Dream vs Wish with a wheelchair

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I've done several cruises on the Dream out of Canaveral; I understand she's now out of Ft Lauderdale,with the same itinerary. I'm checking into a cruise for November 2025, and trying to decide if I want to book the Wish, now out of Canaveral in Dream's old port or go with the ship that I know but the port that I don't! My complications, in addition to the unfamiliar ship or the unfamiliar port, which is also further away from us (we'll be driving), I'm in a wheelchair, and I understand from a friend that the Wish is lovely, but "tight", which needs to be considered when in a wheelchair everywhere you go. I have no problem going with the 'older' ship, she's wonderful and I'm familiar with her, just not the port! The Wish looks amazing and I'm familiar with Canaveral, but don't feel the need to ride with her just because she shiny and new. Plus "tight" would be a problem.
Thoughts would be helpful, particularly if you're also a wheelchair user. TIA

 

[RedHead0186]

I've done several cruises on the Dream out of Canaveral; I understand she's now out of Ft Lauderdale,with the same itinerary. I'm checking into a cruise for November 2025, and trying to decide if I want to book the Wish, now out of Canaveral in Dream's old port or go with the ship that I know but the port that I don't! My complications, in addition to the unfamiliar ship or the unfamiliar port, which is also further away from us (we'll be driving), I'm in a wheelchair, and I understand from a friend that the Wish is lovely, but "tight", which needs to be considered when in a wheelchair everywhere you go. I have no problem going with the 'older' ship, she's wonderful and I'm familiar with her, just not the port! The Wish looks amazing and I'm familiar with Canaveral, but don't feel the need to ride with her just because she shiny and new. Plus "tight" would be a problem.
Thoughts would be helpful, particularly if you're also a wheelchair user. TIA

No specific experience with a wheelchair on a DCL ship, but here's my two cents: You'll be at the port for a few hours, tops. Very small part of your overall vacation. You'll spend a lot more time on the ship than you will in port. If you're going to experience challenges either in port or on the ship, I'd pick port since it's a short time interaction. Of course, that also depends on what the specific challenges would be that you'd have to deal with. Those I can't comment on.

 

[anjuan]

While I'm not a person with accessibility needs, I noticed that the Wish seemed a lot less accessible than other ships. Some of the elevators don't go to certain floors and there seemed to be a lot more levels to the upper decks. Also, there are only 2 elevator banks instead of 3.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Interesting and important question. No one in our family has disabilities (yet) but a best friend does, so I notice.

Dream/Fantasy have those extra entry levels at both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista movie theatres that improves accommodations and provides better seating selection for chair-bound.

 

[kateandy08096]

I used a scooter on the wish for the 1st time this past August and never had an issue. The hallways were a tad tight but never experienced an issue. The only issue is rude people not waiting their turn to get onto the elevator

 

[bobbiwoz]

On the Wish, there is access to the Walt Disney theater near the stage from the front elevators. Very easy access, no need to have a CM escort you.

I use a rollator, and when the carts are in the hall, sometimes it was hard to pass. I don’t know how that would work in a wheelchair.

 

[happycamper47]

The only issue is rude people not waiting their turn to get onto the elevator

On the Wish, there is access to the Walt Disney theater near the stage from the front elevators. Very easy access, no need to have a CM escort you.

X-2 on people not waiting and it's getting worse. Also the WISH has a large area for WC and Scooters as you enter from Deck 3 on both sides. There are chairs that you can move for the people who accompany you.

 

[kiford]

While I'm not a person with accessibility needs, I noticed that the Wish seemed a lot less accessible than other ships. Some of the elevators don't go to certain floors and there seemed to be a lot more levels to the upper decks. Also, there are only 2 elevator banks instead of 3.

This would be for me the main accessibility issue. If you want to go to deck 12+, there are only two out of six (eight?) elevators that go to those floors. So you can spend a lot of time waiting for those specific elevators. We ended up taking whatever elevator came, got out at eleven and walked up. Not a wheelchair user, but on our first cruise with the Wish, we were with a friend who'd recently had knee surgery so it was a bit of an annoyance to have to wait an excessive amount of time to get on the elevator if we wanted to go higher than 11.

 

[RedHead0186]

This would be for me the main accessibility issue. If you want to go to deck 12+, there are only two out of six (eight?) elevators that go to those floors. So you can spend a lot of time waiting for those specific elevators. We ended up taking whatever elevator came, got out at eleven and walked up. Not a wheelchair user, but on our first cruise with the Wish, we were with a friend who'd recently had knee surgery so it was a bit of an annoyance to have to wait an excessive amount of time to get on the elevator if we wanted to go higher than 11.

Ugh, so annoying. I got 'caught' in that when I was on the Wish earlier this year. I recognize that I'm very lucky/privileged that I could just walk to another elevator bank and/or take the stairs, but the wait for a specific elevator was very frustrating.

 

[MrMagoo]

The Wish is definitely tighter.
The room corridors are narrower.
The main dining rooms are REALLY tight! The servers can barely get around a lot of the tables!
This is a HUGE design flaw.
Also Marceline Market area is very tight.
And it has already been pointed out about the elevators. Another HUGE design flaw!!!
Not being handicapped, it just seems like it would not be enjoyable for a person in a wheel chair to navigate
the Wish.