Absolutely Brilliant - or - The Stupidest Idea in the World?

[MAMACARLA]

We are going to DLR a few weeks after I have a final surgery on my ankle. I will be walking but but not fast and not far. I have my own wheelchair that we will be bringing along and checking at the gate. Once we are at the resort we will be renting an ECV so that my husband does not have to push me around.

We have 4 and 6 year olds. I know that to get the most out of our of 5 days at DLR and DCA they will benefit from using a stroller at least getting to and from the parks and in the evenings. We wore out our sit n stand about a year ago. I could buy a used one or make them trade off in a borrowed Macclaren - one in the stroller and maybe one on my lap on the ECV as needed.

OOOOORRRRRRRRR

They could just share the wheelchair and my husband could them in push it. We could park it in stroller parking as we go around each land/area. They would be fine with this and they both fit. My thinking is we already have the wheelchair and their two carseats for the taxi rides - why bring one more wheeled thing to check at the airport, haul around and park in our room.

So - Brilliant or Stupid??

 

[skiingfast]

I would definatly get the ECV, You will still have to walk a lot and I would save the energy for that.

But I like the idea of taking the chair too for less on the plane. A 6 and 4yo may get around the park fairly well, they could take turns on your lap once in the park to rest their legs wether you are on the ECV or wheelchair right?

 

[JaxsonsMom]

I would use the chair as the stroller. THey are probably old enough to do a lot of walking, but like my 4 yr old, still get tired every now and then... It is a lot more cost effective, people might look, but hey, its only looks. It always serves as a seat if you DH gets tierd to!

Have a great time and take care of your ankle!

 

[Lissame]

I think I'm in the minority here. I don't think you should take the chair as a stroller. The logistics of maneuvering both an ECV and a wheelchair through the parks sound like kind of a nightmare, and I think you'll have to be VERY thick skinned at the comments you will get from people who see your two able bodied children in a wheelchair. People make lots of comments about truly disabled people, but when they see your kids hopping back and forth between the chair and running around, etc. you will get many mean comments.

It's just a warning...if you're thick skinned it might be worth it for you.

 

[BillyFan]

I just want to let you know that Disney will not let you have a child in your lap on a rented ECV.

 

[Mister Toad]

I think I'm in the minority here. I don't think you should take the chair as a stroller. The logistics of maneuvering both an ECV and a wheelchair through the parks sound like kind of a nightmare, and I think you'll have to be VERY thick skinned at the comments you will get from people who see your two able bodied children in a wheelchair. People make lots of comments about truly disabled people, but when they see your kids hopping back and forth between the chair and running around, etc. you will get many mean comments.

It's just a warning...if you're thick skinned it might be worth it for you.

I second this. There are plenty of people I have seen get very upset when there are people in a wheelchair who clearly have no need for it. I think a lot of people see a wheelchair with what appears to be otherwise mobile people and they assume they are just trying to get to the front of the lines. I would recommend using a stroller or have them walk.

 

[prncssmel]

We are going to DLR a few weeks after I have a final surgery on my ankle. I will be walking but but not fast and not far. I have my own wheelchair that we will be bringing along and checking at the gate. Once we are at the resort we will be renting an ECV so that my husband does not have to push me around.

We have 4 and 6 year olds. I know that to get the most out of our of 5 days at DLR and DCA they will benefit from using a stroller at least getting to and from the parks and in the evenings. We wore out our sit n stand about a year ago. I could buy a used one or make them trade off in a borrowed Macclaren - one in the stroller and maybe one on my lap on the ECV as needed.

What about renting a stroller from Disney? The kids could switch and rest if needed, and you wouldn't have to haul another thing on the plane.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I would use the chair as a stroller. It is your chair. You are not renting the chair from Disney to use it as a stroller. It will be less for you to haul through the airport and less that you will have to drag through security.
Getting around with a chair and and ECV isn't going to be any different than a stroller and an EVC. It is not like you are using the kids in the chair as an 'excuse' to get through lines faster, you are using it as a mode of transportation.

I say it is a good idea.

Sarah

 

[bumbershoot]

they will benefit from using a stroller at least getting to and from the parks and in the evenings.

If you're renting an ECV at the parks, they won't have the wheelchair available for getting to and from the parks.

If you're renting an ECV from Disney, the contract doesn't allow kids to sit on laps. It's possible outside rental companies say the same.

If you're renting from an outside place (definitely recommended), then you would have the chair available, and with that in mind:

Does your wheelchair have a seatbelt that would keep sleepy 4 and 6 year olds strapped in? What if your hubby hits a bump, or takes a sidewalk cut wrong? Would it keep them in if they have passed out entirely?


I would rent an ECV from an outside company (for the life of me I can't recall the name of the one most mentioned here), and use a stroller for the kids. Strollers are made for kids; adult wheelchairs are not. The stroller will have appropriate seatbelts for sleeping kids, the handle height will probably be more comfy for your husband to push, and it would very likely be cheaper to replace if someone else thinks its theirs and makes off with it (vs the wheelchair).

 

[pixiewings71]

I would use a stroller for the kids, I would feel really weird about pushing my girls in a wheel chair if they didn't need it.....I can see your 4 year old needing a stroller, but my 10 y.o. walked all thru the parks on her first visit, she was 6 and said "Mom only babies need strollers, I'm big enough to walk" and she did, every day she walked.... I did tell her that we would get her a stroller if she wanted it but she refused. Just so you know.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If you want to have an ECV for your entire trip, try renting one from Deckert's Medical Supply. We got one for my dad from them. They delivered it right to our hotel and he was able to ride it across the street and down the walkway to the park gates rather than having to walk all that way and then wait in line to rent one. And the contract from Deckert's did say that only one person was allowed on the ECV at a time - no kids riding in laps.

I would rent a stroller for your kids. Either get a double for both or get a single that they can take turns riding in. A wheelchair is not designed to transport two small kids and a stroller is.

 

[MAMACARLA]

Thanks everyone - lots of great points to consider - I am renting the ECV from Deckerts (even the CM At DLH recommended them - though I already knew about them from here!)

Good point about the kids not being aloud to ride with me on the scooter -

If I did decide to use my wheelchair I would NEVER take it through to the front of a ride line with my able-bodied kids in it (I know no one accused me of that). We'd probably just park it in a corner of a land like a stroller.

I have lots of options for sure.

Thanks again

Carla

 

[Lissame]

One thing to consider about parking your wheelchair like a stroller--I would be pretty concerned that it would get "borrowed without permission" if left unattended. Someone might see it as their freebie opportunity to use it to get their very own GAC...it's just not something you'd see every day parked in the stroller area and might be awfully tempting for someone.