What help does Walt Disney World provide for disabled guests from the UK & Ireland?
Disney is dedicated to providing a service that makes every guest feel welcome, including those with disabilities. They offer a wide range of support services and accommodations designed to help their guests with disabilities have an inclusive and enjoyable experience in their Theme Parks.
Below, we have detailed where you can find information about these services and accommodations, along with additional helpful tips to assist you in preparing for your magical holiday.
Firstly, we recommend that guests read the useful information on the WDW website:
https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities
Make sure you download the individual Park Guides for Guests with Disabilities, as these give specific information about accessible entrances, mobility requirements, sign language captioning, audio descriptions, restroom locations, parade and fireworks viewing areas, etc.
For guests who would like to know more about the WDW Disability Access Service (DAS), please read our free Guide here. This service is primarily for guests who would find it difficult or would be unable to wait in a conventional line for an extended length of time.
The following two guides also provide helpful information for guests with disabilities:
Accessibility Planning Guide
All the Parks have Break Areas where guests who may need some downtime can access a quieter space. This Guide includes details of these areas, and other useful planning information:
Does Walt Disney World provide a sensory Experience Guide for guests?
This document details sensory elements for each attraction within the Parks. We have included information from here in our detailed Park Guides to help guests identify which rides would be most suitable for their families:
If you require any other help or advice, contact Disability Services at 0800 028 0778 (UK) or 1800 812 678 (Eire) or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Disney® Hotels offer a selection of services depending on the resort you are staying at, so ensure you check when you book that the hotel you are looking at has what you require.
Services include:
- Accessible basins (vanities)
- Bed and bathroom rails
- Braille on signs and lifts
- Closed-caption TV
- Adapted bathrooms, including widened doors, roll-in showers, handheld showerheads and shower benches
- Visual knock and phone alerts
- Lowered beds
- Phone amplifiers
- Portable commodes
- Fridges
- Rubber bed padding
- Strobe-light smoke detectors
- TTYs (Text Typewriter Telephone)
- Wheelchairs for temporary use
Also, if you are planning to stay at a Disney Resort with watercraft access, determine its accessibility by checking with your tour operator or calling Disability Services at 0800 028 0778 (UK) or 1800 812 678 (Eire) or emailing disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Top tip
Florida recognises all licence plates and parking permits with the international symbol of accessibility, including the UK Blue Badge; ensure you bring yours and that it is valid.
Is there help for disabled passengers arriving at Orlando Airport?
Flights from the UK and Eire to Orlando International Airport (MCO) typically arrive at Terminal C, where previously passengers needed to board the Tram to the main terminal to access immigration and passport control. However, this has now changed and this is all done within Terminal C, typically close to where you collect your luggage.
Here is a link to MCO’s interactive map: https://flymco.com/terminal-maps/
The airport also has moving walkways, visual paging systems, companion care restrooms and adult changing tables.
There are several options for accessible transport from Orlando International, including Mears Connect® buses, private chauffeur services and car hire from companies such as Wheelers van rental, Alamo®, Avis®, Hertz and Enterprise®.
Top tip
All WDW Resorts have disabled parking at their hotels and resorts. A valid disability parking permit is required.
Is there disabled parking and access at Walt Disney World Theme Parks?
All Walt Disney World car parks have designated areas near the Theme Park entrance for visitors with disabilities. When you arrive, inform the attendant, and they will provide you with a dashboard ticket and direct you to the reserved parking spots. Please note parking is not free unless you are a Disney Resort guest. Disney requires that you have a valid Blue Badge (if from the UK) or disability parking permits from other countries. However, accommodation can be made for temporarily disabled guests.
Most of the transport system is accessible as many Disney guests use scooters, and this can affect you if you plan to commute by bus since each Disney bus can only accommodate two or three scooters or wheelchairs.
Disabled guests staying in Disney or moving between Parks can request accessible Disney Minnie Vans via the Lyft app. These vehicles, driven by Cast Members, include seating for five people, one complimentary car seat and two spaces for mobility devices.
What disabled facilities are there at Walt Disney World Theme Parks?
Can you take your own Medications into Walt Disney World?
Disney provides EpiPens at First Aid Centres for guests who experience severe or life-threatening allergic reactions. However, guests with known conditions should always travel with their own supplies and inform Security as they enter the park. This also applies to any guests who require medication. Please advise Security when they complete your bag search.
Can Disney accomodate Dietary Restrictions and Allergies?
WDW is very accommodating, and most people have a positive experience. Ensure you make your needs known when booking and follow up with an email to the Special Dietary Requests team special.diets@disneyworld.com. They may request that you complete a Special Dietary Request Form, which has to be returned no sooner than 14 days before your visit. This information will then be shared with any restaurants you have indicated you will be visiting. You should always follow this up when you arrive at any restaurant, though.
You will need to speak to any counter-service restaurants you visit on the day, but they are often equally accommodating.
The following link provides lots of helpful information and menus can be viewed in advance on the MDE app:
Guests with special dietary requests
Where do you hire wheelchairs and ECVs from at Walt Disney World?
Guests can rent wheelchairs or three-wheeled ECVs (electric conveyance vehicles/scooters) in the Parks; you will find all the details here:
Wheelchair rental at DisneyWorld
However, Disney can run out! Guests then join a waitlist to be notified when one becomes available.
To avoid this, consider bringing your own or renting one to be delivered to your accommodation, whether inside or outside Disney. An option for scooters or wheelchairs is www.scooterbug.com and another well-priced option for scooters is www.applescooter.com.
Top tip
Double-check if you need to be there in person when items are dropped off.
Where will I find ride accessibility information for Walt Disney World?
You will find Accessibility Information for each ride, attraction, tour, restaurant, etc., within its description on the ‘My Disney Experience (MDE)’ app. Most, but not all, rides accommodate wheelchair users. Even attractions that don’t will permit guests to ride provided they can transfer from their wheelchair or EVC and board unassisted or with a member of their party helping them. Cast Members are neither trained nor permitted to assist.
To help your search, go to the ‘burger stack’ from the ‘Home’ screen and scroll down to ‘Accessibility & Health Services’. Scroll down until you see ‘Services for Guests with Mobility Disabilities’, tap on ‘Learn More’ and then click on each option that applies to you to see which rides are suitable (include, if you can, ‘Must transfer to wheelchair’, as that will open up more options for you). You can then filter by Park.
In this same area of the app, you will also find details of the services offered to all guests with disabilities.
Fireworks and parades
If you plan to watch the parades or fireworks while visiting Magic Kingdom®, there are designated viewing areas for guests with disabilities and mobility devices. Parade viewing areas are located in Liberty Square, the Hub (the circular area in front of Cinderella’s Castle) and close to City Hall on Main Street (this area will usually be quieter and Cast Members might linger a little longer). The viewing area for fireworks is between Casey’s Corner and the Hub – see the individual Disney ‘Park Guides for Guests with Disabilities’ for locations (we’ve included the link below). It is important to note that space is limited in these areas and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. So, you need to secure your spot early. Check the times for the parades and fireworks on the MDE app on the ‘Home’ page on ‘Today’s Showtimes’. EPCOT® and Disney Hollywood Studios® also have designated areas for watching their fireworks displays; check their Park maps for locations or ask a Cast Member.
Disabled Guests Theme Park Guide
Whatever your circumstances, always ask a Cast Member if you need assistance in the Parks.
To help us improve this information, please email hello@fabulousparkdays.com with any of your experiences or helpful hints and tips; we’ll be sure to give you a name check!
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