The handicap staterooms found on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are HUGE!  I was in 6154 on both the Wonder and the Magic and the balcony alone could have been used for a dance floor!  The one drawback on the balcony was that it was not clear (see-through) so someone short like me (4′10″) and using an ECV had to sit right next to the railing to see anything besides sky!  The extra room in both the stateroom itself and on the balcony was worth the sight-impairment though for ease of using an ECV or a wheelchair in the room.  Even the bathroom is generously sized although I am fortunate and do not need to use my ECV in the bathroom.

This handicap stateroom also had an extra storage room off of the living area for ease of storage since the closets are rather high and hard to reach for someone confined to a wheelchair or ECV.

TIP:  If you are traveling alone or a companion is not readily available, please ask for assistance in getting down a life vest from the top shelf of the closet before the mandatory fire drill at 4:00 pm before the ship sets sail on the first day of the cruise.

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

This is probably one of the best handicapped-accessible attractions in all of Walt Disney World.  If you are on an ECV you must transfer to a wheelchair, but the wheelchairs at this attraction are very spacious and comfortable.  The handicapped “clammobile” is larger than the others, with one seat for a companion and a ramp that folds out onto the moving walkway.  The wheelchair is then rolled onto the ramp, the ramp is turned and “folded” back into the clammobile so that you are sitting facing the attraction and the cast members will push you onto and off of the attraction.  Thumbs up to Disney for this innovation!

 Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

A mobility-challenged individual on an ECV must be able to transfer to a seat or a wheelchair in order to ride this attraction.  If you are not able to step down into the boat, a wheelchair boat is available; however, the wheelchairs on this particular ride are VERY narrow and cut into your sides (at least if you are short and wide as I am).  It is very hard to get in and out of the wheelchairs if you are larger than probably a size 10 or 12 and a member of your party must push the wheelchair onto and off of the boat, which is not an easy task!  The attraction is very much worth the inconvenience, although I probably would not do it every time I go to the Magic Kingdom.

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

Easy access restaurants at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (using an ECV at the table):

Yacht Club Galley, The Yacht Club Resort

Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge

Big River Grill, Boardwalk (outside eating only — it is very difficult to maneuver inside the restaurant)

Spoodles, Boardwalk

O’Hana, Polynesian Resort

Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom (there is a ledge around the entire buffet so that you do not need another individual to help you go through the line to carry your plate)

Mama Melrose’s — Disney-MGM Studios

Hollywood & Vine — Disney-MGM Studios (you must use another individual to carry your plate around the buffet)

Liberty Tree Tavern — Magic Kingdom

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

PS — Please also check out my agency’s other blog about anything Disney, www.DisneyTavelPro.com

So far I have found the following restaurants to be difficult to navigate on an ECV at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida:

Big River Grill, Boardwalk (indoor eating area only; outside eating is much easier to maneuver)

Grand Floridian Cafe, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (they will not allow you to use an ECV at the table, but they will allow you to ride it to the table and then have another person ride it back and park it in the restaurant lobby for the duration of your meal)

Coral Reef, EPCOT

Akershus House, Norway Pavilion, EPCOT

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

PS — Please also check out my agency’s other blog on anything Disney, www.DisneyTravelPro.com.

Disney is so handicapped friendly — they have sand wheelchairs available on a first come, first serve use for handicapped cruisers.  They can be found on the family beach on Castaway Cay.