Special Needs
Contents
Major Episodes
Episode 1258 – Even More Odds Makers10:18-14:34
Episode 319: Special needs at Walt Disney World
Episode 19: Visiting Walt Disney World with those with special needs
Listener Questions
Autism
1319 12:09 Karla discusses politicians getting special treatment at WDW in relation to special needs guests
1213 21:44 Sarah from England asks about touring WDW alone with autism
0686 11’20”: Joe from NY asks for advice for a family with an autistic child.
0555 12’25”: May from Canada asks about an autistic child going to attractions without Fast Pass entrances.
0110
George from VA wants tips for his friend’s autistic son.
Matt thinks the best source of advice would be Deb Wills & Deb Koma’s book, [1]Passporter’s Walt Disney World for Special Needs.
Len also wrote [2]an article on special needs.
Height restrictions
0493 10’25”: Lisa from Utah wants to buy a souvenir for her tall husband.
0415
Julie also wants to know about rides that could be a problem for a large adult.
Len mentions a book by Deb Wills as well as the part of her web site for people with special needs.
0287
Heather wants to know if his 6’9″ fiancee is too tall for the attractions.
0278
Michelle of NH wants to know if there is a difference in leg room in the Space Mountain rockets.
Mike Scopa says there is a difference in Pirates of the Caribbean and Small World between some of the rows.
Matt thinks there is a difference.
0170
John of ME wants to know if we’ve ever planned on doing a show for guests who are larger.
Matt recommends reading the [3]Passporter’s Guide to Special Needs.
0140
Heather of IN is concerned about getting in and out of rides due to her size and wants advice on what to ride and what to avoid.
Mike Scopa suggests we should answer this show in it’s own show.
Len recommends the [4]Passporter’s Guide for Special Needs.
Len says attractions with belts would be the ones to be wary of but they have belt extenders.
0018
Lou of Omaha, Nebraska wants to know opinions of attractions to avoid or ride when considering big and tall guys.
Len says Disney does a good job about accomodating larger guests.
Len thinks the problem might be attractions that have lap belts.
Matt thinks the problem may be the seat dividers that could be the issue.
Len thinks you might have problems on Test Track or Dinosaur.
Len recommends getting the guide at each park for guests with disabilities for specific tips for each park.
Mike mentions tall guys also have issues with leg space such as rides like Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter, Spaceship Earth or the Haunted Mansion and other older attractions.
Mike recommends that tall guests ride in the front row of on the Small World boats.
Mobility
1328 16:16 Jamie from Illinois asks about touring with mobility issues, and whether obtaining a DAS card is worth it
1279 4:37 Susan from Louisiana shares advice on renting scooters
Pregnancy
1186 8:38 Julie gives a report on a WDW trip she took while pregnant
1153 7:06 Julie from New Jersey asks about touring the parks while pregnant
0242
Rachel wants to know if there is a list of rides you can’t go on if you’re pregnant.
Len says the Disney World web site has a guide for every single attraction and which people should not ride it.
Mike Scopa says depending on how pregnant you are, will also determine if you can ride.
0053
Kevin also wants to know what rides his pregnant wife can and can’t go on.
Matt feels any of the thrill attractions should be avoided .
Len recommends checking out the [5]guests with disabilities guide before going.
Vision
1281 29:28 Penny from Ohio asks if there are alternate ways for visually-impaired guests to board continuously-loading attractions
0376
Shelley of MA wants to know about which tour to take for a vision impaired couple.
0332
Charles also wants to know recommendations for her vision impared friend.
Mike Scopa recommends the [6]Open Mouse book.
Mike Scopa also suggests these links.
[7]Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
[9]National Federation of the Blind
Generally[edit]
1281 8:50 Brett from New Hampshire ponders recent events where guests were able to skip queues due to guest assistance passes
0713 2’35”: Gretchen asks about weight limits for attractions.
0674 8’50”: Andy from UK (acp) asks about personalized dining menus.
0645 6’15”: Kevin from Nebraska comments on the downside of accessible-rooms.
20’20”: Gwen asks for help with very travel-sick family.
LS36 69’50”: Rhonda from Canada asks whether she can go on rides with whiplash.
0606 4’00”: Deedee from Illinois asks about the Special Needs pass.
0594 8’55”: Jason and family from Utah asks about preparing someone who doesn’t like heights. Len refers to Episode 465.
14’40”: Jamie asks whether Touring Plans can be used with a Guest Assistance card.
0585 31’00”: Kala asks for advice re epilepsy.
0543 14’00”: Nicole asks about Disney restaurant for her grandmother, who has diabetes.
15’35”: Nicole asks about getting wheelchairs at her resort.
0361
Patty of PA wants to know if Walt Disney World is handicap accessible.
0346
JillAnn comments on going to Disney World after having surgery.
0281
Jim of KY wants to know attractions to avoid if he’s wearing an insulin pump.
0227
Gordon wants to know if there any rules about putting wheelchaired guests on the bus.
Mike Scopa says there is limited capacity on a bus for wheelchair’d guests as there are only limited spots.
Mike Newell says if the guest is in front of you in line, it only makes sense.
Mike Newell says WDW is one of the most handicap friendly places.
0140
Josh of MO wants to know if there’s handicap parking at the theme parks.
Matt says there is handicap parking at all the parks.
Len says if you’re going to drive, it’s a good idea to drive yourself everywhere except for the Magic Kingdom.
LS02 Sarah from Palm Beach Gardens, FL wants to know what her father with a heart condition can do that is still thrilling
Len referenced a list of attractions that have warnings
0027
Mike wants to know how to best aclimate his friend to some of the rides at Walt Disney World that could be rough.
Mike Scopa recommends riding Soarin’ because it’s very gentle and a good introduction to the rides.
Matt recommends riding Pirates of the Caribbean then working up to Splash Mountain and work up.
Matt also mentions you can find videos of many of the rides online and see them before you go to reduce the apprehension.
Unofficial WDW Today Wiki – by Phillip Burton and Andrew Carrieri
