Tips about Special Needs

EPCOT - On Spaceship Earth, wheelchair guests should see the Cast Member in front of the attraction. You will then be taken to another area to board the ride vehicles. Wheelchair guests need to transfer from the wheelchair to a ride vehicle.

EPCOT - On Spaceship Earth, wheelchair guests should see the Cast Member in front of the attraction. You will then be taken to another area to board the ride vehicles. Wheelchair guests need to transfer from the wheelchair to a ride vehicle.

My mother suffers from arthritis and while she is not ready for a wheelchair, walking and standing for a long time wreak havoc on her knees. She brought along a portable 3-legged golf chair and it was a lifesaver. It is collapsible and has a handle that can be used when walking (almost like a cane). She was able to use this while we waited in lines or stopped for a parade. Several people remarked what a great idea it was. If it wasn't able to go on a ride with us, we left it with our strollers. (I think it was only not allowed on two rides.) It cost $20 at a local Steinmart. Note: When looking for these chairs make sure that you don't buy one with a sharp end that is meant for grass. - Laurie Kent

The handicapped parking for the Ticket and Transportation Center gets you closer than the acres of normal parking, but still may be a long walk to the ferry or monorail, especially if those in your group do not have wheelchairs along. If we have elderly in our group with a handicapped parking permit, we head for the normal parking lots. Show your parking permit to one of the parking lot Cast Members and you may park in one of the first parking slots, closest to where the parking lot trams pick up. Less walking for those who can't get around as well, and everyone can ride the tram -- a Disney attraction in itself. - Jeremy S. of Waupun, WI

I just wanted to share this tip for traveling with an autistic child, as it was a lifesaver for me. Most restrooms in WDW have the automatic flush sensor, which can be very loud and frightening to an autistic child, or any child with sensory issues. I purchased a Walkman cassette player with headphones at Walmart. Every time my daughter needed to use the restroom I would put the headphones on her and hit the play button. Instead of the noise of constantly flushing toilets she was listening to her favorite Disney songs. It worked like a charm. By the end of the trip she would even try the restrooms without using her headphones! - Karen McAuley