Transportation...Take Your Time

The beauty of vacationing at the WDW resort is all transportation being complimentary while traveling between theme parks and resorts.  When a member of your party uses a wheelchair, be aware of not only the accommodations which are available but also the time it takes to travel.  

Guests may move about the WDW resort on monorails, buses, and boats but be aware that several things must be placed in order for this to happen.  The cast member working on each type of transportation is trained to assist you but it takes time to find a space for the wheelchair, place a ramp properly and safely, and then load the person in a wheelchair onto the monorail, bus, or boat.  

It is important to not only have patience but also allot for travel time when planning.  For instance, let's say you have a reservation at a hotel other than the one you are staying at for dinner.  You may want to leave your hotel or theme park at least an hour early to give ample time.  The very worst thing that could happen would be arriving to dinner too early and having to just rest and enjoy the others in your party in a conversation about your favorite memory from the day!

Walt Disney World Resort makes every accommodation possible when it comes to all of their guests taking advantage of all types of transportation.  They are very thoughtful and understanding, especially for those guests who require the assistance of a wheelchair.

Time for REST

Believe me.  I see people just like the person in this picture all across the parks within WDW when I visit.  They are so afraid of missing something that they push themselves past the exhaustion point and actually fall asleep in public areas within the park.  Don't be this person!  This is not fun and will cause you and the one you care for to be miserable.

For years people did not believe me when I would say that going to WDW was relaxing and enjoyable for my family.  They only knew an experience of go, go, go and then go some more til everyone was frustrated and in a horrible mood!  Not us.  We couldn't.  My husband had to move at a slower pace and take multiple breaks throughout the day.

One thing we began on our first trip and continued for each one was the idea of afternoon breaks back at the resort.  We would go to a park when it opened, ride our FastPass rides, grab a bite for lunch and then around 2pm head to the resort.  As the bulk of the crowds were coming in we were leaving.

We would go back to our room and rest even if we didn't sleep.  Sometimes I would take our daughter to the pool while my husband rested.  Later after freshening up, we would head to dinner.  If we felt like it, we would often go to a park for a few more hours at night.  At the same time if we didn't that was perfectly fine, too.

Remember this is VACATION!  It is a time for rest and fun!

Check-In Questions

When you arrive at your choice of WDW resort hotels, be ready with your list of questions upon check-in.  When you give them your name be sure and add that you made special requests due to the person you care for.  Explain their condition and the importance of these requests.  Always be kind and respectful when speaking with cast members for this makes a positive impression and gives you a much better chance of receiving your requested accommodations.

Also, remember depending upon the time of year and how early you made your reservations will have a direct impact to what the person at the check-in desk is able to do.

Be sure and ask the following...

• Did we receive a handicapped room?
• Were we able to have a room close to the main building of the resort?
• Is our room close in proximity to a bus stop?
• If they are unable to meet these requests, ask if they will move you as soon as a closer or more accommodating room becomes available.  That is a possibility.

Speaking from experience, it does matter where your resort room is located.  There was only one trip that we were not able to receive a room close to the main building upon check in. They told us two days in to our trip that we could move and we politely refused.  That was a mistake.  By the end of the week and having to walk over 10 minutes to get a drink or get to transportation, we realized we should have moved.  It's really not that much trouble and the resort will even assist you.  Don't make the same mistake.

The resort room is where you will call home throughout the duration of your visit and should be in a good location for the one you care for as well as yourself.  

Don't Be Afraid to Ask!

While planning your vacation to WDW do not hesitate to ask questions.  While looking at websites online can be informative, I do caution by reminding you that most of these sites are opinion based and cannot be used as fact when dealing directly with WDW.  My go to is always the official WDW website which is www.disneyworld.com.

From the official site you can chat live with a cast member, find phone numbers to call if you wish to speak with a representative or you can plan online directly through the site.  When planning make certain you ask the following questions to either your travel agent or your Disney travel representative.

I have a disabled or sick person in my party so...

• May I reserve a handicapped equipped room? (bathroom)
• May I have a resort room located near the main building of the resort?
• Assistance, Food, and Pools
• May I have a resort room located near the bus stop?
• May I reserve a scooter chair or wheel chair during our stay?
• Are there any special accommodations I should be aware of for sick or disabled guests?

Please remember that WDW does not have to make any of these accommodations for you except to give you a handicapped room if one is available.  At the same time, I have never asked and not been accommodated.  We have always been placed near the bus stop or the main building which will definitely make life easier for you which is our goal!

What's the worst someone can say?  No. That's okay.  Don't be afraid to ask!

Caregivers Can Go to Disney!

I can still remember the very first time our family drove underneath this iconic entrance and arrived at the most magical place on Earth!  I also clearly remember the concern I felt due to me bringing my husband, who was fighting a life-threatening heart condition, so far away from home and his doctors.  

Six months prior to this moment I knew nothing about maneuvering through this massive resort, its four theme parks, two water parks, shopping area, or the countless resort hotels.  I was unfamiliar with transportation as well as medical assistance in the area, too.  Since I am an educator and a research librarian, I did what came natural and began to investigate all there was to know about taking a sick or disabled person to a place called Walt Disney World Resort.

It began with me writing a letter to the acting President of WDW questioning all there was to know about how medical emergencies would be handled at all locations if one occurred with my husband.  To my surprise within a week's time I received a personal phone call from the President's personal assistant answering all my questions as well as sending me additional information in the mail.  

Since that first trip in 2009, my family has traveled to this amazing place 6 additional times!  In June of this year we experienced a real life dream come true by moving to the Orlando area.  Our family are now Resident Pass Holders!  After visiting multiple times since July of this year, I realized I continue to learn tricks and tips that would be helpful to fellow Caregivers.  I began this blog in order to share all I have learned so that your upcoming trip will be the very best possible.  Caregivers deserve to relax and have fun, too, and that's just what I will show you how to do!