Are you dreaming of sailing away on a Disney Cruise Line adventure but worried about navigating the high seas with a mobility device? Due to an unexpected injury to both my feet and ankles (go big or go home, Cassie!) I recently experienced cruise life on wheels, and I am here to share all about it.
Before we begin, I want to clarify that I was still able to walk when absolutely necessary, albeit unsteadily and painfully. Had I been completely reliant on the chair, this review would be significantly different. Please consider this blog a helpful tool, not the definitive guide to Disney Cruise Line accessibility.
First off, DON’T WORRY! Just like in the parks, Disney has gone to great lengths to ensure all guests are included and able to participate when onboard the ships. From secret passageways to extra assistance, we’re all in this together. Even in a standard stateroom with 3 adult women, we were able to make it work with minimal difficulty.
Boarding and Disembarking the Ship:
I’ll admit, I was worried about this process and was very happy that we had opted for the first boarding group during online check-in. This made us among the first in the port and eased our boarding process. The cast members were all very nice and quickly opened the queue lines, eliminating the need for me to weave back and forth the whole way. Had we arrived later, this might not have been possible.
Additionally, upon checking in, a cast member directed us to wait in the seating area near where the boarding would begin. Because of this helpful hint, I believe we were among the first 50 guests to board, allowing us to begin our adventure with minimal crowds.
Pro Tips:
- I would advise using the Disney provided ground transfers to get to your post-cruise flight or hotel. This process was very easy and cast members did offer to push me if I would like.
- I also recommend visiting guest services and requesting an early disembarkation time. They provided my luggage tags at the desk instead of waiting until the last night, allowing me maximum time to exit the ship early on our last morning and to avoid the crowds later when families are scrambling to try to get kids to breakfast and off the boat with luggage. (This is a valuable tip even without a mobility device and one I will remember for future cruises).
- If you do not require the full-time use of a mobility device, you can request assistance only during boarding/disembarking, and the cruise line can provide a chair during these times.
- Depending on the port of entry, you may need to utilize an elevator to get from the ship exit to the ground and terminal exit. Again, be prepared. This was the longest part of my disembarkation process as there was only one elevator to the ground, and many people opt to use it for baggage, strollers, young children, elderly, and mobility devices. Be patient and plan for a bit of a bottleneck here.
Staterooms and Guest Hallways:
Because my injury occurred suddenly, 11 days prior to our sold-out sailing, I was concerned about how I would make this work, especially since standard stateroom doorways aren’t wide enough for a wheelchair or scooter. Therefore, I opted to bring a folding wheelchair that I could collapse to fit through the doorway. Another option would have been to ask our stateroom host to stow the chair when not in use. Because I did not want to have to call each time I needed my chair back, I chose to keep it folded and in the room. I also asked our stateroom host to remove the extra table from our room for a little extra space.
- NOTE: Wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, etc. are not able to be kept in the hallways when not in use. If it will not fit in your room, ask your room steward to show you an area on your floor where they can be kept.
Pro Tips:
- Request the extra table be removed from the room.
- Collapse the chair as much as possible and LOCK THE WHEELS when in the stateroom to prevent accidents.
- Use the in-room stool as much as possible when getting ready; hair, makeup, dressing to minimize time standing and the need for the chair in the room.
- Since our room did not have a handicapped accessible shower, and I did not want to risk falling without my air-casts, I opted to use the handicapped-accessible showers in the spa locker room. I was able to wear my swimsuit bottoms and sit on the pull-down chair. As an extra pro-tip, the showers in the spa/fitness center are open to everyone 18+ and are much larger than the in-room showers. These are a great hidden gem even for able-bodied individuals.
- Identify the closest elevator to your room early on to ease the pain of having to collapse your chair and push it through the hall. Many guest corridors are slightly more narrow at certain points and will not accommodate a wheelchair AND a cleaning cart simultaneously. At certain times of day this can be a major obstacle with dozens of carts in the hall. Also, the guest corridors have super thick carpets which makes pushing a manual chair/walker even more difficult. Minimizing the distance will save your strength and prevent overuse injury.
In the Elevators:
The main atrium elevators are glass-front and very pretty but also tight for wheelchair users. It will easily fit a chair or scooter but only allows between 1-4 others in with you, depending on how friendly you want to get. I found the elevators at the forward and aft of the ship to be larger and less busy. This is especially worth noting during port days when most passengers are trying to disembark.
Pro Tips:
- If possible, back your wheelchair in to make exiting easier.
- Don’t be afraid to ask someone to hold the door, many of the doors close fast and you will get blocked out or closed on.
- On port days especially, allow extra time for elevator access. At the worst, I waited for 6 before one opened with room for me.
Around the Ship:
The ultra-plush carpet, which I have always LOVED on the DCL ships, became my worst enemy very quickly on this sailing. As a walker, I never realized how hard it is to propel wheels across that carpet. Think beach resistance training, no bueno!
The best thing I did for myself was to find out which decks were predominantly tile/hard floors. On the Disney Wonder, these were Deck 3 (atrium entry) and Deck 9 (pool and buffet levels). Whenever I needed to go somewhere, I would take the closest elevator to one of these decks, where I could wheel myself more easily, and then use another elevator to reach my final destination.
One of my favorite parts of Disney cruising is watching the Broadway-style live performances in the evenings. The first night I arrived and was asked if I wanted to sit in the back or the front. I was happy to see that there was an area in the back of the theater that was ADAMANTLY protected for mobility device users and their immediate traveling parties. Cast members politely (and sternly) redirected anyone else away who attempted to sit there.
The next day, I took a ship tour and was pleased to discover that my own personal Cave of Wonders (secret passageway) existed to get wheelchair users closer to the action. On the Wonder, this passage is accessed through the Cadillac Lounge on the 3rd floor. If you wish to sit up front, go to the theater (or lounge) no less than 20 minutes prior to the performance and a cast member will direct you through the passage and right up front. Not only could I see Peter Pan’s shadow during “Dreams,” but I could have seen his 5-o’clock shadow, if he had had one (insert little girl giggles here).
Pro Tips:
- My biggest tip is to bring a backpack or fanny pack that can easily attach to the back of your chair. I learned this early on, as getting back to my room was not always easy (reminder: carpet, cleaning carts, distance from other areas of the ship). After the first day, I made it a point to pack my backpack in the morning with anything I might need throughout the day to minimize trips to my room. This included items like my sunglasses, book, swimsuit, and water bottle). The backpack also made it easier to transport gifts, prizes, and souvenirs that I acquired throughout the day.
Excursions / Port Adventures:
I opted not to schedule any Port Adventures on this trip and chose to enjoy all the ship had to offer instead. From speaking with my friends who did go ashore, I think this was the smartest decision for me. We visited Catalina Island, California, and Ensada, Mexico. While getting on and off of the ship wouldn’t have been a problem, they did tell me that many of the streets were cobble-stoned and that would have been.
My point is, DCL does offer accessible port adventures and assist with getting on and off the ship, but it is worth doing a little extra research about the infrastructure of the ports you’re visiting as they may not be as friendly.
Other Things Worth Noting:
- I am one of the most independent people I know, and this was to my detriment. After deciding on Day One that I was going to push myself the whole time and prove I didn’t need the help, I received a quick reminder that accepting assistance is not a weakness. Overdoing it on the first day led to spending most of day two sore, with a migraine, and in my bed until I regained my strength. Which brings me to my next Pro Tip: People are nice and want to help; LET THEM!!! Whether they’re friends, cast members, or other guests, LET THEM! A quick assist over a particularly high piece of transition stripping, holding a door, or providing a push down those pesky carpeted corridors is not a bad thing.
- While I am mentioning the transition stripping, watch out! Some of the transitions between flooring types and exterior doors (especially) can be a doozy. If you are like me and attempting to wheel yourself as quickly as possible, (who doesn’t enjoy the wind in your hair?) then you hit one of those transitions, you may actually fly….
- Another thing I never considered before my recent injury was the difficulty in getting through doors. It is worth noting that there are handicapped bathrooms around the ship, but the doors are not automatic. This also applies in the spa areas. Be prepared to ask for help, or be up to finagling them yourself. Again, I found everyone very willing to help all along the way.
Final Thoughts:
Depending on the ship and venue, the dining rooms and lounge areas can be a little tight for wheelchair users, but the cast members were quick to see me coming and offered assistance. This often meant moving some chairs and offering to help push me or bring me activity items I needed to participate.
There are plenty of things to do onboard, so do not be dismayed if you find yourself in a position you didn’t expect when you booked your cruise. From the Rainforest Room in the Senses Spa area, to game shows, trivia challenges, movies on the pool deck, drink tastings, and so much more. Enjoy your time, even if that means staying on this ship this time around.
I am certainly glad that I chose to take this journey even after I suffered my injury. I am pleased to report that I don’t think I missed out on anything due to the use of a wheelchair. I hope these tips can help others to be prepared; and maybe even relieve a little stress. If you can travel with a friend, definitely do so. If you must travel alone, then I would probably recommend renting a motorized scooter or being ready for some intense upper-body workouts. As with any leisure trip, pace yourself, have realistic expectations, and remember that you are on vacation. If you do not see everything this time around then I will be happy to help you see it on your next Magical Adventure! Ready to plan your magical voyage at sea? Let’s connect- cassie@myleisuretours.com
