Tips for People with Physical Challenges?

BekahBelle

Mouseketeer

Joined

Apr 24, 2015

• Apr 25, 2015

• #1

My family are lifetime Disney goers but lately my dad hasn't been able to enjoy the trip due to his bad knees and heart problems. Any tips on how to make his experience enjoyable again? He's a sweet guy and refuses to get a wheelchair or slow down because he's afraid he'll ruin the kids trip even though we and they assure him he wont. Also, general tips for people with any physical challenges or disabilities are appreciated. Lots of people I know have questions about this including a family friend with blind and autistic daughters. Thanks in advance!

 

Asellus

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jul 8, 2007

• Apr 25, 2015

• #2

No particular tip but My Dad got a wheelchair on our last trip and it didn't slow us down at all. If anything it made it so he could keep up with us. (Our last family trip was 8 people, my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my husband and 2 older children [prior to me having #3])

 

BekahBelle

Mouseketeer

Joined

Apr 24, 2015

• Apr 25, 2015

• #3

Thanks! Maybe if I tell him that he will change his mind!

 

J

jec6613

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 21, 2015

• Apr 25, 2015

• #4

Get the wheelchair! He won't slow you down, if anything, he'll come in handy. Wheelchairs can hold the backpacks and gear and such.

 

diz8297

<font color=teal>The only culture she knows is at

Joined

Jun 24, 2006

• Apr 26, 2015

• #5

Nevermind the wheelchair! Get an ECV!! My mother suffered from spinal stenosis. With the ECV she was able to keep the pace and really enjoy herself!! If you have a wheelchair, someone has to push it. And trust me. There are hills in the parks you never noticed before!

 

siskaren

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 8, 2007

• Apr 26, 2015

• #6

There's a whole forum here for touring Disney with disabilities:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/

 

hsmamato2

<font color=magenta>Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad

Joined

Mar 28, 2005

• Apr 26, 2015

• #7

We took my Dad recently, he has double knee replacements. At first he insisted he would be fine walking, but we knew he wouldn't. So we insisted that he would rent an ecv. This gave him the dignity to decide where/how he wanted to travel,and he had that with him. We got off the bus at the resort,and the people met us at the front desk. After checking in, we went to our room.... it was at that moment my Dad said "OMG I am SO glad you made me rent this thing, the walk to the rooms would have been too much for me!"
Disney is BIG. Having an ECV makes it so nice for those who can't walk to far,and it is nice to have a spot to hold some drinks,jackets etc. too! It didn't really slow us down at all,it actually smoothed things out!

 

hsmamato2

<font color=magenta>Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad

Joined

Mar 28, 2005

• Apr 26, 2015

• #8

IMHO having the ECV made it easier for rides and shows too- the CM's just ask about mobility,and he got assistance where needed to experience everything. Awesome.