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A Christmas visit in 2011 by a disabled consumer

Walt Disney World: Looking for advice on best time for a December 2011 visit and most convenient hotel in relation to transportation and parks for a disabled consumer who must always be in a scooter.

From Helen Hannah
Posted October 11, 2010 at 1:05 PM
I am disable, use a scooter all the time, want to visit WDW during the first part of December 2011. When would be the best time to visit and where would be the most convenient place for me to stay in relation to transportation and parks. I fatique very easily and need rest periods, but do not want to spend a lot of time on different modes of transportation just getting back and forth to my hotel to rest. I want to see as much of the Christmas festivities as possible.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Anne Duncan
Posted October 11, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Hi Helen, I strongly recommend the hotels on the monorail line for you - Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian. The monorail makes the Magic Kingdom and Epcot super easy to travel to. In the afternoon it empties out so it is especially easy to travel back to one of these hotels if you need a break. The monorail will board those in wheelchairs or scooters first.

You would still need to take the bus to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The bus also offers separate boarding lines for those in wheelchairs or scooters, so again you will get top priority.

Have a wonderful time!

From David L.
Posted October 11, 2010 at 5:16 PM
I also think that the resorts connected to the monorail would be the best. If you need something cheaper then the port Orleans(not riverside) might work but it's only bus transportation everywhere. Magic Kingdom has great holiday displays and so does DHS. I don't know too much about Epcot and AK(I think Epcot got rid of their Christmas festival). The resorts in the Boardwalk area have boat access to Epcot(via back entrance) and DHS as well. Early december should not be very crowded so that's a plus. Have a great trip!

From Betty Rohrer
Posted October 11, 2010 at 5:49 PM
i was there in Aug with family. had no problems with any transportation. all were great at keeping our big group together as much as possible. did have to make a family take a stroller off so i could get off monorail one tome family was not happy to have to move sleepng child but had to.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 12, 2010 at 2:53 PM
I have gone there with my Grandmother who is in a scooter and I will say the monorail resorts are the safest bet.

Still, others that I found pretty good are the Boardwalk and Beach Club due to their proximity to EPCOT and DHS.

While this might be on the expensive side and me being a DVC member, but Old Key West, with their spacious rooms, are really good for disabled individuals.

Regardless, Disney is excellent when it comes to these kinds of things so calling them might be a good idea too. The busses are acessable as well!

From Nick Markham
Posted October 12, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Choose Disney's Contemporary Resort. The monorail passes right through the middle of the hotel, meaning you don't even have to leave the hotel to get on the monorail!

From Tony Duda
Posted October 13, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Helen, a web site called AllEars.net has a lot of info which may help you on your trip.
Below is a link for that info:

http://allears.net/pl/special.htm

Have fun on your trip!

From Bryan Fear
Posted October 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Not really in the vein of where your questions were going but I have a recommendation. I assisted my grandmother around Disneyland in a wheelchair one Christmas. The crowds were bad and inconsiderate. I noticed another wheelchair that was brought in by a customer who owned it and they had an orange triangular flag on their chair. It only stuck up a few feet but it was high enough that people could see it. It didn't stop the inconsiderate from still being who they are, but the considerate people at least saw it and stepped aside. It definitely helped thin the crowd to her favor. Also, if you put that flag at most people's eye-level, even the selfish will get out of your way because they want to see something and can't look around you. When not moving, the flag hangs limp and gets in no one's view. Psychological warfare for the win.

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