Doing Disney With Disabilities - Part 2

What do you do when your disability is not so obvious?  If you or your disabled loved one are anything like my husband, often he just wants to blend in.  He would rather endure a little (or extreme) pain and suffer rather than have to face the scrutiny (or just plain paranoia) that others are looking, staring, or judging.  Worrisome thoughts like, "Look at him, he doesn't need that ECV" or "They are just doing this to skip lines" or maybe you even overhear another person say, "Pfffft, guess I should have paid for a scooter!"

What if you are that vacationer that has severe PTSD, a panic disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or seizures?  What if you are afraid of people being too close to you and maybe you even get weak and feel like you are going to pass out when crowds are too large and people are all around?  Maybe you even collapse under stresses like these.  Unfortunately, all these are things that my husband has to endure plus a few more.  Yet, until our most recent April 2013 visit, I never thought about how Disney could accommodate these invisible disabilities.  Because John was usually in a wheelchair or used his walker, those injuries/disabilities were more apparent.   When he used a mobility device, we used the Wheelchair/Handicapped entrances to rides, thus typically bypassing those overcrowded and often long lines. 


Just before our April trip, I read somewhere about the Guest Assistance Card.  I knew John wanted to try to tackle this trip without his walker or wheelchair.  Matter of fact, we left the wheelchair at home and only packed the walker.  We decided we would just rent an ECV on the day(s) that he needed it while we were in the parks.  My breathing difficulties are so severe that I knew I couldn't be able to push him much during this trip even if he were to need the wheelchair.  I knew we would need this Guest Assistance Card more than ever. 

As usual on our first day, Magic Kingdom was our first stop. We headed straight to City Hall/Guest Services and I explained our situation to the cast member there.  I told him how John was a combat wounded vet who had severe PTSD, seizures, and anxiety and also told them that we didn't bring his wheelchair along like usual but he still had mobility issues with standing or walking for long periods of time.  

The cast member was gracious and put our information into the computer.  He stamped our pass with "May use an alternate entrance when possible" and also explained that he couldn't guarantee that it would work everywhere but encouraged us to "just ask" and to have a great vacation.  He also told us that sometimes the wait times may be longer using the card than the traditional ride entrance, etc. 

I have heard how this Guest Assistance Card can be a life saver for families traveling with children with disabilities also.  Children with Aspergers, Autism, sensory disorders, etc. can possibly benefit from the Card.  If you have thought about taking a disabled aging family member along on a vacation, this may be a good thing to keep in mind so your vacation is less of a hassle. You can always ask your travel agent or Guest Services on suggestions to make your trip more accommodating and magical.

Ok, here is my disclaimer!  I can't guarantee that Disney will accommodate any or all of your issues/disabilities.  I can say that during the last 3 years on at least 9 trips, we've only had one bad encounter with a cast member regarding disability accommodation.  Yes, it made me furious and practically ruined my entire day at the Animal Kingdom.  However, while we were at the Animal Kingdom Guest Services location, I overheard a cast member and a guest discussing her request for a Guest Assistance Card.  The guest apparently had diabetes and had gotten the Card in the past and the cast member did not want to giver her one for her current trip.  The cast member even asked her if she had her prior card or a letter from her doctor!  If you are considering asking for a Guest Assistance Card on your next trip, you may want to take along some type of documentation just in case you need it.  I would hate for your first Disney experience to be unnecessarily anxiety provoking.  While John has a VA ID card that states he is Combat Wounded and Service Connected, I thought about taking a copy of his Compensation Award letter on our next trip.  This way we would have documentation showing what his disabilities he is diagnosed with and you better believe that we're saving this current Card!

Invisible helper dog at Once Upon A Toy

During our April trip, I also noticed several service dog relief areas.  These areas grabbed my attention as we have been on a service dog waiting list for almost a year.  Hopefully, on our next trip we will have a service dog with us.  During our Halloween Party trip in October 2012, John jokingly grabbed this invisible dog/leash at Once Upon A Toy at Downtown Disney and said, "Look at me and my invisible helper dog!"

Whatever need or disability you have, chances are that Disney has a way to make your vacation a little more comfortable.  Even though we started off with 4 years of no family vacations, we now do Walt Disney because it caters to disabilities (both the visible and invisible), it is in John's comfort zone, and it helps turn an ordinary day into a magical escape. Read more about why we do Disney in this post.


If you have a question about Disney accommodating disabilities you can Click Here to go to their Q&A Page.

See our Doing Disney With Disabilities - Part 1 post



(Friends and readers: I am now a Travel Agent complete with graduating from the Disney College of Knowledge and I'd love to help you plan a magical vacation.  Email me at aflener1@gmail.com and Find the agency on Facebook - Our services are FREE from quotes to park plans and dining with qualifying vacation packages)
 

Doing Disney With Disabilities - Part 1

Hakuna Matata!        If you are planning a trip to any Disney location and stressing because of a disability, you can put your worries away.  

Disney caters so well to people with disabilities and this blog will outline a few ways we've witnessed Walt Disney World accommodating...often with a little pixie dust along the way.

When we were planning our 2011 family trip to Walt Disney World, I was almost in tears when I called to explain that we needed to change reservations so that we could accommodate my husband's wheelchair.  The cast member on the line was so understanding and compassionate.  I will always remember what she said, "There are a quite a few things that Disney does really well and helping those with disabilities is something they do very well!"  She modified our reservation so that we had a roll in shower.  When we checked in we had a little extra pixie sprinkled.  We found out that they gave us an extra room to adjoin so the kids could still have a bath tub! I think I shed a tear or two.  Now, I'm not saying Disney will give you an extra room and it is something we've never requested but it happened twice in 2011 for us. Whatever your needs are, explain them and Disney will let you know how they can help.  For example, if you need a room for the hearing impaired, ask.  If you need a shower chair or handheld shower in your resort room, simply ask and see if Disney can accommodate. 

If you have ever been to Disney, you recall seeing a host of motorized scooters or ECVs.  Disney buses, monorails, boats, and other vehicles accommodate wheelchairs and ECVs.  These people needing special accommodation typically board the bus first and can take up to 5 additional people with them.  Larger parties need to split up and wait in the regular line.  We have found the bus drivers to be very kind and helpful.  At times, John has transferred from his chair into a regular bus seat and other times they go to great care to buckle him securely with his wheelchair secured.  During our 2011 trip, he had multiple seizures when he was very crowded on the bus and it was over packed.  We have learned since then that if a bus is crowded or there is a long line, we may choose to wait for the next bus.   

With rides and attractions, there is often a handicapped entrance also.  This entrance usually accommodates wheelchairs and scooters when the normal line may be too narrow or have stairs.  While this has often seemed to cut down on our wait time, Disney's policy is that axillary entrances "are not intended to bypass waiting lines."  It may be possible to wait longer in an alternate entrance line (i.e. waiting on a boat to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter at It's a Small World or the Jungle Cruise).  Sometimes a guest must transfer from an ECV or wheelchair and some attractions or shows allow the guest to remain in their chair.  

Check the park map for details.  Additionally, know that each Disney Park has a special guide/map for guests with disabilities.  Check with guest services or the park's wheelchair rental location for these special guides.  

These special Guides for Guests with Disabilities outline things like:

• Where to find companion restrooms (I love these as a mom with boys)
• Where to find service dog relief areas (Since we are on the waiting list to get a service dog, this caught my eye.)
• Service dog restrictions
• Special parade viewing areas
• Accommodations for guests with visual disabilities (Braille guides, audio descriptions)
• Accommodations for guests with hearing disabilities (handheld or video captioning, assistive listening devices
• Courtesy Wheelchair locations/use
• AED locations 

There are a few other Disability Accessibility things to mention.  At most restrooms on Disney properties you can find sharps containers.  So if you are a diabetic and have to take injections, you won't have to worry about where to put your used needles.   You can also stop by Guest Services  to get a Guest Assistance Card if you have disabilities.  This can help if you have a mobility disability but don't use a chair or if you have an invisible injury (see Part 2 of this post).  At the Magic Kingdom's Columbia Harbor House restaurant, we were greeted by a cast member before we got in line and she escorted us to a special section for accessibility.  We didn't have to suffer through tight lines.  They were even willing to take our order and bring it to us.  If you rent an ECV from a Disney park, you have to return it before you exit, however you can show your ticket if you park hop or return later and be issued another ECV.  One last tip is don't forget that you can get a free ice water at counter service locations or snack carts/locations that have tap water available. 

2012 Birthday Trip with Extended Family

 

So until my next Part 2 Post (when you have an invisible injury like Panic Disorder, Seizures, PTSD, etc) know that Disney is a great option for catering to your needs, whatever they may be.  If you need something, let Guest Services or a cast member know.  You may be suprised at what they can do.  For us, Disney is therapeutic, magical, and provides that escape from the day to day realities of life.  Disney bends over backwards to make sure every vacation is a magical one.

(Friends and readers: I am now a Travel Agent complete with graduating from the Disney College of Knowledge and I'd love to help you plan a magical vacation.  Email me at aflener1@gmail.com and Find the agency on Facebook - Our services are FREE from quotes to park plans and dining with qualifying vacation packages)

Are You Prepared?

After the Boston tragedy a few weeks ago, I made a quick mention on my Facebook page asking if people were prepared.  What if you had to be locked down in your home for a day or two?  What if you couldn't leave for a week?  What if a natural disaster struck and you were isolated needing food and supplies for a week or more?  Would you be ready and able to provide for yourself and your family? 

As the wife of a combat wounded Army Veteran, I've heard about how we should be more prepared and there is always a lot more we can do to be ready.  While I am not ready to start digging a bunker just yet, here are a few things you can do to be a bit more prepared. 

• Coupon and/or stockpile staples.  I love to buy rice and canned foods when I can get great deals!
• Buy emergency staples like freeze dried or dehydrated food
• Stock up on water
• Make sure you have cooking supplies that aren't dependent on electricity
• Have a stash of first aid supplies and essential gear

When we first started getting a small food supply together, we had just sold back a lot of old text books on Amazon and used the Amazon credit to buy things like these:

 



Another great source that we found is Emergency Essentials.  You can request a catalog or browse their website.  They have an awesome compilation of things for preparedness from water to camping to MREs and garden seeds to Group Specials.  You can even get Yoders Canned Bacon!

 



Be sure to check out their Closeout & Overstock Page too. 

 

Happy Prepping!

We love FREE Customized Disney Maps

I know I've been posting a lot about Disney lately.  It is no secret that we love the land of the Mouse.  Our oldest child loves being the "tour guide" when we go places.  He loves navigating and maps.  

We ordered our first set of Disney maps a couple years ago and still have them! When you have them mailed, allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.  You can print them but they are not a good quality and don't compare to the exquisite ones Disney prints and mails to you.  

You can request additional new maps, but you have to wait at least 6 months from your previous order.  This is just one additional FREE thing Disney has to offer.  Studying the maps and attractions helps you better prepare for your park visit and spend less time scurrying around trying to figure out the layout of the park after you arrive.  Get your maps here.

(Friends and readers: I am now a Travel Agent complete with graduating from the Disney College of Knowledge and I'd love to help you plan a magical vacation.  Email me at aflener1@gmail.com and Find the agency on Facebook - Our services are FREE from quotes to park plans and dining with qualifying vacation packages)