Ok, so we're two days in, and having a good time, but I thought I'd make some notes as I go to help out anyone else who wants to do the Orlando thing with a child in a wheelchair.
First some background. My elder daughter is nearly 10, and has a inherited metabolic condition that leads to long term neurologial problems. At this stage she gets tired easily, can be unco-ordinated and grumpy. We decided to use a wheelchair to help her with the walking bit of the parks so that she could enjoy the rides. She can get herself around, but the chair gives her a break, and a chance to sit as often as she needs it.
We had arranged wheelchair hire with Care Medical Services. The chair was delivered to our hotel and ready for us from the moment we arrived.
We've been to the two Universal Parks. We don't have formal disabled accreditation, but have a letter from our community nurse explaining the situation. We've been able to use the disabled parking areas, and one day got to park for free. We decided to not go for any ride access perks, as we felt that would be asking a lot for our situation.
All the rides were accessible to us, but there are one or two things to highlight:
Many of the smaller rollercoasters (The Unicorn, and Woody Woodpecker's) have a special "bridge" carriage at the back which allows the chair to be pushed across and be ready for when you get off. This is very neat and works really well.
For rides like Shrek 4D and Jimmy Neutron, if you can get out of the wheelchair to use the ride seats, you will get a much better experience.
You will be at the front of the action for Poseidon - this gets hot with the flame effects.
The wheelchair exit to Flying Pteranodons is not well signposted and a wrong turn ends up in stairs.
You will be at the front of the action for Poseidon - this gets hot with the flame effects.
First some background. My elder daughter is nearly 10, and has a inherited metabolic condition that leads to long term neurologial problems. At this stage she gets tired easily, can be unco-ordinated and grumpy. We decided to use a wheelchair to help her with the walking bit of the parks so that she could enjoy the rides. She can get herself around, but the chair gives her a break, and a chance to sit as often as she needs it.
We had arranged wheelchair hire with Care Medical Services. The chair was delivered to our hotel and ready for us from the moment we arrived.
We've been to the two Universal Parks. We don't have formal disabled accreditation, but have a letter from our community nurse explaining the situation. We've been able to use the disabled parking areas, and one day got to park for free. We decided to not go for any ride access perks, as we felt that would be asking a lot for our situation.
All the rides were accessible to us, but there are one or two things to highlight:
Many of the smaller rollercoasters (The Unicorn, and Woody Woodpecker's) have a special "bridge" carriage at the back which allows the chair to be pushed across and be ready for when you get off. This is very neat and works really well.
For rides like Shrek 4D and Jimmy Neutron, if you can get out of the wheelchair to use the ride seats, you will get a much better experience.
You will be at the front of the action for Poseidon - this gets hot with the flame effects.
The wheelchair exit to Flying Pteranodons is not well signposted and a wrong turn ends up in stairs.
You will be at the front of the action for Poseidon - this gets hot with the flame effects.