Walt Disney World with a Wheelchair Part 1

Walt Disney World with a Wheelchair

So, You're Thinking of Going to the Walt Disney World With a Wheelchair?

Great! Go for it! I have only been to Walt Disney World once without a wheelchair. My oldest is mobility impaired. That means that she doesn't walk - she's my little diva on wheels. Being in a wheelchair can't keep her away from Disney World! And it shouldn't. Disney is wonderful even if you're in a wheelchair.

Like any visitor to the Walt Disney World Resort, when you are traveling with someone with special needs the difference between an okay visit and a magical visit is planning. You can stumble along and have a nice time. However, the more you plan ahead, the better your experience will be. Planning starts with researching (good news, if you're reading this you're already researching!) and ends with packing. That way by the time the big day arrives you'll be ready to experience the magic!

If you will be going to to Disney World with some one with a mobility impairment the place to start is Disney's Guests with Mobility Disabilities. You will want to decide if you are going to bring your own wheelchair or rent one. You need to decide where you are going to stay and whether you need to request an accessible room. You'll also need to know which rides you can easily access and where you want to eat.

Getting There with A WheelChair
If you own a wheelchair you can bring it with you - even if you are flying. The Air Carrier Act law requires that at least one folding wheelchair per flight be accommodated in the cabin - even if means displacing the crew's or first class passengers items. This is the best way to ensure your wheelchair isn't lost or broken.

If there is already another wheelchair in the cabin, they will gate check the chair and take it down to be loaded in the baggage compartment. You need to make sure they know how to handle your wheelchair. We put any detachable parts in a carry-on duffel bag and tape a list of instructions & parts on the wheelchair. By law access equipment doesn't count toward the your carry on limit, so if you have to bag the parts, they have to stow them in an overhead or on board compartment.

Just follow the blue line!

Once you get to Walt Disney World there is generally ample disability parking at the Parks- if you arrive early in the day! We've arrived in the later afternoon/early evening only to find there are no spaces available. If you plan to leave the park for a meal at a resort or to park hop, try to leave your car in one location and use Disney transportation to move around.
Some people think that parking may be free if they have a handicap permit or plate. The same daily parking fee applies, regardless of your permit. After you pay, follow the blue line to the accessible parking spaces. Remember to keep your receipt - its good for parking at any other Park that day. You can, however, use Valet Parking at any resort for free if you have a disability plate or placard- just don't forget to tip!

Every Park has a Disability parking area. If you didn't bring your own wheelchair, but will need to rent one or an Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) you can borrow a manual chair. These courtesy chairs are free. They need to be exchanged for a rental before you can enter the Park.

We are lucky enough to live within driving distance so I have no personal experience with Disney's Magical Express from the airport to your Disney Resort. All you have to do is reserve Disney's Magical Express Transportation by calling (407) WDW-MAGIC. The buses accommodate wheelchairs - just make sure to tell them you have a chair with you when you make your reservation!
Disney Transportation with a Wheelchair

Friendship Boat in EPCOT

Guests with mobility impairments can typically use the same free Disney transportation available to all Guests. We've never taken any of the buses, but they all have lifts that should accommodate a standard wheelchair. We have been able to access the ferry to the Magic Kingdom as well as the Friendship Boats in EPCOT without a problem. Use the Friendship Boats to shorten the distance are EPCOT - they cross the lake that separated Future World and the World Showcase.

Monorail

We've taken the monorail many times as well. When you get to the monorail loading platform wait in the area marked with a wheelchair symbol. A Cast Member will extend a ramp that allows you to roll onto the monorail. Don't be surprised if able bodied Guests cut you off and rush up the ramp ahead of you! Especially at the end of the day it seems that everyone is anxious to get on board the air conditioned monorail.

All of the Parks require a lot of walking (or pushing, riding, etc.) EPCOT has the Friendship Boats to shorten the trip between Worlds. Animal Kingdom has the Wildlife Express Train. Hollywood Studios is small enough that there isn't really any in-Park transportation. However, if you are at the Magic Kingdom by all means use the Walt Disney RailRoad to move between "lands". The first car of the trains is wheelchair accessible. You & one member of your party will be allowed in the first car. The train stops at the Entrance, Frontierland and Fantasyland. It's a nice ride and much better than trying to negotiate through the crowds.

Walt Disney Railroad

Ferry to Magic Kingdom

Where to Stay When You're in a Wheelchair?
We consider the Ferryboat ride to the Magic Kingdom part of our ritual and truly enjoy every minute of it, but it does eat into valuable park time.

Hotels are required by the Americans with Disabilities law to have accessible rooms on the first floor. Rental houses are not required to provide accommodations. When we rent a house we have to bring a great deal of adaptive equipment to meet our daughter's basic needs even in a single story house. You may find that you are more comfortable and safer in a hotel than a rental property.

Renting a Wheelchair or ECV
If you didn't bring your own wheelchair you can rent wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) at the entrances of all of the Theme Parks. You can find them with the stroller rentals.

There are no wheelchair rentals at the water parks. You may also be able to rent a manual wheelchair from your resort. If you rent a wheelchair from your resort a $315 refundable security deposit will be held against your room charge and returned when the chair is brought back. Wheelchairs and ECVs can be rented for longer periods through local Orlando businesses.

Wheelchair rental at EPCOT

When you rent a wheelchair or ECV at a Park you cannot take it to another Park, however if you hold onto your deposit receipt you can get one (if available) at another Park on the same day at no additional cost. The cost* for a manual wheelchair rental is currently $12 per day and $50 for an ECV rental. A security deposit is required for all ECVs, which will be returned when the ECV is returned. There is also a $100 refundable security deposit for either a manual wheelchair or an ECV rented at a Downtown Disney Location. (*2012 rates)

Wheelchair Backpack

Wheelchair backpack

While any backpack can be hung off the handles of a manual wheelchair, I highly recommend that you purchase a special wheelchair backpack. We've had ours for several years and its been on planes, buses and cars without a worry. The top zipper broke after about a year, but I was able to easily repair it with stick on Velcro from the grocery store.

A wheelchair backpack is designed to fit between the wheels of a manual chair so you don't have to worry about bumps and rubs. Ours slips over the handles and has several convenient exterior pockets for us to stow a water bottle, sunscreen and other little items. I particularly like it because the outer pockets are mesh and easily visible. That means that the Cast Member at the Park entrance is be able to screen it fairly quickly.

Don't forget that in addition to the basic Disney necessities such as sunscreen and hand sanitizer, your party may require a few extra items including any special toileting items you may need. There are companion restrooms throughout the Parks. Remember to pack any necessary medications in your backpack as well. If you need to carry epi-pens, medications or special food, please inform the Security Cast Member at bag check that someone in the party has a medical condition. You will be allowed to bring these items into the Park. For instance we need to bring my daughter's seizure medication with us.

Cooling Pad

sign for First Aid Station

Another awesome wheelchair accessory is a personal wheelchair cooling pad. We chose one that uses phase change material technology. Ours came from CoolSport. It is the best thing we've ever bought to combat the heat. It kept our daughter comfortable even on a 100 degree day. It comes in blue or black. The interior CoolPacks are quickly charged after about 20 minutes in cold water or the refrigerator. The cells turn white after they have been "charged". The exterior cover remains dry. The cooling effect lasts for hours. The Cooling Pad cost about $60 and arrived within 4 days of ordering. Wonderful product - wonderful service! And so much better than risking heat stroke.

By the way, the Parks all have First Aid stations and they are more then willing to help you in an emergency. On our first visit within minutes of entering the Magic Kingdom as we were oohing and aahing at our first site of Cinderella Castle my oldest's eyes swelled almost completely shut. My husband ran to the nearest shop and the Cast Member not only directed us to the First Aid station, but sent someone to accompany us there so we didn't get lost. Only in Disney!

My basic message is simple, You can do this! Walt Disney World is better equipped than most places to handle whatever special needs you may have. The Cast Members will work with you before you get there to make sure that you have a magical time, whether it is getting the perfect dining reservation, getting to your Resort or around the Parks. Try some of my tips for making the most of magical service - you won't regret it.

Stay tuned for Part 2 - What Do To When You're There!