Share your experiences

[DisneyMama63]

Could yall share your experiences about your disabled kids having fun at Disney, and possibly some pics of this? My DH is afraid that there won't be anything for the girls to do, and that they won't have any fun.
Caitlyn

 

[SueOKW]

there some info in this thread as well as some pics

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1009681

you guys will have fun!

 

[HopperFan]

We have lots of things happening with DS but for 21 years, WDW has been the most magical place on earth for him. Even during the worse of years, when we were sure a trip there was a mistake, he flourished. There is SO much to do, so much more to do than he can't do. The CMs are incredible. I couldn't say enough about how it is the perfect vacation for our special children.

Hope you feel the magic !

 

[joanchris]

there is a link to our recent trip report under my signature, with DD10 (uses a wheelchair, multiply disabled). Since it was her wish trip, granted to her, we tried to do as much as we could to make it special to her.....
it's not too long, I don't think! ok , I just checked, it is a bit long, but read up if you want! there are pics included in that post too.

 

[DisneyMama63]

Thanks. I showed those threads to my DH and he is now much more excited about it.
Caitlyn

 

[BCV23]

Two of our children are disabled and we have found WDW to be the best vacation spot for them. It is magical!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been coming to WDW with our kids since the youngest (who is now 20) was a baby. She has multiple disabilities and has used a wheelchair since she was 30 months old.
Over the years, she has been on everything at WDW except Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rock N Roller Coaster, Mission Space and 2 that were not open when we were there last, Soarin' and Expedition Everest.

Do you have any specific questions about attractions you think your girls would like?

 

[DisneyMama63]

Since DD 5 also has hearing and vison problems...we need to sit near the front at the shows. Where is wc seating for the following:
Tiki Birds
Mickey's philarmagic
American Adventure
Festival of the Lion king
Flights of Wonder
Pochantas show
Lights Motors action!
Fantasmic!

 

[SueM in MN]

Since DD 5 also has hearing and vison problems...we need to sit near the front at the shows. Where is wc seating for the following:
Tiki Birds

It's a bit hard to explain the Tiki Birds theater, but the show is all around you and it's sort of a theater in the round situation. They separate people with disabilities into a waiting line apart from the rest of the people and then they take you in before letting the rest of the people into the theater. You choose your seats and would be in the front row.

Mickey's philarmagic

Wheelchair seating is in the rear, but the rear is not that far from the movie screen. If you talk to the CM, they might be able to do something else, but it would involve transferring from the wheelchair into a theater seat and then parking the wheelchair at the back.

American Adventure

Wheelchair seating is in the back row and is quite a ways back from the stage. The theater has a very sharply sloped floor and we have been told it is too steep to be a "legal" slope for a wheelchair. If you are allowed to sit in the front row, you do need to be aware that the stage is above your eye level. I have sat in the front row with my older DD (who is not disabled) and find my neck gets a crick by end of the show from looking up. That is also a long show - about 30 minutes.

Festival of the Lion king

I highly recommend this show. The music is great and there is a lot of action. The wheelchair seating is on the floor; the other seats are (I guess you would call it) stadium seating on bleachers behind the floor seating. You will be very close to the action - like performers within 5 - 20 feet of you.

Flights of Wonder
Pochantas show

There is wheelchair seating both in the front and in the back for both of these. Pocohontas also has some seating on the fllor in the very front for children.

Lights Motors action!

This wasn't open yet the last time we were at WDW.

Fantasmic!

Most of the wheelchair seating is at the very back, but there are a few spots in the front row. You need to get there early because there are only a few spots in the front. Also, be prepared to get wet if you are in the front row. Part of the show involves movies projected on a screen made of water mist. If the wind is blowing toward you, you will have a fine mist to a light shower blowing towards you.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

There are three different viewing areas. One is in the front. One is in the middle-prime viewing (accessible by elevator), and one in the back.

Christamae

 

[DisneyMama63]

We have been coming to WDW with our kids since the youngest (who is now 20) was a baby. She has multiple disabilities and has used a wheelchair since she was 30 months old.
Over the years, she has been on everything at WDW except Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rock N Roller Coaster, Mission Space and 2 that were not open when we were there last, Soarin' and Expedition Everest.

Do you have any specific questions about attractions you think your girls would like?

I think my daughters will like all of the rides in Fantasyland...any tips about those?
Caitlyn

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Most of the rides like "It's A Small World", and some others (but I can't think of them right at the moment) have accessible boats/vehicles where your daughter can remain in her wheelchair, throughout the entire ride. For the others, she would have to transfer/have you transfer her to the ride vehicle.
There's a list of rides at the Disney website where the wheelchair user can remain in their wheelchair for the ride, would have to transfer to the ride vehicle for the ride.

I personally love the rides where I can remain in my wheelchair, as it's getting harder on me to do transfers from my wheelchair, with my mobility issues. The rides where I have to transfer to the ride vehicle are OK, as I always have my fiance' Dan, with me or my mom, to help me in the ride vehicle. But, it's still a little difficult.

Samantha