Holidays

Disneyland Paris In A Wheelchair (part one) – The Take Off

Gemma - Wheelescapades

Well I’m not flying, so don’t be expecting any tips on accessible flights. I haven’t flown since I was a child. A combination of reasons really. The fear of loosing my wheelchair or arriving to find it smashed up, the discomfort of sitting in an unsupportive aeroplane seat, flying with a wheelchair isn’t always smooth sailing. Don’t let me put you off though, plenty of wheelers do it all the time. Hopefully one day it may become more accessible for my needs and I’ll give it a go again! For this trip I’ll be using Eurostar, but we will come to that soon.

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Booking a holiday accessible to me isn’t as easy as just clicking a button like it is for many. Finding the best online deal and pressing book isn’t how it works. It involves much more planning than that. I’m fortunate enough to have been to Disneyland Paris a few times now (yes I love it!) and have found the best way for me. I’ve (well not me) driven all the way from door to door via the tunnel. I’ve driven, parked up, and taken the Eurostar straight to Disneyland, and this is the way we chose to travel this time.

Although the quickest and easiest way to travel, this does work out the most expensive. For myself anyway. You see there is only one (stay-seated-in) wheelchair space on the Disney Eurostar, and that train goes once daily. As you can imagine these often book up quickly! If I book my accessible hotel room and then go to book the travel this wheelchair space could be gone. Vice versa. So I have to book a package, via a travel agent, with Disneyland. The most expensive way to book a holiday.

Another added expense due to my disability is hiring equipment. I’ve only done this once before on my trip to Center Parcs. That went smoothly, but Center Parcs is just down the road.

I debated for a while on whether I’d actually need a hoist, I use one at home but am generally used to being thrown around and lifted when away. I’m getting a little more fragile with age though, my joints aren’t what they used to be. It’s also not great on the thrower and their back either.

So I decided to hire a hoist. I asked the travel agent and they enquired direct with Disney, who gave them the contact details of a hire company they recommend. Long story short they only spoke French, emails happened but they never got back to the travel agent with confirmation and she never got back to me. I’m sure she could have tried harder.

So as the saying goes, if you want something done properly do it yourself. I posted on an accessible travel Facebook group asking if anybody in my situation had done this before. What a great invention Facebook is, sometimes. I was suggested a company/agent called Mobility Equipment Hire Direct, they hire hoists and various other equipment out all over the world. From Malta to Mexico. I gave their website a little peruse.

You could book online, give them an email, or phone one of two numbers apparently based on London and Glasgow. As I’d decided to do this just 6 days before I arrived in Paris (very unlike me) I thought it best to phone. They were super friendly and helpful, I would have a hoist delivered to my hotel ready for when I arrive. All for the sum of £169.75.

I am not a girl that travels lightly. Maybe in a different life I would be, I’m not bothered about heels, make up, or having 27 tops to choose from on an evening. I’m fairly practical (well I think so anyway). What takes up much of my suitcase is the essentials that come with my disability. Wheelchair charger (because that would be a disaster!), bipap (overnight ventilator), tubes, syringes, medication, sling, etc, etc. Oh also I always pack extension leads! We all know there are never enough plug sockets in a hotel room and they are never in practical places, especially if like me you have multiple things to plug in overnight and need to be within reasonable distance of electricity to plug your breathing machine into!

For this trip I also decided to purchase (£20 in Argos) and take an inflatable camping mattress. I have trouble sleeping and frequently get uncomfortable during the night. At home I use a pressure relief air mattress, the kind you see in hospitals. So I figured this would be similar. Although not on the same level, it would provide some comfort. (You’ll here how that went soon!).

This isn’t just mine, it’s for 6 of us!

Seeing 3am is only worth it when going on holiday. I’ve got to the age (if not physically then mentally!) that I don’t even see 3am from the night before anymore. I like sleep.

I am not a person that likes to rush. I am also not a person that likes to be late. Our aim of loading the car with luggage, children and myself by 5.30am to be on the road well before 6am. I needed two cups of tea just at the thought of it!

I need time in the mornings, and I need tea. I do not get up and go.

There was a little detour due to roadworks (when isn’t there?!) but we arrived at Ashford International Train Station car park in good time.

Parking on level 5 in the spacious multi-storey, where the Blue Badge spaces are, means that no lift is required to reach the check in. There’s a walk through sky-tunnel/bridge that leads straight into the station.

After getting through passport control there is enough time to chill with a brew before being called to the platform.

As I said above there is only one wheelchair space on the Disney Eurostar, this happens to be in Business/First Class. I’m assuming that’s because I need a fair bit of space to park my wheels. I get mine and a companion ticket at a reduced cost, the equivalent of what it would cost for me to travel in the regular carriages. Travelling First Class means a lovely helpful assistant checking on me, and complimentary breakfast. Who am I to complain!

Mum and I enjoy this while the rest of our tribe are a few carriages away in the cheap seats.

Boarding the train is a breeze. An assistant arrives, foldable and wheel-able ramp in hand. I wheel on and we are shown to our seats. A button is pointed out to me ‘if you need anything just press this’.

The journey is a little bumpy but not terribly so. Within two hours we have arrived at Disneyland!

Before the train even stops my helpful man arrives, removes my table and ushers me to the exit. I am first off the train, the access ramp waiting for me to depart. Excellent service!

We head straight to the lift and up to Disney Express to drop off our cases.

Disney Express is a handy service that you can book direct with Disney or via your travel agent. For a small charge you can drop off your luggage at the station when you depart the train and it will get taken to your hotel for you. This is great if you have lots to carry or struggle to carry things long distance. It’s also brilliant if you’re impatient like us and want to head straight for the Disneyland magic, worrying about checking in and unpacking later!

To be continued…

(Don’t forget you can sign up by email to follow my adventures!)

Published by Gemma - Wheelescapades

Whenever friends and I are out we always end up discussing, critiquing, analysing where we are and what we are doing. From talking about the food we are eating, the soap in the toilets, the awful bus journey to our destination, anything and everything we encounter. Because of my disability (SMA type2) many of the situations we get into, issues we discuss and laughs we have can be due to wheelchair access. Often me getting stuck in mud or shingle, or me making my way through the most cram packed shop you can imagine, wondering how I am ever going to find the way out again! I aim to write a blog that describes these dramas, tells stories of our laughs, adventures and frustrations, while giving detailed information on accessibility and wheelchair access. Also I like tea. ALOT. The quality of the tea often determines my return just as much as the accessibility.

42 thoughts on “Disneyland Paris In A Wheelchair (part one) – The Take Off”

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  6. Only one accessible spot? That’s insane. I guess they gamble with the number of people they may need to assist. I’m glad that you shared all of that information, though. Like a few other people who commented, I think it’s great that you’re sharing what it’s like for you because it could definitely help someone else. It doesn’t come off as moany or complaining at all.

    And props, because your planning game is definitely on point, haha!

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    1. I know it’s difficult to decide on how many accessible places to provide, but one just seems unfair.
      Thank you for your encouraging words, I aim to help people realise they can do things and assist in their planning. But also to possible make people realise that there is still much improvement needed to make the world accessible to all.

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  14. Sounds like true adventure, and good to hear about access when travelling etc, as it’s helpful, not that I’m travelling to Disneyland, sadly got no one to go with, even if it was possible, so I shall live through you, look forward to hearing about the rest of the trip. ❤ xx

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  15. This is what I love about you, you need your tea first, (like me) and you get things done lady! I love your kick ass attitude. I was so shocked to see that there was just one stay in wheelchair seat, what a joke! This is where social media comes into its own though isnt it, such a great tool in these times. I cant wait to read the rest of your trip posts. Thank you for sharing this, you always give me such a better appreciation and understanding of what you have to consider to h=go on your holidays. I love that you educate me xxx

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    1. It’s brilliant that social media allows you to chat with people in similar situations all over the world.
      I don’t want to seem a moaner and that life is a struggle, but I want to make people aware of barriers faced and that simple improvements like more spaces on a train could make a massive difference.
      There’s not much better than a brew, and it sure does start a day off right!

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  19. What a pain with nobody getting back to you with the hire company details; glad you went to Facebook though as it really can be an amazing place to get advice and recommendations! Also fab to hear that you had assistance straight off the train, and fab that Disney Express is on hand for luggage, too! x

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  20. How resourceful of you to check with your facebook group. Facebook can be such a help sometimes. I’m glad you were able to solve your issue and enjoy the start of a wonderful vacation. 🙂

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  22. You make me realize what I take for granted. They need more seat-in seats on the train. We have two (wheelchairs strap in) on every bus now so people don’t have to wait for the access bus which you have to book which means not on your schedule often. Looking forward to the series.

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    1. That’s great your buses have two spaces. Most buses here have one space, which is sometimes taken by children in buggies. Also there are no wheelchair straps in the buses here.

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