The Disney Trip That Made Me Fall in Love with Accessibility Work


Weekly Newsletter

Hey Reader!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why accessibility at Disney means so much to me. Why I talk about it so often, why I make planners and guides about it, and why I always make sure my clients feel confident and prepared long before they ever step foot in the parks.

And it all goes back to one trip.

So… let’s rewind to 2012.
My graduation trip. Ten whole days in Orlando with my family, and Ethan's first trip! It was supposed to be magical, and most of it was—but it was also the first time I truly understood how different accessibility can be from one theme park to another.

We started at SeaWorld. No issues there, just a regular day.
Then we headed to Universal Studios… and that’s where everything changed.

We quickly realized that my sister couldn’t ride anything. And not because she didn’t want to, but because Universal’s accessibility policy at the time was incredibly restrictive. No options. No alternatives. Just… no. Over and over again.

And we didn’t know any of this ahead of time.

Talk about a gut punch.

My sister put on a brave face (as she always does), but I could tell she was disappointed. And honestly? So was I. We were in this huge, exciting theme park, and she was stuck watching from the sidelines. It didn’t feel magical—it felt isolating.

We ended the trip on a better note, at Walt Disney World. And the contrast was immediate. My sister wasn't feeling well when we were at the airport returning our rental car and getting The Magical Express to Pop Century. Cast Members noticed immediately and got us on the next bus. Seriously. Just the 5 of us! The accessibility policies at Walt Disney World were so much more accommodating, the Cast Members were so kind, and my sister was able to experience so much more alongside us. That felt like the family vacation we were hoping for.

That trip taught me a huge lesson:
You can’t assume every theme park handles accessibility the same way. And not having that info ahead of time can completely change your experience.

It’s also why I have a whole blog post about why we don’t do Universal as a family—you can read it here if you’re curious.

But most importantly… it’s why I do what I do now.

Accessibility planning isn’t an add-on for me, it’s truly where my heart is. I research, I double-check policies, I stay on top of every update, and I make sure you walk into your trip knowing exactly what to expect. No surprises. No disappointments. Just confidence, clarity, and excitement.

Whether you’re navigating mobility needs, sensory considerations, or anything in between, I want you to feel fully supported.

Because I’ve lived the opposite, and I never want another family to feel that way.

If you’re planning a Disney trip and accessibility is on your mind, I’d love to help you with the research, the planning, and the “little things” that make a huge difference. You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’ve already done the deep dives for you.

Hit reply anytime or request a travel quote here, and we’ll chat about what your magical, accessible vacation could look like.

That wraps up this newsletter. Have a great week!

If you forget why you're hearing from me, Kelsey from A Disney Obsession, it's because you signed up for a super awesome freebie on my site adisneyobsession.com. If you don't want to receive these emails anymore, no worries! Just click unsubscribe below.

Hi! I'm Kelsey

Hi! I’m Kelsey — the creator behind A Disney Obsession, a digital hub for stress-free Disney vacation planning. I help families ,especially those navigating accessibility needs, plan magical trips with confidence. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, I share real-life advice, tested tools, and helpful videos to make Disney feel doable (and fun!) 🏰 Find digital planning tools, accessibility guides & more at adisneyobsession.com

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