Will My Disabled Dad Need Park Tickets?

[LookingForNeverland]

So, we have a week lobe trip in November and my dad is coming too. Most days he will stay in the room/lobby/pool of the hotel. But on the days we have ADR's at restaurants inside the parks will he have to have a tickets just to come in and eat, then return to the room?

 

[alliecat523]

Yes he'll need tickets for ADR's in the parks.

 

[rlovew]

If he is able to go to a restaurant with you there should be thing he might actually be able to enjoy in the park. Even through his cancer treatments my father was able to do many things in the parks even though he couldn't do some of the rides.

 

[Robo]

will he have to have a tickets just to come in and eat, then return to the room?

The main disclaimer when making ADRs for in-part restaurants (on-line or over the phone) is the statement that
"this restaurant requires paid admission to the park."

 

[Planogirl]

There are quite a few restaurants that you could enjoy with your Dad that are not in the parks. That might be something to consider at least part of the time.

 

[mom2grace]

It's easy to make ADR's just outside the park. We love Kona Cafe at Poly. That would be a compromise. Boardwalk choices for Epcot & Studios?

At AK, he could get into Rainforest Cafe without a park ticket.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If he is only going into the parks to eat and then leave, I would highly recommend eating outside of the parks! Those meals will be QUITE expensive if you are paying for park tickets just so he can get inside for the meal.

In the MK area, I would recommend looking at restaurants in resorts on the monorail. At AK, as a PP suggested, try Rainforest Cafe. If visiting EP and/or DHS, take a look at the restaurants at the Swan, Dolphin, BC, YC or Boardwalk.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

If you have a special dinner (like one inside MK) get the ticket and he can enjoy the fireworks and parades. There are quite a few rides and attractions and all allow for the handicapped. I pushed my Mom around in her wheelchair and she did HM, Mickey's Philharmagic plus we got her on Peter Pan. She loved the parades and fireworks. That's pretty much all she did but she loved it.
ETA: She also loved Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, GMR, and Muppets at HS. We were there for the Osbourne lights too, and she loved them as well.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Is there a reason he doesn't want to go into the parks for anything else? There is really a lot a disabled person can do and Disney is one of the best places for it. If he just isn't interested in anything, then I recommend making your ADRs for out side of the park restaurants then like other are suggesting.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Go visit the DISabilities board with more specific questions, but there are likely many, many. Attractions that could accommodate your father if he would like it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Go visit the DISabilities board with more specific questions, but there are likely many, many. Attractions that could accommodate your father if he would like it.

I was going to suggest this! I understand that a disability will impact what folks can or want to do while in WDW, but there is so much that is not "attraction" in every park. And attractions that are not "thrill" rides. Please ask the flks who have so much experience with accomodating specific disabilities while in WDW to see if they have any suggestions that may make it possible for your Dad to join you for more than dinner.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Rent an ECV, many have collapsible canopy to pop up, even if he chooses not to ride the calmer attractions he will have nice experience. As said, check with the disability forum. There are only a few places left anymore that have no entry fee.

 

[jo-jo]

If you do decide to just eat meals outside the parks, consider eating at Boma. Good meal and the resort is amazing to visit.

 

[disnut8]

So, we have a week lobe trip in November and my dad is coming too. Most days he will stay in the room/lobby/pool of the hotel. But on the days we have ADR's at restaurants inside the parks will he have to have a tickets just to come in and eat, then return to the room?

Yes he will and others have made some great suggestions for him not going to the parks but I give you this.

My father (recently departed from this earth) was in a wheelchair and unable to talk that much in the last years of his life (he had MSA). But he loved going to Disney World. It pained me to see him getting into the boat at Living With the Land but the Cast Members were great with helping my stepmother get him into the boat and he just sat back and relaxed the entire time with a nice smile on his face. At Animal Kingdom, he couldn't walk that far without the wheelchair and I was concerned with how to get him on the Safari but it was easy enough - there's a jeep that will go and handle only handicapped people and the Cast Members made it a breeze. Seeing his face as we pushed him around World Showcase and having him hold up a hand (since he couldn't talk) that he wanted to stop and then point over to a place with "magic water" (alcohol) so he could have a drink was priceless.

I thought having him and my stepmother join us for a few days at Disney World would not be a great experience to remember my father by but it turned into one of the best times.

 

[Robo]

Very nice story about your father, disnut.

So sorry for your loss, but so happy for your fond memories.

 

[Nancyg56]

Disnut- you made my day today! Thanks for sharing

 

[danny1649]

Sorry for your loss but happy, at least you've got great memories that you can cherish.

 

[Mom2Luci]

My mom is also disabled, but with a rented ECV she was able to enjoy the parks for a few days with us 2 years ago. WDW really is very accommodating for disabled individuals. The bus system definitely helped in all of this and allowed for my mom to go back to the room when she was in pain or too work out to continue.

 

[tjmw2727]

Lovely memories disnut - thanks for sharing and sorry for your loss.

We had a similar experience with my mother in law two years ago. She joined our extended family and did two parks (HS and Epcot) as well as two pool/relaxing days and a night at DTD. She got on two or three rides, watched the parades and shows and had amazing week with her nieces, nephews, and her grown "kids". All of us are trying to make the magic happen one more time next spring xx crossed. One of her best memories is at DTD watching the step dancers outside of Ragland road with the live music and the "grand's dancing along" she talks about that all the time

 

[MouseLovingMom]

Gosh ya'll are making me cry! Very heart warming stories.