Traveling to Orlando and its convergence of theme parks has become something of a rite of passage for American tourists. People of all ages and all nationalities regularly enjoy Disney World and Universal Studios, and that includes many who have a disability. Anyone with - or without - a disability is guaranteed to miss out on some of the fun during a short, three-day trip, but there's plenty to keep you busy from the moment you arrive until you leave.
Universal Studios Orlando offers accessible travel throughout the two parks. The one thing to keep in mind is that if you do not arrive with your own wheelchair, you may face trouble. While Universal Studios offers wheelchair and other electric conveyances for rent, quantities are limited. These are available in the Parking and Transportation Center and only exist on a first-come-first-served basis so make sure you arrive early.
The layout of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is such that anyone with a disability can get around via wheelchair or electric scooter fairly easily. Although certain physical limitations will disallow you from enjoying some of the rides, there are plenty of others that require only that you sit back and enjoy simulated motion or a 3-D presentation. While someone with back problems will definitely miss out on quite a bit of the fun, most others with a disability can expect to visit and enjoy well more than half the attractions. If your disability requires the use of assisted listening devices, Universal Studios Orlando provides informational scripts that give the listener detailed information about the attractions.
A second and even a third day of your trip can be devoted to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Like Universal Studios, all of the Disney World theme parks are designed for accessible travel by wheelchair and electric scooter. Disney is laid out like a large vista in most places, giving ample room for both pedestrians and those on wheels. Disney World has also instituted a system of icons that give visitors with a disability a quick lesson in what rides are available.
For instance, a wheelchair icon is used to indicate that those with wheelchairs can remain seated throughout the attraction. Another icon is used to let visitors with disabilities know they will be required to move from their wheelchair to the ride's seat in order to enjoy the attraction. Disney World also offers assisted listening devices for some attractions, as well as reflective and video captioning for others.
Both the monorail system and the ferry systems are wheelchair accessible. If your disability requires the use of an animal assistant, Disney has met your needs by providing specially designated areas throughout each of their parks where you give your animal some time to rest, exercise and even go about their business. Unlike Universal Studios, Disney World will even allow your animal assistant to accompany you on certain rides and attractions.
Speaking of animals, Sea World is a favorite stop for many Orlando visitors who have disabilities. Again, there are wheelchairs for rent on a limited first-come-first-serve basis. Each of the theaters and the stadium at Sea World provide special seating areas. Sea World is also notable for providing water to canine assistants at its restaurants.
Most people may think of Orlando as nothing but a bunch of whirlwind rides, but Universal Studios, Disney World, Sea World and too many other tourist destinations to mention in this Florida entertainment mecca provide enough fun and joy for the visitor with a disability to extend a planned three-day trip into a full week-long vacation.
Read more:For information on traveling with a disability, see Traveling with Children Who Have a Disability or Resources for Traveling with Disabilities.
For more information about accessible Florida destinations, see The Florida Keys—Welcoming and Accessible.
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