7 year old in a cast

[beast/del]

how will disney world be with a 7 year old in a cast? We leave in 14 days and he hurt his foot yesterday.

 

[crcormier]

Check out the chat forum called disABILITIES. It should provide a lot of useful information. And Disney has always seemed to go out of its way from what I've seen to help out those who need any extra assistance. Have fun!

Craig

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to hear about your son's injury.
First of all, he won't be up to walking the distances involved in a WDW trip even if he has a walking cast or crutches. He should fit in the WDW parks strollers; CMs have written that they have large enough sizes to fit up to a small 12 year old. You might want something for when you are at your resort though. The WDW resorts do loan out wheelchairs, but people have had varying success - what they have might not be appropriate for you. An adult wheelchair will be too big and uncomfortable because it will leave his foot dangling. Some people have been able to get children's wheelchairs from the resort, but any wheelchairs are first come, first serve, so you may not get one. You can also rent pediatric wheelchairs or special needs (basically large size) strollers from these places:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
Phone (407) 856-2273 • Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html
(800)747-0246

http://www.all-about-kids.com/main.htm

If he has a stroller, you can get a Guest Assistance Card at Guest Relations at any of the parks that will allow you to bring the stroller in lines and buildings where strollers are not usually allowed. He won't need a Guest Assistance Card with a wheelchair (and might not need one with a strollers since they will be able to see his cast).
As far as rides themselves, WDW doesn't have any restrictions on someone in a cast riding anything, but you should probably check with your doctor before you go to find out if there are any rides to avoid.
If you have any other questions, there is a link in my signature to the disABILTITIES Board.

 

[GeorgeG]

Take advantage of the wheelchairs for getting around the parks. It not only eliminates most of the walking, but can be better than fast pass for getting on many rides. You can usually get the wheelchair right up to the ride and they'll have it waiting where you get off.

 

[pampam]

My daughter uses a wheelchair. Once, when we were staying at the Poly, her chair got a flat tire. To make a long story short, I went to guest services and asked if they had a childs wheelchair I could use. I noticed an adult w.c. behind her. She checked, and said she was sorry, they didn't, but if I could wait a few minutes she would get me one. I took the disabled w.c. back to our room, and by the time I got back to guest services, there was the child's w.c. We used it for the length of our stay.
One thing you may want to consider, does your son need to keep his foot elevated? I don't recall if the w.c. at disney have elevated foot rests or leg pads. You may want to call first to make sure. If you are staying on site, the w.c.'s are complementary, but there is a deposit that must be put down. It's refundable, of course.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by GeorgeG
It not only eliminates most of the walking, but can be better than fast pass for getting on many rides. You can usually get the wheelchair right up to the ride and they'll have it waiting where you get off.

I wanted to mention that most lines are wheelchair accessible, so in most cases, wheelchair users wait right in the same lines with everyone else. You will be able to bring the wheelchair (or stroller with a GAC allowing it) very close to the boarding area and have it waiting for you when you get off.