Advice needed

[cinnamon-sugah]

We are going to WDW in June with my father-in-law. I have never planned a trip before that included someone with mobility issues so I have TONS of questions. I have just started reading on this board so any other tips you can offer would be appreciated as well. This is his first trip ever and I really want to make it special for him so I've come to the experts!

We will be renting a scooter for him. He has never driven one before (I'm suggesting that he practice at Walmart before we go) so do you have any suggestions on types or where to rent?

If we get him a GAC, can he and my MIL meet us on the ride? I know they're good for 6 but we have 15 people total!

Where do we put his scooter while we are in restaurants?

When we reserve the rooms, can we request one with space for his scooter

That's it for now but I'm sure I'll have a thousand more! Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

1. If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including in Post #2 where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

2. As long as he is using any mobility device he does not need a GAC. Most lines are "mainstreamed" so he can take the ECV right up to the load area, or to special parking inside of shows. If he cannot take the ECV through the line, or all the way to Load, there will be a CM who can give information related to that attraction.

As far as a group of 15, I hope you are experienced in herding cats; which is a lot easier. Most groups that large find it better to split up and meet for meals or special events.

3. Normally I will park my ECV in or near a restaurant lobby.

4. All regular Resort rooms, including those in the value Resorts, have sufficient room for parking an ECV for recharging. It may be necessary to move a table or chair. Some people will bring a power strip or extension cord; if you do make sure that cord has at least a 15 amp capacity.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just replying to agree with Cheshire Figment and add that post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about Guest Assistance Cards.

As CF posted, you won’t need a GAC because he is using a mobility device.

 

[M5ward]

We have rented an ECV from Apple Scooter the last several trips. They are courteous and accommodating. The scooter is ready and waiting for us when we arrive, and we just leave it with bell services when we leave the resort to go home, and Apple picks it up.

 

[cinnamon-sugah]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have started reading the sticky but I was on information overload. LOL!

Yes Cheshire Figment, it will be like herding cats! We have at least one meal a day planned as a group and I have encouraged everyone to choose things that they want to do and meet back up but knowing my family, they will follow me around because I have done Disney several times and they have never been.

If anyone has any other "tips" that would be helpful to him that I might not think to ask, I would appreciate them.

 

[Piper]

In early December, 2010 my extended family went to WDW. There were 15 people and I was in my ECV.

1. At bus stops, 1 person went with me and the rest stood in the regular line and boarded.

2. Most of the time, we just got in line for rides and shows (since most of them are mainstreamed) The few attractions that I can ride that have a separate entrance, I took one person with me and the rest got in the regular line. It was ironic that the rest of the party was usually able to ride twice by getting back in line while I rode once in the same time period!

3. The "big ticket rides" are usually ones I cannot ride, so I waited in the shop that is (most of the time) at the exit for the rest of the group.

4. We used fast pass to the fullest extent.

5. We had a good touring plan that we flexibly followed.

It can be done, but you need to be willing to split up for some rides.

 

[cinnamon-sugah]

Quick questions- I was looking at the rental sites for scooters and I saw 3-wheel and 4-wheel. Any recommendations for which one would be better for a first time driver?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Three wheel is much more maneuverable than four wheel. Unless you expect to be speeding and taking corners very quickly, the three wheel is better.

 

[SueM in MN]

My suggestions - besides trying an ECV out in a store - would be to practice using it before leaving the resort.
Make sure he knows where the speed control is - most ECVs and power wheelchairs have a lever, switch or knob that turns the maximum speed from Turtle (slow) to Rabbit (fast).
Drive it around a bit and get a feel for how quickly it accelerates, how quickly it slows down and how much time and space it takes to stop.
He needs to be able to confidently drive forward and backward, turn in both directions while going forward and backward. To use the buses and for some attractions, he needs to be able to parallel park. On the buses, the parallel parking is on the driver's side on most buses.