to get wet, but I love the monkeys). Also, try to spot DeVine somewhere in the park!

Epcot - My gosh, there are LOTS of things to do/see! Turtle Talk with Crush is adorable, I did see that Finding Nemo ride has easy access for people in chairs. There is assistance available to get onto Spaceship Earth. ALL the countries have some kind of entertainment (perhaps the only one that he may have trouble with would be Mexico, since he would have to climb stairs to enter). I love the acrobats in China, the juggler in Italy, the drummers in Japan, Off Kilter in Canada, the World Showcase Players in both UK and Italy, the balancing act in France, the candy maker in Japan, British Invasion in UK, etc. He may also enjoy the character connection. Don't forget an after dark fountain show below Spaceship Earth. I would also recommend a trip through the "House of the Future" in Innoventions if he likes new gadgets (it's where we FIRST saw a TIVO back in 1998). Illuminations!!

During Christmas, there are also storytellers in each country (not just for kids, 'cause my partner and I don't have kids and we loved it), the lighting of the tree/grand arch is awesome. The arches are synchronized with music and are incredible to watch once it's gotten dark.

Of course, snacking around the world is also pretty fun!

While at Epcot, he may want to also take a ride over to the Boardwalk...four restaurants, a great bakery and some shops. Also usually some carnie-style performers after dark (jugglers, etc.).

MK - a great deal of the rides have handicapped access. There's also the parade/fireworks/castle shows. Also the Dapper Dans on Main Street, characters throughout the park including the new "be a Pirate" Jack Sparrow show and a new country music show featuring Woody/Jessie. Don't forget getting a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle when in Adventureland!

MGM - Indy Jones' show, Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, MuppetVision, Little Mermaid, Motor Lights Action, the general atmosphere, the Osbourne X-Mas lights on New York backlot, Fantasmic, the streetmosphere performers throughout Sunset Boulevard. I would think that the Great Movie Ride would have handicapped access.

During X-Mas, I would suggest at least going to Grand Floridian if not the rest of the resorts (which are all decorated lovely) to see the huge gingerbread house and have some cider/cookies.

I've not seen Cirque De Soliel, but I'm sure that there must be handicapped access at that theatre as well.

Most of all, enjoy...relax, people watch (one of my favorite activities when at WDW), appreciate your time together!

 

[BFIrrera]

I would also ask if he can use an ECV while touring the Land pavillion (the Behind the Seeds tour). I'm not sure about that, but if he can, it's actually quite fascinating. It usually runs about 45 minutes to an hour or so and takes place in the greenhouse that the boat ride goes through.

There is also a half hour or so tour given in the Morrocco pavillion.

I forgot the China, Japan, and Morrocco pavillions have museum exhibits as well. Japan's focuses on Tin Toys of the 50's and 60's (this display has been there a while...I'm surprised they haven't changed it in a couple of years), China's is brand new and focuses on a recreation of "Tomb Warriors" found from a tomb from 2000+ years ago (absolutely breathtaking and fascinating) and Morocco's focuses on various aspects of Morrocan culture (including pottery and metal working).

 

[SueM in MN]

The disABILITIES FAQs thread has information and links for renting ECVs. There are also links to the official Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. That includes a list of the rides/attractions where he would be able to stay in the ECV for the entire experience.
You got a lot of good hints already. One of my favorites (especially around Christmas) is to visit the various resorts. As was mentioned, the monorails are wheelchair/ECV accessible. Most of the boats are (some of the MK resorts have small boats that are not accessible as well as big boats that are).