Allowed Equivalent of a folding stool.

[McKayla Pickwell]

Hi There.

My family and I are travelling to Orlando in June and will be spending time at both Disney and Universal.

Unfortunately my Mum has some health issues which can make it difficult for her to stand for periods of time (such as parades and lengthy ride queues).

Through a combination of pride and other factors she does not feel it is necessary to label herself "disabled" but would benefit from the ability to carry a folding chair, however it has been brought to my attention that these are not permitted in the parks.

The current chair we have is a small, tripod style seat which is about 12" in length when folded and fits inside a cover with a shoulder strap so ultimately looks like a folded umbrella.

Am I right in assuming this would not be allowed? And if so does anyone have any alternative suggestions? This is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

McK

 

[Gracie09]

A chair like that is dangerous as it causes a tripping hazard. I would recommend a rollinator (walker with a seat) a wheelchair (she can push it when not sitting in it) or an ecv.
People tend to underestimate the distance one walks at wdw. You will walk several miles a day for multiple days. Even if you don't need mobility equipment on a normal day you may need it at Disney.

 

[McKayla Pickwell]

A chair like that is dangerous as it causes a tripping hazard. I would recommend a rollinator (walker with a seat) a wheelchair (she can push it when not sitting in it) or an ecv.
People tend to underestimate the distance one walks at wdw. You will walk several miles a day for multiple days. Even if you don't need mobility equipment on a normal day you may need it at Disney.

We have been to WDW multiple times so totally agree with you in terms of the sheer distances you can cover. I don't think there is any chance we are going to be able to convince her she needs a wheel chair or any other device that would visibly indicate that she is less able.

Am I right in thinking that there was a time when chairs were permitted as I seem to remember using one many years ago?

 

[maxiesmom]

You are right, chairs are not allowed. Tri pod chairs would be dangerous as the ground in the parks is not very level, and they are too easy to have fall over. Especially in a crowded park where someone may bump into it. And that type of chair would be pretty useless in line, where you are constantly moving.

For the parades you would need to find a spot early, one with a bit of seating. For the Magic Kingdom you could buy the dessert party, and get her a guaranteed place to sit. Or have her sit on one of the planters that double as seats, but you would need to get that spot early and stay there. The party at Epcot wouldn't work, as there is no seating. But there are a few planters to sit on, maybe not with the greatest view, but it would work ok. The Disney Studios now has a dessert party too.

If you could get her to use a rollator that would probably be the best bet. If not, plan on plenty of breaks, and maybe a lot of table service meals where you can plan on her being able to sit for a while.

 

[Gracie09]

We have been to WDW multiple times so totally agree with you in terms of the sheer distances you can cover. I don't think there is any chance we are going to be able to convince her she needs a wheel chair or any other device that would visibly indicate that she is less able.

Am I right in thinking that there was a time when chairs were permitted as I seem to remember using one many years ago?

It doesn't really matter if they were once allowed, they are not allowed now. I would take her to a local zoo or amusement park and see how she does.

 

[Mrsjvb]

wheelchairs, ECVs and rollaters( walker with attached seat) only. she does not have to sit in the WC all day. in fact many people use it to carry their stuff while it is pushed around. an ECV can be parked near a line and then picked up again after the ride.

 

[gap2368]

I have seen a few dust with cain that have a set on them but every one that I have seen try to use one as a set a CM has come up to them and asked them not too the one person that no CM came up too ( no CM walked past this guest ) fell out of it and broke there arm ( no I am not a DR no I do not have the ability to take an exray, but I know for 1000% are this guest arm was broken) so just from what I have seen folding chair are not allowed ( I think folding chairs is listinted on Disney website as not allowed)

I would tell your mom to get some type of mobility devices ( wheel chair roller or ECV) let her know the yes she dose to need it is every day life but Disney has a lot more walking and standing. that she dose not have to use what every she has all the time she can park it some where or walk behind it

 

[DisneyOma]

We have been to WDW multiple times so totally agree with you in terms of the sheer distances you can cover. I don't think there is any chance we are going to be able to convince her she needs a wheel chair or any other device that would visibly indicate that she is less able.

Am I right in thinking that there was a time when chairs were permitted as I seem to remember using one many years ago?

We've been WDW regulars for over fifteen years, and portable seats have never been allowed. It's a safety hazard - imagine if everyone brought one and decided to sit on them in a queue, but then there was an evacuation? People would have to climb over all those chairs. They aren't even safe along a parade route - walking areas are so narrow once the parade starts, and an evacuation would be impossible if everyone had chairs.

 

[McKayla Pickwell]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I 1000% appreciate the safety issue of the folding chairs, I just thought that perhaps there was an alternative. I am sure you can understand our frustrations that we have to pay out for a wheelchair or ECV that I genuinely don't think will be used. Thank you anyway everyone for your advice, you have all been very helpful and it is much appreciated

 

[DisneyOma]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I 1000% appreciate the safety issue of the folding chairs, I just thought that perhaps there was an alternative. I am sure you can understand our frustrations that we have to pay out for a wheelchair or ECV that I genuinely don't think will be used. Thank you anyway everyone for your advice, you have all been very helpful and it is much appreciated

They tend not to run out of wheelchairs, so don't rent one until you need one? Or check with your local church/senior center, etc, they may have a rollator or wheelchair you can borrow for free.

 

[McKayla Pickwell]

They tend not to run out of wheelchairs, so don't rent one until you need one? Or check with your local church/senior center, etc, they may have a rollator or wheelchair you can borrow for free.

We are travelling from the UK so wouldn't bring one with us but thank you for letting me know they are unlikely to run out. I think it may be a case of letting her try to walk until she admits defeat lol. Why must Mums be so proud!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We are travelling from the UK so wouldn't bring one with us but thank you for letting me know they are unlikely to run out. I think it may be a case of letting her try to walk until she admits defeat lol. Why must Mums be so proud!

one thing that helped e this past summer was a fold cane. for the first time in a number of trips I was able to do almost the whole trip without wheelchair or ECV. helped me getting in and out of the boat rides. only ride I needed wheelchair was Haunted Mansion but only because line was very long. only ride I had to give up that I had hoped to do was Space Mountain as I can no longer get in or out of ride. to be clear cane did not have a seat but sure helped me with the walking and lines. I agree with the plan of letting her see how she does let her decide. bring with you the off site rental phone numbers in case you need. and I would look at off site as where you will most likely need is to and from transportation no matter which you use including car as park wheelchair can not go past gate to transportation and I have only seen parking lot chairs one time in all my trips and esp at MK no tram to handicapped parking

 

[bucky1023]

We are travelling from the UK so wouldn't bring one with us but thank you for letting me know they are unlikely to run out. I think it may be a case of letting her try to walk until she admits defeat lol. Why must Mums be so proud!

This is exactly what we had to do with my mom. She refused to get a chair or ECV (didn't want to look old) but once Disney started to remove more and more of their benches along the walkways and there weren't as many places for her to sit she agreed to give the ECV a try... and now there is no turing back. She likes the freedom of being able to go off on her own to see something or meet up with us (we usually stay at an Epcot resort so we go to parks early and she meets up with us when she wakes up). I ride on the scooter when she wants to stretch her legs and get some walking in so she has the best of both.

 

[nikkislaght]

You can use a cane with a seat attached, I have used them.. you will get CM saying that you cant. but if you check their own website it is one of the devices that is listed that you CAN use,

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/permitted-items/

Alcoholic beverages

• Any illegal substances

• Folding chairs, with the exception of cane-chair and seat-walker mobility aids

• Glass containers, with the exception of baby food containers, medicine or small perfume bottles (under 4 oz)

 

[SMD]

What if someone else pushed the rollator of wheelchair when not being used and she only sat in them when needed.

 

[mamabunny]

We have been to WDW multiple times so totally agree with you in terms of the sheer distances you can cover. I don't think there is any chance we are going to be able to convince her she needs a wheel chair or any other device that would visibly indicate that she is less able.

Please tell your Mum that at WDW, the use of a wheelchair, Rollator, or ECV is such a non-event that no one will even notice. Other than to perhaps compliment her on her lovely accent!

The chances that she will ever again see anyone from WDW (who sees her using a mobility device)? So small that she actually has a better chance of winning the lottery AND getting struck by lightning on the same day.

Tell Mum that it's a TOOL - just like eyeglasses are for eyes that don't see well, and hearing aids are for ears that don't hear well, calculators are for humans who don't do math well... wheels are for people who need them to move about. It's just a tool to be able to fully enjoy her vacation.

If I came all the way to WDW from your house, and then was unable to really enjoy myself, or fully participate with my family, I would be so sad and mortified. Oh wait. I used to be that person. Not anymore! I get on that ECV and I ride around like a princess, smiling and waving at everyone, and having a *blast*!

I hope your entire family has the most Magical trip you can!

 

[lanejudy]

Folding chairs are not allowed.

It is true that "cane seats" (a cane with a folding seat) is allowed for use in the parks as a mobility aid. Use as a stool/seat may not be allowed. I would not want to rely on that, just to be told by a CM that it must be folded, leaving my family member without a needed seat. So yes canes with folding seats are allowed into the parks but using the seat is at the discretion of CMs based on the situation at the time (crowds, etc.). Since they have tripod legs, they can be easily knocked off-balance even with a person seated, causing injury.

OP -- I recommend a rollator or wheelchair. She does not need to remain seated at all times. If she is seriously resistant to bringing anything like that with her, I'd plan to have the numbers for off-site rentals to contact if needed. Most times, a wheelchair will be available for rent in the parks, but consider the distance and effort of getting to/from the parks/transportation/resort as well.

Enjoy your vacation!