[wdwspider]

I've only been to the Airport once. One of the major factors that will decide whether my In-laws take their first Disney trip is the ability for my Father in-law to get around. He is not in a wheelchair or walker, but he gets winded extremely easy and I remember from my last trip that it is a long walk from the Airport to the exit and vice versa. Are their special accomidations for those in this situation? Can we get a shuttle or cart to pick up my father in-law and take him to a place I can pick him up in a rental car or meet him close to package pick-up?

I'm too new at flying to even know how to find this info out. Thanks everyone, once again. :D

[iluvwdw]

Spider, I may be wrong here, but I don't think there is that much of a hike from the terminal to the exit. After you get off the plane, you go to the monorail that takes you to the Exit terminal where you can get your luggage. The exit is right downstairs, near the rental car counters.

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
Spider, I may be wrong here, but I don't think there is that much of a hike from the terminal to the exit. After you get off the plane, you go to the monorail that takes you to the Exit terminal where you can get your luggage. The exit is right downstairs, near the rental car counters.

Yes, I understand, but this is much too much for him. :cry:

He is sick and he has good days and bad days. Getting from the Airplane to the terminal will be plenty for him in his condition. He is handicapped, just not in a situation to need a walker or wheelchair, but not in a situation to walk much distance either. I remember the airport pretty well and the stairs are really going to do a number on him decreasing his distance capabilities even further. He's in a tough situation no doubt. At least at the parks we can get one of those electric chairs.

We may be ok, but I wanted to find out all my alternatives just in case. Be prepared. :)

[Cheryl]

I believe the only alternative would be to notify your airline that you will need a wheelchair when he gets off the plane in Orlando. A skycap will wheel him to where you need to go.

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by WDWspider
I remember the airport pretty well and the stairs are really going to do a number on him decreasing his distance capabilities even further. He's in a tough situation no doubt. At least at the parks we can get one of those electric chairs.
We may be ok, but I wanted to find out all my alternatives just in case. Be prepared. :)

I think you may be OK...there are elevators and/or escalators wherever there are stairs, so he wouldn't have to exhaust himself that way. And throughout the terminals, where there are long walkways, there are electric people movers, so I don't think the walking is too bad, but that's just me. In any event, call the airline and advise them that you will need a wheel chair upon your arrival, to ensure his comfort. ;)

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
I think you may be OK...there are elevators and/or escalators wherever there are stairs, so he wouldn't have to exhaust himself that way. And throughout the terminals, where there are long walkways, there are electric people movers, so I don't think the walking is too bad, but that's just me. In any event, call the airline and advise them that you will need a wheel chair upon your arrival, to ensure his comfort. ;)

:laugh I wasw talking about the stairs off the plane then up to the Airport. :laugh

The only problrm with the wheelchhair at the airport is pride. However, that is a good suggestion. We shall take that to strong consideration, thanks.

[disneyguy]

There are no stairs in airports to get on and off airplanes!!! They have the wonderful jetways, unless it is a small plane, then you have a problem but they usually have a way they can get assist them off the plane and take them on a behind the scenes route to the main terminal and level. Here is what you need to do:
1) Call the airline, tell them you have a special needs passenger, and that they will need a skycab there.
2) On day of check-in remind them of this. They do put a note in the computer and on the other end there is usually someone there. (I know that US Airways will put a sticker on you).
3) Be sure to check witht the flight attendent on the plane. The paper that they recieve should have a note about it.

I know that the Orlando Airport does have a monorail to get you to baggage claim. And they should have another electric cart there for ya. You pay that money for that ticket now make them go the extra mile for ya. And by the way, this is all free!!

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by disneyluva
There are no stairs in airports to get on and off airplanes!!!

Both planes I took we had stairs off and stairs up to the Jetway. :laugh ;)

Originally posted by disneyluva


I know that the Orlando Airport does have a monorail to get you to baggage claim. And they should have another electric cart there for ya. You pay that money for that ticket now make them go the extra mile for ya. And by the way, this is all free!!

I appreciate the info. I told the wife about the suggestions and we are going to ask her father this weekend to see what he thinks.

[disneyguy]

I believe you because I go on a small airplane from Salisbury to Philly and there are a few stairs off the plane. Also, it has nothing to do with the price of your ticket, just the airport that you go through. I do know that they are required by law to have a back way that they can take him in a wheel chair or elevator.

[disneyguy]

WOW, i just read my posts and thought they seemes kinda rude. I hope they didn;t come off that way. I just fly all the time, and i see these older people they keep saying that they need assistance and could easily get it if they just asked. It isn't like they don;t know since over the loud speaker there is a message telling them that they can get assistance.

[wdwspider]

Not at all. I found your post informative. I was teasing on the step issue. I just never put two and two together cause I normally don't have to plan for someone in this condition and he has never flown before, so it's very new planning for me. :D

[disneyguy]

Yeah, most of my flying expirience is with US Airways. Just tell them that he needs assistance and cannot go up and down stairs, and the are usaually very accombidating. The only thing is that if you are on any kind of smaller plane, then you have no choice about those two or three stairs.

[disneyjenny]

Spider,

We fly out of O'hare in Chicago. The treck from check in to the terminal can be quite exhausting for anyone. My Mom has a similar but different problem, bad legs!! She has already had one knee replacement and is ready for the next one to be done. She goes to church with a few pilots that fly out of O'hare. They have all told her that when she checks in to ask for a wheel chair to get to the terminal there shoud be no questions asked! I hope it would be that way in all airports now a days.

Now that we have her walking problem worked out we hope she won't set off the metal detectors at security with her "fake" knee!! :D

Hopefully this helps!!

Jennifer :)

[Dana]

Spider, if you are flying US Airways, I did notice wheelchairs at the gates upon exiting and entering the terminals. You just need to inform them when you board. They will accomidate you. Just for peace of mind, I would contact the airline you are using and ask about this. Your FIL will have some options. They have to provide wheelchairs for those who need it.

[wdwspider]

Checked into my Expedia files and we do have options to list Wheelchair requests as well as Ability to climb stairs or non-ability to climb stairs.

This is very good news to discover. Hopefully this will remove any final doubts about the trip. :)