trishfromoz

We are travelling from oz with three kids, the youngest in a wheelchair. Is there anything I should know about access etc before I get there? Also we were going to spend three days in Florida but I've been told it will be too hot, any help?

patg

There is an accessibility section on mouseplanet called "tag"
http://www.mouseplanet.com/
It is being updated, but perhaps you could contact the authors.

a321sesame

It used to be that you could enter in all the exits and avoid the lines---when many a people started faking ilnesses and they began redoing the lines and widening them for acessibility I think they got rid of this option. But I am not 100% sure. I would say almost all of the rides are acessible, some have special platforms for wheelchairs--others have spots where you can move up to the moving walkway and walk a short distance. Is your child able to walk short distances? I think that some of the roller coasters would not be acessible depending on the disability---Good luck with your seach!

jor

The Americans with Disablities Act (ADA) provides for access to all. If you find a violation, Speak out.

And to people like Uncle Sam who think I am too liberal, Wake up.

Patrick

Just a side note. I'm all for fairness to people with disabilities, but we had an experience at Epcot once when a man in a wheel chair threw a fit because he was going to have to wait nearly 5 minutes as only every tenth boat or something like that at the Kraft pavilion had wheelchair access. Meanwhile, all the "non-handicapped" people had to wait about 30 minutes.

Austin

Trish, I think there is a link on Disney's website for questions about disability access. You might check there. Also, Disney (And Universal) have something called "fastpass" where you get passes for a ride at a certain time, show up and there is no wait.

As for whether or not it will be hot, when are you going?

bennie

Another source of information for traveling to WDW with someone disabled is the Dizabilities board at disboards.com. You'll be able to post questions and get good answers.

GoTravel

Went to Disney with a girlfriend who broke her ankle 3 days before we left. Her doctor suggested we get a wheelchair and it worked perfectly. Disney is very wheelchair friendly.

theladyjess

As a person with a disability, I have my copy of the ADA with me when I travel. You can get a copy by doing a search on any search engine. The site I use is for service animals, but it has the ADA on it www.sonic.net/ends/cnds/servicedogs.html This is mainly about the ADA and service animals, but you may find it useful.

Check out the web sites of the places you are going. Most will have a section about disabled visitors. You can also request information from the theme park, etc, that you are going to. Most places will be accomidating. If they are not then this is when your copy of the ADA comes in handy. You show them the violation and they will usually apoligize. If not then you have two choices. Stay or leave. You can alos contact the media regarding the discrimination you have recieved. This worked for me.

I was shopping in a local Target store with my service dog when an employee appproached me and said that I had to leave. I explained that my dog was a service dog and that I had the right to have him with me. The employee wanted to see paperwork for the dog, which is not reqiured by law. I expalined to him that I didn't have to have paper work or a special vest on my dog, so the employee asked what my disability is. Well thats against the law and I told him so, but we left. The next day I went back with my dog and a copy of the ADA and spoke with the manager. As soon as I walked in an employee tried to stop me, but I just asked to speak with the manager. I explained to him what had happened the night before, and showed him the copy of the ADA. I also said that if Target continued to harass and discriminate against those with disabilities I would go to the local media. The manager apologized and said that wasn't necessary. I haven't had a problem with Target since.

I'm sorry to bore you with this story, but it just gose to show how ignorant people can be when dealing with a person with a disability. I hope that you don't have to go through this when you're on vacation.

To help with heat, drink lots of water to keep from becoming dehydrated. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet. The Disney parks have water features that can get you wet and hepl cool you off. Also look for cooling neck wraps. You soak them in cold water for 15 -30 minutes. They retain the water and help keep you cool. If you cant find any contact me and I can see about making some for you.
Have a fun trip!!
Jess [email protected]

Rainy

Thanks patg - that link was very helpful. I am going to Disneyland with my Mom this summer and she is in a wheelchair. I was worried how'd that all work, but just skimming that site and the section on Disney's web site about disabilites has made me realize this trip shouldn't be any kind of problem! THANKS!!

Kay2

I've taken my mother to Disneyworld (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom) with her in a wheelchair. I contacted DW in advance and asked for their disability brochure. It listed precisely how/where to access all the rides and shows in wheelchair, which allowed the wheelchair right into the attraction, and which were only appropriate for someone who would walk a few steps and transfer onto/into the ride. I found it very easy to get around (it's all flat and paved) and the staff was very helpful. As my mother could stand and walk a few feet, it was easier than if she were totally confined to the chair. Probably the most difficult part of the trip was pushing her through the crowds--people would walk close and cut in front--I kept banging her footrests into many ankles.

It also makes a difference whether you are bringing your own chair or renting one of theirs. Once I rented at the parks and the pick up/drop off was not very convenient at one park--don't remember which one. Another time I rented from a local company that delivered and picked up the chair from our hotel--convenient and reasonable. We were going to other places in Florida on the trip and didn't have to worry as to whether a chair would be available at each park, Sea World, St. Augustine, etc.

trishfromoz

thank you for your replies. We are spending a few days in LA and I am wondering which would be better, Universal LA or Orlando? My kids are aged 14,11and 5. Our dollar is geting better but still not near enough.
Also, can anyone suggest a good (say 4 star) hotel thats accessible from LA airport but is kid friendly? AND lastly, not to stretch the friendship is Miami a good place to take kids (we will be there is August).

rjw_lgb_ca

I posted a reply to your Universal LA or FL in another thread, regarding the difference. As far as which would be better for your kids, I think that it depends on what you want them to get from the park.

If you want a "Movies"-themed Theme Park with great rides (and some piddling production facilities added as a complete afterthought), Universal FL. This might fly best with the kids, but you know them better than I.

If you want a tour of a historic, working film and TV production studio, including original sets and props, and don't need the great rides of a real Theme Park, Universal LA. If you want to impart a sense of film and media history (Universal! Studio of "Frankenstein"! "Jaws" "Earthquake!" etc.), this is your ticket.

Since the LA metro area is larger than many US states (and many, many countries), it is almost impossible to make a hotel recommendation without having an idea of your general itinerary (will you be focusing on the Universal City/Hollywood area? Or doing a general tour of the city, in which case you'll be better off staying in the Beverly Hills/West LA/West Hollywood area?).

As far as Miami-- my first answer is "no", it is not particularly kid-friendly. It's more a playland for adults these days, IMHO. Note also that it will be miserably hot and humid in southern Florida in August-- I don't know if that's a consideration to your youngest (I know that in some cases the paralyzed have difficulty in regulating their body temperature).

trishfromoz

thanks rjw. I have been to Universal, Cal and loved it, I would love to do both but not sure if the finanaces will stretch that far. Have 10 days in Orlando, I thought maybe four for WDW, 1 for Kennedy, 1 or 2 for Universal, 1 for a rest,then looking for something worthwhile to do in the last couple of days. Then we head back to LA for two days, thats when I thought of going to Universal again. I guess we would stay somewhere near the airport but I am not sure of the layout, I would like to be somewhere thats interesting to the kids, so that we could see as much as possible. Any ideas?

schmerl

A friend of mine just came back from a trip to DisneyWorld with her husband who is in a wheelchair. She said they handled everything very well. For great info go to wwwldisboards.com They have a forum on DISabilities. Also try www.wdwig.com for a lot of information.