Author: Stephen

I'm Stephen Ashley. My wife and I are huge fans of Disney World. I'm the author of Walt Disney World With Disabilities. I also wrote a book called Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone, but rather than have it published, at this point we've decided to place all the material from the manuscript on this website so everyone can have access to it! I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it makes your day just a little bit brighter and easier.

The Disney World bus system makes traveling around Disney seamless and easy for their guests in wheelchairs and ECVs. Here’s what you need to know to use the bus system. If you haven’t read it already, you may want to read the article titled Using the Walt Disney World Bus System. This is the general information on using Disney World’s bus system. Then come back here and read this additional information on wheelchair and ECV use on the buses. Let’s get started! How many wheelchairs & ECVs can the Disney World buses fit? Most Disney World buses accommodate two ECVs…

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Disney World has an excellent bus system! This article includes everything you need to know to use the Disney World bus system. If you’re looking for information on wheelchair and ECV access on the buses, read this page first, and then go to our article called Wheelchairs and ECV info for the Disney World Buses. The best things about the Disney World buses: They’re free! They allow you the freedom of going just about anywhere on Disney property, even with a wheelchair or ECV. The bus drivers tend to be really helpful and friendly. You don’t have to drive! Yes!!! The…

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On this page, we’ll cover what you need to know to use the monorail, including info for people with wheelchairs, ECVs and other special needs. If you haven’t read it yet, you may want to read our article called Walt Disney World Transportation Overview for additional details on the monorail and other forms of transportation at Disney World. The Walt Disney World Monorail is a Fun Way to Get Around Disney! What is it?  The Monorail is a part of Disney’s transportation system that’s available in certain parts of Disney World. It’s an elevated train system that runs on electricity. It’s…

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Are you visiting Walt Disney World while you’re pregnant? You can have a wonderful time at Disney! There’s so much there that you’ll be able to participate in. So that everything goes smoothly, you’ll need to prepare a bit so that you can take great care of your health and the health of your baby while you’re there. Now here’s our obligatory disclaimer: Keep in mind that this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your physician first. First we’ll share a few of our own basic tips, but the majority of info here is coming from Kelly Lorenz, a nurse…

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Most people of size will find that there’s very little they can’t do at Disney. Here are some things to consider. Managing with Turnstiles at the Disney World Parks Though most people of size will have no difficulty going through turnstiles, some may wish to bypass them. At Disney there’s always an alternative entrance designed for wheelchairs and strollers that people of size can use. Just let a cast member know you need this and they’ll let you through. Height Concerns on the Disney World rides According to Services for Guests with Disabilities, tall people will be fine on most rides.…

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By Teresa Dec When you are overweight (“Pooh size” or “Pacha size” in Disney vernacular), you may feel some trepidation about going to Walt Disney World. You may want to ask questions like: Will I be able to manage the walking? Will the excessive heat make me miserable? Will I even fit on the rides? People may respond, “Just lose weight before you go!” But as people with long-term weight issues well know: if it were that simple, no one would ever be overweight! Plus, you may be working hard on losing weight, but it doesn’t happen safely overnight. You…

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Sprinkles is the world’s first cupcake bakery, and they focus on using high quality ingredients such as bittersweet Belgian chocolate, fresh fruits, and pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. When sprinkles opened in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs area, they got a ton of publicity by giving away free cupcakes. We heard of hour long lines because of this, but we still had to take advantage of it! We signed up online and got our cupcake credits. Fortunately we waited only about 10 minutes. The queue was outdoors, but we quickly got inside and out of the sun.  Apparently Sprinkles has quite a following.…

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Choosing a Disney World resort can be a fun but daunting task. Every Disney resort is accessible, and you’ll be able to manage in any of them. However if you have mobility challenges, some resorts will be easier for you than others. Whether you’re planning on walking or using a wheelchair or ECV, there are still some things to consider. The Disney World Resort Size Can Be Important! Most of the Disney resorts are very large. In some of them you could get placed in a guest rooms that’s quite a hike from the resorts’ main activity areas.  You can bypass this problem…

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Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World with 5 or more people in your party? Many of the resort rooms in the Disney World resorts are designed for 4 people plus a child under 3 years old, but there are many good options designed for 5 or more guests. We’ll give you details on those below. Another option is to request two connecting or adjoining rooms. Connecting rooms have inside doors that open two rooms side by side rooms to each other. Adjoining rooms are next to each other, but don’t have inside connecting doors. Compared to some options,…

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So you’ve decided to stay in a Disney World resort. That’s a great choice! (If you’re not sure yet, read our article called Should I Stay in a Disney World Resort?) Now you’re wondering how to choose the right resort. There are a lot of them, and it can be confusing. Let’s talk about some of the things that you may want to consider as you decide: Budget How much time you’ll spend there Level of amenities Service Required Theme – taste and interests Resort Location Transportation Dining options preferred Space needed – room size and maximum occupancy Kitchen needed Crowds at…

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Check out the new Royal Princess Promenade now happening every day at the Grand Floridian Resort, at 3:30 pm in the lobby. Enjoy a live orchestra as Cinderella and Prince Charming make a grand entrance. They then take photos with guests, and dance the Grand Waltz. Guests are invited to dance along. (Confirm it before you go) https://youtu.be/gslkbtjrDeA Do you have more thoughts or tips or thoughts on this topic? Please feel free to post them in a comment below. We’d love your input. GET UPDATES, NEWS & TIPS (IT’S FREE!!!) Sign up below to stay updated on the newest information, tips and…

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With a little planning and knowledge you can save yourself a nice chunk of money! Some gas stations in the Orlando area are charging way above the going rate for gasoline, according to an article on clickorlando.com. They showed one Shell gas station at 8878 Vineland Avenue charging $5.99 a gallon for unleaded, when nearby stations are charging just $1.68 for unleaded. The reporter actually saw people filling up their tanks there. This is very close to Disney, and it’s an area that’s full of tourists. To give you an idea of where it is, it’s about 6 miles away from…

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Location: In the Animal Kingdom area. Address: 1701 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL.  Phone: (407) 939-5000 Fax: (407) 939-7333. Resort Type: Value. Location: Animal Kingdom area. Parking fee: $15 per night. Check-in: 3 PM. Check-out: 11 AM. Resort Type: Value. For deals on Orlando resorts, and unbiased reviews, check out Tripadvisor.com Orlando Resort Deals (CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER IMAGES) All-Star Sports is located on one end of the three All-star Resorts that are side by side (the All-Star Movies Resort, and the All-Star Music are the other two). Located in the Animal Kingdom area of Disney World, If you’re able to walk some distances, you can access all three…

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Beginning in February 2016, Animal Kingdom will offer a new park-wide hunt game called The Lion Guard Adventure. Kids (and the young at heart) will be going on a quest that will make them into honorary members of the Lion Guard. The game is included with your park admission. The game is based on the the TV Movie called “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar”, and the new Disney Junior TV series premiering January 15th on Disney Channel, also called “The Lion Guard”. The game sends young adventurers throughout the Animal Kingdom park on a search for five Lion Guard characters…

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Epcot is going to run the International Flower & Garden Festival to 90 days! More fun for us. We really enjoy this festival. The creativity is astounding, the food is fun, and the live musicians and bands that play in the Garden Rocks concert series really add to the experience. We’re happy to hear that this year the festival will be held from March 2 to May 30, 2016 – 90 days rather than the usual 75 days. The festival includes food booths similar to what you’ll find in the Food & Wine Festival, though there are not nearly as many.…

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