Airport Wheelchairs

[RUDisney]

If my DD can't walk through the airport on Wednesday for the start of our vacation, what is the protocol to get her a loaner wheelchair, or transportation to our gate? We're waiting to hear if her ankle is badly sprained or broken. She's almost 10 and too heavy for us to carry and too slow on crutches to have her walk any sort of distance.

 

[safetymom]

You might want to ask on the disabilities board here on the DIS. I would suspect you ask the agent at the ticket counter.

 

[cruislovin]

My son fractured his pelvis a week before our last trip. He was on crutches but needed a wheelchair to get through the airport or walk any long distances. I called the airline and had it noted on his reservation that a wheelchair was needed. One was waiting for us at curbside check-in when we got to the airport.

One note - getting through TSA security in the wheelchair was somewhat of a challenge. Also we found it to be quite time consuming at both airports we used. A seperate line was required for him in the wheelchair. In the wheelchair he could not take anything with him through security, including his crutches and carry-on items. We had to take all that stuff with us through security while he went on in the separate line. There was times we didn't even see where our son was during the pat down process he had to go through. This did not concern us too much since he is 16 but with a younger child I would definitely have wanted to watch more closely. At one airport we had to remind TSA that he was sitting and waiting for them to process him through. Each airport is different as we found with the 2 we used on that trip. Once you are airside you can request the golf cart service if you wish but you have to then leave the wheelchair behind. We found the cart to be easier when it was a long walk to/from the gate.

 

[keishashadow]

My DS needed a transport chair last Dec. Dad got waved thru to the "room" w/him but, I got left behind with 6 suitcases, 3 carry-on's & a purse. Then I got the "hairy eyeball" from the people on line behind me because it took me so long to get everything on the conveyor belt...well, excuuuuuuuuuuuse me!

Not sure how other airlines work but, we notified AT that we'd be bringing our own transport chair (which you can rent, check of the Dis. board - friendly, knowlegeable folks). We were unable to check-in online, they assign those seats @ counter - a bit of a surprise, wish they had told us upfront.

Good luck!

 

[RUDisney]

My DH is being a real "father of the year" over this. He wants to wait until we can all walk by ourselves around the parks. As far as I'm concerned, we'll have as much fun with DD in a wheelchair as we would have without, it'll just be different this time. He has me so mad I could spit bullets. He told me this in front of her, so my little sweetie is feeling even worse that this accident happened to her. I'm just so mad at DH right now.

Did you find that the wheelchair spoiled your good time? Could you not do everything that you wanted to do? DD doesn't care if she can't swim or ride Dueling Dragons. She's just happy to be on vacation. Even the dr told my DH that he was being a party pooper.

 

[keishashadow]

My DS wasn't in a cast & was mobile just unable to walk any distance (developed fielberg's disease after a fx didn't heal right - is supposed to self-heal w/o surgery withn a year or 2) he wears custom orthotics to keep the affected bone from making contact w/the ground.

My DH was also very uncomfortable w/the thought of the transport chair, doesn't like to draw attention to himself. DS enjoyed being pushed around (I guess it's different when you know you won't always require the chair).

Must admit, in some instances we did get preferred placement in line (other times it took longer - Small World). DS did get a few snide comments as to be healthy (amazingly, once from another older child in a chair!). We had problems as to people "invading his personal space" as well, by leaning on the chair when in line.

IMO, if this is a "once in a lifetime trip", I'd consider cancelling & rebooking if possible. If she gets a cast, you might want to check on whether any rides restrict them so you are prepared.

If your DD will need a chair in the parks, I highly recommend renting a transport chair. They are lighter, much easier to manuver & fold up compactly and come in sizes for children to adult.

Good luck.

 

[SueM in MN]

I called the airline and had it noted on his reservation that a wheelchair was needed. One was waiting for us at curbside check-in when we got to the airport.

That's the way to do it. The airline provides wheelchairs or a cart to get you to the gate.

One note - getting through TSA security in the wheelchair was somewhat of a challenge. Also we found it to be quite time consuming at both airports we used. A seperate line was required for him in the wheelchair. In the wheelchair he could not take anything with him through security, including his crutches and carry-on items.

If she can walk thru the scanner without using crutches, you might be able to avoid some of the wait and the body pat down. They would take the wheelchair thru, search it and then she can sit down again. If she stays in the wheelchair, they do a search with a handheld scanner and a pat down.

Not sure how other airlines work but, we notified AT that we'd be bringing our own transport chair (which you can rent, check of the Dis. board - friendly, knowlegeable folks). We were unable to check-in online, they assign those seats @ counter - a bit of a surprise, wish they had told us upfront.

Renting a transport chair at home is a good idea. You can gate check it (ask the gate agent before boarding starts). Also, if you think you will need to preboard, as the gate agent before boarding begins. They often won;t preboard wheelchair users unless you ask.
You usually can't check in online if you have a wheelchair or need assistance and don't alrady have seats assigned, but you can get seats assigned ahead of time if you talk to a human. There are some seats (specifically the bulkhead seats) that are blocked and can only be unblocked for booking by an agent - either on the phone or at the check in counter. (They also do save some seats for check in at the airport). For most airlines, if you have seats assigned, you can do online check in.

If she gets a cast, you might want to check on whether any rides restrict them so you are prepared.

WDW won't prevent her from riding anything with a cast. If she ends up with a long leg cast, some of the attractions might be a bit difficult to get on, but no one will prevent it. There are some rides with warnings; you can get information (links to the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities on the disABILITIES FAQs thread) and then ask the doctor about them. You will also find info about rides with moving walkways on the FAQs thread.

 

[RUDisney]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. We fought a lot about this, but he finally agreed that we could go. This isn't a once in a lifetime trip. It IS our first time to USO, though, AND it's for our DS's birthday. IMO, it's just another way to experience the parks.... albeit not the preferred way.

Her ankle isn't broken, just badly bruised. We have to get her a boot cast today. I know she'll be able to hop on her good foot through security. We can put her crutches through the xray machine, I'm guessing.

I'm going to call the airline today to let them know about the transport chair and I'm going to have one delivered to our hotel for when we arrive.

I feel just sick over this, but I understand that it is an inconvenience that will pass. For that, I'm am very grateful.

You guys have really put my mind at ease on how this will work out.