What #Seniors Need to Know About Navigating Through #Disney

As kids, Disneyland and Walt Disney World (WDW) were my and my sister's favorite vacations. Oh heck, who am I kidding... they still are! There's a feeling that comes over me when I walk through the front gates that, when I was eight, made me feel like one very important little girl! While I don't go as frequently anymore, when I do, I still get that feeling each time I walk up to the entrance and see Mickey's face carefully and meticulously crafted in the flowers and foliage. Only now, as an adult, the feeling means that for a day, I don't have to check my email, respond to a text, or answer my phone. For one day, I really am at the happiest place earth.

But now that my Baby Boomer parents have officially retired and are looking for their next adventures, I'm starting to think about how they can continue to enjoy Disney as much as they used to when they took their baby girls. What can Disney offer people that are my parents' age? Turns out... quite a bit! Thanks to Ken Brown of Chip & Company, the resident Baby Boomer expert on all things Disney, I'm not at all concerned about my parents outgrowing one of my favorite childhood pastimes.

Ken has taken the time to share his expert advice on visiting Disney as a senior with physical limitations and now I want to share with you, and the rest of the Baby Boomers who think they may have outgrown all that Disney has to offer:

"Walt Disney World is huge, it’s busy, and at most times of the year it’s quite hot. This presents challenges to everyone whether they are fully able or have physical limitations. I use the term limitations because we all have abilities in every area of our lives, and through no fault of our own, these abilities may be hampered by accident, disease, etc. I hope to offer some hints so that those of us (me also) that have these types of limitations can maximize the enjoyment that comes from a successful WDW vacation.

• The first, and most important, thing that a person with limitations must do is admit to themselves that these limitations are real and in some way reduce or hamper their abilities. Seniors (I’m in that group) have a tendency to be a bit stubborn and unwilling to admit to these issues. My unwillingness to admit to a limitation landed me in the hospital for 10 days; I’ve learned my lesson!

• Make sure that everyone in your traveling party is aware of your limitations so they can offer you assistance in the event you need it.

• Remember that you have 60,001 best friends at WDW. Your first best friend is YOU! If you are having issues, YOU are the only one who can communicate exactly what is wrong. The other 60,000 best friends are the WDW Cast Members who can either help you with your issue or get someone who can, generally very quickly. If you are having problems get to the closest Cast Member – Do Not Delay!!

• If you will need special equipment (like wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or Oxygen/respiratory equipment) you have choices. You can bring [your own from home] or contact [a company] like CareVacations to arrange to have the equipment delivered and waiting for you when you get there. Do not wait until you get there; do it as part of your vacation planning.

• Meds, meds, meds!!!! Make sure you bring an adequate supply of all of your medication(s) with you – in your carry on luggage. It’s always best to have the medication(s) in the original containers for TSA inspection. If your meds require refrigeration most Disney rooms have refrigerators. If your room does not, a refrigerator will be provided free of charge, if it is required to keep your medication(s) cold. You can also generally leave them at the front desk for refrigeration, but if you do this – LABEL, LABEL, LABEL.

• It’s not just seniors who have limitations but people of all ages. These range from dietary issues to other non apparent issues like Autism. Disney can and will handle/accommodate these issues if you know who to ask. If you have special dietary requirements you can contact Disney directly. The instructions can be found on the Special Dietary Requirements page. Should your child or another adult have have difficulties with crowds, lines, or even just extended waiting times you can get a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Guest Services. You can find out more information on the GAC by reading information on the Mom’s Panel on the WDW Forum page.

• If you have any limitations not covered here, make sure you talk to the Cast Members as you check in at your resort and they will put you in touch with the proper people who will help you. Also be sure to check the WDW Services for Guests with Disabilities page for additional details.

I hope these tips will help you maximize the enjoyment of your visit to Walt Disney World. You can find more advice regarding these types of issues and almost everything else on the Chip and Company website. I [also] have a new Facebook page dedicated to us older folks called Disney For Seniors. I encourage you to visit these sites regularly to pick up tips and advice as well as the latest news from the Disney family.

About Chip & Company: Covering everything from Disney Vacation Planning to best in Disney News. We are you one stop shop for all things Disney. 

Want to learn more? You can follow Chip & Company on Facebook & Twitter (@chipandcompany) and you can connect with Ken on his Disney for Seniors Facebook page.

About CareVacations: Serving the cruise industry for more than 20 years, CareVacations is the leading provider of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, Oxygen, and other special needs equipment for cruise passengers with disabilities and aging travelers. Working hand in hand with all major cruise lines and disability experts, and partnering closely with the travel agent community since 1988, CareVacations name is synonymous with trust, reliability, and quality. Our team is comprised of the best and most knowledgeable experts from their respective cruise industry-related fields, and combined with our longevity and reputation for excellence, CareVacations has helped enable thousands of cruisers experience their dreams of travel and adventure come true. Our services are available in cruise ports around the world and our customer service representatives are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Want to learn more? You can follow CareVacations on Twitter and Facebook.
   

Trust in CareVacations

At CareVacations, we understand that cruise passengers and cruise lines have choices in which companies they can trust with their disability-related needs and services. There are a number of organizations who try to do what we do, but there is always something missing.

You don't have to take our word for it; check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and see how we stack up against the rest.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) 

CareVacations proudly boasts an A+ rating after nearly 25 years of conducting business. Compare our rating with other companies who claim to provide similar services and we're confident you will see why CareVacations is the most trusted company in the industry. 

One thing you can trust is that CareVacations is the real deal. We have spent 25 years advocating for disabled cruise passengers and we are proud to partner with those cruise lines who share the same passion for equal access.
Check us out! We want to hear from you!

Don't Forget About Haiti

     It’s been 16 months since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. With one portion of the island, Labadee, Haiti, being a popular cruise port destination for both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, the CareVacations team is familiar with the island, and we have come to love the people we know who live and work there.

     One CareVacations specialist decided to see for herself just what kind of post-earthquake restoration progress was being made in Haiti, and planned a visit for herself. During her time visiting the island, Teri-Ann Ross spent most of her time volunteering in orphanages in Port au Prince, working with children with disabilities. It became clear to Teri-Ann very quickly, the orphanage, and the kids who called it home, needed so much. What could she do?

     When Teri-Ann returned home to Leduc, Alberta, she made the needs of the orphanage known to CareVacations President and owner, Don Stilwell, who immediately agreed that CareVacations could help.

Miriam (from the orphanage) and Islande (orphan); Teri-Ann in the background

     With the coordination of Teri-Ann and World Harvest Mission, and the cooperation of our Seattle and South Florida logistic center managers, CareVacations was able to donate an array of wheelchairs, walkers, and Oxygen concentrators. World Harvest Mission will distribute the equipment to the orphanages whose children have the greatest need. And when Teri-Ann makes her next visit, CareVacations will be standing by for an update.

     Thank you, Teri-Ann, World Harvest Mission, and our South Florida team, for making a difference!

Travel Agents Earn More Commission with CareVacations!

     In today’s tough economy, everyone is looking for ways to increase their revenue margins. This is especially true for travel agents.

     “Travel agents are the lifeblood of our industry. CareVacations wants to make sure travel agents know we appreciate everything they do for their clients, and we appreciate their more than 22 years of continued support,” says Don Stilwell, President of CareVacations. 

     Travel agents can call CareVacations and speak to a Reservations Specialist for assistance with reserving and coordinating their clients’ medical travel needs. The travel agent will earn a generous commission on booked services, paid directly to the travel agent or agency. To date, CareVacations has paid more than seventy-five thousand dollars in commission to travel agent partners… and it keeps growing! “The great thing about our commission program is it’s easy for the travel agents to know we appreciate everything they do for their clients,” says Don Stilwell. “We have developed this commission structure to reward travel agents for their dedication, and hard work.” From wheelchairs and scooters, Oxygen, shower benches, transfer equipment, bed rails, commodes, and other highly specialized medical equipment, CareVacations’ commission program applies to all equipment rentals and services, and we pay the highest commission rates in the industry!    

     In order for travel agents to be eligible, all they need to do is complete an agency registration form; this can be completed online at the CareVacations website, or a form can be printed, completed and faxed to CareVacations’ Administration Office.

     What makes CareVacations’ commission program better than the rest?

• CareVacations wants to reward travel agents without any hassle… so we have NO lengthy contract to sign.
• CareVacations believes in honesty and integrity, and we don’t engage in trickery… so we have NO confusing fine-print, details, or legal double-talk that travel agents have to muddle through.
• CareVacations understands that travel agents have choices, and because we appreciate that travel agents have chosen CareVacations as their preferred provider for more than 22 years, we DO NOT require travel agents to make a lifetime commitment to CareVacations.
• CareVacations believes that travel agents work hard for their commission and should be paid accordingly, and in a timely manner, CareVacations pays commission as quickly as it is earned. There are NO minimum requirements, NO waiting for, and NO forfeiting earned commissions.
• And CareVacations’ commission program is all-inclusive; we DO NOT exclude any travel agents from our program.

     Travel agents can just start making bookings, tell us where to send the money and let the money come to you! There’s no secret to that; it is just that simple!

     For more details on our commission program, please go to our website at: www.carevacations.com or call a CareVacations Specialists at (877) 478-7827.

HAPPY EARNING!

Get to Know CareVacations, Ltd.

     Cruising is quite possibly the perfect vacation, with something to offer for everyone. And if your cruising client is someone who has disability-related needs and/or physical requirements, CareVacations can help!
      Established in 1988, CareVacations has earned its reputation for providing exemplary travel and medical equipment rental services including, Oxygen, wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs, hoists, lifts, and equipment to meet just about any other need.

     For any cruise passenger needing equipment for their cruise vacation, CareVacations’ Reservation Specialists are available to take the time to discuss and confirm the details of any rental request, and answer any questions travel agents and/or passengers may have.

     We proudly work with travel agents to help them secure appropriate equipment for their clients, or we can work with the passengers directly for equipment selection and confirmation.

     In addition to our nearly 23-year history, and our ongoing commitment to helping our travel agent partners meet the needs of their extraordinary clients, CareVacations is the preferred vendor chosen by most cruise lines for equipment maintenance, on board mobility devices, scooters for all sizes, hospital beds, patient lifts, and other highly specialized and sensitive medical equipment.       

     CareVacations’ Delivery Specialists deliver, install, and test all special equipment directly to passengers’ staterooms in all major cruise ports and most remote cruise ports, worldwide.

     At the end of the cruise, passengers simply leave the equipment in their staterooms, and CareVacations will retrieve the equipment. A completely hassle and worry-free service!

     CareVacations’ maintains a fleet of equipment that is the newest and most advanced technology available in the industry, and maintained at the highest quality standards. For travel agents who may want an equipment demonstration, or to visit one of our multiple offices and/or warehouses, contact us and we will be happy to schedule an appropriate appointment with you. Let us show you why we are the most trusted provider in the industry.  

     For more information on our various programs available to disabled cruisers and travel agents, feel free to call us at (877) 478-7827, or visit our website at: www.carevacations.com.


CareVacations training NCL staff in London, April 2010

Olando Area Rentals - We Take care of You!

CareVacations, the cruise industry's most reputable and preferred Oxygen and mobility supplier, is now providing hotel rental services, year-round, in the ORLANDO area!

For information, reservations, or immediate service, contact us:

Toll free - (800) 513-4535

Local - (407) 749-9866

Email: rentals@carevacations.com 

WHEELCHAIRS:

• Regular - $15/day or $40/week
• Full Size - $20/day or $50/week
• Full Size+ - $25/day or $60/week

MOBILITY SCOOTERS:

• Light Weight - $25/day or $125/week
• Mid Size - $30/day or $155/week
• Full Size - $35/day or $175/week
• Full Size+ - $40/day or $225/week

POWER CHAIRS:

• Light Weight - $25/day or $125/week
• Full Size - $35/day or $175/week
• Full Size+ - $40/day or $225/week

OXYGEN:

• Concentrator - $30/day or $195/week
• Whisper Quiet Concentrator - $35/day or $225/week
• Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) - $50/day or $295/week
• Cylinders, All Sizes Available; Contact us for Quote

FREE DELIVERY in local Orlando area - 3-day minimum rental.

Need something extra special? CareVacations provides various types of medical equipment like: hospital beds, bed rails, patient lift, lift chairs, recliners, and MORE!

For information, reservations, or immediate service, contact us:

Toll free - (800) 513-4535

Local - (407) 749-9866

Email: rentals@carevacations.com 

For CareVacations' equipment rentals in other cruise port cities, world wide, call (877) 478-7827

CareVacations Embarks on Another Alaska Season

Do you have a reservation to take a cruise to Alaska in 2010? Did you rent Oxygen equipment, a scooter, or a wheelchair? If so, chances are good that you rented your equipment from CareVacations.

This is going to be CareVacations' twentieth season servicing the multiple cruise itineraries, and vast inland tours throughout the great state of Alaska!

"Alaska is quite possibly the most popular cruise destination from May through September," says Don Stilwell, President of CareVacations. "We have dedicated nearly forty-five percent of our equipment fleet to the region to ensure that the needs of all Alaska cruise and tour passengers can be met."

In addition to our delivery program, CareVacations' commitment to servicing all areas of the region starts with our convenient pick-up and drop-off area at our new and improved kiosk at Canada Place Pier in Vancouver, B.C., extends in to some of the most remote areas of Alaska and the Yukon, and every possible point in between.

So if you're going to Alaska, and you need equipment, call CareVacations at (877) 478-7827... we're here to help!

HAPPY SIGHTSEEING!

Travel Agents Earn Commission with CareVacations!

In today's tough economy, everyone is looking for ways to increase their revenues and profit margins. This is especially true for travel agencies. "In the age of the internet and online bookings, travel agents still remain the lifeblood of our industry," says Don Stilwell, President of CareVacations, Ltd. "CareVacations supports travel agents by making sure they know we appreciate everything they do for their clients."

Travel agents can call CareVacations and speak to a Reservation Specialist for assistance with reserving and coordinating their clients' medical travel needs. Then the travel agent earns a generous commission on booked services, paid directly to the travel agent or agency. To date, CareVacations has paid more than forty-thousand dollars in commission to travel agent partners.

"The great thing about our commission program is it's easy for travel agents earn money," says Stilwell. "We have developed this commission structure to thank travel agents for their dedication, hard work, and loyalty to us."

From wheelchairs and scooters, Oxygen, shower benches, transfer equipment, bed rails, commodes, and other highly specialized medical equipment, CareVacations commission program applies to all equipment rentals and services, including our wheelchair accessible, Central Florida CareBus Express!

In order for travel agents to be eligible, all they need to do is complete an agency registration form. Forms can be printed from our website and either faxed or e-mailed to CareVacations. Agents can also submit their information via our online form. It's just that simple... there's no contract and no lifetime commitment. Just start making bookings, tell us where to send the money, and let the money come to you!

For more details on our commission program, visit our website at www.carevacations.com or call one of our Specialists at (877) 478-7827.

HAPPY EARNING!

Do You Need a Rental for Your Cruise?

Cruising is just about the perfect vacation, with something to offer for everyone. And if you're someone who has special needs and/or physical requirements, CareVacations can help!

CareVacations has earned a reputation for exemplary travel and medical equipment rental services including, Oxygen, wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs, hoists, lifts, and equipment to meet just about any other need. Our rental and delivery services are available in all major cruise ports, and most remote cruise ports, worldwide.

For any passenger needing equipment for their cruise vacation, simply contact a CareVacations Reservation Specialist at (877) 478-7827, or by emailing us at csa@carevacations.com. Our Specialists will take the time to discuss and confirm the details of any rental request, and answer any questions you may have.

CareVacations' Delivery Specialists will deliver and install/set up, all equipment directly to the passenger's stateroom, and test all equipment to ensure appropriate operation. At the end of the cruise, passengers simply leave the equipment in their staterooms, and a CareVacations Specialist will retrieve the equipment. A completely hassle-free and worry-free service!

Our equipment is the newest and most advanced technology available in the industry, and is maintained at the highest level of quality standards.

In addition to our rental program, CareVacations is the preferred vendor chosen by most cruise lines for on board medical equipment supply and maintenance.

Interested in learning more about CareVacations and how we can help you? Feel free to give us a call at (877) 478-4827 or visit our website at www.carevacations.com. We look forward to hearing from you!