Las Vegas Holidays for Wheelchair Users

Disabled Travel - How I found Las Vegas for a Wheelchair user!

I'm a wheelchair user, so I find going on holiday requires extra preparation.

If you have a disability You know that you need to make sure that everything is in place, never leave anything to chance.

Flights - Do ensure the airline is aware that you are wheelchair dependant, let them know if you need any special requirements.

If you are completely dependant on a wheelchair let them know. Some people don't always assume that a person can't walk just because they use a wheelchair.

Hotel - Pre-qualify that there is wheelchair access in the hotel and that a wheelchair can gain access to the bathroom.

When travelling, I like to make sure that everything is sorted. Even if it means being a nuisance and ensuring that you have written letters of confirmation that everything you require as a disabled traveller is in place.

In fairness, a trip to the US is probably one of the easiest, if not the easiest for a wheelchair user. After all this is a country that actually has sufficient laws in place to disallow prejudice against wheelchair users.

But even so, as a wheelchair user you must ensure that all is OK.

I have a good rapport with the tour operator that I use. I have found it better to build up a relationship so that when you are considering travelling they are aware of circumstances and take this into account. Following from that, the holidays I choose are not specifically the cheapest, but the old saying 'You get what you pay for' is very true.

I booked this trip to Las Vegas through www.americansky.co.uk although in truth I have typically booked holidays through their sister holiday site www.tropicalsky.co.uk.

The long flight is never a problem, after all I am used to sitting on my backside all day! But do ensure you put the 'Ted Stockings' on to help prevent against DVT attacks. I have seen wheelchair users develop DVT (although not on a plane) and believe me you would not want to suffer from this!

Transport from the airport to the hotel was not a problem. The American cabbies were only too happy to help, and if I'm being honest were not scared to help. (Anyone who uses a wheelchair and gets taxis in the UK will know what I mean)

Once you are at the hotel (don't forget you have already pre-qualified access), the holiday can begin.

Getting around Las Vegas again should not be a problem, there are plenty of taxis available. Personally, I think you are better off burning a bit of rubber and wheeling around the city to take it all in.

Taxis are ok, but you need to be with the people and mixing to get a real flavour of the place. It goes without saying that if there is a good distance to be covered than a taxi ride is always an option.

There was only one hotel that I wanted to stay on my first trip and that was the 'Golden Nugget' I had seen the bright lights of the Golden Nugget through a multitude of different media and for some reason it stuck in my mind.

In a way I was lucky the hotel was 4 star, as I don't know what I would have done if it had been a 2 star location.

Access in and around the hotel was fine, although some of the slots were a bit high to get cash into (but this is a worldwide problem and not a Golden Nugget issue). However, there always seemed to be someone on hand to assist.

For me Las Vegas was a dream, I encountered no problems and I thoroughly enjoyed my seven days there. Thankfully I didn't get drunk enough to get married, but the idea of being married by Elvis Presley does have a warped sense of appeal.

If you are thinking of Las Vegas, my advice is do it - it has to be done.

When travelling you must insure that furnish the insurance company with any ongoing health issues you may have. Otherwise you may find your cover is void, so in this case honesty is the best policy.

For more information on the Las Vegas trips American Sky offer visit their Las Vegas page at http://www.americansky.co.uk/Las_Vegas_holidays.htm

And finally, have a good day.