Advice for someone with bad knees...

[Princesca]

This board is so huge and is running so slowly on my computer that I couldn't even search successfully, so I apologize if this has been asked before...

We're going in a few weeks and my mom has bad knees. It's not walking that gives her so much of a problem (though I think she's going to find Disney very rigorous) but standing in one place (like in a line) for extended periods is really hard on her legs.

We had considered renting an ECV for her, but I understand they're first come, first serve, and she also doesn't want to spend that much money per day.

She's considering borrowing a walker from my grandpa that has a seat that you can pull down, to help alleviate the discomfort in lines, but my thinking is that she's going to be up and down so much with that (crowds aren't expected to be that bad when we're there) that that's going to cause her issues too. I suggested a wheelchair, which is less expensive, but she doesn't want us to have to push her though there are four other adults going and we could take turns.

She also doesn't want to ask for any special privileges - she doesn't feel comfortable with anything that would send us to the front of the line ahead of other people. We'd also prefer to not have to take something bulky on the bus.

So I'm kind of at sixes and sevens here. I don't know which option would be the best for her. I honestly don't think that a walker is going to cut it. She really never walks more than a few minutes at a time, and I think she's underestimating the toll it will take on her.

So... suggestions? Also, the Disney wheelchairs aren't motorized, I know, but are they fairly easy to push? Also, would you guys recommend a GAC? She would be happy to just sit on a bench somewhere until we got to the front of the line, but I know that some lines are easier for that than others.

 

[scottmel]

I have a bad knee too. Ironically I do quite well at Disney b/c of the constant walking - almost lubricates the joints so to speak. However she may want an EVC. I would NOT recommend renting from the park. Why no do a weekly rental thru APPLE Scooters - there is another one that people like too but the name escapes me...MUCH cheaper than the park. Standing is my trouble too. Oh the burning legs when I stand too long! If you have the EVC and she needs it, you got it. But you hate to get there and be kicking yourself for not having it. They are quite portable from what I have read.

 

[scottmel]

And furthermore yes I would recommend a GAC. They are only good for a certain number of people per party. I remember last year this HUGE family had a poor woman who had to be 80 AT LEAST with a GAC. They were trying to use the GAC on Tower Of Terror but the CM said "the person with the GAC has to ride". They were taking that poor woman thru the cue...so they could ride FOTL! It was awful.... I think they took her for the day for her GAC!! But I digress...I am all for a GAC when needed and with your mom and bad knees you can ALWAYS ask a CM. they are quite nice about it I have heard. But regardless of the GAC, I would still get her an EVC.

 

[Princesca]

I am getting more interested in the scooter idea... are they really a pain to get on and off the buses?

 

[princesskimberella]

last time we were at MK a older gentleman and his wife both rode theirs right off the bus on the ramp thingy..
My MIL has a very compact one that I am able to lift in and out of my van when I take her shopping. Honestly it is the darned battery that is so heavy !

If she insists on a walker they have the ones with the seats and I have seen people kinda scoot backward or forwards while remaining sitting.

 

[Debbie Jean]

As you can see by my ticker I am set for bilateral knee replacement in May so can speak directly to your concerns. Walking at Disney isn't the normal day to day walking that most people do. Even for folks who are in relatively good shape it can be a challenge.

I don't believe that they have a GAC for mobility or stamina issues... they recommend a wheel chair or scooter. Renting from a outside company is not only much cheaper, you'll have use of the scooter at your resort. If Mom is intimidated by the prospect of getting it on and off the bus, let someone else in your party do that... it really isn't that difficult and I have always found the drivers very helpful.

Having the scooter will allow Mom to have much more independence than a wheel chair. More importantly she and your family will be able to really enjoy your visit. When I finally gave up trying to walk Disney and switched to a scooter, I realized I could recapture the joy that I'd lost when I began having serious mobility issues.

To me this is a non-issue... I'll be there on Sunday with my scooter waiting at the resort!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask her 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!

 

[anonymousegirl]

And furthermore yes I would recommend a GAC. They are only good for a certain number of people per party. I remember last year this HUGE family had a poor woman who had to be 80 AT LEAST with a GAC. They were trying to use the GAC on Tower Of Terror but the CM said "the person with the GAC has to ride". They were taking that poor woman thru the cue...so they could ride FOTL! It was awful.... I think they took her for the day for her GAC!! But I digress...I am all for a GAC when needed and with your mom and bad knees you can ALWAYS ask a CM. they are quite nice about it I have heard. But regardless of the GAC, I would still get her an EVC.

Sorry but Disney's response to mobility/stamnia issues is to rent an ECV or wheelchair. Neither of these give front of the line access. As far as I am aware, a GAC is not applicable in this situation.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'm with the poster who suggested an off-site ECV rental. If she really has as much trouble walking as you're suggesting, how is she going to get around the resort? I don't know where you're staying, but most of WDW's resorts require a decent amount of walking.

The Disney wheelchairs are big and bulky. I'm 5'4" and slightly overweight and they're too big for me to sit in comfortably.

A wheelchair, ECV, walker or any other mobility device or a GAC will not get you to the front of the line. Most lines are mainstreamed so you go through the line with everyone else. Some people think they do because there are a very few lines where you enter at a different entrance. To be honest, I've waited longer than the standby line at more attractions as a wheelchair user than I've gotten on faster. And when it was faster, it was only by a very little bit (under 5 minutes faster).

 

[C&G'sMama]

Ditto to what everyone else said about the ECV and renting form an outside vendor. About 5 or 6 years ago we rented an ECV from an offsite vendor for my FIL who has major disk problems. He was ticked and he and my partner had a huge fight over it. We rented it anyway. He used it and was so thankful he did.

And as others have mentioned it is less expensive to rent offsite and you have it with you at all times. The buses work with scooters all day so that's not an issue.

We have also rented strollers and a wheelchair from offsite vendors. It's great really, they deliver it to your hotel and pick it up from your hotel.

This all assumes you're staying on Disney property. If you're staying outside of WDW I believe you can still rent from the offsite vendor but I can't speak to the non-Disney transportation.

Good Luck.

 

[pbrim]

I am getting more interested in the scooter idea... are they really a pain to get on and off the buses?

Most of the buses now are "kneeling" buses. That is, they get lowered closer to the ground and a ramp extends that you just drive up. (The old buses had a lift that you had to back onto, much more difficult.)

The difficult part is that you have to, in essence, parallel park the ECV into its spot close to the wall so that it can be strapped in. If she has a problem with this, maybe someone else in your party can park it for her. Just be sure to turn the speed all the way down to Turtle! (Your actual speed control is how far back you pull the little control lever, with all the way back = max speed. There is a knob to adjust the max speed which runs from Turtle to Rabbit. Some people don't know that and run around on Rabbit all the time, which makes it more difficult to control).

Also, the ECV can be put into "Free Wheel" mode, usually with a little lever on the back. This is basically in neutral, so that you can push it. Worst case, if it's just a little out of line, they are not very heavy, so you can lift up one end and kind of push it into position.

All of which makes it sound hard, but it's not really. Most people get the hang of it quickly.

 

[JennyDrake]

Another vote for ECV and Apple Scooter!

 

[Princesca]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Not going to the front of the line is fine with us - she specifically said she didn't want special treatment and would be embarrassed if she got bumped up to the front ahead of kids, or anyone else for that matter.

I think we're gonna do the scooter. The prices with Apple come out to just around $21 a day not including tax, which is a sound investment if it saves her that much discomfort and makes the trip more enjoyable. She'll also be able to keep up with the rest of us, which she wouldn't be able to do with a walker.

I really appreciate your comments!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Not going to the front of the line is fine with us - she specifically said she didn't want special treatment and would be embarrassed if she got bumped up to the front ahead of kids, or anyone else for that matter.

I think we're gonna do the scooter. The prices with Apple come out to just around $21 a day not including tax, which is a sound investment if it saves her that much discomfort and makes the trip more enjoyable. She'll also be able to keep up with the rest of us, which she wouldn't be able to do with a walker.

I really appreciate your comments!

Not only is Apple less expensive, they include insurance in their pricing which not all companies do. They offer great customer service, as well.

I'm betting that once she has a chance to actually use the scooter, she will be so glad you got it!

 

[Princesca]

One more scooter question...

My mom is a little worried about someone making off with the scooter if she's charging it outside the hotel room. If we rent from Apple, would the included insurance cover that? I told her the parks wouldn't be so much of a concern, as she'd have the key with her (right?) and anyone who took it would have to push it out of the park or carry it out in pieces and security would surely notice...

 

[Debbie Jean]

One more scooter question...

My mom is a little worried about someone making off with the scooter if she's charging it outside the hotel room. If we rent from Apple, would the included insurance cover that? I told her the parks wouldn't be so much of a concern, as she'd have the key with her (right?) and anyone who took it would have to push it out of the park or carry it out in pieces and security would surely notice...

I'm not sure what you are asking.... you should fully charge your scooter every night in your room. Provided I start the day with a full charge I have never needed to charge it in the parks, though I always put the charger in the back pocket just in case.

Whenever you leave the scooter during the day, be sure to take the key... as you say it isn't something that a person could easily steal and I can't think of an instance when anyone has. You will need to be careful that you don't leave anything too valuable in the basket, like a camera, though drinks, etc. are usually OK. Make sure you double check when you get back on that you have your own scooter and not someone else's!

I suspect that the insurance would cover damage or theft but you would have to check for that with the company to be sure.

 

[Princesca]

Oh, I thought I had read something about charging outside the room at Pop. We are going to be in fairly close quarters, but hopefully we should be able to find enough floorspace to charge it up.

Thanks!

 

[GrammyJudy]

You can park it right by the window in a value room. There is a plug right ther and it will not be in your way.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You do not want to leave an ECV outside overnight, especially at Resorts without inside corridors.

1. It can be seen.

2. It can get rained on.

3. The value resorts get lots of teenager groups who would like nothing better than to play with an ECV, even without the key.

You can fairly easily fit any ECV inside the room at a value resort; the worst you would have to do is move the table.

 

[powellrj]

We stayed at Pop a few years ago with my family of 4 which included my DH and I plus 2 of my kids which were teens at the time and there was plenty of room for it. If I remember right, I parked it up by the dresser/tv stand.