Cruising with Disabilities on the Disney Cruise Line
Is it possible to sail on a Disney Cruise with disabilities? YES, it is! Let me share some of my experiences.
My first Disney Cruise was in 2005 We had 15 people in the
group. 3 with mobility issues, 3 with some form/level of dementia, 1 sight
impaired, 2 hearing impaired, 2 with diabetes, 5 with food allergies, 1 with a
CPap, and 2 with ADHD and other like issues. All of my cruises have had at
least one person with a CPap, ADHD and food allergies.
In 2017 we took my 90-year-old Mum-in-love on the Disney
Wonder for her 90th birthday. She had Alzheimer’s and was easily
confused she was suffering cognitive impairment. She also had some mobility
issues. She could walk but fell if we were not careful.
Here is what Disney has to offer for those with
disabilities:
·
For guests with Mobility
Issues:
o
32” (minimum)doorways
o
Ramped bathroom
thresholds
o
Roll in shower
§ Hand-Held shower head
§ Fold-down shower seat
§ Handrails§ Lower towel bars
§ Additional phone in the bathroom
§ Emergency pull cord in bathroom in case of
emergency
o
Open bed frames
o
Lower closet bars
o
Emergency call buttons
·
Also available upon
request:
o
Bed board
o
Bedrail
o
Portable toilet
o
Raised toilet seat
o
Shower stool
o
Transfer bench
o
Extra refrigerator
o
Stateroom communication
kits for hearing impaired:
§ Door knock and Phone Alerts
§ Phone amplifier
§ Bed shaker notification
§ Strobe Light smoke detector
§ Text Typewriter (TTY)
As you can see from the above list Accessible
Staterooms will be adapted to make it easier for a person in a wheelchair to
have full access to the room and make personal hygiene safe. They also have
many devices to assist those with vision and hearing loss as well.
All areas of the ship are accessible to those with disabilities. Only a couple of locations require a secondary entrance. On the first 3 ships of the fleet the Main Restaurants off the Lobby can not be accessed from the Lobby by wheelchair. There are steps there. But, just around the corner is a second entrance that is wheelchair accessible. This is just a second door not a “handicapped only” entrance. Many people use it.
The Walt Disney Theater on the Magic and Wonder has stairs so you can go to Deck 3 and enter the theater by going into the Cadillac Lounge and asking for Disability Access. They will take you through the backstage entrance. This is for those with mobility issues. This entrance will take you to the very front of the theater.
Do you want to swim but need help getting into and out of the pool or hot tub? Call Guest Services 2-3 hours before you wish to swim, and they will bring out a lift to get you in and out of the pool. All you need to do is tell them the time you wish to swim and what pool you wish to use. You will need an able-bodied person to go with you to assist if you need help transferring from a wheelchair to the lift.
Those using scooters, motorized wheelchairs or larger manual wheelchairs that cannot be folded may not be able to get off the ship at some ports. If the ship in tendering guests to shore, then you must be able to fold up your wheelchair and someone in your party must carry it down to the tender boat. You must be able to get down the steps by yourself or with the help of a person in your party. Because many of the ports are not US ports they are not required to comply with ADA regulations. Port Adventures often say no to guests in wheelchairs. Just know the ship is completely accessible and there is plenty for you to do.
If you are hearing impaired notify Disney 30-60 days in advance and they will arrange for ASL interpreters for you during shows. They are truly as entertaining as the show they are interpreting for you! It is a joy to watch. For those who are hard of hearing they also have closed captioning devices in the theater for the movies and listening devices to use as well. Just ask a crew member.
Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney Vacation? Let me know!
Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com
https://www.facebook.com/CarolynsPixieDustedMemoriesAtEliteMemoriesTravel
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