3. Disney Genie+ Purchase Options Can Be Used With DAS

There are two in-app purchase options within Disney Genie.  These options will allow you reserve attraction times for the rides and shows within the parks.  Knowing the options will allow you to make the best decision to meet your needs.

Genie+ Lightning Lane

Genie+ Lightning Lane is a service you can purchase on the day of the park visit to make attraction reservations while in the park.  This is an additional cost per person, per day.  The price varies per day.  This option can be purchased before the park opens and your initial ride reservations can be made while you are still in your hotel room.  Once a reservation has been used, another attraction can be reserved.

I recommend including this option in your Disney budget.  Between DAS and Genie+, our family was able to ride every attraction we wanted with very minimal wait time.  If you are traveling with an individual with a condition that makes waiting a challenge, this is one great solution.  The only downside we found was the pace.  We were going on rides non-stop and needed to be purposeful about breaking for a rest.  

Individual Lightning Lane Entry

Individual Lightning Lane Entry is another service that requires an additional fee.  By paying the fee, you select a reservation for one of the newer, more popular attractions.  We did not purchase Individual Lightning Lane passes on our trips to Disney.  We were able to use DAS to select times on the new rides for no additional cost.

Genie+ Lightning Lane and Individual Lightning Lane Entry can be purchased through the My Disney Experience app.  Some features aren’t available until you are on Disney property and it is the day of the option to be added.

4. Accessible Transportation Is Available Throughout the Walt Disney World Property

All forms of Disney Transportaion are wheelchair accessible.  In our experiences, we have found it best to avoid Disney buses.  This is our personal preference only!  The buses can be crowded and if the accessible spots are already being utilized, then you’ll need to wait for another bus.  Disney buses can be especially crowded around the park opening and closing times.  My daughter finds it uncomfortable to have strangers crowded around her wheelchair when the buses are filled to standing room only.

If you are traveling with an individual with a sensory disorder, they may find the crowded buses overwhelming.  Whereas, the other forms of Disney transportation (Monorail, Skyliner, boats) may be a calming experience and a great way to take a break away from the crowds.  The Skyliner gondolas are very quiet and hold on;y a small number of people per gondola.   The boats between select hotels and the parks are also a peaceful ride.  My kids frequently took a nap en route.  Disney transportation is free.  If you need a break from a park, take a round trip “adventure” on the Monorail, a Skyliner or a boat, depending upon the park.  Pick up locations are usually located right outside the park gates.

5. Consider The Most Accessible Transportation To The Parks When Making Disney Hotel Reservations

Like many things Disney, people have strong opinions about accommodations.  Our preferred hotels are in the Boardwalk area because of the easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Both parks are accessible by walking paths or Disney boats.  The greatest advantage of Disney boats is that a wheelchair or stroller can roll right onto them without any transferring or anchoring.  We typically drive or use a cab/UBER to go to Animal Kingdom. 

Magic Kingdom is the only park where we consistently use Disney buses.  If you drive or take a cab/UBER to Magic Kingdom, you will be taken tto the Ticket Center.  From there, you take the monorail or boat to Magic Kingdom.  The Disney buses drop off is near the front entrance of Magic Kingdom, thus saving the time and hassle of going to the Ticket Center first.

Disney’s Comtemporary Resort is an excellent choice if you want to be able to walk to the Magic Kindom.  The Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian are all accessible to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the Monorail.  Of course, these hotels come with a significant price tag.  Depending upon the amount of time you plan to stay in the parks, having an expensive hotel sit empty all day may not be worth it to you.  

One final thought on hotel transportation. If you decided to drive to the parks, standard parking at all of the theme parks is complementary for on-site guests.  All parks have a large section of the parking lot devoted to spots for vehicles with a state-issued disability parking permit.

6. Disney Cast Members Are Fantastic!

Disney Cast Members (the title for Disney park employees) are FANTASTIC!  Seek help from any Disney Cast Member if you need it, even if it is just to get an answer to a simple question.  Disney Cast Members are consistently among the friendliest and most helpful staff we have encountered in our travels.  If you have a question or need help, don’t be afraid to ask.  If someone in your group needs a calming area for a break, ask the closest Cast Member for a suggestion.  They will be able to point you in the right direction.  Disney Cast Members can often offer a accessible solution!

Recently we had an approximate 45 min wait for It’s A Small World because there were a couple of groups ahead of us also needing the accessible boat.  The accessible line is on a relatively steep incline.  My daughter uses a manual wheelchair and she was getting tired of holding her wheels. She was holding on tight because she was worried her chair would slip.  (The incline is that steep.)

We explained her worry to the Cast Member and she was allowed to wait on the flat pavement just on the other side of the rope.  This was a minor problem with a simple solution, but by communicating our concern with the Cast Member, it was quickly resolved.

7. Know The Accessible Options Are Not The Same On All Disney Attractions

The example above leads right to the next tip.  Be aware that some attractions are more or less accessible than others.  Depending on the disability, an attraction may not be accessible.  In general, the newer rides are more accessible for individuals with physical limitations.  Some of the older rides have been adapted for easy access.  On The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and “it’s a small world”, my daughter was able to stay in her wheelchair and roll directly into the ride vehicle.

Several attractions have a side wall that lay flat, so the individual can scoot from their chair to the platform and then into the attraction car.  The space is often narrow, but the Cast Members have always been patient as my daughter boards the ride.   Know that attractions that require you to go down into the ride vehicle can be a significant challenge to get out of if an individual has a mobility impairment.  My daughter struggled the most with Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom and Frozen Ever After at Epcot. Note that Cast Members are not allowed to assist with transfers.

My husband has limited vision, especially in low light settings.  He found Space Mountain, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom and Frozen Ever After at EPCOT to be the darkest queues to move through.  We used the flashlight feature on our cell phone to light his path at all four of these attractions.  No one complained or asked us to turn the light off.  We didn’t use the lights on the ride because we didn’t want to interfere with anyone else’s enjoyment.

Accessible Options Can Change Over Time on Disney Atrractions

During our December 2021 visit, our daughter was told she not allowed to ride the Peter Pan’s Flight because she couldn’t climb down a ladder if the ride malfunctioned.  We have ridden this ride many times over the years and never encountered this restriction.  Of course, when she was younger it would have been possible for us to carry her down a ladder.  Perhaps the new rule was in response to a situation that recently occurred.  Just be aware this could happen.

Conversely, we have noticed there is a continual effort to ensure all new rides have universal design.  In addition, as older rides are refurbished or re-themed, increased accessibility for all types of disabilities is evident.

Best Ways To Learn About Accessible Options on Disney Attractions While Still At Home

Disney’s rides and attractions vary in intensity and speed.  If someone in your group has specific fears or is easily overwhelmed by darkness, loud sounds, or the movement of an attraction, I would recommend researching individual rides before your trip. This will allow you to group attractions into “must do” or “must avoid” categories.  POV (point of view) videos on YouTube are a great source for ride and attraction information.  Watching these videos are also a great way to get your group excited about the upcoming trip.

Another great option for learning about accessibility options is to search individual attractions on the Disney app or website.  The Services For Guests With Disabilities page on the Disney website breaks down information based upon the type of disability.

8. Rider Switch

Walt Disney World allows a member of the party to wait with an individual not riding.  Once the first rider has completed the ride, the second rider can get on the attraction without waiting.  This is a fantastic option to meet the needs of all members of your group.  For us, it meant that the rest of our group didn’t have to miss out on a ride if one member was going to be too overwhelmed by it.

The cast member allowed a few in our group to ride again with the second rider.  This was huge bonus for older siblings!   For more details, visit the Walt Disney World Guest Services website. 

9. Research Your Options For Renting a Wheelchair or Electric Scooter

If you need to rent a wheelchair or scooter for your trip, you have several options.

Renting a Wheelchair or Electric Scooter (ECV) From a Disney Park

Disney has wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles/scooters (ECV) available to rent at each of the four parks, the water parks, and Disney Springs.  This is convenient if you only need assistance to minimize walking within the parks.  

Positives to Disney Park Wheelchair/ECV Rentals

• • You don’t have to transport it in your vehicle
  • Avoid the hassle of bringing it onto Disney transportation.
  • You only have to pay once per day, even if you go to another park or to Disney Springs in the evening.
    

Negatives to Disney Park Wheelchair/ECV Rentals

• • Disney wheelchairs and ECVs can not be reserved.  They are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    
  • The rental station is inside each of the parks.  You will need to stand in line for the security screening and again at the park entrance kiosk before reaching the rental station.
  • Disney wheelchairs and ECVs can’t leave the park, so you will not be able to use one to reach the parking lots.

Renting a Wheelchair or ECV From a Private Vendor

Several companies will deliver wheelchairs and scooters to Disney hotels.  In the past, we have used Buena Vista Rentals and ScooterBug.  Both companies provided excellent service and quality scooters.

Currently, ScooterBug is the only company authorized to deliver and pick up a scooter from Disney property without you being present.  The scooter is left with the cast members at the bell stand.  You are required to personally meet all other companies for the drop-off and pick-up.

Happy travels!  I hope you have a fantastic Disney trip!

Please share any tips you have for accessibility at Disney in the comment box below.  My family is always looking forward to our next trip.

Karen