More Disney Cruise Mobility Considerations for Scooters and Electric Wheelchairs On Board
Cruise ships in general do not allow mobility devices to be stored in the hallways for safety reasons. Should you have a stateroom where the mobility device does not fit and cannot even get through the door, you or a member of your cruising party must take the device to the designated storage area, typically on a deck different from where your stateroom is, at the end of the day or whenever you are in the stateroom and not using the device.
This is another reason the tag the company placed on the device is necessary. Many people rent mobility devices and you want to make sure you have the right one when you or a member of your party picks it up every morning. It is important to take the key with you when you leave the device so no one goes joyriding and wears down your battery energy.
To enhance your Disney cruise mobility experience, before booking your mobility device rental, you will have to choose a cruise as the company will need your cruising dates, ship name, and port your ship is leaving from and returning to. Having mobility issues myself, I also require an accessible stateroom with a roll-in shower. These rooms are larger and have the space and wide doors to bring your device inside. This is very convenient, particularly for charging the battery overnight. However, accessible rooms are limited in number available.
Disney Cruise Cabin Bathrooms
Most of the bathrooms on the Disney ships are split bathrooms, toilet in one room, and a bathtub in the other and they don’t have grab bars. Additionally, the bathtub/shower combos are very high and difficult to get into if you are mobility-challenged. Should you require the extra space, grab bars, and roll-in shower, to maximize your Disney cruise mobility experience you should book out as far in advance as possible to get the accessible room.
I recommend booking directly with Disney Cruise Lines via phone so you can speak to a cast member who will make sure your needs are met. To make doubly sure your accessible stateroom is guaranteed, tell the cast member you do not want an upgrade, you must have the accessible room. (The first time I required an accessible room, which was our fourth Disney cruise, we were upgraded without notification. Surprise! The upgrade did not have the roll-in shower! It took a great deal of gentle negotiation with onboard customer service to get back to the proper room.)
Finally, when booking your trip directly with a Disney Cruise Line cast member let them know everything applicable about your mobility needs. Don’t be shy. Be proactive. Not having to struggle to use the bathroom will make your cruise far more enjoyable.
NOTE: This article was written and contributed by Disney for Seniors member Rose Ann Hirsh. You can follow Rose Ann on her website roseannhirsch.com.
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