Following our recent post about accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities travelling from the UK to Disneyland Paris, here’s a summary of our experience hiring a vehicle from Lewis Reed.
The Backstory:
Despite living in Newcastle, I am unable to take direct flights due to my oxygen requirements. Previously, I would travel south and then take a plane or a train. However, after several negative experiences, driving has proven to be an excellent accessible solution.
We previously used my Motability vehicle, but after its five-year lease ended, my new vehicle became unsafe (that’s another story). Still, we struggled to find a rental vehicle within budget that could travel outside the UK and accommodate two adults, an assistance dog, luggage, and mobility aids.
Around this time, Lewis Reed emailed us about their new WAV hire service. We immediately reserved a vehicle and collected it from Bromborough, where the team provided a detailed walkthrough, managed the paperwork efficiently, and answered all our questions. We then packed the vehicle and drove to the LeShuttle terminal in Folkestone.
We reviewed numerous vehicles from Lewis Reed, and the Mercedes V-Class we hired surpassed expectations, offering sophistication, safety, performance, comfort, luxury, and practicality. The interior redesign is ideal for long-distance travel. The spacious layout comfortably accommodates up to six adults in leather seats with flexible wheelchair positioning. We chose a configuration with four passenger seats (two up front, two behind the driver) and one wheelchair space (directly behind the front passenger seat). This setup allows for the option of remaining in a wheelchair or transferring, and provides ample luggage space behind the wheelchair.
The Journey:
Upon arrival at the Le Shuttle terminal, the registration recognition technology facilitated a quick check-in. To avoid delays, we travelled on off-peak days and late crossings. Once our vehicle was recognised, the system confirmed our train time and issued a hanging ticket for our rearview mirror, displaying a large letter indicating our train and section.
We then used the on-site services, which provided clean, spacious, and accessible toilets. We also visited the pet reception to have my assistance dog’s documents checked, which was wheelchair accessible with a lowered counter – followed by a quick trip to the dedicated exercise area, which had artificial grass and complimentary poop bags.
When it’s time to board, traffic officers guide you to your train and parking spot, where they will instruct you to apply your handbrake or put your car in park. The 360-degree camera in the rental vehicle made navigating the confined space easy and stress-free.
The 30-minute journey is smooth
The drive from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais to Disneyland Paris takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Adjusting to driving on the right side of the road was straightforward, as French motorways are smooth, quiet, and stress-free. The vehicle’s widescreen display, with Apple CarPlay, enabled us to view maps clearly, which was perfect for navigating unfamiliar areas. Additionally, there are many well-equipped service stations and excellent French supermarkets conveniently located along the route
The vehicle performed exceptionally well throughout the journey, making it our easiest trip to date. We greatly appreciated not having to manage multiple modes of transportation, worry about our luggage reaching our destination, or my wheelchair remaining in one piece.
Overall, Lewis Reed significantly contributed to making this journey a pleasure, and I wholeheartedly recommend hiring their wheelchair-accessible vehicle if you are planning a similar trip.
Check out Chronically Jenni’s corresponding video and stay tuned for the next instalment in our Disney travel tips series! We’ll be sharing why we chose to stay off-site instead of a Disneyland Paris hotel.
