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Having recently returned from an exciting trip to Disneyland Paris, Lauren from Access Your Life, Imali from Inkfire and disabled model and creator, Chronically Jenni, tell us about their experience of hiring a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) with Allied Mobility Hire.
Why a Hire WAV?
When you live with multiple access needs, travelling isn’t always straightforward – especially with mobility aids, medical supplies and a group of people with varying needs. That’s why, when we decided to organise a magical trip to Disneyland Paris, hiring a wheelchair accessible vehicle from Allied Mobility made perfect sense.
We were a group of seven in total, with five of us and three pieces of bulky mobility equipment needing to fit into one vehicle. Between us, we had two powered wheelchairs, a walking frame, a shower stool and a hefty amount of luggage to cover our medical needs while abroad. We required space, comfort and the flexibility to keep everyone together in one vehicle during the long six-hour journey. Travel by train or plane wasn’t an option, mainly because we couldn’t guarantee that our mobility aids would arrive and return safely, and our personal cars wouldn’t have been suitable in terms of size.
That’s where Allied Mobility came in. We hired the Ford Tourneo Custom Independence™ and honestly, it was the unsung hero of the trip!
A WAV That Just Worked
Accessibility in this vehicle was a breeze. The sliding doors made getting in and out super easy and the ramp removed any worries about lifting equipment. Inside, the van felt spacious and comfortable, which made a big difference on a long drive. There was enough space for everyone to sit comfortably, with plenty of room and we felt confident knowing all our luggage was secure and safe in the back. It’s rare for travel to feel this stress-free as a disabled person with mobility aids.
Throughout the journey, we kept the air conditioning blasting and there was plenty of Disney karaoke to help the miles pass quickly.
The Journey &The Joy
We set off from Essex and made the journey to Paris in around six hours, including a brief stop at the services and queuing for the Eurotunnel, which was running late. This gave us plenty of time to sit and watch a film in the WAV while we were parked up. It handled the miles like a champ. We didn’t feel cramped, overheated, or on edge – just full of excitement!
And when we first spotted the Disney signpost? It was pure magic. We were exhausted, but we’d made it!
We rolled up to our hotel, knowing we had everything we needed. There’s something about arriving together, in one vehicle, that starts the holiday off on the right foot – no faffing with multiple taxis or worrying if everyone’s luggage made it intact.
We were even able to visit a shop or pharmacy during the trip to stock up on supplies, avoiding the hassle of public transport or finding accessible taxis.
We Went to Disney
Now I will admit, heading home was a struggle! We all could have happily stayed at Disneyland Paris longer – but knowing we would be comfortable and that we had plenty of space to stash the new merch we bought on holiday softened the blow. Travelling home was just as easy as going there and fuelled by Disney spirit, still wearing our Mickey ears, we safely returned to the UK and so ended a wonderful holiday.
The next day, the Allied Mobility Team came to pick up the WAV and made the return process super easy – even checking the vehicle to ensure we hadn’t left any Disney goodies behind!
Overall, Allied Mobility made this journey a pleasure and we would wholeheartedly recommend hiring one of their WAVs if you’re planning a trip.
Start Planning your Summer with Allied Mobility Hire!
With a wide range of WAVs for hire, you can rent a mobility car equipped with accessibility features such as a lightweight wheelchair ramp, wheelchair restraints that secure the wheelchair to the vehicle and an electric-assist winch that helps guide the wheelchair user in and out of the vehicle.
And with flexible hire periods* from as little as a day and UK airport delivery and collection‡ available, travelling to your chosen destination is a breeze with an Allied Mobility Hire WAV.
Get the accessible summer fun started by calling our friendly mobility advisors on the number at the top of the page or enquire online here for your free no-obligation hire quote or to find out more.
Get Your Free Hire Quote*For home delivery and collection, the minimum period is four days.
‡ Only available during business hours. Meet and greet charges may apply. Please call for more information.
