Re: Kate/Disney Advice

[Guest guest]

Sue -- first, visit the Disney website (look for guests with disabilities) to

get all the details behind what I am about to tell you. You will be amazed

at how much a difference what I am about to tell you will make...

First, let your boys know they are about to have a wonderful adventure --

they are going to see a part of Disney that the average kid visiting won't

see....

Disney has wheelchairs and ECV (electronic convenience vehicles) available

for rental for their guests. On the outside, some people tend to shy away

from this due to pride. DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE! A) they are there for people

like you who NEED them, and you will have a better trip to the park with

it.

When you rent your wheelchair (very nominal fee) you get a special map of the

park. This special map shows you the way wheelchairs can access the

attractions. There are very few that you cannot access with a wheelchair (the

only one I can think of at the moment is the Swiss Family Tree House

-- and it still offers parking). But the greatest part is, very few

attractions DO NOT offer easier and/or speedier access to people with

disabilities. Case in point, the wheelchair access to the haunted house is

through the exit. They put you in the ride before the rest of the line has

access to the ride -- no waiting in line, no waiting to find the sign that

says your wait from here is 1 hour!

If you are able to walk, climb steps or stairs, there is no ride that is off

limits to you -- including space mountain! Space Mountain requires you to

wait at first in the regular line, but when it gets to the point that the

lines start going back and forth (about a half hour to go) they take you and

your whole party around that and put you on the ride.

Combine the wheelchair with starting off in the morning by going to the left

of the park, rather than to the right (toward Swiss family rather

than Space Mountain) you will miss much of the crowds in the morning, and

have A LOT more energy throughout the day.

If you cant sit all day, no problem! Stand or walk for a while and have

somebody else " take a load off " ( there will be volunteers from your group).

The wheel chair is also handy for packing the inevitable souvenirs that get

bought along the way... FYI, if you stay at one of the park hotels, they will

send your purchases to your room for free -- no carrying!

I am sure there is more, but I am at a loss at the moment, and this is a lot

to take in... Please feel free to ask me anything else -- I want you and your

boys to enjoy this trip so much -- YOU DESERVE IT!

Kate

[Guest guest]

Dear Kate,

Without a doubt....I WILL TAKE ADVICE, and thank you for offering it to me. I

am truly worried about next week, because I am just starting to get over a large

" flare " , but discussed it with my rheumy today. I think that I will pack my

cane, just in case I really have a problem walking. It really takes me a month

or so, to start walking right again, so I am truly taking it slow and really

concentrating on myself this week. This will be a difficult trip, but because I

planned it over a year ago. The plane fare was $76.00 round trip!!!! My boys

are so excited and I just couldn't cancel. I asked my doc about being in the

sun with all my meds today, and also what to do in case I was to " flare "

again..which I sincerely doubt will happen back to back, but just to be

prepared.....he told me to call him right away, and he will contact the hospital

with my medical condition, but to be on the safe side, I am carrying my Stills

brochure with me as well as some background on me, and my boyfriend knows the

whole scoop as well. I am all ears Kate, and thank you for offering me some

tips. I look forward to hearing from you. I will check my mail in the morning.

I really pushed it today, and I would like to finally attend work tomorrow just

to check on things, so I am taking my meds and I am off to bed.

Love, Sue #2