Wanted: Family Vacation with Dreamy Beach

[AP1967]

Wanted: Family Vacation with Dreamy Beach

Can anyone speak to vacation destinations that are accessible (wheelchair) and have stunning beaches? I am looking to take a vacation with my husband and 2 teens. I want to experience relaxation and gorgeous beaches (blue/green).

Hawaii? Anywhere in Caribbean? Bermuda? Europe? Greece?

 

[Nikki J]

We had a good trip to Disney Hawaii. It was certainly beautiful. The resort was generally accessible. I honestly don’t remember if the beach was. I think so though I don’t think they had beach wheelchairs. I had no trouble accessing the beach walking. My sister didn’t go down to the beach but there was an area we sat overlooking the beach and we could watch the rest of the family paddle boarding etc
It isn’t very Disney so ok for your family
And there was an accessible taxi we found that allowed us to do day trips

You probably know that our state beaches have accessible wheelchairs ( first come first serve) but I don’t think those are the beaches you long for

 

[KimT]

FB has a group for PALS who travel. You might get some good ideas there.

I can't recommend our beach. It's beautiful and DID have access but three minor hurricanes pretty much made most of the ramps for chairs no longer accessible.

We used to have Oceans of Hope that took out PALS and other people with paralysis on adaptive surfing. I haven't seen an event for a couple of years.

 

[AP1967]

Thank you for your replies. Yes, the local MA, RI, and ME beaches are great for the summer and do offer some accessibility.

I am looking for a destination vacation that I can enjoy looking at the green blue water. I traveled a lot when I was younger, college and post, but work and kids have gotten in the way. Now I want to enjoy a beautiful vacation with my family.

I have heard Maui, San Diego (not tropical), and Bahamas. I will look for the FB group. I will let you all know when I eventually book something.

 

[krnNdug]

We are going to Hawaii in January. I will be doing some research regarding the most accessible places there, but need to finish our Alaska cruise first. Alaska seemed more accessible when we went in 2016, 2 years after my Dx. Most of our National Parks have excellent accessibility considering what they are working with. Make sure to get your free (for disabled) National Parks America the Beautiful pass.

These days I take great joy when my wife expereinces something great and I get to see her face and hear from her what she saw and did. And I love it. Probably because I had done it in the 35 years before I met her and our kids.

 

[Marieb425]

We love Hawaii and used to enjoy traveling there. We went for a trip the fall after my PALS was diagnosed. We’ve been to Kauai a couple times but also really enjoyed the Big Island. The geography was so interesting driving around both islands.

Here’s a picture from the big island (Mauna Lani beach club)

Edited to add - when we traveled it was before ALS diagnosis and then when his mobility wasn’t impacted so I’m not sure about wheelchair accessibility, unfortunately.

 

[lgelb]

Is this a summer trip, or what season(s) did you envision?

Reason I ask is, as you know some destinations are incredibly crowded during peak season, which can make accessibility more of a challenge, from parking to chilling on the beach. I would also consider off-peak options if possible, where it's easier to find a beach house (or a resort hotel room) where you can go straight to the beach without driving, and so on.

SD is nice, but not sure it's the dream.

VRBO and Airbnb both have accessibility filters, beach filters, etc.

 

[AP1967]

This is for a winter vacation, get away from New England cold.

Marieb425, Did you go to Kauaai after diagnosis? With wheelchair? Was it accessible?​

 

[Marieb425]

We went to the Big Island after diagnosis, but my husband’s ALS is primarily bulbar/respiratory and he wasn’t in a wheelchair then (or now - almost 2 years later). Kauai was before diagnosis (2 times) and we really love it there. It just would be a long trek from New England; we live near Seattle and even with a direct flight it still can feel long.

One of the things I considered (and you might want to look into) is a cruise. It seems they’re accessible and they have a doctor on board. We have two little kids so I was looking at the Disney Cruises out of Florida but there’s other options too.

 

[lgelb]

Several people here have done cruises -- if that's an option, it's worth considering and they can chime in here. There are accessible cruising web sites that highlight the features of specific ships.