Advice Needed

[ChelleFeegan]

Hello,

I am hoping that someone will be able to offer some assistance.

I have been away from the DIS boards for a while as I had some bad news health wise. I have been diagnosed with Pernicious anaemia, vitamin D deficiency and CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same band as ME).

Basically, it means I suffer extreme fatigue on some occasions. Walking is an effort but doable, but standing around - I get palpitations and dizziness and a whole array of other symptoms.

By any means I don't suffer these 100% of the time - I'd say 90% of the time I am okay, and my life has little to no impact.

Before I was diagnosed, I booked to go back to Disney (staying on Int. Drive and also visiting Universal as we did in 2013).

Now, I am worried. My daughter is 8 (and although she doesn't know we are going back yet) she is going to be ridiculously excited and want to go on everything fifty times over. Last year wasn't a problem, we made it with the heat and tiredness, and we had such a fantastic time it spurred us to book again.

Now, a trip to our local shopping centre (mall) can leave me in a state if I am suffering "an episode".

Question is, can Disney/Universal do anything to help? I know they offer the DAS cards at Disney, but part of me feels like I would be taking the place of someone who really needs it.. but then in the same token, the thought of queueing for an age exhausts me...

What do people suggest? Although my daughter is amazing and understanding of my condition, it would be the last thing in the world I would ever want to do is have any form of negative impact on her trip to disney.

Thanks for any advise you can give.

 

[aaarcher86]

Stamina/mobility issues are typically advised to rent a wheelchair, or if you're the only adult you could get an ECV. The DAS card is for those that are unable to tolerate the que portion of the ride.

The DAS card won't help you much. In fact, people with the DAS card typically walk MORE than an average guest. It does not grant instant FP access like the GAC did, so you'd still be waiting the full amount of time for each ride. You can do other things while you wait outside the line, but then you'd just be walking even more and that sounds like it will exhaust you further.

I believe Universal has the same system although you can purchase the express pass and get entry into their express lane for rides.

You'll be able to schedule 3 FP+ reservations once you get to the park since you're offsite. There just isn't a program to help with stamina issues specifically.

 

[ChelleFeegan]

Hi,

Thank you for coming back to me.

It's not so much the walking around; I can do it, albeit rather slowly - its more the issues I face when I am standing for long periods of time.

Do you think, or would the CM's not allow it for my OH and daughter to queue and for me to join them later? If I was having an "episode".

As I said, it's not all the time, so I am hoping that coupled with the excitement of being in Disney, the fact my meds will all be up to date before I go I should be 100% and I am worrying over nothing

 

[lanejudy]

There really isn't an easy way to join a party once they have entered the queue -- it would involve pushing your way past others who may not understand or even care, some of whom may physically block your way and refuse to let you pass.

As aaarcher86 indicated, WDW will suggest that you use a wheelchair or ECV. This does not mean you need to sit on it at all times; in fact if you have another adult in your party you can alternate who rides the ECV and who walks, or you can park it for a bit. But if you need to sit while in the queue, having a mobility device is the recommended accommodation -- that can be a wheelchair, ECV, rollator, etc.

You certainly could ask at Guest Relations about a DAS, but this generally does not shorten wait time, and the FP+ lines have been reported to be long as well so you still have a period of time in a line situation. WDW does not offer immediate FOTL access to anyone other than those on a Wish trip, and not even always for those kids. So your best option will be to plan how you could sit while in the lines.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SMD]

If your daughter is 8, she's old enough for single rider. You could try going through the queue with her to ride together, than let her go as a single for repeat rides.

What about a cane with a seat on it or a walker with a seat. Then you could walk, but aso be able to sit if you need to.

 

[tobikaye]

Have you thought about a rollator? If your not sure what it is, it is basically a walker with wheels. I think this might be something that can help in your everyday life. My sister has used one for years and my mom has finely given in and started using one after a couple of years of me trying to get her to. My mom has a disorder that causes issues with standing in one place for too long. If we went shopping and there was no place to sit down, she usually had to go back to the car and wait. Now, she can go much longer. She doesn't have too much issue with walking usually, but when she does, the walker gives her a bit more balance. Plus, she can put items on the seat when she has it as she cannot carry things around for long.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Have you thought about a rollator? If your not sure what it is, it is basically a walker with wheels. I think this might be something that can help in your everyday life. My sister has used one for years and my mom has finely given in and started using one after a couple of years of me trying to get her to. My mom has a disorder that causes issues with standing in one place for too long. If we went shopping and there was no place to sit down, she usually had to go back to the car and wait. Now, she can go much longer. She doesn't have too much issue with walking usually, but when she does, the walker gives her a bit more balance. Plus, she can put items on the seat when she has it as she cannot carry things around for long.

I agree! The rollator gives me balance, plus - the instant seat is a welcome aid when necessary!

Great advice!

 

[Andianna]

They are easy to find and reasonably priced at Walmart or amazon .com

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Stamina/mobility issues are typically advised to rent a wheelchair, or if you're the only adult you could get an ECV. The DAS card is for those that are unable to tolerate the que portion of the ride. . .

1) Yep.
2) Fatigue is more of an issue of needing a device than a question of tolerance.
3) Fatigue is typically not a reason for a DAS card, as there are alternatives.
4) To avoid walking-standing-waiting fatigue, I suggest one of these,
. . . ECV
. . . wheelchair
. . . rollator

 

[dreaming4disney]

Hello,

Walking is an effort but doable, but standing around - I get palpitations and dizziness and a whole array of other symptoms.
.

I don't see why you shouldn't go to Customer Relations and ask for a DAS. If I were you, I would go to MK and go inside the park and ask inside there.

Good luck. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't see why you shouldn't go to Customer Relations and ask for a DAS. If I were you, I would go to MK and go inside the park and ask inside there.

Good luck. I hope you have a great trip.

If someone has a problem standing the answer would be 'sitting.' A wheelchair or ECV would be the answer given by GR since it's gives the solution of 'sitting.'

The problem doesn't have anything to do with being in a que.

 

[dreaming4disney]

If someone has a problem standing the answer would be 'sitting.' A wheelchair or ECV would be the answer given by GR since it's gives the solution of 'sitting.'

The problem doesn't have anything to do with being in a que.

Not only is this completely inaccurate, but really shows a narrow minded view. The "solution" for not being able to stand for long periods of time does not necessarily mean a person should be sitting.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Not only is this completely inaccurate, but really shows a narrow minded view. The "solution" for not being able to stand for long periods of time does not necessarily mean a person should be sitting.

The options are stand, walk or sit. The OP says she has issues with walking and standing.

That leaves sitting.

 

[Kellykins1218]

The options are stand, walk or sit. The OP says she has issues with walking and standing.

That leaves sitting.

Exactly, and the suggestions of a wheelchair or rollator are spot-on. Then she can alternate standing, walking, and sitting. She doesn't have to do any of them exclusively.

 

[aaarcher86]

Not only is this completely inaccurate, but really shows a narrow minded view. The "solution" for not being able to stand for long periods of time does not necessarily mean a person should be sitting.

So, what does it mean?

If you're not standing (or walking, but you have to be standing to walk so...) you're sitting or lying down, and only one of those is acceptable in the park. There are standing waits all over the ark that can't be helped by anything other than a wheelchair... Or sitting.

If walking is difficult, and standing for periods of time isn't doable, I don't have a clue what other suggestions could be given? Even the FP line can easily be 15 - 20 minutes of standing.

 

[SashaFarce]

Supposedly Apple Scooter rents rollators for an extremely low price if you call or email them - this may be an option for you. Also, I will say, we use scooters and the DAS as well. Posts on this board at times have made me reluctant to request a DAS (to the point where I will probably faceplant someplace before I will request one), but if you can articulate your issues in line that aren't alleviated by a mobility aid, then by all means, ask and see if you qualify. It's not like if you get one someone else isn't, so you're not taking them away and no one's going to stalk you through the park if you don't get one.

Further, you may want to think about renting a scooter to make the most of your trip. There's no shame in it and you'll feel a lot better at the end of the day.

I hope this helps.

 

[ChelleFeegan]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm sure I'll be fine - thing is with ME it's not constant, so as long as I take it slow I should be ok.