Planning with a Special Needs Mom – Location is Everything Part 3 of a 5-Part Series

August 20, 2020

By: Annette Miller

Traveling with someone living with special needs requires an additional layer of planning. In this series, we are exploring some of the factors that need to be considered in order to plan a vacation that is perfect for everyone in your travel party. The first installment provided an overview, while the second focused on how planning together can help alleviate stress and get everyone excited about the trip. In Part 3, we’ll talk about the importance of choosing the right location.

Depending on the type of special need(s) your family lives with, there may be certain destinations or specific hotels that will better fit your needs than others. For example, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground offers ferry service to Magic Kingdom, but these boats are not wheelchair accessible. On the other hand, Beaches Resorts (located in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos) have staff who are certified to work with guests living with Autism and other cognitive challenges.

Make sure to communicate any of your family’s special needs to your Vacation Experience Architect so that we can help you find the best destination, hotel, and room.

• Does someone have sensory issues that might benefit from a room in a quieter section or away from the aromas of a restaurant or pool? Should we map out quiet places to take a break?
• Does someone have issues with walking long distances?
• Does someone use an ECV or wheelchair that might need space for storing their equipment in the room and charging overnight?
• Does someone use medications or have a specialized diet that requires a fridge in the room?
• Does someone experience challenges with hearing who might need an interpreter (or subtitles at shows)?
• Does someone have a service animal who may need their own special relief area? Perhaps someone has allergies to animals that might require a special cleaning of the room before you check-in.
• Is someone small enough that they may need a step stool to get into bed or tall enough that the bed cannot have a footboard?

These are just a few of the ways that we can help guide you to the vacation that will fit like a glove!

In Part 4, I will discuss contingency planning because, well…sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. As the adoptive mom of three children living with special needs (all cognitive challenges), I truly have a passion for helping other families build vacations that are appropriate for every member of the family. If I can help you create some cherished lifelong memories, please reach out. You can find me at either annette@wishesfamilytravel.com or 734-262-5307. I would be honored to help!

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