Disney and elderly/borderline handicapped

[ErinsMommy]

Was thinking of taking DD and my Mom to Disney for maybe a long weekend (4 days) -- however she's VERY reluctant and nervous about going because she has trouble moving around -- but I told her we can rent her one of those electric things.

However are there any rides she can go on that will be handicapped accessible? Can she get in/out of shows? Stepping in and out of a ride is not going to happen and I'm trying to create memories for them both since they dont really get to see each other very often.

Has anyone taken an elderly parent/grandparent and have had success with it??

TIA!!

[Schmeck]

If she needs an ECV for the entire trip, plan on renting one from an offsite company. At WDW, the ECVs in the park get rented out quickly.

[powellrj]

I would suggest she try one out before you look into renting one. You can go to just about any big box store like Wal-Mart or Target and try one out and see if she is able to use an ECV. While they are easy for most people to use, if she is elderly or handicapped, a wheelchair may be a better fit. If you do decide to rent one, the disabilities board is a great resource.

[kaytieeldr]

And visit the disABILITIES Board - especially the FAQ. That. Sticky thread will have all the information you need about which attractions require a transfer (usually just to a park-provided wheelchair), which attractions and shows can accommodate the ECV, mainstream lines, moving walkways that can and can't be slowed or stopped so she can board...

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm only 72 and I do use an ECV for getting around in the parks. I will do almost all attractions. What I will not do are Primeval Whirl and Mission Space Orange because of the strain. I will not do Space Mountain only because of the difficulty in getting out of the ride vehicles. (I was just on Big Thunder Mountain RR today.)

[ErinsMommy]

thank you!! And Cheshire, my Mom will NOT do any rollercoaster or fast moving ride of any sort. She'll be more into the IASWAA and Pooh and those type of 'soft' rides.

[stargazertechie]

Originally Posted by ErinsMommy

However are there any rides she can go on that will be handicapped accessible? Can she get in/out of shows? Stepping in and out of a ride is not going to happen and I'm trying to create memories for them both since they dont really get to see each other very often.

My dad was very fragile on our last trip- could only stand up for 15-30 seconds without collapsing.

I agree with renting a scooter offiste. I do like the "deluxe captain's chair" model that Apple Scooters and others offer- it's got more support and padding.

As for rides, MANY of them are accessible for those who cannot transfer. As far as I know, ALL of the shows can accommodate ECVs.

Some rides will allow you to take the ECV right onto the ride vehicle. Some require you to transfer to a manual (push) wheelchair, but then the push wheelchair can go onto the ride. There are, though, some rides that require that you transfer into the vehicle.

Check out the disABILITIES board for a full list.

Would your mom be able to transfer from the scooter/wheelchair to a ride vehicle if she had extra time. I'm thinking specifically of Soarin' (where there's no moving sidewalk) or a ride like Haunted Mansion where they can stop the moving sidewalk.

I'm sure rides that have a step down (like Pirates) are out of the question, but I think you'll find there are more things that you CAN do than rides that you cannot do!

[dmccarty]

Disney is very accessible for people with mobility issues.

I started going to MK inn '71 or '72 and I don't remember seeing many people in wheel chairs. There were no powered scooters back then. By the time I got into my late teens I did not have time and money to go to WDW so I had a long break between visits until we started taking our kids to WDW.

One of the things that really stuck out to me when I returned to WDW in the 21st century, was the number of people in ECVs and wheel chairs. You just did not see this when I was a kid.

Disney does a great job with access. Its not perfect for sure but I think they have done the best possible job. The only issues I really see are the buses, which can only handle a few wheel chairs/ECVs at a time, and some rides that require one to be able to walk. But there are so many other rides and things to do that having to use a ECV/wheel chair should not be viewed as a reason to not visit WDW.

The disability board for more information especially about renting ECVs. I wish my mother would have used one our her last trip but she refused. I had read the disability board and FAQ which was a great help but in the end my mother just would not use an ECV even though it would have made the trip far less painful for her and much easier.

Later,
Dan

[pbrim]

Originally Posted by dmccarty

One of the things that really stuck out to me when I returned to WDW in the 21st century, was the number of people in ECVs and wheel chairs. You just did not see this when I was a kid.

The big change came after the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, but Disney has really put an effort into making things as seamless as possible for those of us that need a little extra help getting around. They are way above US, for example.