Please Help Me

[2Xited4Disney]

Well I am headed to Disney in a few short hours. While I am there I will be doing my senior thesis Video. (I am a Rehabilitation Student with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation) My video is going to be a sort of "instructional" video on traveling to Walt Disney World with a person with a disability. I presented my idea in class and everyone was extremely interested.

My question for all of you is...


If you were traveling to WDW for the first time, what kind of information would make your trip easier?

I know I am going to highlight rides that have easy access for ECV's and wheelchairs as well as "Handicap" accessible hotel rooms.

I would appreciate ANY help. Thank you guys so much



PS I plan on also uploading this video to a website I am going to create

 

[Redbudlover]

Last year was my first trip with an ECV. I was very worried about getting on elevators by myself - oh big difference between being on your own and being with someone to hold doors and get assistance. My DH was with me to open and hold doors and help. One of my final days there I travelled from POLY to AK by myself with ECV and was fine. Would never have attempted it the first few days...

Another big concern was getting on monorail and buses. In fact it turned out to be easy - much help given by CMs who can tell you exactly how to maneuver. The hardest part was when it was busy I had to get the attention of the CM and once my DH had to go get one. In retrospect I think I could have asked anyone and they would have helped. People were very nice. Once we had trouble finding the darned thing after a ride where we had to park it somewhere we didn't exit, but the rest of the time they had it set up so that the ECV was waiting for you as you got off the ride. Disney makes everything very easy. And it sure was easier sitting than standing in line as I had done years in the past or walking for miles. This year I have been working with a trainer for almost a whole year and am in good shape so don't plan to rent one. I will bet I miss it....

 

[Annam26]

Well. last year was my first trip to WDW, and what I found most frustrating before going was the lack of detail about how accessible a ride was for someone in a wheelchair.

The guides would only say if you could stay in your wheelchair or needed to transfer, but that was it. I wanted to know how difficult the trasnfer was -like if there were any steps, or you needed to stand up, get down to the floor, etc. I really didn't want to get in line for a ride just to be told that you had to walk some, or that there were steps. Never having been to WDW, I had no idea what I would find.

Thankfully I found this board, and my questions were answered here. It made me feel more relaxed and secure knowing beforehand what to expect.

HTH.

 

[DIS-NH]

Suggest finding someone in management who can explain the proper use of the GAC card.