Question about Physically disabled child?

[cooleo]

A friend of mine is wanting to bring his family to WDW & he has a question that I was not sure of the answer to. One of his kids is an 8 yr. old boy who is an invalid. He has been stricken with a crippling disease that renders him totally unable to do anything but sit in that wheel chair or lie in his bed. He has a hard enough time sitting up in his wheel chair. He would basically only be able to see characters & shows. His father says he would not be able to ride any rides. I know lots of disabled people are able to do so, but he feels his son's condition is bad enough that it would be out of the question. He would however like for him to be able to see the characters. His question regarding his son is: Does he have to pay full ticket price for his son? I would think the answer is yes, but to be sure, I wanted to get some opinions / answers from you guys that are always so helpful. Please let me know if any of you have any knowledge regarding this situation.

 

[mousermerf]

He would have to pay full ticket price. Admission is for entry into the park, not to actually do anything inside of it.

 

[cooleo]

Thanks Merf for the reply. I knew I could count on you.

 

[cdunbar]

For some reason I am thinking that there are special arrangements which can be made for a situation like this. By this I mean calling ahead and making arrangements by telling Disney that a young man with said condition is coming and that he would really be able to only enjoy the characters. For some reason I'm thinking that they would be able to make arrangements for him to be with characters and not just have to go from place to place to locate them. Is this all in my head, I mean correct me IF I am wrong but I feel like I've heard something like this happening before....

 

[mousermerf]

Through organizations like Make a Wish or something you could have a sponsored Disney trip - but Disney is not in the business of providing "levels of access" to WDW parks.

Character meals are offered at non-Park locations.

 

[bobjl527]

That sounds so sad. I was wondering. My sister took my mother to WDW in 2004, three months before she passed away. She was completely confined to a wheel chair. Unable to leave it. However, she was able to go on many attractions without leaving her wheel chair. I know you said that this little boy has a hard time even sitting up in his chair. Would the motion of the ride be dangerous for him? I recall my mom going on It's A Small World and Jungle Cruise at MK and GMR and Back Lot Tour at MGM. The wheel chair just rolled onto the attraction. So there maybe a few rides he can enjoy. I hope this info helps your friend out.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I highly recommend you purchase Passporter's Open Mouse Guide to WDW and DCL, its a book that addresses travelers with extra challenges..it covers all of WDW and DCL in extreme detail.

 

[Captain Hank]

Just for additional information, there are several rides where he could remain in his wheelchair (assuming that it was a standard-size wheelchair) and simply roll into the ride vehicle. These include It's a Small World, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land and Kilimanjaro Safaris (though it might be too rough for him). I believe that this is also available on The Jungle Cruise, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Pirates of the Carribbean, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, and The Great Movie Ride, though I'm not personally certain on these. In addition, of course, all shows are fully accesible to guests in wheelchairs.