Transportation Accessibility

[Pokeypoke]

As I have stated in a previous thread, I am in the beginning stages of considering a trip to DLRP in 2009 or 2010. One thing I did not bring up is that I am a right leg amputee and for the most part, I use a manual light-weight wheelchair. I do wear a prosthetic leg but I can only walk a very short distance with the aid of crutches.

If I and my partner decide to go forward with this trip, we will be dividing our time between London, Paris and DLRP but I am not sure if we will fly into London or Paris first. We would like the entire duration of the trip to be two weeks. Because of my circumstances, I have many questions and concerns but at this time, I do not want to overload a thread with too many questions.

My question for now is what would be the best way (transportation wise) to get from Paris to DLRP if one is in a wheelchair? Are the trains wheelchair accessible? Do I need to hire a special van? What about the shuttle buses that goes to and from the resort hotels? And lastly, what about transportation in Paris itself –metro, buses, taxis, tour buses?

I am able to transfer to the seat of a car with no problem but climbing stairs to get on a bus is difficult. Has anyone on the board been to DLRP with someone who uses a wheelchair or uses a chair themselves? Any transportation experience or knowledge will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Pokey

 

[Cyrano]

Hopefully others will be able to chip in as a few regular posters deal with being less mobile

Will have a look to see if I can track down other threads that may be able to help.

If you send me a PM I can send you a scan of the guide that DLP produces "Guide for guests with disabilities"

 

[Disneyparisfan]

Hi there.

I dont know how mich help I can be, but this is the sum total of what I know.
(afraid its not a lot!)

The busses at the disney resort are NOT wheelchair friendly in the way the american resorts are. There are no ramps for access, and the busses are MOBBED. There is no preferential access for wheelchair users.

However when at DLRP I have seen a few minibusses with disney logos on carrying disabled guests. I dont know where they were from or how to book them (or if you can even?), sorry.

Which hotel are you staying at though, many DLRP hotels are in easy walking distance of the park. DLRP is MUCH more compact than its american counterparts, the busses are really just a lazy cop out for able bodied guests. The farthest Disney hotel is 15 mins easy stroll from the parks, which are right next to each other.

If you were at the New York or Disneyland hotel I would suggest that the Park transportation wouldn't be required even for a wheelchair user. They are right next to the park. (the disneyland hotel is over the park entrance, you dont get closer without sleeping in the castle!)

The airlines will always accommodate wheelchair users without any question. On most of my flights to paris from Scotland there has been at least one disabled passenger on the plane.

The transfers from the airport to the park using the Disney Recommended VEA bus isnt wheelchair friendly, but I assume that pre-informed they could accommodate you on a minibus, or if you prefer, dont book transfers as there are millions of taxis at the airport who will take you to DLRP for just about the same cost as the bus. (I only use the bus now if it is inclusive with my tickets. The taxis are faster!)

Paris itself I havn't been in for a few years, so wouldn't want to steer you wrong there. The only thing I can say is that there is no shortage of taxis there either, and compared to the UK anyway, the fares are reasonable.

I hope my limited experience is of some help, and if you do come, have a great time.

Cheers
Grant

 

[Ware Bears]

However when at DLRP I have seen a few minibusses with disney logos on carrying disabled guests. I dont know where they were from or how to book them (or if you can even?), sorry.

Ah, I can help with this one. These minibuses serve the Disney hotels and the off-site ones (Explorers, Holiday Inn, Kyriad, Dreamcastle). They can be booked from either your hotel concierge or from City Hall and they say to allow 20 minutes for them to arrive.