Hi I am hoping someone can help me My husband Joe (32) Was diagnosed in 1/08. We are planning a trip to Disney this September with our daughters 7&2, and I am hoping someone might have advise on traveling to Disney with PALS. I am basically traveling alone with a family member and friends. Any advice will be helpful. Are there certain rules for the motorized wheelchair on the plane, and other places we visit?
Hi Allison,
My DH was DX 8/07 and we (DH, 15 yo daughter & myself) went to Disney just last month. It was an absolutely fabulous vacation. Disney is really accomodating when it comes to people with disabilities. Can Joe do transfers by himself? I ask because most of the rides require transferring from the wheelchair to the ride. There are only a few that allow you to stay in the scooter or chair. The Disney website has lots of disability info.
I don't know about the power chair and the airplane. We took a manual chair and then rented an electric scooter at the theme parks. I would suggest contacting the airline directly so you don't end up with any surprises. With the manual chair, my DH was able to be wheeled up the ramp, right up to where we boarded the plane. Then the flight attendant had the chair sent down and loaded with the baggage. When we landed, they brought it right to us.
When you make your hotel reservations, be sure to confirm that you will have a room with handicap access. When the time drew close for us to leave on our trip, I called both the hotel & the airline to confirm that everything was in order. You just never know. Once we got to our hotel, we ended up having to leave our handicap access room & take a regular one, as the roll in shower was clogged & flooded the bathroom. It all worked out OK, but what a time that was!:?
OH! One thing that you will just LOVE! If you go to guest sevices when you first arrive, you can get a wheelchair pass. This allows you to go in the express lane line! Cuts down on the wait times tremendously!:mrgreen:
I hope you have a wonderful time. I'm sure you will! Take lots of pictures and wear lots of sunscreen!
Speaking of my Disney vacation, I would like to once again thank Jamie for donating the airmiles to my family, and Irma for telling me about the Memories of Love Foundation that provided the hotel and theme park tickets. We most definitely have wonderful memories from that trip!