Advice needed: 1 wheelchair,1 ECV, 1 service dog

[poober25]

Hi all--

Traveling to WDW 11/29-12/5. In our party from 11/29-12/1 (the busiest part of that time period, I know), will be me (using a wheelchair due to fibromyalgia fatigue), my Mom (using ECV--multiple issues)--mom also has a small service dog (maltese) worn in pouch which monitors her blood pressure drops. Will also have during that time my 2 nieces and nephew who have only been to Disney once. My DH, DS, and DD will also be there. DS, DD, and me will be there throughout the entire trip.

We need advice on rides service dogs cannot go on--I think will be mostly ones Mom can't do anyway, except Soarin and PP. Any chance a service dog in a pouch COULD go on those rides? Which rides still do not have a fully accessible queue? Handicap viewing areas for parades & fireworks?

We need to really maximize the time for those first 3 days, as Mom, nieces and nephew will likely not be able to visit again for a long time. Oh, they are 17, 15, and 11, if that changes anyone's advice. For me, hubby, and our kiddos, we go fairly often, so we dont' feel the need to do everything little thing, but they won't to make sure to ride 7DMT, which I cannot get fastpasses for.

Also, ECV for Mom wil be rented in the parks. What is the likelihood that one will not be available if we hop from AK to EP on 11/29. Arrival at EP would likely be around 2. It would be difficult to rent from outside vendor, as we are offsite, and they are not very easy to transport. She uses a power chair at home, but we have no way to transport that.

Any and all advice welcome--Our plans are AK/EP on 11/29, MK on 11/30 and DHS on 12/1. Kids have a YES class there that morning. I am hoping this post makes at least a modicum of sense. Most of these folks were not originally going on the trip.

Assuming a DAS would not be available or useful to us?

 

[anonymousegirl]

I might re think the ECV park rental as you are going at a busy time and intend to park hop. Might be do-able if you arrived early and stayed at same park, but you have to have an alternative in place if you change parks and an ECV isn't available.

The rental places have ECVs that can be broken down and transported in a car. How are you getting to and from the parks?

 

[poober25]

I guess our alternative right now is that Mom will use my wheelchair, and I'll walk as much as able, and just fine a place to sit and rest if I'm too tired. We will be traveling down in 2 vehicles, but only taking one to the parks (8 people in a 7 passenger van). I'm not sure we'd have room for both the wheelchair and the ECV. We are really hoping to get her a power wheelchair that folds, BUT, we need insurance to cooperate with that. I don't know why those are not more standard than the big, heavy power wheelchair that require and accessible van to transport. It seems to me, especially if costs are similar that quality of life should be a factor in those decisions.

 

[powellrj]

I agree with trying to rent off-site. I am not sure what kind of wheelchair you will have but mine folds up and it pretty flat. I finally broke down and bought my own ECV and i have to say its been a real life changer. I love it because it folds down to the size of a piece of luggage. I know buying your own ECV isn't practical for most people, I was just trying to point out that many of them will fold up and not take up much room.

Here is Sues FAQ thread that has lots of great info

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

 

[wilkeliza]

If you mother would be fine with out the service dog for a short period many rides that do not allow service dogs have a temporary kennel they can be put in for the duration of the ride.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

there's a list of rides service animals are not permitted on, regardless of the size of the animal. you can find it here

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainHomePage&bhcp=1#serviceanimals

Any chance a service dog in a pouch COULD go on those rides?

Probably not.

 

[Mrsjvb]

no the dog will not be allowed to remain in the pouch. if the ride says no SA then it cannot ride at all.

you run a very high risk of not finding an ECV available. between crowds and any being turned in needing recharging it is possile that the parks will run out

 

[wilkeliza]

Just thinking about it and taking a SA on a ride in a pouch seems very risky. I understand why the small dog is in the pouch and that SA are well trained but in the event anything were to happen to the startle the dog on a ride like Soarin it would pretty much be a death sentence. The dog has the possibility of falling several stories.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I recommend doing rider swap for the rides the service dog cannot go on. That's what I do. Once the person who owns the service dog gets off the ride, the person who waited with the dog gets on the ride (while the dog owner exits the ride area).

The reason service dogs are not allowed on certain rides is safety, so there is no chance your mother's dog will be allowed on them (nor should she want it to be, just like parents should not want their too-short children on the rides with height restrictions).

I would recommend renting from an off-site ECV company, as well. I had a friend who did that once and it worked out well.

 

[poober25]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I was thinking originally that since the dog is actually clipped into the pouch, it might be ok. However, I think we will just do rider switch for the 2 rides (Soarin' and Peter Pan) where that would be an issue. NOW, just to clarify--someone will get to re-ride with her if we do that, correct? I mean she won't have to ride by herself?

Also, can someone let me know which queues are not mainstreamed...the only one I know for sure in Peter Pan. I just want to be prepared for everything. Also where handicap viewing is for fireworks and parades, mostly at MK, and how early we need to be there if we want to use those areas. I assume it is a different area than the FP area.

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[poober25]

One more question: Does anyone know if there is an offsite place that rents power wheelchairs that are lightweight and fold up more like a reg. wheelchair. Something similar this?

http://www.ezlitecruiser.com/?utm_s...tUWmZwlbQPIyA5FuEF6sJ8fAo9yiJG6tkgaAics8P8HAQ

 

[bidnow5]

I don't think they rent those unless you yes a powerchair in everyday life they most likely aren't going to rent you one they are much more difficult to control

 

[EpcotQueen]

During the time you are going I would bet you will have trouble renting an ECV in the parks, especially MK. The smaller off site scooters break down and are relatively easy to load into the car. It might be less of a headache for you to take your 2 cars or take the buses.

 

[poober25]

She does use a power chair at home, but it not something we can bring with us. It is too heavy and can't be transported easily. Also, not staying on site, so busses are not really an option. 2 cars isn't really, either, due to the parking cost. We may try to rent an ECV, offsite, but I don't know if we can manage it. Worst case, she uses the manual wheelchair I'll be in, and I'll just walk--and sit, lol.

 

[emldrl]

Hi! I have two suggestions. First, check into renting a rollator for yourself. It is a rolling walker with a seat, and it will fold up for easy storage. You can buy them for approx. $60 and up, so it should be pretty cheap to rent one. Then, your mom can use a manual wheelchair, which will also fold up. And that way you will have a seat available at all times, too.

Second, and this is not regarding mobility: When you get there, at least ask about the DAS. I'm concerned about the blood pressure issue. If it fluctuates badly enough to require a service animal, then that could cause problems with being stuck in a line surrounded by people, with a w/c or ecv, making it very difficult to exit, and/or for medical aide to get to her. Obviously no one can tell you for sure ahead of time, but this seems to be a very good reason to get the DAS.

 

[emldrl]

Sorry, I thought of something else! Maybe call disability services at wdw and ask about the dog on ride situation. I don't know what they can tell you, or if they can even tell you anything ahead of time, but it can't hurt to ask, right? Also, if they can't help you, maybe guest services at the parks can work something out. You never know, maybe something can be worked out. Good luck to you, and I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I was thinking originally that since the dog is actually clipped into the pouch, it might be ok. However, I think we will just do rider switch for the 2 rides (Soarin' and Peter Pan) where that would be an issue. NOW, just to clarify--someone will get to re-ride with her if we do that, correct? I mean she won't have to ride by herself?

Yes, someone can ride again with her (or you can split your party into two sets of riders, one set including her). Obviously, if there are only two people in your party, you both will ride alone unless you choose to use the crate they provide for the service dog.

 

[Gracie09]

Sorry, I thought of something else! Maybe call disability services at wdw and ask about the dog on ride situation. I don't know what they can tell you, or if they can even tell you anything ahead of time, but it can't hurt to ask, right? Also, if they can't help you, maybe guest services at the parks can work something out. You never know, maybe something can be worked out. Good luck to you, and I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

No matter what guest services or disability services says, the cm athe ride has the final say in all things safety. The rides service animals are not allowed in are due to safety issues (the animal and humans around it). No one here has ever reported being allowed to take a service animal on a ride where animals weren't permitted. I also think most people wouldn't attempt to do so because their service animal is so vital to their health and well being they wouldn't want it to be injured or worse.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Even if the animal is small, in a pouch and clipped to the pouch, they won't allow the animal on the rides where service animals are not permitted.

 

[tinkerpea]

I don't think they rent those unless you yes a powerchair in everyday life they most likely aren't going to rent you one they are much more difficult to control

They will rent to anyone who is of age,you do not have to have ever used one,to rent one for a park! As what happens to people who only need one for big parks like disney?