Hi Marquisha!
Welcome to planDisney! First of all, I love that your family plans on celebrating your sister's birthday on a Disney cruise. Birthdays just seem extra magical when they are celebrated at sea! So let's chat a little about making her feel extra special on this birthday voyage.
You’ve got plenty of time before your March sailing on the Disney Dream to let Disney Cruise Line know about your sister’s birthday. They will be sure to note the special celebration on your reservation. Did you know that you can also pick up a "Happy Birthday" button from
Guest Services (Deck 3, Midship) that can be worn the entire vacation? She will hopefully feel like a celebrity with all the crew and Guests wishing her "Happy Birthday!" After your dinner is complete on the night you choose, your
rotational dining team can even sing "Happy Birthday” to her and bring her a complimentary dessert.
I think you will be very impressed with how welcoming every Cast Member is on a Disney cruise. That is extended to Guests of all ages and regardless of their situation. So your sister is sure to be greeted with so much pixie dust that it will remind you why you love Disney in the first place.
I really like to make sure Guests know what to expect when cruising. Since you mentioned that your sister will need a wheelchair, she must provide her own device, whether bringing her own or renting one. When not in use, all wheelchairs must be stored inside staterooms or in a designated parking area. Disney Cruise Line does recommend that Guests using wheelchairs sail with someone who can physically assist them when necessary. Last but not least, I’d suggest contacting the
Special Services Team to inform them of her needs in advance, and they will ensure your vacation is practically perfect in every way.
A great deal of thought and attention has been given to making as much of the Disney ships accessible to Guests with wheelchairs. Most Guest areas onboard the ship are accessible, including theatres, restaurants and shops. Additionally, pool lift access can be prearranged through Special Services. Wheelchair accessible staterooms are available and feature the following: minimum 32” doorways; bathroom and shower grab bars; open bed frames; roll-in showers; emergency call alarms; fold-down shower seats; ramped bathroom thresholds; and hand-held shower heads.
Finally, I recommend two great resources to prepare for your cruise: this
Services for Guests with Disabilities link and the
online guidebook. These are great roadmaps on how to approach making arrangements for your sister and your travel party.
I hope this has given you all the assurance that your voyage will be able to not only amaze your sister and enable you all to celebrate her birthday in style, but it will also be both accommodating and enthralling. We welcome you back to planDisney if we can help you again in any way. It would be my absolute pleasure!
Happy Sailing...and Happy 30th Birthday to your sister!
Sherry