I went on my first ever international trip away as a wheelchair user last may! It was very nerve wrackong but also very exciting. I’ve always dreamed about traveling the world and seeing things that are far beyond hospital wards but I never really had the courage to actually do it. But this time I knew that things would be different because I sat down one day and thought to myself that if I don’t do this now I I’ll never do it. So that’s what my family and I did we sat down together planned out all the things that we needed to do and we just went for it without thinking about the what ifs.
Planning the Trip
While planning our trip, we came across a few disability focused agencies such as disabled holidays and limitless travel. We tried limitless travel but it wasn’t really what we were looking for. Limitless travel focuses more on group holidays and care packages basically like a community holiday for wheelchair users but we wanted more of a family holiday for our first trip away and that’s what disabled holidays offered for us and they were incredible. They booked everything for us such as the hotel a
nd the tickets to both parks and we had 3 days and 4 nights which to me at the time was huge. I mean if you told mevyhid time two years ago that I would be going to a different country I would’ve told you that you were lying.
Transport & Booking the Journey
Once the hotel and tickets were booked, my dad booked the euro tunnel. This was pretty straightforward. All you have to do is download the LeShuttle app and then you would choose the train times return and leaving times then your all booked. Due to not owning our WAV we had to get our car insured and we had to make sure that it was ok to travel over seas. Once that was done it was the waiting game until the day arrived and honestly I was so excited. We also had to pay for travel insurance just in case anything happened.
Accessibility Pass & Planning Ahead
A month before we went I had to order an access card and then you pick this up at the hotel or place your staying at. When you go to Disney you get given a card where it states all of your disability requirements. All you have to do is fill out a form online and then when you go to the parks the staff can then identify the rides that you can actually go on. This makes it easier for you and for them to understand what needs you need. While I was there i actually brought a lanyard so that I could just keep the card in there so it’s all safe and round my neck. This then helps because I won’t be able to lose it on the way. But you must order this a month in advance. So make sure you set a timer so you’ll remember.
Hotel Stay
My family and I we stayed in an accessible room in the hotel Cheyenne and I had mixed feelings. I asked for a profiling bed but they left the double bed in the room as well as the profiling bed. Which to me was stupid because there was hardly any room to move my wheelchair. We had a hoist but you could hardly move that due to the double bed being in the way it was a nightmare. In my opinion I wouldn’t of called it an accessible room at all. There was a wet room but it was so small and tight. But we made it work.
Food & Restaurants
At both parks there are so many restaurants that you can just sit down and eat. There’s themed restaurants like pirates of a Caribbean or Pinocchio. But there’s also just basic restaurants like five guys or McDonald’s. Whatever you prefer on that particular day
Rides & Accessibility at the Parks
The rides are absolutely amazing. It’s incredible how Disneyland Paris caters to so many different needs, especially for wheelchair users. Inclusivity matters a great deal to me, and I really appreciate how Disney has made such thoughtful adaptations.
We were 5 minutes away from the actual park so we had to go on a shuttle but it wasn’t to bad but in the end we just drove because it was so much easier.
Unfortunately I can’t transfer out of my chair but here are a list of rides I did manage to go on:
Disneyland Railroad
Pirates of the Caribbean
Phantom Manor
It’s a Small World
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Les Voyages de Pinocchio
Walt Disney Studios Park (now Disney Adventure World)
Ratatouille: The Adventure
My favourite will always be its a small world. It’s been my favorite Ever since I was younger. Watching all the little characters from around the world was the best part especially with the iconic song.
Another favourite was the spider man stimulation where you had to realise as many webs as you can to win. It was more like an interactive ride. But it was so fun. I was so looking forward to the Ratouile ride but unfortunately that day it was having technical issues so it was unsafe to ride on.
As well as rides there are so many shows that you can see like the Lion king and Donald ducks 4dx show that was awesome. The lion king was pretty spectacular too.
Character Meet & Greets
The characters were amazing we met woody first and I think he was my ultimate favorite. Then goofy then Bert and the penguins then Mary poppins Bert and the penguins they were funny. The last one we saw was Daisy Duck.
Hot Air Balloon Experience
I’m not sure if many people have heard of this balloon but I came across it online and I’m so glad I did because I’ve always wanted to go in a hot air balloon. Unfortunately it’s only accessible to manual wheelchairs not powered wheelchairs due to there being a huge whole in the middle. At first I hated it and I just wanted to get of. The wind made it ten times worst. But once you were fully up in the air I felt much more calmer and relaxed. You could see the whole of Disney land. I could even see the hotel in the distance. But i definitely wouldn’t recommend this if you don’t like heights.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
We went for 3 nights and 4 days but I would 100% recommend to do it longer than that as it was all a bit of a mad rush trying to get everything done.
That brings my wheelchair user’s guide to Disneyland Paris to a close.
Overall, it’s been genuinely impressive to see how much thought has gone into accessibility across the parks. From adapted entrances and dedicated boarding areas to attractions that allow wheelchair users to remain in their chairs, Disneyland Paris makes a real effort to ensure that as many guests as possible can enjoy the experience comfortably and safely. While not every ride is fully accessible without transfer, there is still a meaningful selection of attractions, shows, and transport options that are designed with inclusivity in mind.
Inclusivity is incredibly important to me, and it’s something I deeply value when visiting places like this. Disney’s efforts to accommodate wheelchair users and other accessibility needs really do make a difference, allowing more people to experience the magic without unnecessary barriers.
I hope this guide has been helpful and reassuring for planning a visit. Disneyland Paris really is a place where magic can be shared by everyone, and that’s something worth appreciating.
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