Disney World is full of magic, but for our family, planning a trip isn’t just about the fun—it’s about making sure everyone can enjoy that magic, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations. My husband has a progressive muscular disorder, and our daughter has a genetic disorder that affects her cognitive development. With thoughtful planning and the right accommodations, we were able to create a trip full of unforgettable moments for everyone.
Scooter Rentals: A Lifeline for My Husband
For my husband, long days of walking through Disney’s parks can be overwhelming due to his muscular disorder, which limits his ability to walk for extended periods without feeling serious fatigue. Over the years, we’ve always relied on renting ECVs (Electric Conveyance Vehicles) to give him the mobility he needs to enjoy the parks without wearing himself out. On previous trips, we used ScooterBug, a service that delivers scooters directly to your hotel, which is incredibly convenient. We’ve had great experiences with them, including when they quickly swapped out a malfunctioning scooter with minimal hassle.
However, this trip didn’t go as smoothly with ScooterBug due to logistical issues, and we were left without the scooter we had reserved. Thankfully, Disney provides ECV rentals at all four parks and at Disney Springs. Renting directly from Disney was our solution, and it worked out well for us. ECVs at Disney cost $65 per day, with a $20 refundable deposit required at the theme parks. While it was a bit more expensive than using an outside rental service, the convenience of picking up the ECV right at the park entrance was invaluable.
The ECV allowed my husband to enjoy the parks fully without the strain of walking long distances. At Epcot, where the sheer size of the park can be overwhelming, the scooter was a game changer. While I racked up close to 18,000 steps that day, my husband only needed to walk around 4,000, saving his energy for the most important moments. Renting directly from Disney also meant we didn’t have to worry about transporting the scooter on buses or dealing with limited availability of accessible Minnie Vans—an issue we’d run into on previous trips.
Making Disney Accessible for Our Daughter
Our daughter’s cognitive challenges mean that waiting in long lines and navigating busy spaces is particularly difficult for her. Additionally, she’s a flight risk, so we needed solutions that would help keep her safe and allow her to enjoy the magic of Disney without feeling overwhelmed.
On our first day at Epcot, we visited Guest Services to get her stroller tagged as a wheelchair. This was a huge help, allowing us to take her stroller into areas where regular strollers aren’t permitted, such as attraction lines. It meant we could keep her safely contained while still being part of the action.
While we were at Guest Services, the cast member also suggested applying for the Disability Access Service (DAS) Pass. Initially, I wasn’t sure if we’d qualify, but the process was simple and quick. After a brief Zoom interview, we were approved for the pass, which allowed us to schedule return times for rides. This was a lifesaver! Instead of standing in long lines that could cause our daughter distress, we could explore other parts of the park while waiting for our ride time.
The DAS pass opened up so many more experiences for our daughter. With her unique needs, traditional lines would have been impossible, but thanks to the pass, she was able to enjoy rides like everyone else. It gave us the flexibility to manage her needs while still ensuring she could participate in the magic of Disney. What was great to learn, too, was that both the stroller tag and the DAS Pass were good for the duration of our trip.
Finding Extra Help: Our Experience with Once Upon a Nanny
Another service that made a huge difference on this trip was Once Upon a Nanny. As any parent knows, balancing fun for both the kids and the adults can be tough, especially when there are different needs involved. We were paired with Miss Liz, and she quickly became a crucial part of our little team. I was a bit nervous at first because I didn’t want to miss out on making memories with our daughter, but Miss Liz struck the perfect balance between helping and letting us enjoy the experience as a family.
Whenever we wanted to go on the bigger rides—like Cosmic Rewind (which we rode twice because it’s just that good!)—Miss Liz would take our daughter to explore other parts of the park. And when it was time for our daughter’s nap or bedtime, Miss Liz would comfortably bring her back to the resort, which allowed us to have some adult time without worry. It was such a gift to know that someone experienced and caring was with our daughter, making sure she was having a fun and safe experience, while also allowing us some much-needed moments to ourselves.
Peace of Mind with the AngelSense Tracker
Safety is a major concern when traveling with a child who’s a flight risk, especially in a place as crowded as Disney World. To help keep track of our daughter, we used the AngelSense tracker. This device gave us peace of mind by providing real-time GPS tracking of her location, and it even allowed for two-way voice communication.
Like I said before, our nanny Miss Liz was fantastic—engaging with our daughter throughout the parks, helping her experience the attractions, and ensuring her safety. While we completely trusted her, having the AngelSense tracker made it easier for us to check in and meet up with them after going on rides ourselves. It allowed us to relax and enjoy the trip more fully, knowing we could always locate our daughter if needed.
Park Highlights: Magical Moments at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom
Each park at Disney World offers something special, and we had so many highlights throughout our trip.
At Epcot, one of the standout moments was riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind twice! We used both Lightning Lane and the Virtual Queue to ride it without long waits. Our daughter, who loves water, was enchanted by Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, where she could interact with the water in a safe and controlled way.
Magic Kingdom was equally magical, especially when our daughter got to meet Mirabel from “Encanto.” That moment will be etched in our memories forever. We also got to experience the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, and, surprisingly, while the famous cheeseburger spring rolls were tasty, the pizza spring rolls stole the show for us!
Over at Animal Kingdom, we loved Expedition Everest, but for our daughter, the calming and visually stunning Na’vi River Journey was her favorite. We also lucked out on the safari, seeing the lions up and walking around—a rare and thrilling sight that made our day even more special.
One of the most special moments for our daughter was when we bought her one of those classic Disney balloons—the kind that’s a big balloon inside another one. She was absolutely enchanted by it! We learned from a helpful cast member that you can actually bring the balloon to the Disney Store at the Orlando airport, and they will deflate it for you so you can take it home. They even package it up in a cute little bag, making it easy to reinflate once you’re back. It was the perfect keepsake from her first Disney trip, and the thoughtfulness behind this little detail made us feel even more connected to the magic Disney creates.
No Disney trip is complete without some great dining experiences, and we were able to secure reservations at some of Disney’s top restaurants. Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom was a dream come true for our daughter. At ’Ohana, we enjoyed a fantastic family-style meal, and we also loved our meals at Homecomin’, Yak & Yeti, and Tusker House.
Florida’s heat can be brutal, but we came prepared with a neck fan and a stroller fan to keep us cool. Both fans were lifesavers, especially during the long days spent outdoors.
Final Thoughts
Our Disney World trip was packed with magic, but it was also a reminder of how important it is to plan ahead when you have family members with unique needs. With the help of ECV rentals, the DAS pass, the AngelSense tracker, and thoughtful dining reservations, we were able to make the experience enjoyable for everyone. As a Certified Disney Travel Agent and certified in both special needs and autism travel, I’m dedicated to helping families like ours plan trips that are accessible and stress-free. Whether it’s booking scooters, securing hard-to-get dining reservations, or arranging accommodations like the DAS pass, I’m here to handle the details so you can focus on making memories.
But here’s the thing—I truly believe in empowering families to travel. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be, especially when you’re traveling with kids. I remember the pure terror I felt the first time I flew with my newborn, so I understand that even families without special needs often face anxiety about traveling with children. Now, as a mom of a child with special needs, I also know how taxing it can be when you’re trying to juggle both caregiving and making sure everyone is having fun.
That’s why I’m here to help. It’s my job to think of it all—to take the worry off your shoulders so you can focus on the joy of being together. I want to show families that travel is possible, that it doesn’t have to be stressful, and that you can make beautiful memories without feeling overwhelmed. Let me handle the logistics and the planning, and you can concentrate on enjoying your trip.
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