Questions for first time trip with DISabilities?

[jennibug]

Hi Everyone!

Long time Walt Disney World traveler, however, this is my first time going as GP (gastroparesis) warrior. Just wondering if there are any other GP warriors out there and if they had any advice for my upcoming trip in December?

For the first time in my life I'm able to afford a two week stay at WDW and a 5 night stay at USO. I will NOT be going to a park every day as I will need time to rest, let my meds work and run IV fluids through my port. I'm also purchasing the lightning lane and hopefully APs. Should I apply for DAS as well?

Any tips for getting medications shipped to the hotel? I'll have to send I.V. supplies and bags of fluid.

Best DVC hotel for people with DISabilities (did I use that right?) Polynesian or WL?

Already getting GREAT tips from everyone!

Thank you
Jennibug

 

[DisneyOma]

For DAS, you have to explain what issues you have with waiting in a standby queue. A diagnosis doesn't matter, as that doesn't translate to not being able to wait in a queue for everyone with the same diagnosis. If the issue is a mobility one, Disney's standard line is to use a mobility device (wheelchair, ECV, rollator, etc)

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES - the name of the forum was chosen as a play on DISBOARDS and also to represent that people with disabilities have ability to go to parks and have fun.

Genie + and Individual Lightning Lane are different things. Here’s a Link to the Disney World website page about Genie

APs are not for sale at this point except for renewals. No one really knows when they will start selling them again. You will need a pass on some type to make park reservations- all indications are that WDW is planning to continue with park reservations.
DAS - as DisneyOma already wrote, DAS is for guests whose disability makes ir difficult for them to wait in the regular lines. Guests using DAS do wait approximately the same time as they would have in line, they just wait somewhere else. If you decide to apply for DAS, be ready to discuss what concerns you have with waiting in line.

Medication shipping - we ship medical items most trips. Check the different ways of shipping to make sure your items will arrive when you need them to. Have the box addressed to the hotel, attention to Guest : [your name]
The resorts do charge a $5 package fee, which they will waive for medical supplies - you need to ask and also check on your bill to make sure it was not charged.
We also pack supplies in a suitcase and bring it on the plane when we travel by air. A medical supply suitcase travels free, but the airline has the right to check and make you pay if it contains anything not medical.
It’s also a good idea to bring a small amount of medical supplies with in your carry on in case anything gets delayed. Although, normally you can only carry 3 ounces of liquid, TSA does allow for larger quantities of Medical Liquids. They do need to be declared to TSA during security screening and they will be separately checked by TSA agents.
Also a good idea having contact information for a place you can get supplies if worse comes to worse.

Resort - either Polynesian or WL are nice. Polynesian is on the resort monorail route or you can walk to Ticket and Transportation Center and pick up the ferry to MK or monorail to MK or EPCOT.
WL has boats to MK and buses to other places

 

[Selket]

Any of the monorail resorts are amazing - I also like the BC/YC/Boardwalk resorts - you can get to Epcot and DHS by walking or ECV/WC, etc - kind of nice not to have to bus. I think any of those just because they are closer to the parks. WL looks gorgeous though so really I'd just go with the one that looks most appealing to you. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[mamabunny]

Hi Everyone!

Long time Walt Disney World traveler, however, this is my first time going as GP (gastroparesis) warrior. Just wondering if there are any other GP warriors out there and if they had any advice for my upcoming trip in December?

For the first time in my life I'm able to afford a two week stay at WDW and a 5 night stay at USO. I will NOT be going to a park every day as I will need time to rest, let my meds work and run IV fluids through my port. I'm also purchasing the lightning lane and hopefully APs. Should I apply for DAS as well?

Any tips for getting medications shipped to the hotel? I'll have to send I.V. supplies and bags of fluid.

Best DVC hotel for people with DISabilities (did I use that right?) Polynesian or WL?

Already getting GREAT tips from everyone!

Thank you
Jennibug

Will a mobility device be helpful to you? Remember that the *average* Guest will walk between 3 & 10 miles *daily* at WDW; if your stamina has changed, you may want to consider an ECV. Many folks use an ECV at WDW who never need one at home; it's just a tool you use to make your time at WDW more productive!

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Once you have selected your hotel, you can get the address from Disney's page for that hotel, and then have your meds/fluids drop-shipped there. If anything requires refrigeration upon arrival, then I would reach out directly to Disability Services for more assistance. You will format the shipping label like this:

Disney Resort Name
Hold for Guest: (Your Name) arriving (Your arrival date)
123 Mickey Mouse Road
Orlando, FL 12345

When you pick up your package(s) upon arrival, be sure to let them know that those were medical supplies so that they don't charge you the standard package fee for delivery.

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Really, every hotel at WDW is "friendly" - a lot of my choices are driven by where I think I will be spending most of my trip. Last time, we knew in advance that our schedule would be MK & Epcot focused, so we picked Poly (because Monorail). When we are more Disney Springs focused (and we have had trips that were more about the shopping, and Adult Beverages (I see you, Wine Bar George... I'll be back!) than the theme parks) then we stay at a Resort along the Sassagoula (so, POR/POFQ, OKW or SS) If you will be spending more days at AK, then... you get the picture! Personally, I loves me a Disney boat ride, so any Resort that has boat service somewhere is a plus for me!

For trips when we are just really all about resting/relaxing, we pick the Resort based on what we will do there, as opposed to theme park proximity - so we think about things like food service, entertainment, the bar, and can we see fireworks from there; things like that.

WDW is my happy place; I am one of those weirdos who can go for 2 weeks, and only spend half that time (or less) in the theme parks. Pick your Resort based on what makes your heart happy, and I bet you will have a fantastic trip!