WDW w/ disabilities Guide Book Suggestions?

[emcreative]

I am considering ordering a guide for WDW for people with disabilities and I'm a bit stumped and looking for some advice.

We will be traveling in a large party with two children with sensory issues/on the spectrum, one adult who is sometimes wheelchair dependent (amputee), one adult with lupus/fibro and one child with severe asthma.

I checked on Amazon and found two that were listed, but neither was published in 2009. Both were from 2007. Would that info be out of date?

Also, "Walt Disney World® with Disabilities" seemed to be the more popular and slightly higher rated choice, but it seemed from the cover to focus mostly on guests with wheelchairs, when we also really need info about Spectrum kids.

The other one we're considering is "PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line: Easy Access Vacations for Travelers with Extra Challenges "

Feedback GREATLY appreciated, we leave in about 3 weeks!

 

[KPeveler]

I am considering ordering a guide for WDW for people with disabilities and I'm a bit stumped and looking for some advice.

We will be traveling in a large party with two children with sensory issues/on the spectrum, one adult who is sometimes wheelchair dependent (amputee), one adult with lupus/fibro and one child with severe asthma.

I checked on Amazon and found two that were listed, but neither was published in 2009. Both were from 2007. Would that info be out of date?

Also, "Walt Disney World® with Disabilities" seemed to be the more popular and slightly higher rated choice, but it seemed from the cover to focus mostly on guests with wheelchairs, when we also really need info about Spectrum kids.

The other one we're considering is "PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line: Easy Access Vacations for Travelers with Extra Challenges "

Feedback GREATLY appreciated, we leave in about 3 weeks!

definitely passporter open mouse! i have done disney 11 times, four times with my wheelchair, and now i have developed sensory issues, and even as a disney veteran, it was awesome! i would definitely suggest that one!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are some changes since 2007, but the majority of the information will still be valid. For current information, you can check the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. Post #3 of that thread has links to the WDW official website's Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. These are short and very basic, but do have current information.
Also check out post #2 of that thread for information about renting wheelchairs/ECVs and post #6 for information about Guest Assistance Cards.
You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

Also, "Walt Disney World® with Disabilities" seemed to be the more popular and slightly higher rated choice, but it seemed from the cover to focus mostly on guests with wheelchairs, when we also really need info about Spectrum kids.

I have seen that one and was not impressed with it.

The other one we're considering is "PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line: Easy Access Vacations for Travelers with Extra Challenges "

Feedback GREATLY appreciated, we leave in about 3 weeks!

This is the book I would recommend.
It is very thorough, but kind of long. A large part of it is about the resorts, so since you are going in a few weeks, you probably only need to look at the parts that are pertinent to the resort you will be at.
Because of the size, the book can be rather overwhelming. My suggestion would be not to try to read and absorb everything at once. I have 3 suggestions for looking at the book.
1) Skim a section of it first to get the general idea of how it is set up and what information is in the section. Then, come back and highlight or put Post-It notes on the parts you want to really remember. If you try to highlight all the parts you think are important at the first reading, you will end up highlighting a lot more than if you skim it first.

2) Each attraction is described with a code for different 'conditions' (for example, there is a heart symbol for 'heart concerns'). I would suggest ignoring the codes and just read the description. Many times the something listed for one concern may also be pertinent for a concern it's not listed for.

3) Attractions have ratings by each of the author's and also a reader's rating. Keep in mind that the ratings are just people's opinions - your view might be very different. Some of the attractions that the readers of authors listed as worst for autism are ones that posters here have posted their child with autism liked the best. There was not a place on the surveys to write why the rating was given, so it could be someone's worst just because their child did not like the Muppets, for example. Also, some children on the autism spectrum are sensory seekers who like things like roller coasters and some are sensory avoiders. So, you really need to know a little about the particular attraction and what types of things are problems for the particular child before deciding if an attraction would be good or bad.

 

[a1tinkfans]

At each of the park they have the guide/booklet FOR you for free and everything you'd need to know is listed. personally I'd save the money. When you visit Guest Services and explain your situation ask if you could get the pamphlet if they don't offer it (they always have to me). There is also some disability stuff on the website.....
Have a great trip, and it CAN be done with disabilities, don't be shy about speaking up for your families needs and requesting the aids, help, services you require. Again, have FUN!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As stated, there is a GUidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park. If you go to Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs you will see links to all of them

The Open Mouse book has had several people on this forum as "peer reviewers" and it is considered very accurate.

I have done a review of Walt Disney World With Disabilities and finding it very error-filled, missing lots of information, and from the view of a couple where one has some disabilities.

 

[ambermatthews]

THis was very helpful info for us.. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A quick update. I have been contacted by the publisher of WDW with Disabilities who agrees that the first edition, which is what had seen, had inaccuracies. He is sending me a copy of the current edition, and after I review it I will make my opinions known. I have also offered to be a peer reviewer for the next edition.

It does indicate they did not intend this to be a one-shot publication and I may have a major change of opinon after I see the latest version.

 

[livndisney]

A quick update. I have been contacted by the publisher of WDW with Disabilities who agrees that the first edition, which is what had seen, had inaccuracies. He is sending me a copy of the current edition, and after I review it I will make my opinions known. I have also offered to be a peer reviewer for the next edition.

It does indicate they did not intend this to be a one-shot publication and I may have a major change of opinon after I see the latest version.

I look foward to your review. I recently purchased the book and was very disappointed.

 

[emcreative]

Thanks so much!

I purchased Passporter and have done a quick skim so far. I didn't want to wait until I got there!

 

[LAWZMAN]

I have wdw w/disabilities and I thought it was really helpful. It was easy reading, and really got me prepared for my trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks so much!

I purchased Passporter and have done a quick skim so far. I didn't want to wait until I got there!

I'd suggest people to do just that - it us a big book and if you wait until you get there, you really won't have time to look at it.

So interested in Cheshire Figment's news. I'll be intterested to hear updates.