Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 2 Getting Around

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair

You're At WDW - Now what?

Getting Around the Parks
Disney does a lot of things right when it comes to accessibility. They have ample disability parking. They provide ramps into all forms of transportation from the boats at EPCOT to the trains at the Magic Kingdom. There are lifts on the buses. There are companion bathrooms.

Much of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Navigating Walt Disney World pushing a stroller is tricky. Navigating pushing a wheelchair is even harder. The streets and pathways are crowded. The lines are long. It's hot. Disney has ramps into almost every ride and restaurant, but there are still steep ramps, hills and long distances to contend with as well as the crowds.

Don't try to push a wheelchair down the center of Main Street in The Magic Kingdom - stay on the sidewalks or travel through the shops. There are a series of grooves in the pavement intended for the various Main Street Vehicles that will catch your wheels. Also, The Magic Kingdom has very few curb cuts - and they aren't painted white - so you may have to bump over a curb. The Cast will wave glow sticks if you're about to crash off a curb during a night parade. In all of the Parks Guests may block curb cuts-especially around parade times!- not realizing that you have no other way on or off the sidewalk.

What is a Guest Assistance Pass?

Once you have a way to get around the next thing you will need is a Guest Access Card (GAC). If you are in a wheelchair the Cast Members are supposed to help you find an alternate entrance to rides, etc. and you don't necessarily need to get a GAC.

In our experience its best to take the few minutes at the beginning of your first day to stop by Guest Relations and get a Guest Access Card (GAC), particularly if you are using a non-standard wheelchair like a Convaid or other adult stroller. Guest Relations will provide you with an GAC as well as a tag for your Convaid that says "May Use Stroller as Wheelchair." You only need to get the GAC once - its good at every park for the length of your visit or for up to three months with an Annual Pass. The card is valid for the holder and up to five companions.

Notice the red sticker on her Convaid stroller

The Guest Assistance Pass is typically an alternate entrance pass. On many rides you will wait in the same line as any other Guest - the only difference being that when you get to the end you will enter through a gate rather than a turnstile (just like at the entrance to the Parks.) For instance if you don't have a FastPass for Toy Story Mania you will be sent to the StandyBy Line - at the end there is a gate to accommodate a wheelchair. At many popular Attractions such as Dumbo, Aladdin and Disney Junior Live on Stage you'll wait in the regular queue; there is no alternate access.

On other rides the alternate entrance will bring you to a separate loading area. This is the case at Spaceship Earth. If you enter through a separate entrance, a number of people from the regular line will board the ride, then a few from the alternate access line will be allowed on, in repeating sequence. A GAC will not necessarily get you on to the rides any faster. Your best best is to split up into small parties of two as they place those faster than larger groups on popular rides, regardless of which entrance you use.

Tell Guest Relations if you or your child can’t wait in line for medical reasons (heart condition, autism, etc). They may be able to provide you with a pass that will provide other accommodations such as allowing you to wait in a separate area.

Alternate Access line at Spaceship Earth - about 60 people ahead of us

When you can - use a FASTPASS! (If you aren't sure how to use your Fastpass, please follow the link.) A GAC is not a replacement for a Fastpass. Go ahead and get your Fastpass for the ride or attraction and return at the stated time. You will be escorted to the alternate entrance and admitted.

Also, be prepared to hear some grumbling from other Guests who think you are getting special privileges using your GAC. We've occasionally heard some ugly comments from other Guests. Try to remember that everyone is hot and many people are impatient. If they see you entering through another door they naturally think you are getting ahead of them in line.

There are amazing shows, parades, tours and special experiences you can enjoy that don't have any kind of barrier to entry - try to see Dream Along with Mickey in the Magic Kingdom! It's performed on an elevated stage in front of Cinderella Castle and everyone has equal access to "good spots."

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 3 Characters

 

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair  Characters, Parades & Fireworks

Meeting Characters When You're in a Wheelchair

This is one of the most magical aspects of a trip to Walt Disney World. While some of the other Guests may be inconsiderate the Characters are delightful!

There are a lot of great places to meet Characters at the Parks. My older daughter adores Characters, particularly princesses. We have been lucky enough to have Characters go out of their way to stop and say a special "hello" to her. Once, Jasmine & Aladdin stopped to spend several minutes with her as they were about to slip backstage. Jasmine even hugged her! My daughter grinned; I cried. That moment made every penny we'd spent on our Disney vacation worthwhile.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have been turned away from Character greetings if they were about to go on a break - just like any other Guest would be. I think it depends on the personalities involved. 
I highly recommend that you go to the Character Spot in EPCOT. It is fully wheelchair accessible. You'll be able to see some of your favorite Disney characters (Mickey & Friends) in the comfort of an air conditioned environment. This is one area where you probably won't have to wait in the regular line, but you will wait at least a while. However, it's worth the wait! The Characters will all spend quality time with you giving hugs, passing out high fives & posing for pictures.

There are always Green Army Men to see in front of Toy Story Mania. We also like Sulley & Mike in Hollywood Studios - they are outside so it is hot, but the lines are typically short. Look for them behind the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground area.

Parade Viewing
Another good way to see Characters to watch the parades. There are so many great parades at the Disney World Parks! Which parades will you want to see? Read Disney Diva's parade review to decide.

All of the parade routes and some show areas have viewing places for Guests with disabilities. These areas are marked with the wheelchair symbol and are often at least partially shaded. These are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots fill up even earlier than regular parade viewing spots! I've seen people in these areas more than an hour and a half before a parade is scheduled to begin.

Note the gray traffic cone - there was only room for 2 wheelchairs.

For the Disney Rocks show at Hollywood Studios there is a stage in front of the hat . A special needs seating area is marked with two gray traffic cones. To find a designated parade viewing area for individuals with special needs, pick up the disabled guest guide maps at Guest Services. The wheelchair areas are typically designated with a red P and the International Wheelchair Symbol.

There will be a Cast Member to make sure as many people as possible can fit. They limit the number of people who can accompany a Guest with a mobility impairment - don't expect to bring a party of 8 along with you. Typically, if you have more than a two or three others with you they will ask the able-bodied members of your group to move to another location.

Personally, we've only seen a few of the parades. The exception has been the parades at Hollywood Studios where we have often gotten prime viewing with little or no waiting. We've gotten great spots for the Pixar Parade. Once my daughter in a wheelchair was even invited up to "dance" with the High School Musical parade!

Where to Watch Fireworks When You are in a Wheelchair

Wheelchair access for the various fireworks shows varies by Park as well. Just like any other Guest, prime viewing spots fill up fast. You may want to get to your chosen spot an hour or more before the show starts.

If you want to see Illuminations in EPCOT there are roped off sections in both Future World & the World Showcase reserved for mobility impaired Guests. Look for these opposite the France & Germany Pavilions as well as across from Duffy the Bear. They have been in different places on our visits, but those are good places to start your search. Get there early! At 7:15 PM there were already Guests waiting in most of these spots on a recent visit.

I haven't found a special reserved fireworks viewing area in the Magic Kingdom. We've watched Wishes from the paths that run parallel to Main Street. Try the Rose Garden! (Added bonus: there is normally a Photopass photographer there who can take a picture of your entire group with the lighted castle in the background.) These spots aren't too crowded since most people stick to Main Street.

There are a limited number of reserved seats at the top of the amphitheater for Fantasmic in Hollywood Studios. If you have companions with you they may have to stand unless you get there early enough for them to score some of the seats along the top row. Bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom! (That's how I got this shot.)

Tip: Check out these other great fireworks viewing spots! They aren't reserved for wheelchairs, but they offer great views if you can get one of these spaces.

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!

Trying to Travel, Part Two

Now the preparations for airline travel with Amanda begin.The very first thing I had to do, before researching accessible beaches or planning our itinerary was to learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act impacts air travel. I discovered that there is another law, the Air Carrier Act, that specifically addresses commercial airlines. Other parents get to read travel guides; I get to learn disability law.

When we booked the flights we carefully specified that we required wheelchair assistance. Now, however, we need additional assistance due to the broken hip. I had to contact AirTran and request bulkhead seats for her and one companion as she has an immobilized leg.  AirTran responded very promptly with two bulkhead seats and two immediately behind so we can stay together as a family. I also need to make sure that they will have an on board wheelchair and that the flight attendants will understand her rights.

I ordered her a new wheelchair backpack that doubles as carry on luggage. It looks really cool. We've always needed at least one extra hand to get the kids and our luggage through the airport. Hopefully this bag will help. I like it better than the backpack we've tried to use in the past because it was designed to fit onto the handles of a wheelchair and it has several convenient exterior pockets for us to stow a soda bottle, her IPad, and little items. She may miss the Jonas Brothers logo that is on her current backpack, but I won't!



New backpack

Getting through TSA should be easy. There is a special line for mobility impaired passengers. A same-sex agent should scan her and the chair with a wand, while the rest of us go through the regular screening. They should let one of us go through ahead of her so we aren't separated. At least in theory that's how it should work. 

You'll notice I used the verb should in every sentence. We have run into some real idiots in the past. One agent wheeled her away from us with no instructions while I stood frantically screaming, "Don't take my child!" Another insisted that she get out of the wheelchair and walk unaided through the scanner. I think this is because the majority of "disabled" people TSA and flight attendants see are simply elderly people who are bit infirm and may use the wheelchair service for convenience getting through the airport rather than necessity.

We're able to navigate Amanda through the airport in her wheelchair without problem, but getting on board will be another trick. Wheelchair passengers are the first to board and the last to get off. The 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 the wheelchair isn't lost or broken. Even a basic manual chair like Amanda's costs more than $3,500. This isn't an umbrella stroller that can be replaced at the nearest WalMart for $15.

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. So we need to make sure they know how to handle her wheelchair.We will need to 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 passengers' carry on limit, so if we have to bag the parts, they have to stow them in an overhead or on board compartment.

Aisle Chair

 In the past Amanda has always been able to walk on board after her wheelchair is stowed. That isn't an option now so I'll have to call Airtran and request assistance with an on board wheelchair (typical wheelchairs are too wide for airplane aisles). This is called an "aisle chair" - a narrow high back chair with no sides. The catch is that she has to be "semi-ambulatory and able to transfer... into and out of these chairs."

Right now she still has a NO WEIGHT BEARING restriction. Hopefully the surgeon will remove that soon so that she can stand to transfer in and out of her wheelchair. Currently I have to use a slide board to transfer her. Kevin (aka He Man) just picks her up.

Those are the mechanics of traveling with Amanda. The actual flight should go well. She will have her IPad and headphones with her so she will have games and videos. They will require that she shut it off during take off and landing. Technically, as it is her Assistive Communication Device they are not allowed to require that it be shut off, but I doubt either of us is willing to fight that battle. The only other thing she needs is a spill proof cup since she can't drink reliably from a regular cup.

The flight should go smoothly assuming that the airline provides the accommodations we've requested, since all fall within the scope of the Airline Carrier Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on my recent experience with the Fulton County School System I no longer believe that the existence of a law creates compliance. I'll let you know how things go...

For information on Air Carrier Act and accessibility on airlines go to

http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act_details.htm

http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp

The Tale of Two Lasagnas

This week Amanda had her eighth surgery. It wasn't planned, but we took it in stride, being experienced.

I've noticed that people aren't comfortable visiting sick or injured children in the hospital. I used to think it was odd that people would come to a hospital to see a newborn baby, but not to visit a sick child. Now I understand. Most people can't bear to see a child suffering or in pain. And they shouldn't have to. Everything in us cries out when a child is in pain. We are practically hard wired to protect them.

So people offer to cook. It satisfies the need to DO something without exposing them to the suffering. That brings me to the lasagnas. Over the years we've had lasagna in every shape and size imaginable. We've had vegetarian lasagna, Alfredo lasagna, tofu lasagna (ick) and many, many variations on regular lasagna. I think I may still have two in the freezer left over from Amanda's last surgery - two years ago.

Every now and then an intrepid soul decides to veer off the lasagna path. I appreciate the thought but it has resulted in some weird foods being delivered to our door. There was the tuna casserole which, due to my seafood allergy, landed in the trash the moment the unwitting chef left.

One friend delivered an entire roast turkey. When I cut into it, the breast meat was reddish pink. Apparently she didn't know that you had to defrost the turkey prior to roasting it - or that it needs 5-6 hours if put in the oven frozen. The neck and giblets were still tucked inside the cavity, frozen solid.

And then there was the "diarrhea loaf". A neighbor kindly brought over a meatloaf she'd made. I don't know if she had old hamburger that she thought she'd just use up or if she forgot to wash her hands before she made it. Either way, it made us incredibly sick, forcing us to spend the night in separate bathrooms.

Now I ask friends NOT to cook for us. If they really want to bring something I usually ask for fresh fruit or some breakfast foods or snacks. It's easy to order a pizza at 8 PM, but much harder to get breakfast delivered.

The moral of my little tale is simply this, "Please give your friends food, not food poisoning."

I am a self-confessed mall rat. I love strolling along, looking at things I'll never buy, sampling free tea and hand lotion. By the time I was twelve I was begging my mother to drive me and my friends to the mall every weekend. The nearest mall was 45 minutes away so it was a serious trek for a non-shopper like my Mom. Still, about once a month she gave in and gamely drove a carload of giggling girls to the Westfarms Mall in Farmington, CT.

My Mom typically sat in the car, listening to NPR and reading a book while we roamed the two levels of the mall with its exotic glass elevator. I think the big anchor stores were local chains Sage Allen and G Fox & Co. (both of which no longer exist). The "boutique" shops were places like 5-7-9 and Merry Go Round Clothing.

Every now and then my Mom and I would go to the mall alone. I loved those trips. She'd wander around with me, looking at costume jewelry and clothes. There was a Walden Books and an Orange Julius. Sometimes we'd have lunch at the Chinese restaurant in the strip mall across the street.

A day at the mall is a mother/daughter thing -  a bonding experience like no other. So, yesterday, on Amanda's last day home alone with me before she started summer school we went to the mall. It's the kind of thing moms with typical children take for granted, or, like my mother, even dread a bit.

Going shopping with Amanda isn't like going with a typical teen. I had to pack the wheelchair because it is too much walking for her. She is non-verbal so I keep a running one sided dialogue while we shop, even though it draws stares from other shoppers. Kevin has joked that I should get a blue tooth so people will just think I'm talking on the phone. When we stop for a snack it has to be a place that serves semi-soft food with no soy so we can manage her dietary restrictions. Still, we had a great morning together.

Amanda likes the same stores any pre-teen girl would, although possibly for different reasons. We go to Build A Bear because she likes to play on the computers. We go to the Disney Store so she can watch movies on the big screen at the back of the store. We shop at Justice for Girls because they have a TV with music videos playing at all times.  

Amanda played with my iPhone while I tried on dresses, rolled her eyes when I showed her clothes and chose pizza for lunch over healthier alternatives. All in all, very typical for her age.

Justice for Girls $38, Sbarro $13, a day at the mall with my daughter, priceless...