Just back from 1 week in WDW and 1 week on the cruise. Had a great time and in most cases the scooter was not an issue. Found most of the CMs on rides very knowledgeable on the best way to load on rides and helpful.
Some concerns I had. We mades resevation for Cinderalla's castle. The CM asked me to park the scooter. I ask how long the walk was to the elevator. He said very short. So I parked it. And it being the end of the day my walking was not good but I managed. What he did not tell us is that we would have to line up for Cinderalla's pic. By the time we knew this the line was too long for me to stand in so DH stood in line while I waited. I wish I had been allowed to keep my scooter until we needed to go up the elevator so my DH and I could have waited together. It was very crowded in there and he had no seat either.
I was very disappointed in the organization at Cinderalla's Castle more like a large cattle call. And then we had to wait cramped at the door for our seats. Now it was only like less than ten minutes from the time we got on the elevator but with legs spasm 10 minutes seems like an eternity. Also when I went back to get my scooter there were like 10 rows of strollers infront of it and if I did not have my DH there is no way I could have got my scooter. There should be a separate spot to park ECV. So they are accessible when you leave.
But at WDW that seemed to be the only place we had problems. I usually parked my scooter outside and walked in side but after the Cinderalla experience I took it inside with me for any Character meals they seemed to be the most crowded. And when I was asked to leave it out side I said no. And that was ok. Once they realized I needed it because I had real issues walking.
On the cruise I found it more difficult. Some of the doors where not really assessible for those in a scooter with low clearance and I would get stuck and DH would push from behind. I wish I had a map of what doors where assessible as we spent the first few days learning which I could or could not use.
On the first night of the show I had to sit in the back row. I asked to go down to the front row she said she did not think I could because the cast members use that exit and they could not fold up the scooter. I was disappointed as all the late arrivals kept walking in front of my view of the stage.
We decide to try again the next night and the CM knew exactly what to do and how to get me down to the front row. And we never had a problem after that. The CM just told us to tell the CM at the door we knew how to get there and what to do but you always need to have a CM take you down.
So if you are going in a scooter make sure you find a CM at the theatre who knows what to do do not take no on the first try.
We missed pirates night and so did others in wheelchairs that we ate dinner with. We unfortunately had and 8:30 sitting (never again ) And the head server came by and told us all how great pirates night was going to be. We looked at him and asked him how we could get there and see in our chairs and we all got a blank look.
By the time we finished dinner it was 9:35 no point even trying to get to deck 9. We tried to get to deck 10 at Palo but it was blocked for safety reason and we gave up. Not like we could just walk down one flight of stairs and over to deck 10 through deck 9. I was very disappointed at missing this event as were the others in chairs. I did right in the small two lines provided that they need and area to people in chairs can see pirates night especially if they have late seating.
But our server Ian knowing we were not going to see the show did special magic tricks for us so at least we got something special.
Also it is really important to know were the restrooms are on the ship. While at Luminere's I needed to go. Asked the server were it was and was told just outside the door. So I grabbed my cane and Dh and I walk and found out it was way over at Sessions. Grrrrrr DH ended up going back to get my scooter while a waited for him. So just out side the door for someone who can walk well is ok not for a person with mobility issues.
Other than that I had a great cruise I found travelling on a scooter in St. Marten a little challenging but there were assessible washrooms at the port.
I found store owners where very helpful in lifting my scooter up on step if needed. Though some of the streets were a little too slanted for my liking felt like I was driving side ways some time.
I found St. Thomas to be the best. I was able to get into 95% of the stores at the mall by the boat. Which was a pleasant surprise.
I found the hardest part was getting on and off the ship as the walk way would have a really steep up and down ramp right at the beginning and sometimes DH had to push me over the hump has I got stuck. So if you are planning on getting off the ship and you are not with someone that can give a push I would ask for help they will at least push you over that hump
I also got pleasure out of the fact of how many servers want to ride my scooter after I got off it at the table. They would drive it to the front door out of the way. Even servers who were not at our table got into it and once the head server got our server to get off it and drove it himself honking horn with a big wide smile. Well my scooter was all decked out in Disney stickers all over it and the back light was a mickey light that flashed. They all thought it looked so cool
If you have any question about the accessible issues on the ship I will try and answer them.
Over all great trip but it is nice to be home again
Some concerns I had. We mades resevation for Cinderalla's castle. The CM asked me to park the scooter. I ask how long the walk was to the elevator. He said very short. So I parked it. And it being the end of the day my walking was not good but I managed. What he did not tell us is that we would have to line up for Cinderalla's pic. By the time we knew this the line was too long for me to stand in so DH stood in line while I waited. I wish I had been allowed to keep my scooter until we needed to go up the elevator so my DH and I could have waited together. It was very crowded in there and he had no seat either.
I was very disappointed in the organization at Cinderalla's Castle more like a large cattle call. And then we had to wait cramped at the door for our seats. Now it was only like less than ten minutes from the time we got on the elevator but with legs spasm 10 minutes seems like an eternity. Also when I went back to get my scooter there were like 10 rows of strollers infront of it and if I did not have my DH there is no way I could have got my scooter. There should be a separate spot to park ECV. So they are accessible when you leave.
But at WDW that seemed to be the only place we had problems. I usually parked my scooter outside and walked in side but after the Cinderalla experience I took it inside with me for any Character meals they seemed to be the most crowded. And when I was asked to leave it out side I said no. And that was ok. Once they realized I needed it because I had real issues walking.
On the cruise I found it more difficult. Some of the doors where not really assessible for those in a scooter with low clearance and I would get stuck and DH would push from behind. I wish I had a map of what doors where assessible as we spent the first few days learning which I could or could not use.
On the first night of the show I had to sit in the back row. I asked to go down to the front row she said she did not think I could because the cast members use that exit and they could not fold up the scooter. I was disappointed as all the late arrivals kept walking in front of my view of the stage.
We decide to try again the next night and the CM knew exactly what to do and how to get me down to the front row. And we never had a problem after that. The CM just told us to tell the CM at the door we knew how to get there and what to do but you always need to have a CM take you down.
So if you are going in a scooter make sure you find a CM at the theatre who knows what to do do not take no on the first try.
We missed pirates night and so did others in wheelchairs that we ate dinner with. We unfortunately had and 8:30 sitting (never again ) And the head server came by and told us all how great pirates night was going to be. We looked at him and asked him how we could get there and see in our chairs and we all got a blank look.
By the time we finished dinner it was 9:35 no point even trying to get to deck 9. We tried to get to deck 10 at Palo but it was blocked for safety reason and we gave up. Not like we could just walk down one flight of stairs and over to deck 10 through deck 9. I was very disappointed at missing this event as were the others in chairs. I did right in the small two lines provided that they need and area to people in chairs can see pirates night especially if they have late seating.
But our server Ian knowing we were not going to see the show did special magic tricks for us so at least we got something special.
Also it is really important to know were the restrooms are on the ship. While at Luminere's I needed to go. Asked the server were it was and was told just outside the door. So I grabbed my cane and Dh and I walk and found out it was way over at Sessions. Grrrrrr DH ended up going back to get my scooter while a waited for him. So just out side the door for someone who can walk well is ok not for a person with mobility issues.
Other than that I had a great cruise I found travelling on a scooter in St. Marten a little challenging but there were assessible washrooms at the port.
I found store owners where very helpful in lifting my scooter up on step if needed. Though some of the streets were a little too slanted for my liking felt like I was driving side ways some time.
I found St. Thomas to be the best. I was able to get into 95% of the stores at the mall by the boat. Which was a pleasant surprise.
I found the hardest part was getting on and off the ship as the walk way would have a really steep up and down ramp right at the beginning and sometimes DH had to push me over the hump has I got stuck. So if you are planning on getting off the ship and you are not with someone that can give a push I would ask for help they will at least push you over that hump
I also got pleasure out of the fact of how many servers want to ride my scooter after I got off it at the table. They would drive it to the front door out of the way. Even servers who were not at our table got into it and once the head server got our server to get off it and drove it himself honking horn with a big wide smile. Well my scooter was all decked out in Disney stickers all over it and the back light was a mickey light that flashed. They all thought it looked so cool
If you have any question about the accessible issues on the ship I will try and answer them.
Over all great trip but it is nice to be home again
