I'm planning a vacation to Disney World with my daughter, who has disabilities. How can I find out what services are available for special-needs persons?
Start by selecting a hotel that has rooms especially designed for disabled guests. All on-site resorts, from the luxury to the budget price range, have these rooms, although some offer a wider range of accommodations and transportation choices than others. To discuss your best lodging options with a Disney representative, dial
(407) 939-7807. If you need a TTY line for the hearing impaired, call
(407) 939-7670. Once you've made your hotel reservation, inform the resort's guest services desk if you have special requests, such as a refrigerator for medication or guard rails for beds.
Each theme park has a GUIDEBOOK FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES. You can order copies in advance either by calling
(407) W-DISNEY or by downloading and printing them from your computer. To access the theme park guidebooks, click here. Guest services within the theme parks also offers copies of the guidebooks as well as information for the hearing impaired.
Finally, a word of reassurance: because Walt Disney World is a frequent destination for the Make A Wish foundation and other such organizations, the cast members are accustomed to guests with a wide variety of health issues. The hotels, theme parks and transportation system are designed to make the Disney experience as accessible as possible for the ill or disabled, and I've received many letters from the parents of special-needs children enthusiastically praising the support they were given during their visit. The key to a successful visit is reading up on your options in advance and notifying the cast members, whether at your hotel or in the theme parks, that you may need assistance.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in November 2000.
Updated March 2006
