The problem
with a trip report like this, which is written for an audience
of confirmed Disney addicts who comes to Disney regularly, is
that it tends to concentrate on the minor problems we encountered.
It ignores all the good things, the things that have brought us
back to Disney most every year since the mid 70's as day visitors,
then as guests at on-site hotels for two or three weeks each year
since 1996. It ignores the reasons that have convinced us, finally,
to buy timeshare through Disney Vacation Club. Friends at home
see Disney as a 'kiddie' destination and cannot imagine why people
in their fifties, with grown up children, would want to visit.
I tell friends it is like going to see a movie. You know its not
real, but for an hour or two, you totally immerse yourself and
for a while, at least, it is real.
At home, we
are professional people (an architect and a psychologist), wear
sober clothes, talk in professional language and think serious
thoughts. For a few weeks at Disney each year, we get to forget
about all that, wear silly hats, act like children and meet with
people without getting drawn into conversations about blocked
drains or child abuse. Nobody knows us, and we can have fun. We
meet all sorts of friendly people, not just cast members. Some
we have been talking to for years on bulletin boards and it is
great to meet them face to face. Some are total strangers who
strike up conversation on the bus, at the pool, in a bar, or in
line for a ride. And people strike up conversations with me, despite
the fact that I use a wheelchair. (Sometimes at home, people talk
to my wife about me when we are out together, what I call the
'does he take sugar in his tea?' syndrome), something that has
never happened to me at Disney.
We stay on
site, at Disney hotels which are 'themed' as thoroughly as the
parks. Our favourite hotel is the Boardwalk Inn, which is based
on the seaside hotels of Long Island and New Jersey of the '30s.
Of an evening we can sit in the Bell Vue Lounge with a drink,
playing Monopoly (they have a good stock of board games), and
listening to the Jack Benny show or the Shadow on the radio ('what
evil lies in the hearts of men. only the Shaaadowwww knows!).
When we stay on-site the theming is 24 hours, seven days a week.
What better way to escape?
The biggest
single reason for coming to WDW, for me, is the extent of the
facilities for the disabled. There are many rides in the park
that I cannot transfer onto as I did 25 years ago, when I was
much more mobile, but rides aren't everything, there are plenty
of other things to do and see in and around the parks. We have
been so often now, that my wife and I no longer feel the need
to rush into a park at rope drop on an early entry day with a
commando plan. We might have a leisurely breakfast at our hotel,
hang out at the pool awhile, pop into Epcot to buy something in
Japan say, then return to our room. Vacations are all about relaxing,
and after all, if we miss something this time, we will always
be back next year.
My wife especially
likes to hang out at the quiet pool with a crossword and a good
novel and soak up a bit of the sun that we are denied at home.
Because, perhaps, my wheelchair and my work conspire to keep me
indoors at home (I work from home) for much of my time, I really
enjoy getting out and about, breathing the fresh air, and chatting
with people. Because all the parks, hotels, entertainment and
shopping, within the 47 square miles of WDW are served by an integrated,
wheelchair accessible, transport system, I can come and go as
I please. I don't need to rent an expensive adapted wheelchair
van to get around. I can go where I want, when I want, and without
taking my wife with me to act as minder. I know that most paths
will be wide enough for my wheelchair, flat and level. Sidewalks
will have kerb crossings at regular intervals. If there are steps,
there will be a ramp nearby. If I need a restroom, there will
always be a 'disabled' stall or a companion restroom nearby. If
I want to eat in a self-service restaurant, there will always
be a wide isle for wheelchairs and someone on hand to carry my
tray back to my table.
Buses all
have wheelchair lifts (gradually, over the years, Disney has been
upgrading its fleet with wheelchair buses, to the point that in
three weeks, I came across just one single bus without a lift).
I know that I can get a recharge from any outlet if I have a flat
battery, I know that wheelchair rental services will put air in
my tires if I need it. I know they will give minor mechanical
assistance if I break down even though I am using my own chair,
not theirs and call help from an offsite repair shop if there
is nothing they can do. On this last trip, even room maintenance
at the Boardwalk helped me out by lending me a metric hex wrench
to adjust my chair. Basically, if you need assistance, Disney
provides it. As a footnote, I should add that assistance isn't
confined to wheelchair users. Although I wasn't especially looking
out for it, I did notice Braille signs, reflective captioning,
and at the Candlelight Processional, a very dramatic sign interpreter
who was amazing to watch, even for someone who doesn't read sign
language, like me.
Here's a tip
to save money next year. If you are in Epcot for more than one
night during the Candlelight Processional Carol series, buy the
dinner package for every night you intend to eat at Epcot, not
just the night you go to the concert. Attendance at the Processional
isn't compulsory and you still get your 15% discount on meals
and merchandise bought in the park that day. Oh, and you get extra
pins and lanyards!
And finally,
thanks to all the little things that made us feel welcome. The
server at San Angel Inn who remembered me from my last trip five
years ago. The bus driver who wanted to look at my pins. The kind
soul who cleared a gap at the railings for me to see Illuminations.
The crazy CM at the MGM turnstiles at closing time (what was he
taking)? The man who took a photo for me over the balcony at Wilderness
Lodge because I couldn't see over sitting in my wheelchair. The
Mears bus driver from the airport. Chad, the Magic purser. The
US electoral process for keeping us entertained for most of our
visit. The lady on the ECV who gave me a 'high five' as we passed
in the crowds. Disney planners and management, who always manage
to provide 'disabled' facilities much better than the legal minimum
and earlier than required by law. 'The Sheriff', our server at
Roaring Forks. Ellen, the manager at the store at Wilderness Lodge
for posting our greetings cards offsite (they had to be weighed
for the right airmail postage to UK). The CM at MGM who waved
me straight through the turnstile with a cheery 'I'll trust you'
when I was fumbling to get out my AP with gloved hands. The lady
on the next table (all right - our own table) at San Angel Inn
who couldn't be convinced we weren't eating outside. My wife,
who has still not forgiven me for telling her the elevators at
the Living Seas were not real. All the Christmas lights and decorations,
the trees, the 'bridge' of lights between World Showcase and Future
World. The Osbourne Lights at MGM. The second or third viewing
of Illuminations (you have to see it more than once, and from
different positions to appreciate it fully). Members of Compuserve's
Florida Forum whom we met at FFRR '00 early in our trip. Members
of radp, and Deb Wills for her excellent web site, all of whom
helped us plan our trip.
Disney
World - The Online Guide is not affiliated with, maintained by,
or in any way officially connected with the Walt Disney Company.
Walt
Disney World & it's theme parks, resorts, attractions &
area names are trademarks of The Walt Disney Company. All information
contained in Disney
World - The Online Guide, including prices, dates,
times, availability, is subject to change & not official. Joanne
will not be held liable for any information (valid or invalid) presented
on any page in this site, and will not be held responsible for anything
that happens as a result of following advice or information on this
site, and does not represent the Walt Disney Company in any
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