Posted on Friday January 7, 2022
| How to experience the magic of Disney with accessible options 50 years ago Walt Disney World opened its gates to the public. In 1971, prior to the accessibility in public stores, parks and buildings was very limited and individuals with walking disabilities needed to rely on someone pushing them in a wheelchair. There was also very little options for those with disabilities to enjoy places like Disney the same as those without. Just three years prior to Disney’s grand opening, Al Thieme reinvented the wheelchair into what we now know as the Amigo. Accessibility at Disney has come a long way since the ribbon cutting. Today, visitors at its many parks can see motorized scooters around every corner and accessibility options for many experiences. Marc Jones, Manager of Accessibility and Services for Guests with Disabilities at Disney World, recently spoke on Explorable podcast about how Disney holds inclusion as a high priority in design and adaption. Here are some of his top tips from an insider: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Disney has teams directly for improving each guest’s experience and providing a great experience. Plan ahead. Accessibility options per park are available to help design a trip based on hearing, sight, mobility and service animal disabilities. My Disney Experience app is a great tool when actually arriving to help keep all the trip planning in one place. Representatives are available to talk over the phone for any questions regarding accessibility at 1-407-W-DISNEY. Visit the Disney website to see busy times and make reservations during non-peak seasons. Listen to the full podcast episode at https://www.explorablepodcast.com/explorable-podcasts/mark-jones |
