Sunday 3 October 2010

wheelchair accessible log cabin in Pembrokeshire

Hi all,

I thought I'd take a break from writing about Disney to share a log cabin we travelled to last year.  It is situated near to Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales.  We found out about it via it's own website, http://www.wheelchairaccessholidays.co.uk/ which it attractive and easy to navigate.  It is full of pictures showing the facilities included within the rental package.  They tend to rent week by weeek as opposed to daily rentals.  Therre is only one cabin available, however, the cabin itself is incredibly impressive.  The reasonable price includes a self catered three bedroomed easy access log cabin, inclusive of gas and electricity.  It also has a rise and recline lounge chair, a tracking hoist, a wet room, a shower chair, profiling beds in two rooms and an accessible kitchen and balcony. 

Set on a caravan park, it has facilities close by and pubs and restaurants within a short car journey.  There are attractions close by such as the manor park wildlife centre (as featured on wild welsh zoo and owned by Anna Rider Richardson), Folly Farm, the town of Tenby itself which is a bustling little town full of activity and of course the famous Pembrokeshire coastline. 

The owners of the cabin are impressively knowledgeable on the subject of disabled access as a member of their own family is in a wheelchair.  This is ultimately why they have purpose built the cabin.  They rent it solely to disabled traveller and ensure it is well maintained.  It was beautifully clean and warm and we went in October of last year, a rather cold October if I remember rightly!  It has a gas fire, large flat screen TV and sofas in the lounge area, it feels fantastically cosy and homely. 

We stayed Monday to Friday and cost a grand total of £280!  Bargain.

I wouldn't hesitate going back here, or recommending it to all of you out there!

Cath x

Saturday 2 October 2010

Disneyland Park Paris - Easy Access Card.

Hi all,

I will be reviewing the parks access, the activities and rides, staff, value for money and anything else I can think of that may help all you travellers out!

With staying in a resort hotel, you are given access to the parks 2 hours early.  This is something we never took advantage of so I can't really comment on, but it is definately an attractive proposition for guests - particularly in the off season when the park doesn't have such long opening hours. 

As soon as we went through the turnstyles we headed for City Hall.  We wanted to get an "easy access pass".  The website (http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/) advised us on what we needed to bring along with us to get the pass - simply a letter from your GP dated within the past 3 months or a blue badge will be sufficient.  We however forgot to bring either and left them in the car at birmingham airport!!!  Clever.  We explained the situation to the gentleman behind the counter who was very helpful and didn't question our legitimacy.  All they asked was whether the client could climb a ladder or not.  This question determined which colour pass you would be issued with.  If you cannot climb down a ladder, you aren't allowed to ride Peter Pan's Flight or Crushes coaster in the Studios Park.  Guest services will give you a map of the parks designed for disabled guests, it also includes information regarding how to gain access to the rides so an invaluable piece of information. 
The man explained to us how to gain access to attractions and the viewing areas for shows and parades.  In the main park, you generally entered a ride through the exit where a cast member would assist you from there.  A number of rides will offer essentially a fast pass system where you come back at a certain time and gain access via the exit.  I believe that despite gaining access via the exit you are meant to wait as long as the main queue is, yet we didn't queue any longer than 10 minutes!  There were 2 of us supporting the wheelchair user and we had no problem of being seperated except in the viewing areas for parades and shows.  Due to the size of the area only one person was allowed to assist but this wasnt too much of an issue as it is only a rope seperating the viewing area from the rest of the pavement. 
You have to present your EAC at all attractions and viewing areas so it is advisable to keep it handy. 

If you have any questions about the card, please leave them in the comments and I will answer them as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

Cath x