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

Continuing on my trip to Florida, I stopped at the Hampton Inn in Cordele, GA on Saturday, November 17th.  The Inn had outside corridors and was near a train (which I knew from the AAA Tour Book); however, all of the motels at this exit and the previous exit were by the same train so that cannot be avoided.

I had requested a handicapped room with a roll-in shower, but was informed that the only room of that nature was smoking, which I refused.  They did put me in a handicapped room with a large bathroom, but a tub and portable transfer shower seat.  My transfer seat at home also has feet that stand on the floor outside of the tub in addition to the four feet in the tub.  However, this seat only had the four feet in the tub and two “feet” that curled around and set against the side of the tub instead of standing on the floor.  I am a larger person and this tended to rock quite a bit which was scary, especially when you had your eyes closed while shampooing or rinsing the face right under the water.  Bars were in various places around the tub area, so entering and exiting was not very difficult even though the side of the tub had to be stepped over.

If you require a roll-in shower and do not want a smoking room, I would recommended using an alternate motel in this area.

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC

I stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Jefferstown, KY on Friday, November 16th on my way to Florida.  The Inn was very well kept and the staff could not have been nicer.  Also, pursuant to my request, I was given a handicapped room with a roll-in shower.  I use an ECV and don’t need to “roll into” the shower, but I cannot stand for any length of time and need a shower seat.  I could pull my ECV right into the bathroom because it was so immense and could therefore sit on it after in front of the sink and mirror after I got out of the shower.

 The one big drawback, however, was that the entire bathroom flooded from the shower — not just a little portion, but the entire bathroom all the way to the sink and toilet which were clear across the room.  In addition, I found the floor of the shower very slippery when wet along with the bathroom floor from the flooding.  I left a survey card at the desk, but I don’t know if there was a problem just that day or if this occurs all of the time.

I would check in with caution at this motel.

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.

Hi everyone!  I am a mobility-challenged traveler using an electric convenience vehicle (ECV).  I am currently training to become a travel consultant, with specializations in Disney travel, handicapped travel, cruising and corporate travel.  Over the next few weeks I will be writing about accessible travel and giving you insight from my current trip to Walt Disney World (11/18/07 - 12/02/07).  I hope you enjoy all of the tidbits, tips and general info and will consider using my travel service, Trips The Wright Way, LLC, when you are ready to plan your next vacation in 2008 (even if it isn’t to the Happiest Place on Earth)!

Enjoy!

Nanci Wright

PS — If you are also a Disney enthusiast, please visit my other blog at 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.