There’s nothing quite like a family trip to Walt Disney World, but this one came with an unexpected twist.

I was fresh out of surgery, navigating my very first trip using a mobility scooter. Not exactly how I pictured doing Disney… but as it turns out, it didn’t take away from the magic…it just changed how we experienced it.

Staying Off Property (Would I Do It Again?)

We stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort Villas, part of the Marriott Vacation Club. If I’m being honest, had I known surgery was coming, I probably would have booked an on-property Disney resort for convenience alone. Packing a scooter into the car to drive back and forth to the parks when you are recovering from surgery is probably not the most ideal situation. However, this trip had been planned LONG before this surgery popped up and it really just didn’t make sense to change it.

That said? The stay itself was great.

Spacious accommodations, a relaxing atmosphere, and plenty of room for the whole family to spread out and recharge after long park days. It gave us a little breathing room away from the Disney bubble, which, depending on your travel style, could actually be a big plus for some of you.

Traveling Disney with a Scooter (First-Timer Thoughts)

This was my first time ever needing a mobility aid while traveling, and I wasn’t sure what to expect or even how to navigate the process of getting a scooter. I did a tremendous amount of research in the weeks leading up to the trip. From the moment I found out about my surgery, I began looking into options. In reality, I may have been overthinking it a bit because the scooter rental process was completely seamless. I booked a scooter through Scooter King. They delivered it to my resort and I left it there for them to pick it up when I was done. Pickup, drop-off, ease of use: everything just worked. My biggest concern was slowing everyone else down. I told them I didn’t want the rest of my party to be waiting on me all the time. I took their suggestion on which scooter I should get and surprisingly… that thing could move. When I needed to keep up (or just get somewhere fast), it delivered.

Disney, as expected, was incredibly accommodating. Transportation, ride access, navigating crowds, it all felt manageable, even during a busy trip. If you’re ever worried about doing Disney with a mobility aid, don’t be. It’s far more doable than you might think.

Getting to the Parks

One of my biggest concerns staying off property was transportation but it ended up being much easier than I expected.

Driving to the parks was simple, straightforward, and honestly easier than expected. Parking was smooth every day, and having our own vehicle gave us flexibility that worked really well for our situation. The only real issue was loading/unloading that dang scooter. That thing was heavy!

We still made it to all four parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

And each park, was easy to navigate. I was worried every day for different reasons and none of them were valid. CastMembers were super helpful. They always let me know when I need to transfer to my crutches or a wheelchair. They showed me where to park, help me navigate tight spaces, all of the things that I was unsure of along the way, there was help. Each one brought its own kind of magic as always. We had the best time, scooter and all! We rode all of the rides and yes, we ate our way through most of it. No regrets.

From quick bites to sit-down meals, Disney food never disappoints, and this trip was no exception.

A Sweet Stop at Disney Springs

One of the highlights outside the parks was meeting up with friends at Disney Springs.

And finally—finally—we tried Gideon’s Bakehouse.

If you know, you know. Massive cookies, rich flavors, and absolutely worth the hype. It was our first time, and it definitely won’t be the last.

Final Thoughts

Was it the trip I originally planned? No.

Was it still incredible? Absolutely.

This trip taught me that even when things don’t go exactly how you imagined, they can still turn out better than expected. We adjusted, we slowed down when needed, and we leaned into the experience and it made all the difference.

Between the parks, the food, the time with family and friends, and even learning how to navigate Disney in a completely new way… it ended up being one of those trips we’ll talk about for years.

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If you’re considering staying at Sheraton Vistana Villages, you can learn more here. It’s a great option, especially for families needing space and flexibility.

And if you’re heading to Disney with a scooter or mobility aid for the first time: you’ve got this. It might feel different but the magic is still very much there. ✨