Talk me down off the ledge! I'm getting stressed just trying to plan this trip!!

[MichelleC]

WHEW!! I know, I know, BREATHE!!!

This trip came up very suddenly, basically a "most" expenses paid trip. It's a big group, 13, and trying to plan around everyone's schedules for a short notice trip is crazy. Then, reading all about lines and getting there early and tired kids and PS and fastpass and baby swapping (DH wants to know if they have wife swapping, too!! LOL!) has gotten me FREAKED OUT! I'm scared that it will be insane! Reading the "Unoffical Guide" about getting the kids in shape and walking 5-8 miles a day is frightening!

I keep telling myself that this is a huge bonus trip, to be relaxed, to just do what we can and the kids will be happy with whatever we get to. But, the planning of it all is scary! Exciting and fun, but darned overwhelming!!

Tell me it will be great, it wil be fine, everyone will be thrilled!! HELP!!

THANKS!!

Michelle

 

[MichelleC]

...my mom uses a wheelchair, so I'm worried about the plane, the parks, etc.

Eeek!

 

[Perlla55]

Hello Michelle,
Welcom to the magical world of Disney,
you are going to have a happy time and all will be fine, everyone does, in their own way
miles of walking are forgotten by fun times,
long lines ( if there is any ) are unnoticed by excitment, PS is always available for resorts guest and regular seating is always available, everywhere, ture.
Fastpass!! I have never used it, they work if you want to be riding in the heat of the day but if you go to indoor places or go swimming and return later in the day then lines are moving smoothly.
Enjoy your time and don't over do yourself or your group, eat well, rest well, have fun.

Take good pairs of shoes ( this is important)
Also have photo IDs with each of you.
Are you staying in a Disney resort ? when are you going and for how long ?

 

[Perlla55]

You will find WDW and Orlando in general a wheelchair friendly place, you will notice it at the airport, restrooms, parking lots, buildings, WDW buses which has special lift. There are special access line to most rides at the parks,
you will find electric motor ones or regular ones for rent at the parks at the stroller and wheelchair rental stations near the entrance.
Are you from out of the USA , you mention flying in to Orlando ?

 

[MichelleC]

Thanks for the advice! How do I get photo IDs of my kids?

M

 

[Perlla55]

Our home owner association require all residents in the our community to have residency ID's with photos.
I am not sure where are you from, how about school ID's, do they have passports?

 

[travelitis]

Do you want photo ID's in case they get lost? You know they don't need them for the flights, right? If you want them for safety purposes there are various options including making your own and having it laminated at an office supply store. States issue I.D. cards too.

 

[Barb D]

My mom used a wheelchair one year at the parks. (She had knee surgery later that year, and by the next year she could walk the whole time.)

Anyway, it went fine. The ONLY time we had a problem was one day at MGM, in the rain. She was holding one of the kids on her lap, covered in ponchos, so there was quite a bit of weight. I was trying to push her UP HILL into the Beauty and the Beast show arena. It was a real struggle. A bunch of young men walked past and stared. You would think they could have offered to help, but no. I guess it was an amusing spectacle. I think we ended up just emptying the wheel chair of occupants and made them all walk up the hill!

All of the planning you're doing now will pay off in the end. It's sad to think of the people who don't plan at all, and then end up standing around the parks saying, (picture the vultures in Jungle Book here), "Whatdaya wanna do?" "I dunno. What do YOU wanna do?"

At least YOU know about baby swapping, fast pass, etc. Pity the poor person who doesn't know, and ends up wasting a lot of time when they get there. You'll be fine.

 

[crisi]

Will this be the first trip for all thirteen of you?

If so, keep your expectations for what you'll get accomplished reasonable. Many people on this board go to Disney a couple times a year and manage to see something new every time....you won't see it all.

I wouldn't try to get thirteen people to move through the parks as a group. I'd break up into ages, interests, or families and plan around getting together for dinner or lunch (or both). Have a nominiation process for where you want to eat and then everyone can vote!

Share some of the planning with the other adults in your party. Even the older kids can help. Have everyone list out their top "must sees and dos" and try and work around that.

We loved the FastPass system and made good use of it. Its not difficult at all to understand once you've done it once.

Don't worry too much about all the walking - take it at the pace you can take it at.

 

[mommystieg]

I agree with Crisi-definitely have everyone make a "must see/do/ride" list then plan around that. Don't worry, it's Disney-everyone will have fun!!

 

[Coll0610]

Be sure to check the DisAbilities board for answers to any questions about your mom traveling in the wheelchair. The folks over there are sooooo helpful!

 

[susy]

I would break up into groups of three or four- no more!!! You will spend a lot of time just waiting for people in the bathrooms and such! Have an itinerary and plans for each park. Maybe meet up each day at the pool or lunch and to catch up. Have fun!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are special access line to most rides at the parks,
you will find electric motor ones or regular ones for rent at the parks at the stroller and wheelchair rental stations near the entrance.

I just wanted to mention that in most cases there are not special access lines at the parks. Most of the lines at WDW have been changed to Mainstream Access, which means that wheelchair and ecv (also called scooters) users wait in line with everyone else. People with disabilities board at the exit for some rides, but usually wait in line with everyone else until shortly before the boarding area.
Wheelchairs and ecvs can be rented at the parks. Ecvs are in limited quantity. If you absolutely need an ecv, it's easiest to rent from one of the off-site companies. Even though wheelchairs are more readily available at the parks, a lot of people still choose to rent form off site so they have a wheelchair available for getting around their resort.