Advice needed....

[provencio]

My sister, her husband and two girls will be traveling to WDW in June. Due to their circumstances this is the only time they can go. My BIL has cancer and is undergoing various treatments. His physicians have said he should be able to do a trip with his family with restrictions... of course taking it slow, trying to avoid long periods of sun exposure, not standing for too long as he tires easy, etc.. He has always wanted to do this trip with his children and is determined to go. The doctors at MD said they could provide documentation to be presented for whatever accommodations are needed. Who would my sister give this to? What can they do and does she need to present this in advance to travel or upon arrival? Advice and prayers are needed. Thank you all.

 

[redberyl]

The ada prohibits Disney staff from looking at Dr notes. Most lines are wheelchair accessible if he choses to use one to conserve energy. There is the das program, which is for people unable to wait in regular lines. With das, you are given a return time, sort of like a fastpass. You would have to explain why he needs to wait outside regular line though. If it's because he lacks energy Disney will just tell you to get a wheelchair. Good luck

 

[jdb in AZ]

A lot of people balk at using a wheel chair, partly because they don't want to be a burden on family members to push it for them. If your DBIL is able to drive an ECV (scooter) then his wife wouldn't have to push him in a wheel chair. It takes a lot of strength/stamina to push a wheel chair all day -- WDW isn't as flat as you might think.

 

[aaarcher86]

No note needed. A wheelchair will most likely be the recommendation by Dusney as it solves the issues mentioned.

 

[provencio]

Thank you

 

[mamabunny]

As noted above, if he can use an ECV, that will give him the most independence and has the additional benefit of not requiring anyone to push him in a wheelchair. At WDW it is not uncommon for people to walk anywhere from 5 to 10 miles per day (often without realizing it!)

If he is not feeling well enough to pilot an ECV on his own, please advise his wife to bring along a pair of inexpensive bike gloves; otherwise she will likely have blisters before the end of the first day.

WDW has more hills, ramps and inclines that you might believe - it's not until you try to push someone in a wheelchair through the parks that you realize how much terraforming Disney has done. In the Magic Kingdom, always cross the tracks embedded in Main Street at an angle to avoid flipping the rider out the chair or ECV if the wheels get caught in the grooves.

At the Resort hotels, most rooms will have space to store a chair or ECV. If need be, you can ask the front desk to remove the table & chairs from the room for more space.

WDW is very "wheels-friendly"; the only form of transportation you can't utilize is the smaller boats, but you can still get to/from via other methods. Bus drivers, Boat Captains & Monorail attendants will all give you guidance.

Prior to arriving at WDW, they may want to consider how he will move through the airport(s) as that can easily encompass long walks to/between gates.

 

[provencio]

Thank you I think she will have to make the call when she gets there if a wheel chair or ECV is the best option. I think they will do a lot of late afternoon or evening touring with FP+ and a chair of some type.

 

[cedricandsophie]

My daughter has Down syndrome and gets very tired after walking a long time. We now get her a wheel chair. It is amazing how much more enjoyable the parks are now.

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you I think she will have to make the call when she gets there if a wheel chair or ECV is the best option. I think they will do a lot of late afternoon or evening touring with FP+ and a chair of some type.

If she thinks he'll be using a wheelchair or ECV, it might be best to plan ahead and get it from an off-site vendor -- it will be less expensive and very easy to arrange. There are recommended vendors (both featured and non-featured) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread pinned near the top of this forum. They certainly can wait and make contact after they arrive, but that might waste time as they'll need to wait for delivery.

It sounds like this trip is intended to create some very special memories for the family!

 

[provencio]

"It sounds like this trip is intended to create some very special memories for the family![/QUOTE]

Yes it is... Thank you for advice.. it's strange I have always gone to these boards for FP planning, rope drop advice, dining recommendations... This makes me realize how important some things are and that Disney serves a "need" for all. In this case a platform to create another precious memory for my nieces with their dad.

 

[kirstenb1]

Thank you I think she will have to make the call when she gets there if a wheel chair or ECV is the best option. I think they will do a lot of late afternoon or evening touring with FP+ and a chair of some type.

We go in June, and it is usually cooler first thing in the morning. Late afternoon, and evening can be very hot!! Although not so much if there's a late afternoon thunderstorm. But still, then you are dealing with a ECV/wheelchair in a storm. Anyway, first thing in the morning is a good way to beat the crowds too.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP make sure your sister understands if they rent either wheelchair or ECV at the parks neither can be taken past the gate to transportation. there can be standing waiting for what ever transportation is used with no sitting plus it is usually cheaper to rent offsite. plus there can be a walk from transportation to room

 

[gap2368]

I would try and go first thing at rope drop the parks are empty until about 1030ish and most rides you can just walk right on. I would book some FP for right after lunch so that he could have some time to rest you can add in some shows and if he need to lie down he can all ways go to first aid to rest some

 

[5kidsmommy]

to OP make sure your sister understands if they rent either wheelchair or ECV at the parks neither can be taken past the gate to transportation. there can be standing waiting for what ever transportation is used with no sitting plus it is usually cheaper to rent offsite. plus there can be a walk from transportation to room

I have to wonder if they have gotten more lax about wheelchairs being taken. Several times we went to return my daughter's wheelchair to walk over to the busses and they told us just to take it to the bus and leave it there. Once when we went from MK to Epcot they insisted that we just take the same wheelchair. She was really nervous but they said it was a non-issue. We did the same thing going between Epcot and HS. I am thinking though it was because it was a wheelchair and they had plenty. It was actually really convenient and far easier on her to not have to worry about walking to and from the entrances of multiple parks.

 

[redberyl]

I have to wonder if they have gotten more lax about wheelchairs being taken. Several times we went to return my daughter's wheelchair to walk over to the busses and they told us just to take it to the bus and leave it there. Once when we went from MK to Epcot they insisted that we just take the same wheelchair. She was really nervous but they said it was a non-issue. We did the same thing going between Epcot and HS. I am thinking though it was because it was a wheelchair and they had plenty. It was actually really convenient and far easier on her to not have to worry about walking to and from the entrances of multiple parks.

I have to wonder if they have gotten more lax about wheelchairs being taken. Several times we went to return my daughter's wheelchair to walk over to the busses and they told us just to take it to the bus and leave it there. Once when we went from MK to Epcot they insisted that we just take the same wheelchair. She was really nervous but they said it was a non-issue. We did the same thing going between Epcot and HS. I am thinking though it was because it was a wheelchair and they had plenty. It was actually really convenient and far easier on her to not have to worry about walking to and from the entrances of multiple parks.

Wouldn't count on it. My daughter's stroller was stolen on her wish trip, they let us use a wheelchair to the entrance but not to the lot. Very difficult to carry a sleeping, handicapped 5 year old in a puffy, slippery princess dress the whole way to the car. Definitely wouldn't plan on taking wc or ecv from the park

 

[provencio]

to OP make sure your sister understands if they rent either wheelchair or ECV at the parks neither can be taken past the gate to transportation. there can be standing waiting for what ever transportation is used with no sitting plus it is usually cheaper to rent offsite. plus there can be a walk from transportation to room

Thanks did not think of this will pass on info.

 

[RachelKS]

I don't have any experience with an ECV but I wonder if they decide to go that route if it would be a good idea if he doesn't normally use one to maybe rent or borrow one to practice a little bit. My husband use an electric wheelchair and when we have been anywhere crowded it is always a trick to deal with people walking out in front of or stopping in front of him.