Walt Disney World provides extensive facilities for all guests visiting with disabilities, including visual, auditory, mobility & cognitive disabilities. Our Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World with Disabilities has been updated for 2020 and provides an overview of services available.
The Basics of Visiting Walt Disney World with Disabilities
If you are planning to visit Walt Disney World, you might be anxious about whether relevant services are available. Before your visit, you can contact Walt Disney World at (407) 560-2547 or disability.services@disneyparks.com to discuss your requirements. Walt Disney World has also created a Disability FAQ, which you also might find useful to review.
There are also specific park guides which you can find on the following links:
These guides do get updated from time to time. The latest guide will be available within the park by visiting Guest Services or by accessing the My Disney Experience App.
Disability Access Service
The Disability Access Scheme replaced the previous front of line scheme in 2015. The majority of guests, including those with disabilities, will not be able to take advantage of the Disability Access Service.
It is recognized that some guests with disabilities are unable to tolerate long waits in lines for attractions. The Disability Access Service allows Guests with disabilities, as well as an allotted number of people from his or her party, to schedule a return time at a specific attraction that is comparable to the wait time when they first arrive at that attraction.
To register, guests should visit the Guest Relations Lobby located near the entrance of each theme park. Further information can be obtained from the official Disney World Guide to the Disability Access Scheme.
The Disability Access Scheme is only intended for those guests who are unable to tolerate long waits in line. The majority of guests with disabilities, including those with poor mobility, will not require a DAS but Guest Relations will be happy to review how the parks can best meet your needs.
ECV Rentals at Walt Disney World
Electric Conveyance Vehicles are available for rent at all Walt Disney World theme and water parks as well as Disney Springs. They are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are available for daily rental. Current prices are:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
- Daily: $50
- A refundable $20 deposit is required at this location
Walt Disney World Water Parks and Disney Springs
- Daily: $50
- A refundable $100 deposit is required at this location
If you are visiting another park your hire is transferable but you can not remove your ECV from the park.
Wheelchairs are also available to rent in all parks. The current daily charge is $12, but there is a reduction to $10 for multi-day hire.
If you are going to need a scooter for more than a couple of days then you should consider a long-term rental. There are many companies providing this service across Orlando.
ScooterBug is now the only Featured Provider at Walt Disney World. The advantage of using a Featured Provider is that your scooter can be picked up & dropped off from Disney Resort Bell Boys. Also, should you be unlucky and your scooter breaks down, ScooterBoug is permitted to enter the parks. Other providers will drop your ECV at your resort, but you must be available to collect.
The contact details for ScooterBug are (800) 726-8284
We have previously used ScooterBug and was reasonably happy with the service provided.
You are also welcome to bring your own ECV or wheelchair into the park. All forms of Walt Disney World Transport are able to transport ECVs.
Guests with Hearing Disabilities
Walt Disney World offers a variety of services to help Guests with hearing disabilities. Services include:
- Guest Room Amenities
- Assistive Listening
- Handheld Captioning
- Video Captioning
- Sign Language Interpretation(parks vary by rotation. You can obtain a schedule by emailing WDPRsignlanguageservices@disney.com.)
Contact Disability Services for more information. We advise you contact Disability Services well in advance of your visit.
Guests with Cognitive Disabilities
The resort offers a host of services to help Guests with cognitive disabilities including those on the Autism Spectrum.
These 2 helpful guides on Attractions and your General Resort Experience will help plan your vacation.
For more information contact Disney Disability Services on (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Guests with Visual Disabilities
Walt Disney World offers a variety of services to help Guests with visual disabilities enjoy their visit. These services include:
- Audio Description
- Braille Guidebooks
- Portable Tactile Map Booklets
- Stationary Braille Maps
For more information contact Disability Services on (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Service Animals at Walt Disney World
Service Animals are welcomed at most locations at Walt Disney World. However, due to the nature of some attractions, there are restrictions. For more information contact Disability Services on (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Food Allergies & Intolerances
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts caters to all common food allergies and with advance notice can care for most special diets. Read our Guide to Visiting Disney World with Food Allergies for further information.
Other Facilities
Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer accessible rooms with features for Guests with disabilities, including:
- wheelchair accessible rooms
- hearing accessible rooms
Accessible restrooms including companion-assisted restroom facilities are available throughout the theme parks.
Theme park First Aid locations have facilities with additional space and privacy for individuals who may need assistance from a member of their party with their care needs.
Disabled Parking is available for guests with a valid disability parking permit throughout Walt Disney World.
For more information contact Disability Services on (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Further Information
Our Guide to Walt Disney World with Disabilities only provides a brief overview of available services. Guests who require further information or have more complex needs should contact Walt Disney World at (407) 560-2547 or disability.services@disneyparks.com before your visit to discuss your requirements. We recommend you contact at least a month before your visit.
Rolling With the Magic & Autism at the Parks are 2 fantastic blogs you should consider visiting if you are traveling to Walt Disney World with a disability.
Our Guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners has plenty of other useful tips that will help plan your vacation.
Leave a Reply