Perfecting the Setup Before the Theme Park Crawl

They say camping is all about roughing it. But when you travel with access needs, it’s not about roughing it—it’s about refining it.

Image Description: A professional napper demonstrates the optimal van bed height while their canine supervisor keeps a close eye on operations. The van is in full “glamp mode,” with gear stashed, space maximised, and not a single centimetre left to chance—because in van life, comfort is king and the dog is middle management.

The photo above might just look like a relaxed moment on a spring day—sunshine, a loyal pup, and a nap in the van. But behind this snapshot is a whole lot of planning, tweaking, and trial-and-error. This is what it looks like when you finally get the setup just right.

This year, I’m gearing up for something I’ve been planning for ages: a Theme Park Crawl across Europe. Efteling, Europa-Park, Disneyland Paris… a whirlwind tour of magic, thrills, and cobbled-together theme park snacks. But before I hit the road, one thing had to be perfect: the van.

For me, comfort and accessibility aren’t nice-to-haves—they’re non-negotiables. Even being a centimetre too high or too low can mean the difference between being able to transfer into bed independently or being totally stuck. That’s why we’ve been obsessively measuring, adjusting, and experimenting. The camp bed in the photo? That’s not just a comfy nap spot—it’s the result of several prototypes, risers, and mattress swaps.

Every detail matters. The positioning of the bed allows enough room to swing legs, transfer from a wheelchair, and sit up comfortably. The floor space is kept as clear as possible for smooth movement, and everything from where the coats hang to where the dog bowls go has been tested in “real-world” mini trips.

And it’s not just about function—it’s about joy. When you’re comfortable, when everything works, the world opens up. You can relax. You can enjoy the adventure, instead of spending half your energy troubleshooting gear.

This setup means I can rest well, recover from long days of exploring massive theme parks, and roll into each destination ready for the next loop-the-loop. And of course, my trusty co-pilot (four-legged, as you can see) has her own spot in the setup too.

So here’s to the tiny tweaks that make a massive difference. Here’s to measuring twice, cutting once, and testing every possible configuration before you hit the road. Because when everything is dialled in just right, there’s nothing stopping the ride.

Next stop: roller coasters, fairy tale forests, and a chance to switch off from daily toil - I can’t wait!

Image Description: Caught in a serious van-life board meeting, a dog stares intently at their human, clearly questioning their life choices—or possibly just asking for snacks. The human lies comfortably on the camper bed, sunglasses on, exuding chill vibes, while the pup takes their supervisory duties very seriously.