I'd totally recomment
Disneyland Paris to those with disabilities though..
Personally I view DLRP as a very very bad apple in the Disney basket when it comes to accessibility. To me it is not a disney-product when it comes to this subject. It's all peachy and "oh so great" for those who are mobile in certain ways. But there is a HUGE group that is not. Then DLRP, a park that was very recently built from scratch is a death pitt. It was built in a way to segregate. Not only is that not my idea of a true accessible society and does it result in missing a lot of the actual experience and extra options offered in line, but it results in a much higher level of inaccessibility than at any other Disney product. Even as far back as 2000 there was literally zero options for me at DLRP that could accomodate me, incl. when bringing along help. Yet I've been going to WDW annually since 2007, most of those trips as a solo. While my situation is progressive and my options back in 2007 were a world of freedom compared to my upcoming last trip, WDW still has many options to offer that can accomodate me. I wish it were differently, but I'm not the only one with this experience but part of a large group.
WDW does it differently than DLRP. Those that have been to DLRP might need time to adjust. But; WDW does it much more all-inclusive, for each and all.
With info you've given so far WDW should be no problem. But, that does also require some imput from yourself. Not just the focus on what is not possible and "oh it will be disaster, because I do not know each exact detail" but built upon the possibilities that are there, info that is available and most importantly; have a bit of a flexible mindset to go from things as they are.
For instance; distances will be in multiple miles per day, even when being conservative, doing very little and using railroad at MK (not available at other parks). Be forwarned; railroad will be closed later this year for maintenance, dates can be found online. WDW is in the business of magic, but magically making distances disappear is not within their skillsets. You WILL have to cross certain distances. There are a load of mobility aid options, ranging from the familiar wheelchair and
ecv to other options as rollators etc. etc. When not familiar enough with things yourself, do not make the assumption that thus you will not be able to do something. That is silly limiting yourself unneedingly. Instead get yourself a good OT and together look at the problems you are struggling with and together go looking at which options there are. You would be amazed. Let me put it this way; there are options for people that are fully bedridden to have mobility while lying down, so weird luck if your situation would not be workable with. For instance your worry about a rollator being problematic with CTS. Sometimes the standard handgrips might not be the best. But; there are so many options for just merely the grips that you'ld be amazed. Right upto where need be rollators being there for those to use by not using their hands but underarm or upperarm resting in a rest and using them instead.
Yes there are benches all around. But; they are also in quite high demand. WDW is tiring for any and all involved, so all like a rest. Florida is warm, so sitting down is more loved. With families not everybody wants to ride each ride and you can easily find Grandma and cousin Tim waiting on the bench for others to ride a ride. So be prepared for benches to be there but space not always being there. Pacing yourself to such an extend where one, 2 or 3 full benches gets you into trouble then is wrong pacing. Know location of benches and the options there are besides benches and their limitations. Like resting options in first aid at each park (incl. knowing their location and how far of a hike it can be from certain parts of the park), but again; first come, first serve. Value season and "off time" helps a lot for first aid option and results in a very high succesrate, but no guarantee. So don't keep going until you absolutely need it and end up in trouble if you find first aid full. Have enough left to get yourself to a back up option. Same for getting back to the room. Keep in mind a bus might already be full, monorail can be full or sometimes break down etc and thus built in plenty of back up time. Driving gives certain freedoms for this but also comes with other limitations because of the location of the handicapped parking esp. at MK.
I'm a big advocate for taking responsibility oneself and not relying on outside parties when not needed. One can not control others and things can happen, which results in one having to deal with the consequences. Taking responsibilty oneself on the other hand means you have more control over things, including back up options when taking care of those.
Same thing goes for relying on a partner to push a manual chair. It is hard work when not used to it, even for a healthy person that regularly excersises. It's the combination of long distances, heat, going up and down a lot without noticing it (they did a good job hiding it in many locations hiding it, but many parts of for instance MK you are not on ground level but first and steadily go up or down many times) and multiple days in a row. Great if a partner manages, but always have a back up in case they end up one of many that kinda need at least a break or can't manage.
When considering ECV: also keep in mind safety. Both for yourself and all others. Some healthissues do come with stuff that can result in safety issues. This becomes worse in such a crowded place as WDW. Mobility is very important, but safety trumps all. Some problems can be dealt with by certain (extra) options on ECV. For which again you will not be aware of all options out there. Very normal and one of those things where a knowledgable OT can make a huge difference. Sometimes not all problems can be dealt with, in which cases an ECV or even any motorized self-operated option is not safe and therefor no option. These are therefor things you want to have already tried out plenty beforehand. More then enough time beforehand that if you need to look at other options you still have time to do so instead of "oh boy, but we're flying tomorrow and I've just tried it for the first time but it is not for me". Bonus is having experience results in better driving skills, thus many times more trust in ones own capabilities to use the aid and that also will translate in better operating skills.
If you see so many possible problems, I'm wondering if you have tought about the flight and everything surrounding that yet. An airport alone can easily result in walking miles. MCO can be stretched out, esp. when arriving from a flight needing to clear customs at MCO. Add up to it having just done the flight instead of being "fresh". Depending on transportation you have arranged, you might find yourself waiting after checking in for that. For instance the DME can mean a wait. There are some benches. Busses used for DME are the type that are higher up requiring you to walk up a few stair steps into the bus. If a problem, you will want to put your affairs in order and either thus travel with a mobility aid from home on or use an airport wheelchair to get onto the bus by using the wheelchair lift (and using resort wheelchair getting off). In that case; inform DME about the need for said lift beforehand. Needing said lift can influence your wait time for your bus either way.
Planning and having back ups is important. Just as important is being able to let go of that and be able to go with the flow and be flexible. Loads of things are not 100% predictable. Whether at WDW, off property or with regards to the flight. Not overplanning and being to detailfocussed but instead having flexibility in your skills to navigate needs and most of all, your abilities, will help you get much further than being too focussed on having a fully known predictable picture. If not just because things will happen and change. With flexibility in your skillset you can tackle much more situations and thus be able to do much more. But also it is an important factor in not making yourself "crazy" with worry or fear. And not in the least; knowing you are flexible in dealing with situations gives trust that indeed you WILL be able to deal. Trust is an amazing power in itself already resulting in a higher ability to do things.
I'll be going back to WDW this fall for 3 weeks. A solo trip, very concieus choice to do so. I want to focus on just me, myself and I and be able to close of my Orlando times on my own. Where needed I will be hiring some personal aids/nurses for stuff like nursing, getting dressed, showering etc. But; solotrip. Like you it does require me to fly transatlantic. I'm from the other side than yours from the Channel.
At the moment I'm bedridden for at least 20 hours a day and can only sit for 30 minutes at an end before when overdoing it eventually causing lasting worsening. There's another myriad of health issues that need some attention or working around. But you know what? It can be done and it can be done in such a fashion I have a blast. My recepy for succes is having a basic info of stuff like distances, getting my aids and nursing stuff in order and beyond that built upon my flexibility to deal with situations. To be highly aware of my abilities, how I can navigate around things, how I can make things possible and that I can deal with many curb balls that might be thrown. But also knowing it is OK that I can not deal with them all, c'est la vie.
I have my back ups, have anything and all info on me or if not know how to get to it if need be. I know I can trust MYSELF. I am my biggest friend and aid and am aware of the power of that. I know my skills are such that I will get there one way or another and make the most of things. I know how important these travels are to me and what it is worth healthwise and what not. Each trip factually I have been physically more "limited". Each trip I have enjoyed more intensely. I've gotten myself in quite some pickles at times, ranging from powerchair not functioning due to damage right upto finding myself in icu last year. Oops. But again; all those things have strengthened my trust in myself that I can handle what live throws at me when need be and still end up saying "it was worth it and was the best it could've been considering". It simply adds too much sparkle and quality to life instead of having staid at home. Sometimes live happens, including cr*p (sorry for the language) but that would've happened at home also. Yet staying at home would've meant not having that extra sparkle and good times.
It can be done. You'll want to read the stickies Sue has made here on the disABILITIES board. It has loads of info, ranging from pics of bus steps, certain rides, well... all kinds of special needs info one might need. Then get yourself a book called the Open Mouse. This books deals on doing WDW (and
DCL) with a disability and only that. It deals with loads of different disabilities and uses easy labels so you can easily see what is important for you. They discuss things to such details you get accessibility info per ride, show etc. Combine that with knowing your milage might and will vary. That things are not fully predictable but you can deal with that yourself by taking that into account. Give yourself the gift of learning to find your way to deal with situations, whatever they be. Know your abilities more than your limitations. Trust yourself to have or built up a skill set that allows you to manage. Be ok with managing does include every blue moon perhaps deciding not to do something, needing a bit more rest than hoped or planned etc. Then let it go a bit and trust yourself. It can be done and you can do it. This will not be the first time you will be doing something for the first time. This will not be the first time you don't have all info or everything is predictable. You've had succes before, or otherwise for instance wouldn't have gone back to DLRP. Trust on your previous experience of positive feedback/results.
Oh and focus not "just" on WDW. Orlando has so much more to offer and with great accessibility. I know many can easily fill weeks with only WDW but there is so much more you might want to look into for perhaps a day or more offsite.
Enjoy, you'll have a blast!
