Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz

My husband and I had my Dad drive us to the airport. Lucky for us, he could do it. I took my ATM wheelchair, one big suitcase, and one bookbag. The charger for my wheelchair could fit in our suitcase.

My dad dropped us off and we immediately checked our bag in at curbside check in. They also asked me what kind of battery I had, and I didn't know. It wasn't a huge problem, but you might want to find out before you go.

SECURITY

1. When you're in a wheelchair, you still need to go through security. Make sure that you take off your bookbag so it can go through the bag check. The security people will usually have you pull into a separate room and they'll scan you to make sure you don't have anything you shouldn't.

AIRPLANE

1. Make sure you check in with your airline after security so they know what assistance you'll need. They will probably want to put you on the plane before anyone else.

2. I'm afraid of flying, but I took this free online course - Fear of Flying Course and it helped me a great deal. It also helps if you tell the flight staff because they try to comfort you.

3. Try to use the bathroom ahead of time because the bathroom on the airplane is really small.

GETTING TO THE HOTEL

1. If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you'll probably use a Magical Express Bus. They have wheelchair lifts and the drivers are very helpful. You just need to tell them what hotel you're staying at. They'll also take you back to the airport. The Magical Express buses have TVs that help give you ideas about your trip. The bus ride is about 30 minutes.

HOTEL

Israel and I stayed at Pop Century which is a Disney Resort Value Hotel. We got a room with a king size bed and a roll in shower. We liked the room except there could be more room between the TV and bed. The roll in shower didn't have a slope or lip so the water went all over the bathroom.


Part 1: Packing & Travel
Part 2: Going to the airport, security, hotel
Part 3: Magic Kingdom
Part 4: Epcot