A question about getting the wheelchair to WDW

[BuckeyeBelle]

I have some questions for all you WDW experts here. My parents and brother are planning a trip to WDW next January -- and they have asked my 6 y.o. son and me to go along as tour guide! Yay!

Here is our dilemma: Both my brother Phil and my son require wheelchairs to get around (Actually, my son still uses a big jogging stroller). We want to drive, but we're not sure how to fit all our luggage and equipment into the car. Phil will need his wheelchair with him at all times, but my son would be OK without his until we get to the resort. However, he would need it to get around the resort.

My dad is strongly opposed to flying. We all want to be in the same vehicle so we can share the driving. We have checked into renting a minivan, but between the extra mileage (2100 mi. rt) and fees, the cost is getting steep.

Here are the other options we are considering:

1) Pulling a small luggage trailer. We'd have to find a suitable one to rent and put a hitch on the car. Anybody know of the best type of small trailer?

2) Renting a chair for my son in Orlando. Not sure how well this would work because he is autistic as well as mobility impaired, and he would probably feel much better in his own familiar stroller.

3) Shipping his stroller to the resort to be there when we arrive, and shipping it home when we leave. Can this even be done -- is there UPS or some other shipping service from the resorts? Are there resort fees involved and could they be waived since this is necessary equipment?

Has anyone tried any of these things, and if so, how did it work? Any other suggestions would be welcome too! Thanks in advance!

 

[teri]

Well, another option is a car-top carrier. The sell both hard-side and soft-side carriers That strap on the roof.

Renting a wheelchair is not a big problem, but what about the travel time - will you want to have the stroller or wheelchair with you for restaurants, hotel, etc during your trip?

A regular-size van may also be more comfortable for your family, the cost is usually about the same as the minivan for rentals. The folks over on the Budget Board may have good discount ideas for you in car rentals. Compared to the cost of flying, will the additional cost of a van really make that big of a difference in your travel budget compared to a car? It is all relative.

I don't yet have personal experience with this company, but it looks promising...

All About Kids - rentals and child care for special needs in Orlando

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teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have any good answers, but I do have some more things for you to think about.
I agree with teri that your son may not "need" his stroller while you are traveling, but you may find you want it so you can contain him in hotels, restaurants, etc. If you rent one for him, he may have problems with it since most autistic kids don't deal weel with change.
If you are driving in a car, rememeber that you will really be close to each other. Is everyone going to be OK with that? Our DD is not autistic, but she gets kind of obsessive about things. We call her the "seating director" because she assigns everyone their appointed seats and does not like it at all if people are not in the seats she has assigned. is your DS likely to have any problems with people changing off to switch drivers? During our first trips to WDW, we rented a 6 passenger car for us, our 2 kids and grandma and grandpa. This got hot and a little too mcuh togetherness for us after a few days (and we were just driving back and forth from our hotel to the parks).
I have no idea of price, but renting a trailer or carrier of some kind may be almost as expensive as renting a van.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[BuckeyeBelle]

Thank you both so much -- that is just the kind of information and comments I was looking for!

Cost is something of an issue as Mom & Dad are rather frugal. I've already talked them into splurging on the Yacht Club for accesss and convenience, and I would like to minimize the other cost stresses. We really would like find a way to use the car. DS is a very good rider and is OK with driver changes (it's actually one of the things that prompts giggle fits -- go figure!) Luckily we don't need to have assigned seats. Mom & Dad have a big Buick that will seat us all comfortably too, if only we can carry all our stuff.

Thanks for the suggestion of a rooftop carrier -- I hadn't thought of that! We'll look into it and see how the cost compares to renting a van.

Sorry to ramble -- I hope I don't get too stressed trying to plan all this -- LOL! Anyway, thanks again for your help!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know if UHaul rents any small trailers that would be appropriate for suitcases, etc. You could also try camping supply places or places that rent travel trailers or campers.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[tink2dw]

it looks very futuristic. We saw one at All STARS MUSIC and now that I have read your Post I'll bet a wheel chair is what they were carring in it!! It was small, lower than the trunk,it had a long trailer hitch tongue,so, it would pull very easily,it was a tear drop sort of shape. But looked big enough to carry your son's stroller.

I hope this helps!! Try calling several different U-Haul's. They all carry different stuff.

 

[BuckeyeBelle]

Thanks Sue & Tink! I'm working on it!

 

[teri]

Let me just play angel's advocate here for a moment...
Hauling a trailer costs more time and money.
You have to park in special parking places.
They are a pain to back up.
They take more gas.
They add wear and tear to the car's engine.

On the other hand, people are usually more comfortable in their own cars.

Just think about it... and do what you think is best.

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[billwendy]

Hi,
I work in the wheelchair clinic at my local childrens hospital. Some families us a bike carrier to carry the wheelchair on. Also, any chance you could rent a Columbia Cruiser or pogon stroller (like a large umbrella stroller)for your little one at home and bring it with you? It would take much less room than a jogging stroller yet has safe strapping for when you need it. Also, could you and your son fly and meet your parents in Orlando or at WDW? I dont know, maybe that would be asking too much of you to manage, would grandma fly with the 2 of you? Pulling a trailer is hard on the car, and sometimes can cut your gas milage in half.
Have a great time!!! Wendy

Wendy