After Surgery Question

[MICKFan]

My friend and I will be at Disney Nov. 29 for one week. I have been several times. This is her first. I want it to be a good experience for her. This trip was booked in April.
She fell and broke her leg in May. After two surgeries later she is fine and walking again (she was in a wheelchair for about 2 months)
I realize ALOT of walking is required in all the parks. She understands that she may have to go back to the resort and rest; not to overdo it.
Also there is alot of walking and standing to get to the rides.
My question is: Is there any way to bypass the lines without having a wheelchair? Is a permit needed? Does she need a note from her doctor?

Thanks bunches!!!

 

[wdwmickey]

I can tell you first hand that even with a wheelchair or ECV (I've used both at WDW) you do not get to skip the line. Most lines are mainstreamed and the wheelchair goes through with the rest of the line. I know that there are some special waiting areas for people with a GAC (I don't know the specifics on that). Has your friends doctor okayed the walking at WDW? She may be much more comfortable and have a more enjoyable time with an ECV. Hopefully someone with more info can help more

 

[MICKFan]

Her dr. has given her the OK for the trip. What is an ECV?

She did not have alot of stamina before this happened, so I'm just worried that she will not get the full appreciation of Disney!!!

Oh well.....we may just have to book another trip!!! LOL

 

[peemagg]

I would rent an ECV (motorized scooter) for her. You can rent one off-site between $150-$250 for the week depending on the company used. I have heard that Apple Scooters have the best rate for the week.

With her having stamina issues before the surgeries, I am sure that she is weeker now. If you rent a scooter then she can ride on it and stamina will not be an issue and she will be able to do more and enjoy it more. She won't be so tired out or in pain with one. I have simmilar issues as your friend and I used a scooter in May in the parks. It was probably my best trip in 5 years. I was more comfortable all the way around.

You might also check with medical supply stores in your area to see if they rent scooters there. If you are flying, then she can ride the scooter through the airport and gate check it for free. Then she has the scooter for whatever else you want to do. If you are using ME, then the scooter just goes under the bus in the hold.

Check the FAQ's section under the DisAbilities main forum and there is a lot of info in there about temporary and permanent disabilities and getting around WDW.

 

[SueM in MN]

First of all, I am going to move this to the Main disABILITIES Board, which is for questions related to WDW. (I think you posted by mistake on the disABILITIES Community Board, which is more for questions about disabilities not related to a trip.

Also there is alot of walking and standing to get to the rides.
My question is: Is there any way to bypass the lines without having a wheelchair? Is a permit needed? Does she need a note from her doctor?

Thanks bunches!!!

The answer to your question is no.
WDW does have Guest Assistance Cards (GAC), which are meant to give the CM (Cast Members) some quick information about someone's needs related to their disability. GACs are not meant to (and usually don't) bypassing lines or shorten waits.
Having a GAC does not shorten the distance walked, so would really not be that helpful for someone who can't walk distances.
WDW would consider her needs to be "Endurance or Stamina Needs" and they recommend an ECV or wheelchair for those types of needs. That is because of the large walking distance is between attractions, rather than actually in them. And some of the lines are a pretty large distance, even if the wait is not long. For example, the distance from where you enter the queue for Soarin until you get to the boarding area is actually 1/4 mile - and once you are done, you have to walk an equal distance out.

You can follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post #3 of that thread has some useful information, including a link to a thread about attractions which have a long 'standing' period, with nowhere to sit. Post #6 of that thread is about GACs.

I can tell you first hand that even with a wheelchair or ECV (I've used both at WDW) you do not get to skip the line. Most lines are mainstreamed and the wheelchair goes through with the rest of the line. I know that there are some special waiting areas for people with a GAC (I don't know the specifics on that). Has your friends doctor okayed the walking at WDW? She may be much more comfortable and have a more enjoyable time with an ECV. Hopefully someone with more info can help more

Very true.
Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about ECVs (motorized mobility scooters), including pictures and links to companies that rent ECVs and wheelchairs recommended most by DIS posters.

There are some special waiting places for people with some special needs, but those are mostly big empty rooms or separated waiting lanes for people who need a little more distance. This page shows an example of a separated lane:

 

[mcco5543]

My wife usually does not have any type of "disability" but she as no cartlige in her knees from years of being a star softball catcher for her school's team. We got her an ECV and it saved her from having to "lose" park time or take more rest than she wanted to. I highly reccomend it.

 

[MICKFan]

Another question......Can regular wheelchairs be rented inside each park???? Like the strollers.....Then, at the end of each visit to the park, we can just return the chair and walk to the bus stop.
I seem to remember seeing wheelchair rentals with the strollers.

 

[SueM in MN]

Another question......Can regular wheelchairs be rented inside each park???? Like the strollers.....Then, at the end of each visit to the park, we can just return the chair and walk to the bus stop.
I seem to remember seeing wheelchair rentals with the strollers.

Yes, wheelchairs and ECVs.
There is more information in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
If you plan to rent an ECV, those may run out, but there are enough wheelchairs that you don't need to worry about getting a wheelchair.

 

[mcco5543]

We rented an ECV from a local company for 8 days/7 nights for 200 bucks. That way the ECV/Wheelchairs being all taken in the parks wasn't an issue. We were able to park it out of the way in our room at night and plug it in to recharge it. The charge lasted all day and well into the night.