Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 4 Dining

Disney Dining When You're in a Wheelchair

Table Service Restaurants
Dining can sometimes be a challenge if you don't plan ahead. Many Disney restaurants are crowded and hard to maneuver with a wheelchair - particularly Character Meals where everyone is moving around more than normal. For instance our daughter once was asked to transfer into a regular chair at Akershus during the Princess breakfast. Her wheelchair was safely stored and returned to us at the end of the meal.

Also, due to the need for extra space you may not get the prime views that the restaurant is famed for. If you want a good seat or the view the restaurant is known for make sure to ask for it before you are seated! Otherwise you will most likely be stuck out of the way.

Don't count on there being room for a wheelchair in a table service restaurant if you try to walk in! When you can, make advance dining reservations and be sure to specify that you will have a Guest in a wheelchair dining with you. Hopefully if Cast Members know about your needs ahead of time that they won't try to seat your party in a booth or a hard to reach corner.

You can (and should) make reservations for Character Dining, Dinner Shows and Signature Dining. If you've used a travel agent to plan your trip they can also give you insights on restaurants and make your dining reservations for you. The service is free!

You can call 407-WDW-DINE yourself for reservations if you want. Cast members are always happy to help you with reservations. However, its just as easy to create your own reservations online.

After you chose your restaurant and time you will get a screen labeled "Guest Information". This will include the restaurant, time, number in your party, etc. You will need to fill in a phone number that you can be reached at while on vacation. Next - and most importantly!- click on the box to the left of where it says "I have special requests or a food allergy."

Once you have checked that box, another window will open allowing you to specify any common food allergies as well as the fact that you will be need wheelchair accessibility. Not only do we request wheelchair access, we have two food allergies to contend with so I always start here. If I have any other special requests I can follow up with a call to WDW-DINE. Don't be afraid to try booking your own dining reservations on line. It's easy!

We tend to eat light so we only have one or two table services meals per visit. We've eaten at Sanaa, Akershus, Nine Dragons, Cape May Cafe and Kona Cafe with no problems.
What about Quick & Counter Service restaurants?
There are lots of options when it comes to dining at Walt Disney World. How do you handle the places where you can't make a reservation? If you are on the standard dining plan chances you have one quick service meal, one snack and one table service meal per person per night. If you are paying for your meals out of pocket, you probably still don't want to make every meal a table service meal.

Not all Quick service restaurants are equal when it comes to wheelchair accessibility. Some counter-service locations have narrow lines delineated with rails that aren't wide enough for a wheelchair. You will need to send someone for food or contact a host or hostess for assistance. Our typical strategy is to send one person to place the orders, pay and carry the food as some of the places we're tried can't accomodate even a manual wheelchair.

Focaccio Sandwich at Starring Rolls - great if you can make it through the chair maze!

For instance, Starring Rolls Bakery in Hollywood Studios has great sandwiches, but the area is a little corner, which you have to navigate a series of tables and heavy metal chairs to get to. It's a lot of work but worth it for delectable bakery goods. An easier choice in the Backlot Express which is crowded, but roomy enough to navigate without much problem. The hardest part will be finding a free table!

In the Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray's has a lot of seating, but railings separating the lines so again you will probably have to ask someone else to order. Casey's Corner has good food & a few outdoor tables, but the indoor seating is bleachers (super cute sports theme) so not accessible. We all love the Kiddee Cones at Plaza Ice Cream Parlour but it has such a narrow line that it won't accommodate a wheelchair. One of us waits in line and orders the cones while everyone else waits outside

An easier place to get ice cream at the Magic Kingdom is Storybook Treats. It is an outside location with a small covered waiting area. They have yummy soft serve cones, sundaes and shakes.

At EPCOT in Future World we tend to go for the Electric Umbrella as it is quick; however the lines are impossible with a wheelchair. You'll need to split up to place your order. our We've also eaten at Sunshine Seasons. It can be very crowded! Its cafeteria style so again, its a good idea to leave the person in a wheelchair gaurding your table while some one else picks up the food. A great option is to try the various snack carts around the World Showcase. You can order food and find a shady spot under a tree or by the lake to eat.

I can't say that we've eaten at every Quick/Counter Service restaurant or snack cart. I wish I could give you a detailed list of your best choice when it comes to accessible casual dining, but it's nearly impossible. So much depends on the size of your wheelchair or ECV, whether you are traveling alone or with companions, your own food preferences...

For a complete list of Quick Service Restaurants, go to the Walt Disney World website. All I can say is that if you want to eat somewhere and find that you can't access it with your wheelchair, flag down the nearest Cast Member and politely explain the problem. Most Cast Members will be happy to help in anyway they can - from getting the host or hostess for you or even carrying your meal if you can't. Just be nice and ask - you might be amazed by the magical response!