Travel Insurance – For peace of mind for anyone with an existing medical condition or even if taking regular medication, it is advisable to take travel insurance with a company that has a ‘health-check’ service, so that exact details of your conditions, and medication can be specifically noted on their records.   It is well worth shopping around as premiums vary greatly.  Moneysupermarket.com can be helpful – and often supermarkets, or various other banks and building societies can offer good rates.

Age can be a factor, with premiums rising greatly for travellers aged 70 or over.

We have found Nationwide to be very good.  The health-check service can involve quite a lengthy telephone call, but often banks and building societies have a freephone number for general enquiries, and you can sometimes get put through that way.  

Medications -  Always ensure that your medications are carried in your hand-luggage. Prescribed drugs in liquid form exceeding 100ml are allowed if you have your prescription details on headed paper from your GP’s surgery.  It can also be advisable to get your GP or hospital specialist to issue a covering letter if you are taking any medication that must not be stored below a certain temperature (I am thinking back to a recent security alert when holidaymakers had to repack most of their hand luggage into their check-in luggage and carry minimum items in a plastic bag – hopefully this won’t happen again).

Gatwick Airport – I am really only familiar with Gatwick South Terminal.  Since the Glasgow security incident, taxis and private cars are only allowed to drop passengers off at the level used by courtesy coaches.  There is an elevator, but this only goes half-way up.  There are still slopes to negotiate before getting to the moving walkway that takes you to the check-in desks.  If, for instance, two people are travelling alone, and one of them is in a wheelchair, it will be impossible for one person to cope with pushing a wheelchair as well as luggage.  Gatwick airport tell me that there is a telephone by the elevator, but to obtain assistance (wheelchair pusher) you must have registered with your airline beforehand that you need special assistance to get to the plane.  Virgin tell me the airline only provides assistance from the check-in desk onwards, and that BAA need to check the airline passenger information that you have special needs, otherwise you will encounter problems.

When you return to the UK,  you will be able to get to the airport taxi rank without having to negotiate ‘the sloping walkways’ –  although the courtesy coach & car pick-up point will be at the original level encountered on your outward journey.  There is generally a long walk from the plane to passport control and baggage reclaim, but there are some elevators en-route.  If you need help, the airline will request a porter to assist you.  Ideally you need to make this request when checking in for your return flight home.

Florida Airports – You should find plenty of porters willing to help upon arrival, and there are ‘Disabled’ lanes for getting through Immigration more quickly – this is always the right hand lane.

Hire of Special Items –   Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired from Randy’s Mobility Centre.  They are based at Eagle Ridge Mall on the 27.  Their website is www.randysmobility.com  Tel 863-679-8570  They will deliver a mobility scooter to your villa if you make arrangements beforehand.  Other medical supplies can be obtained from Four Corners Medical Supply at 1050 US27, Suite 20.

Clermont, Florida 34714.  Tel Toll Free 866-319-4CMS or Local 352-243-7477

Disabled Parking.  Whilst the UK Blue Badge has been recognised, I have heard that now  a temporary disabled parking permit should be purchased, from any of the Tag Offices.  UK residents are advised to take their blue badge and passport along to obtain one – cost $15.  There is a Tag Office at Haines City opposite Walmart on US27.

Disney hire out manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters.  If you need one, it is advisable to get to the park as early as possible.

Many of the large stores i.e. Publix, Walmart, Target etc supply electric ‘buggies’ (shopping carts) for their customers free use.