Planning for a Walt Disney World Trip

This column originally ran in the May 2023 Mirror Moms pages.

Eight months before our family’s first Walt Disney World trip, I dove into research. I knew what rides I could and couldn’t (ahem, wouldn’t) do, when I had to transfer out of my wheelchair, when I could stay in my wheelchair, and where the family bathrooms were—in every park. I scoured the actual WDW website for information, then turned to others, the two best being AllEars.net and Disney Food Blog. My favorite guide book, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, led to meticulously detailed schedules for every day—with time stamps—thanks to a companion website called Touringplans.com. I made advanced dining reservations (ADRs) at table service restaurants and knew where we’d eat quick service meals for the rest. I was ready. Prepared and organized. My type A personality hummed a happy, relaxed tune.

But my family laughed at me. Hard. Especially when I told them the one redundant piece of advice I’d read: Be at the park gates at least 1 hour before opening. Counting backwards, that set our alarm clock to 5 a.m. On vacation. Grumbling, they complied.

By 11 a.m. on that first day, they were shocked. We’d ridden all of the park’s major rides with wait times under 10 minutes and were eating lunch at a popular, fully booked restaurant. Later that hot, steamy Florida afternoon, while we were napping at our hotel, those same rides had 2 hour-long waits. Ah, sweet vindication.

I know I emphasized extra planning last time when I gave my general tips for traveling with a disability, but it’s doubly important here. Winging a Disney trip like you would a beach stay will only lead to disappointment and multiple family arguments.

Present day WDW musts for everyone: After buying your tickets, make park reservations—without a ticket AND a park reservation, you won’t be able to visit the parks. [As of January 9, 2024, this requirement is no longer applicable for date-based tickets.] Download the My Disney Experience app on your phone. Learn about Genie+ and mobile ordering food from the AllEars crew and Mammoth Club on YouTube. 30 days out, make all your restaurant reservations online at 6 a.m. on https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/#/reservations-accepted/.

Along with my wheelchair use, I have issues with loud noises, bright lights, heat, and crowds. I conquer those with ear plugs, sunglasses, and having an early/after 4 p.m. park schedule. If measures like these aren’t enough for you or a loved one, utilize Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS). This system is in place so everyone can enjoy the parks on as equal a playing field as possible.

DAS Cast Members are able to pre-register you, or a member of your family, 2 to 30 days in advance of your trip via video chat. You’ll have your picture taken, and will be able to schedule two rides per day with one hour return times. Those rides will appear in your MDE app. When you experience the attraction during your vacation, you’ll enter through its Lightening Lane entrance, avoiding a claustrophobic, hot line that is challenging for many with visible and non-visible disabilities. For more information on DAS, visit: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/.

A WDW trip is expensive. Using every tool at your disposal is a must to have a memorable, stress-free experience for everyone in your family.