Hi Guys,
My husband and I are looking at booking our next trip to WDW in the late spring/summer of 2016 and I'm concerned about how to cope with my CFS. Last time we went (Winter 2014) we stayed in a ground floor room at Pop Century which was great but I struggled with all the walking around the parks.
I don't feel that I need a scooter or wheelchair because we take regular breaks and I know my limits but standing in lines for sometimes an hour or more really took its toll.
Can I apply for the
DAS? Should I apply for the DAS? Is there anyone else who has CFS who has any tips for me?
Thanks
You have options - all kinds of options - at WDW.
As others here have said, you can try to get the DAS, but will most likely be advised to use a wheelchair or ECV as appropriate to help with your walking/standing issues.
You can rent - at each park, from Disney - an ECV for $50/day. You can't take it back to the resort, or to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs with you. But, if you have a ParkHopper, you can "hop" your rental to another park.
You can rent from offsite (non-Disney) vendors at a much reduced rate. They will deliver/pick up the ECV from the resort, and all you do (besides drive it around) is plug it in every night while you sleep to charge it. If there is not enough space in your room, you can ask for the table and chairs to be removed. Bring along a power strip.
You can also rent a wheelchair while in Orlando - but unless you are used to pushing yourself, you will literally tire yourself more trying to push the wheelchair. With CFS, you really need a scooter or ECV. You could have your hubby push you - if you do, be sure to bring a pair of bike gloves for him, so he doesn't blister his hands.
You can also rent or buy a Rollator. (Search Google for pictures/descriptions). The advantage to a rollator is you always have a seat with you. The disadvantage is you have to push it, also probably not advised for someone with CFS.
I don't blindly advocate for ECV use - I fully believe that it benefits some folks greatly, while others may have conditions better suited to other mobility solutions. But in your case, I would rent an ECV. It is the solution that will take the least toll physical toll on you. If you find it too stressful to drive it on/off the bus, your husband can do that for you.
Rent the ECV. Use it as it is intended - as a tool to allow you to do the things you want to do. Don't worry about what other people might think; you will never see those people again. I promise. You have a better chance of hitting the lottery AND getting struck by lightning in the same day than you do of seeing anyone from WDW ever again.
And have a Magical time!