When we decided to visit Disney World, I looked on line for information about accessibility. I didn’t find what I was looking for which was just an overview so that we would know what to expect. I’m going to try to keep this concise because there are blow by blow accounts of the parks on the internet already.
Fort Wilderness - We were so busy that I never got out of the motorhome at the campground. We had one of the lowest priced RV sites. It was level and fairly big. There was enough room for me to use the lift and still be in the site when I exited but I would have been in the sand. The more expensive sites have larger paved areas. Fort Wilderness is expensive but worth the price because you can park at any of the park lots for free, you don’t have to sit in traffic or waste time driving, and you get extra hours in the parks that non-Disney resort patrons don’t get.
The Basics – Disney World is very handicapped accessible. We didn’t use a lot of the facilities or transportation choices so I can’t comment on them. We drove our RV to the lots and used it for taking breaks and eating meals. We tried to get to the lots early enough to get fairly close to the entrances. RV parking was different at each lot. Each park has a special map for handicapped accessibility but if you don’t find one, the regular park maps have all of the rides marked for accessibility. This little graphic that is on the right side of the maps tells it all -
If you use a standard wheelchair any ride with the first or third symbol is very easy to board –just roll on. The rides with the second or fourth symbol, which requires that you transfer onto the ride aren’t easy at all. We tried the Haunted Mansion. Tony had to pick me up and maneuver into a very small opening on the car. We also got in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean but didn’t even try to get on the ride. It would have necessitated getting onto the floor and then transferring down over a foot into the boat. So unless you can stand a little or are very good at transferring, skip these rides. There are plenty of other things to do.
Magic Kingdom – Parking -we were directed to an end spot close to the exit. It wasn’t a far walk to the entrance but you must get on the monorail to go to either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, accessed by a long, not too steep ramp. There are special lines for handicapped passengers but you still have to wait in the regular line until you’re at the top of a ramp. A small ramp is put in place to bridge the gap into the cars. The cars aren’t made for wheelchairs so the aisle is used. No tie downs but the ride is smooth. They cram in as many wheelchairs and strollers in as is possible.Since this is the oldest park it has more rides that aren’t accessible. As new rides are added they go out of their way to make them accessible. Some of them have transformer types of seating that are almost as entertaining to watch being transformed as the ride is to take.
Epcot – Parking for RVs in Epcot is excellent, very close to the entrance in special RV spaces. There aren’t many spaces so get there early. Most of the attractions are accessible in a chair. I especially enjoyed an attraction in one of the Innovations buildings which used computers to put us into a video game. We mailed a link to ourselves and could play the game on our computers – very funny! But I lost the link! :(
Hollywood Studios- No special parking for RVs. This was farther away from the entrance than any of the other parks. Most of the rides are accessible.
Animal Kingdom - We were parked in a big lot right next to the handicapped lot that seems to have been designated as the oversized and RV lot. It’s pretty close to the entrance. As the newest park almost everything is accessible – hang on if you go on the safari , a little bumpy and fast stops.
Scroll down on this site to Guides for Guests with Disabilities for maps of the parks.
Guides for Guests with Disabilities
A few tips – we went at off season, in the beginning of December and the parks were not crowded at all. Get to the wheelchair designated spots for the parades and fireworks early. Remember that your tickets are good for 14 days so if you’re not feeling well or the weather is bad, skip a day.
Disney
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