Disneyland Paris in a Wheelchair – My Top Tips

I've been in a wheelchair my whole life and I feel very fortunate that I've been able to travel to and visit many places around the world.  It hasn't always been easy, but it's always been doable.  I love an adventure, none more so than travelling to a Disney theme park.  I've been to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, six times and I've been to Disneyland Paris four times.  They’re two of my most favourite places in the world, so much so, that I decided to purchase an annual ticket for Disneyland Paris to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

I think the main reason I love the parks so much is because Disney are one of the best companies around the world for accommodating guests in wheelchairs.  There are very few theme parks where a disabled person can remain seated in their chair, whilst being able to go on a ride.  There certainly aren't any in the UK that I know of.  I love the fact that there are attractions in Disneyland Paris that I can take part in, along with my family and friends.  Going there, I don't have to sit on the sidelines.  Don't get me wrong, there are still attractions and rides that can't take a wheelchair, but that's to be expected.  I can't see a wheelchair ever be able to go on a rollercoaster, as it would be a health and safety nightmare.  But something is better than nothing.  As I said before, Disney do a lot more than most.

However, as accommodating as Disney can be, there are still a few things that a person should know before they consider attending a Disney park in a wheelchair.  I've done it quite a few times now and with my annual pass for Disneyland Paris, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give my top tips and opinions on the parks in France, the Disneyland Park and the Studios Park, for those that are thinking of visiting.  So, without further ado, let's get started.

1. Do Your Homework

Travelling to Disneyland Paris when you're in a wheelchair is no different to going anywhere else.  You should always make sure that you've done all the research that you can possibly do on subjects that might affect you.  For example, although there are a lot of rides that can accommodate a wheelchair, these are still fewer than the ones that can't.  Take a look at the rides and attractions that can accommodate you before making a decision as to whether you still want to go.  You might find that the attractions aren’t to your liking, or that there aren't enough to warrant the cost of having a holiday in Disneyland Paris, as it can be very costly.  Also, check what the rooms are like in the hotel you're planning to stay in, especially if you require a walk-in shower for example.  I can't stress enough how many people don't do their homework before going, get out there and encounter a lot of problems.  Making sure you know everything before you go will make your life a lot easier if problems arise.

          2. Take Your Documentation

Although Disneyland Paris is very good for people in wheelchairs, it's still necessary to prove that you require the special assistance, or concessions that are available.  Disneyland Paris has what they call an access, or green card.  Anybody with a disability can obtain one of these cards by going to the guest relations at City Hall inside the park, but you need to provide certain documents to prove that you are disabled and require one.  Currently, Disneyland Paris requires a person in a wheelchair to provide their blue parking badge, benefits letter, or doctors letter stating your disability and why you may need to skip cues, or take a carer with you on to ride.  When I went in March, I took every piece of documentation I could find that related to my disability.  If you're planning on getting an annual pass, a carer can accompany you for free each time you visit, but you will need a letter from the doctor stating why you have to have a carer with you to be in the park.  If you're coming from outside of Europe, any documentation you have from your country should be sufficient to prove your disability. 

           3. Check the Size of Your Wheelchair

Despite the fact that some of the rides can take a wheelchair on board, they can only accommodate wheelchairs of a certain size and shape.  It does vary from ride to ride, so the best thing to do is measure your wheelchair and then contact Disneyland Paris via telephone to check that the rides will be able to accommodate you.  Also, if you are able, I would advise taking a manual wheelchair, as a lot of the rides can't accommodate powered wheelchairs, or electric scooters due to the size and weight.  Again, the Disneyland Paris representatives will be able to advise over the telephone.

             4. Don't Forget to Have Fun

Disneyland Paris is full of magic and wonder, so one of the most important things that you can do is to have fun.  Enjoy your time there and make as many happy memories as possible. And the key to that is to make sure that you go fully armed with all the information that you could ever possibly need.

So those are my top tips for visiting Disneyland Paris if you’re a guest in a wheelchair.  I love it there and I love the way in which they do as much as they possibly can to include disabled guests.  I've been twice already this year and I plan on going another three times before the year is over.  I truly am a massive fan.

If you want more information on Disneyland Paris for guests in a wheelchair, this week's Friday Feature on the Disney and Beyond YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/2tlhone) is my top five attractions that guests can take part in whilst remaining in their wheelchairs.  Please do hop on over and check that out.  Also, please don't forget to like, share and comment below, as I would love to hear your thoughts and I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.  Thank you for reading and I really do hope that this has been useful for you.

Until next time… To infinity and beyond!