? about waiting in line...

[jelo]

We are going to MK and Epcot in March, I was just diagnosed with a torn MCL and twisted meniscus last week and surgery is booked for April 5th.

I can walk, but have to rest and apply heat( I use a rice pack in the microwave here at home)periodically.

I find it difficult to stand still, and with the lineups at the parks I'm a little worried about having to miss alot of fun because I just can't do a 40 min+ wait.

Any suggestions from anyone what I can do? I don't want to get a wheelchair, I don't think I need that, but what can I use for a hot pack?

Also, if I'm not mistaken there's handicapped accessible rides, how do you qualify for that?

I really wish the surgery could have been before our trip, but they just couldn't accommodate me and I've been planning this trip for 2 years now!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Disney's answer to people who can't wait in line is to get a wheelchair or a scooter.

 

[livndisney]

We are going to MK and Epcot in March, I was just diagnosed with a torn MCL and twisted meniscus last week and surgery is booked for April 5th.

I can walk, but have to rest and apply heat( I use a rice pack in the microwave here at home)periodically.

I find it difficult to stand still, and with the lineups at the parks I'm a little worried about having to miss alot of fun because I just can't do a 40 min+ wait.

Any suggestions from anyone what I can do? I don't want to get a wheelchair, I don't think I need that, but what can I use for a hot pack?

Also, if I'm not mistaken there's handicapped accessible rides, how do you qualify for that?

I really wish the surgery could have been before our trip, but they just couldn't accommodate me and I've been planning this trip for 2 years now!

Disneys answer to mobility issues is to rent an ecv or wheelchair.

Each park has a first aid, they should be able to help you with the heat pack. I am pretty sure they have microwaves plus they also have treatment rooms and curtained areas for you to rest in.

The best way to not wait in line is to use a good touring plan and make good use of fastpass.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree that the normal and official response of Guest Relations to a mobility and/or stamina suggestion is to recommend renting a wheelchair or ECV.

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[SueM in MN]

We are going to MK and Epcot in March, I was just diagnosed with a torn MCL and twisted meniscus last week and surgery is booked for April 5th.

I can walk, but have to rest and apply heat( I use a rice pack in the microwave here at home)periodically.

I find it difficult to stand still, and with the lineups at the parks I'm a little worried about having to miss alot of fun because I just can't do a 40 min+ wait.

Any suggestions from anyone what I can do? I don't want to get a wheelchair, I don't think I need that, but what can I use for a hot pack?

Also, if I'm not mistaken there's handicapped accessible rides, how do you qualify for that?

I really wish the surgery could have been before our trip, but they just couldn't accommodate me and I've been planning this trip for 2 years now!

Most of the lines are wheelchair/handicapped accessible thru the regular line, and don't have a handicapped line.

As was already mentioned, Disney's answer to stamina needs is to use a wheelchair or ECV. That does make a lot of sense, taking into account that the average guest walks 6 miles a day or more at a park - and much of that walking is getting from place to place, not in lines. Most lines don't have anywhere to sit while waiting unless you have brought a wheelchair or ECV in line with you.
And, some of the lines are a long distance, even if the wait is short. For example, the lines for Bug's Life, Soarin' and the Kilimanjaro Safari a more than 1/4 miles from the place you enter the line until actually getting into the attraction.

One way to shorten your waits is to use Fastpass. Another is to use a touring plan - not blindly following it, but using it to find the least busy places in the least busy park.

 

[dclfun]

I saw someone in the MK with a torn meniscus using a rolling device like a walker where she rested one leg and used her other leg to propel herself. I asked about it and she said it made her feel better to be more mobile, was comfortable, and then she could use the padded area for her leg as a seat if she got too tired in lines. I was amazed at how well she got around with it. I'd speak with your physician or physical therapist about your trip. There might be a w/c that could be loaned to you from your hospital or clinic- some American Legions have them for free "rent". As others have said, you'll probably be best off renting a w/c or getting an ECV. You can always park either and walk around a bit if you get stiff, but I'd think it would be too difficult to walk through the parks all day. I'd hate to see a trip that you've planned for 2 years not be the one you've been dreaming of!---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

]I saw someone in the MK with a torn meniscus using a rolling device like a walker where she rested one leg and used her other leg to propel herself.[/B] I asked about it and she said it made her feel better to be more mobile, was comfortable, and then she could use the padded area for her leg as a seat if she got too tired in lines. I was amazed at how well she got around with it. I'd speak with your physician or physical therapist about your trip. There might be a w/c that could be loaned to you from your hospital or clinic- some American Legions have them for free "rent". As others have said, you'll probably be best off renting a w/c or getting an ECV. You can always park either and walk around a bit if you get stiff, but I'd think it would be too difficult to walk through the parks all day. I'd hate to see a trip that you've planned for 2 years not be the one you've been dreaming of!---Kathy

I know someone who injured her ankle and used one and I have seen quite a few of them being used in the parks in the last 2 years.
They are called KNEE WALKERS.
Buena Vista Scooters in Orlando does rent them.

 

[A&M's Mommy]

Who told you to put heat on your knee? That is a huge no-no. You need to use ice, not heat. Also, you can't twist a meniscus. You can tear it, which is common with an MCL injury. You likely tore it.

Please, please don't heat your knee. You will increase swelling which could cause further damage.

I am an orthopedic physical therapist with 16 years of experience. Whoever told you to put heat on your knee should lose their medical license!

 

[jelo]

Who told you to put heat on your knee? That is a huge no-no. You need to use ice, not heat. Also, you can't twist a meniscus. You can tear it, which is common with an MCL injury. You likely tore it.

Please, please don't heat your knee. You will increase swelling which could cause further damage.

I am an orthopedic physical therapist with 16 years of experience. Whoever told you to put heat on your knee should lose their medical license!

My orthopedic surgeon told me heat it, since it's been injured for months...too late for ice. The heat really does make it feel better, and there's been no swelling since I first injured it.

About a month ago I was in the kitchen and a loud crunch coming from my knee, and it hurt quite a bit. But when I went to bed that night, my knee although still sore, wasn't excruciating like it had been.
I went back to the Dr. and he said the meniscus righted itself, I must have twisted in such a way that my knee gave it room to flip. I did ask him if the meniscus was torn, but he said no, it was rare, but it was folded and caught under my knee cap.

I'm going to look into this knee walker thing, it sounds interesting!

Thanks everyone!

 

[jmartinez1895]

A lady I go to church with uses a knee walker and love is. She said she can get around really fast and she said it more comfortable for her than the wheelchair was. If you need to heat up your pad you can do that at first aid. You can also store it there and any medication that you may need at first aid, just be sure to get it before you leave the park.