Cruising Disney
with Special Needs
As with anything/anyplace
advocate for yourself.
Make your needs
known and do not feel ashamed for asking for assistance.
Remember, no
business or person can help if you do not express the need.
What are Special Needs? Here is a short and not
totally inclusive list:
·
Limited Mobility and use of Mobility Aids that
includes; cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair or scooter.
·
Hearing Impaired
·
Visually Impaired
·
Cognitively Impaired
·
Neurodivergent
·
Medically Fragile
·
Diabetic
·
Food Allegis
·
Sensitivity to Lights and Sound
What does DCL offer in the way of help?
Again, this is not a complete list! It is an huge overview of
what is available from DCL and a suggestion to an outside vendor who can assist
with what DCL can’t help with. It is NOT an all inclusive list! Feel free to
contact me with any questions about your specific needs. What I don’t know I’ll
be happy to find out.
Carolyn-Tinky@PixieDustedMemoriesTravel.com
Mobility needs:
Accessible cabins:
·
Cabins have more space to move in with a wheelchair
or scooter and a lower threshold on the door for ease of entry with wheels.
·
2 emergency pull lines that can call for help if
needed. 1 in the main cabin area and 1 in the bathroom.
·
Accessible Closet with a hanger rail that comes
down for a wheelchair user.
·
Rollin Shower, Shower Seat, Grabrails and lower
sink you can roll up to.
·
Shower Chairs (for non-Accessibcabins), Steps
for the Bed, and Bed Rails upon request.
Other Mobility Information:
·
All public spaces, including shops, decks and shows
are accessible by those using mobility aids.
·
Using your own scooter that breaks apart on the
cruise? That is fine and you MAY not need an accessible cabin for it. Measure
the width of the scooter and contact DCL and ask them if the cabin door will accommodate
your scooter.
·
All public spaces have seating for those in
scooters and wheelchairs. There are 2 places with special entrances for those
using mobility aids. Triton’s Main Dining Room has a door on the Port Side (Left
Side of the ship as you face forward) of the ship. This door has no steps and
is not just an accessible entrance. It is just a secondary entrance. If you
wish to sit at the front of the Walt Disney Theater go to the Cadillac Lounge
on Deck 3 Port Side and let them know you need accessible entrance to the theater.
They will arrange for you to enter through the backstage area to the front row.
After the show wait and they will bring you out.
·
You may request a lift to get you into a pool or
hot tub. Make the request several hours ahead of time so they can arrange for
it to be at the pool you wish. They will minimally assist with you transferring.
·
They only provide temporary use of a wheelchair
if you are injured during the trip. They generally only have a few and they are
not comfortable.
For the Visually Impaired:
·
Brille is widely placed on signage around the
ships.
·
In the Restaurants you can request Large Print
Menus.
·
Ships elevators announce what deck you are at
when the door opens.
·
Cast Members will assist you at places like the
Buffet and other quick-service locations.
·
You ask for headsets that will give you discerptions
of what is going on during shows and movies. There is a refundable deposit for
this.
·
Disney allows Meta Glasses as a visual aid for those
who need them. Some cruise lines have banned them over privacy concerns.
For the Hearing Impaired:
·
There are staterooms designed for those with
hearing loss. They include the following things:
·
Doorbell that flashes lights in the cabin when
someone is at the door.
·
Ships Emergency Alarms will set the lights in
the cabin flashing.
·
The alerts for the doorbell and emergency alarms
will also shake the bed to wake the guest.
·
As in all cabins Closed Caption is available on
the in cabin TV set.
·
You can request headsets that make it easier for
those with limited hearing to hear the shows and movies. You place a small
refundable deposit.
·
At some venues there are digital closed
captioning devices available.
Neurodivergent Needs:
These are harder to find:
·
For the young and young at heart there is a book
you can download and print. I love it! It is called my Disney Cruise Adventure.
o
Here is the link to the page with the download:
o
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/traveling-with-little-ones/
- :~:text=Download%20My%20Disney%20Cruise%20booklet%20in%20English
o
Before you go use this book to let your
neurodivergent traveler know what they will see and hear on the ship and the
trip to and from.
o
While traveling this book is wonderful as a backup
safety item for your kids. You fill in your flight/travel plans and contact
information in the how I’m getting there and who I’m with sections. This gives
them something to show an appropriate person to ask for help if they happen to
get separated from you. It is also there for memories later. Then teach them
how to identify “helpers” such as airline employees, airport security, and any
business employees at locations they may be around. Look for work ID tags and
go to a cash register are good options.
o
The book teaches words like Port, Starboard, Aft
and Bow so they can understand the ships crew members. It warns them that the
toilet is loud so it doesn't scare them as much when they use it on the ship.
o
It gives them a place to write down people and
things they wish to remember. It acts as a scrapbook. They have a spot they can
write the contact information for friends they make in the kids clubs! Best
idea EVER!
o
During travel it allows them to color and draw,
so bring those crayons and colored pencils along to keep them happy and excited!
·
I’ve found the best thing to understand and know
for the neurodivergent is the need for a quiet space. There are plenty of quiet
spots on the ships. You can always find a empty area with less noise and
stimulation when needed. Before shows ask Crew Members where the best place to
watch for your needs.
·
Be aware that Kids Clubs ages are not negotiable,
even for disabilities. This may seem ruff and hard to understand but truly they
are considering the safety of all those using the areas. You can take your
older Neurodivergent traveler to the kids areas during open house to check them
out.
·
DCL does have lines to see the characters. Usually,
these lines are much shorter than the ones at the parks. You can have one
person stand in line while the other entertains your neurodivergent party
member, then join when they reach the front of the line. Photographers,
characters and handlers are very patient and will work hard to get great
pictures and special moments.
·
DCL is well aware that food issues are a real
issue with Neurodivergent guests. They will help in anyway then can and make it
easier for you. If your neurodivergent travel partner limits food call ahead of
time to ask if they have what they like most. Many love chicken nuggets or mac &
cheese. Both are available.
·
There are a very limited number of Autism at Sea
sailings on DCL. Other cruise lines do more of them. Check Autism at Sea or ask
your Travel Agent if they can assist with an Autism at Sea Sailing with support
staff to give caregivers breaks during the cruise.
Bringing Medical Equipment or Medications:
·
Do you need to keep medication cold? Request a
small fridge from special services before boarding. Don’t worry if it is not
there when you arrive, just ask your room steward or call Guests Services.
·
Use a CPap and need distilled water? Let them
know before you go and they will have it in your cabin. Need more while
sailing? Just ask your room steward and they will bring you some.
·
Need an extension cord to plug in your medical equipment?
Remember extension cords are a banned item for safety reasons. DCL does have a
limited number power cords available to
borrow. There is a refundable deposit that is returned when you return the
power cord at the end of the cruise.
·
Use a sharps container? There is one in the cabin
bathroom. Fill it up? Ask for another when you need it.
·
Call and ask about any special accommodations you
may need for your equipment. Ask about special loading and unloading plans you
may need to make.
·
By policy medication should be in it’s original
bottle/package with the prescription label on it. But I have found if you wish
to make a travel pack and keep pictures of the pills with the original
packaging label with you that usually is not an issue.
Food Allergies/Dietary Needs:
·
Have a food allergy, diary, wheat, and nuts are
just the short list of allergies. Do you have diabetes, Crohn's disease or gluten
intolerance? DCL has you covered! They do not what you to have an allergic
reaction or food related illness while at sea!
·
Let DCL know at least 6 weeks ahead of your
cruise. This way they can provide what you need and make notes not to put your
health at risk.
·
First night tell your serving staff at dinner.
They will make a note and help you. Often this means ordering dinner the night
before so you don’t delay dinner for your table.
·
When you order at the buffet or quick-service
locations or room service let them know and ask what is available.
Service Dog Accommodations:
Service dogs are allowed on DCL ships. It does not matter if
it is a Guide Dog, Medical Alert of any kind Dog or a Food Allergy Alert Dog
they will be allowed to sail.
·
All Service Dogs must pass a FDA medical check
up with a FDA cleared veterinarian and have proof of all vaccinations. This is
at the guest’s expense.
·
Dogs may not be left alone in the cabin or tied
up on a deck.
·
Dogs must be under the control of their handler
at all times.
·
A relief station is provided for the dog to use
and it is required to use that location only. The guest must clean up after
their animal. Proper disposal containers are appropriately located near the relief
station.
·
You are responsible for the food and care of
your service dog.
What does DCL not provide:
·
Wheelchair and other mobility aids. (They do
have 1st come 1st serve limited number of Sand
Wheelchairs on their private islands.)
·
Patient Lifts for getting in and out of mobility
devices.
·
Hospital Beds.
·
Lift Recliners.
·
Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Supplies
·
Ability to repair your equipment easily. (DCL
will try and do their best to assist if necessary. No promises made.)
·
If you need a wheelchair or scooter and do not
have one rent one ahead of time. Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea is
top rated. They work worldwide and will do their best to provide what you need
at any hotel, resort or cruise line. There are other providers that cost less,
but I’ll make it simple with mentioning what I think is the best. You do pay
for the quality service you get.
·
All the above listed items are available from Special
Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea. Yes, they have walkers, rollators,
wheelchairs (both transfer and standard), scooters, Beach/Sand Wheelchairs, patient
lifts, hospital beds, lift recliners and if their equipment has an issue there
is a way to contact them and they will be at the next port to assist. They will
deliver the mobility aid to you at the terminal and pick it up from you upon
return. Beds and other equipment will be set up in your room/cabin for you.
They can deliver to a pre or post-cruise hotel as well. They also do land
destinations such as Disney and Universal Destinations.
Special Needs Group may be higher priced than other companies,
but they provide the best service available. You can be sure the equipment will
be in good condition and if something happens they are there to assist. DCL Cast
Members have also recommends Special Needs Group because of the quality of
service and equipment they provide the guests with.
