Just a reminder.

The purpose of this site is to provide a place where physically challenged travelers can share their experiences.  The activities, hotels and other content reflect personal experiences and are not a guarantee of exactly the same experience.  I am not advertising or promoting anything on this site, I am just providing this service because I love to travel.

If you like to help out here how to do a review.

  To do an accessible room review, it is best to make arrangements with the front desk to see the room. Be sure to make it clear that you would like to see a room with a roll-in shower if they have one. Explain that you are doing the review for a web site, and give them a business card.
     On the report form, identify the state, city, and hotel/resort that you are reviewing. Describe the lobby area, for instance, does the front desk have an accessible check-in counter (e.g. is it low?). Perhaps there is something special about the gift shop; is there a small convenience store? Be sure to confirm with the front desk the number of accessible rooms at the hotel and be specific about how many have roll-in showers. Please note that information on the form at the room(s) section.
     While in the room, see if the entry door automated or if you must operate it by hand. When accessing the living space, be sure to confirm that there is enough room for a wheelchair to maneuver between the TV stand and dresser and the bed. If there are two beds, confirm that a wheelchair can fit between them. Note the number of beds on the form and their size and height.
     In the bathroom note all the accessible features, like the height of the sink, whether or not a wheelchair will fit under it comfortably, where the towel racks are placed and whether or not they are within reach if you are in a wheelchair. In the shower, pay attention to accessibility as well. Can a person in a wheelchair transfer to the bath chair, is the showerhead adjustable, can you reach the controls, and is there an accessible place for a person to put their shampoo, rinse, and soap and be able to reach it when they are bathing. Are there grab bars in the shower? Where are they placed? The same goes for the toilet area. Are there sufficient grab bars to support transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet?
     On the report form, please note what you have taken photos of next to the subject line for each topic. If you have question please contact me either at 1-619-840-6055 or chcasd@scglobal.net. Also please Email or call me for Business cards and/or report forms.Thanks for helping me grow my site, and have fun with your reviews.

A letter from a family from Charlottesville, Virginia

Todd, thank you for your helpful review and photos. The tips on getting to Magic Kingdom via the path to the monorail were especially helpful. I will be taking my wife and four kids to SOG in January. Our 2-year-old son Charlie is a dwarf and requires a wheelchair as well as a mechanical ventilator. It is helpful to know that you got around just fine there; I was worried but now I feel much better. We really want to avoid using the car as it is a lot of effort and it upsets Charlie to get out of his wheelchair, into the car seat, then back after parking. The monorail seems like a great way to travel!
I hope you have had a chance to return to Disney World and that you are enjoying life. I will be sure to check out your other reviews as we take more trips other places, and I sincerely hope we'll be retired and traveling America in an RV with a nice big window on the side for Charlie to see it all.
Blessings to you and your parents!
Best,
Mark Davison

Update on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 7:39AM by Todd Neuman

Todd- thanks for writing. We had a blast! Charlie did great in the car and he really enjoyed meeting the characters. And all the newer rides were wheelchair-accessible- Little Mermaid and Buzz Lightyear, as well as Small World.

Shades of Green was great. We stayed 6 nights, the rooms were nice and big, and it was quite easy getting Charlie around in his wheelchair. We walked once or twice and then realized the bus was really easy. There were some impatient folks who would just board the bus before they got the ramp down, which disappointed me as a soldier that other military folks couldn't be patient. But the bus drivers were great! They had no problem shaming the few people off the bus while Charlie got strapped in.

The staff was also very friendly and helpful, from the desk to the restaurant to the maids. Hope you and your family are well.

Mark