From: Rich_Koster@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Rich Koster)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Re: WDW wheelchair access
Distribution: world
Date: 5 Sep 92 17:59:30 CST
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

This is a reply to jackson@caspian.eng.hou.compaq.com (Mike Jackson)
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 13:09:31 GMT to All about WDW wheelchair access,
and further reply to message posted Fri, 28 Aug 1992 23:29:01 GMT,
heiby@chg.mcd.mot.com (Ron Heiby) regarding EPCOT in 1st Half
November (taking elderly father on a trip to Epcot Center in November
and inquired about ways of avoiding a lot of walking between where
they want to go and the bus stop, as well as stair climbing at the
Caribbean Beach hotel):
 
MJ>I'm planning a WDW trip in Oct. for a family that includes a person
MJ>who, while not confined to a wheelchair, will spend most of her
MJ>time at WDW in a wheelchair for medical reasons.  She has her own
MJ>chair, so we won't need to rent one, but I'd like to find out about
MJ>the kinds of problems we may face or special plans we need to make.
MJ>I haven't found much info in the guidebooks so far, and I haven't
MJ>yet broken down and called the WDW info.  Surely we're not the
MJ>first net.folks to deal with this problem, so, for those who've
MJ>passed this way before us, any tips or advice would be greatly
MJ>appreciated! -- Mike
 
When you make (and I guess pay for) your WDW reservations, they'll
send you a 32 page brochure "The 1992 Disney Insider Guide" as an
early orientation to your vacation experience.  We just got our copy
of this brochure in the mail yesterday (9/4/92).  On page 14 they
discuss Disabled Guest Assistance for those requiring wheelchairs,
audio cassette rentals for sight-impaired guests (nominal deposit
required, contact the City Hall at the Magic Kingdom, Earth Station at
Epcot Center, and the Guest Services Building at the Disney-MGM
Studios Theme Park for guided tour cassettes and other assistance),
and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD's) availability and
arrangements [(407) 827-5141].
 
Quoting the parts for handicapped and wheelchair access:
 
"Handicapped accessible rooms are available throughout the Walt
Disney World Resort.  At the Theme Parks, guidebooks and assistance
                                          ^^^^^^^^^^
for disabled guests are available at City Hall at the Magic Kingdom,
Earth Station at Epcot Center, and the Guest Services Building at the
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park."
 
(If you called Disney they'd probably tell you more or might send you
a copy of this in advance once you went ahead and made reservations??
Someone else posting here had a daughter who injured her leg and
described WDW as being very handicapped-accessible.)
 
"Guests in wheelchairs can ride ferry boats and monorails.  However,
it is not possible for guests in wheelchairs to board or leave the
monorail at Disney's Contemporary Resort.  A limited number of
wheelchairs are available at Resort Guest Services locations, Disney
Village Marketplace and at the entrances to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot
Center, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park and the Disney Village
Marketplace.  Epcot Center also offers a limited number of motorized,
three-wheel vehicles for rent.  (A refundable deposit is required for
all rentals.)"
 
On page 15, in case anyone asks, is a mention of Medical Matters.  You
dial 911 for emergencies; they tell you where the First Aid stations
are in each park; and mention that complimentary refrigeration is
available for insulin at each resort hotel.  Resort guests requiring
in-room health care can call (407) 648-9234 between 8 am-11 pm daily
to make arrangements or touch "0" after 11 pm.
 
Hope this helps you and your families have an enjoyable time at WDW!
Let us know what your experiences were when you get back :-) !

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