Visiting WDW With a Disability

The first thing you will notice at the Walt Disney World Resort is that the entire property is designed in such a way that there does not need to be any special accommodations made for disabled visitors. Everything is designed to afford access right from the get-go. There are a few places and transport options on property where it's just not possible to facilitate disabled guests such as embarking and disembarking on and off some of the smaller Disney launches which we will touch on later.

Firstly let's look at the accommodations needs. Disney has multiple disabled rooms in every building of every hotel to accommodate special needs guests. They have wider-than-normal doors and tubs or showers with handrails. They will also be on the ground floors or on upper floors in buildings with elevators. They also have flashing strobe smoke detectors and TTY phones for those with a hearing disability. Diabetics will find refrigerators in all Moderate and Deluxe rooms and they can be provided free of charge in the Value resorts. Make sure you tell the CRO cast member that you have a disability need and, believe us, your needs will be anticipated and taken care of.

Getting around the resort. Most Disney buses can accommodate wheelchairs via wheelchair ramps at the middle doors and there are special mounting spots where wheelchairs can be parked during the trip.

Some of the Disney "Navy" transport is a little more of a challenge. Particularly the blue yacht-style launches that ply the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake where manual and motorized wheelchair access is totally impossible. If you can walk far enough to leave the wheelchair and take your seat, you can of course use the launch - provided that your wheelchair is of the folding variety.

As well, the yellow and white launches that circulate between Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness lodge and the Magic Kingdom can present a seasonal challenge caused by the lake level fluctuating due to rains or lack thereof. They are wheelchair accessible as long as the dock and the boat are at the same level. If they are not, and you cannot leave your wheelchair to walk on-board, you will have to travel to the MK (or other park) by bus.

When you get to the parks, make a beeline for Guest Services. They can provide you with guide-books showing the spots in the park where guests with disabilities have special facilities. They will also provide you with a special pass that advises cast members of your needs. Disney CMs genuinely love to take care of guests with disabilities. If you are hearing-disabled, Disney has audio guides for the parks. For sight-disabled guests, everything is in braille.

When you arrive at a ride, show the first CM you come across your pass and they will take you and a reasonable number of your party to the front of the line if you so request. Note that some disabled guests don't like to be treated "special" so the CM will not automatically insist that you go to the front unless you are comfortable doing so. Once you get to the loading platform, you may have to wait until a specially-designed ride vehicle that is capable of accommodating a wheelchair comes along. Unfortunately not every attraction can accommodate disabled guests. A list is provided in the guide-book that you receive from Guest Services.

Should you choose to go on a ride that requires you to transfer from your wheelchair to the ride vehicle, a member of your party will have to perform that function as Disney's CMs are not allowed to perform that function due to liability concerns.

When you want to attend special events such as Wishes, Spectromagic, Illuminations, Fantasmic! or any of the parades, ask a CM where the disabled guests spot is. They will have roped-off areas specifically and exclusively for disabled guests and their party. Usually those spots afford excellent views.

Wheelchairs and electronic wheelchairs are available at all Disney parks. They are however quite expensive. Be warned that medical necessity is not required to rent one and, since some guests choose to use one regardless of their ability, they can be all in-use quite early in the day. It may be a good idea to acquire your wheelchair from one of the off-site providers who will deliver the wheelchair or scooter to your hotel.

Service animals? Service animals are absolutely welcome on Disney property but they cannot go everywhere so bear that in mind when you are planning your day and the rides you will go on.

Disney has a specific Guest Services line for disabled guests. It (407) 939-7670. If you need TTY, the number is the same.

Last Updated: May 17, 2009