Arthritis in knee

[merbobear]

My mom has arthritis in one knee pretty bad. She also broke her leg in a car accident years ago (over 4 decades) and still gets pains in her leg where it broke. We are going to WDW in May for 9 days and I have mentioned to her that we might want to look into a wheel chair for her, because her knee swells if she walks any decent amount of distance and I am afraid it will get bad on day one and then ruin the trip for her! MIL also has had back problems (she is going too) and so I thought it might be a good idea just to rent a chair because between the 2 of them, we would use it I am sure.

So my questions are...
1-Is the easiest route to just rent direct from WDW? Has anyone rented a chair from another business? I am thinking of just a push wheel chair and not a motorized chair.
2- (this question might be a dumb one - but this is a new topic for me!) If we get a wheel chair, there is no need to get a Guest Assistance Card, right? I mean both moms can stand and can wait in lines fine, it's really just walking distances that will aggravate their conditions - so there is no benefit to having a GAC other than having alternate lines at some rides (for wheel chair access)? Again, sorry if that is a silly question, I just am trying to get some info so I know what to say the next time I bring the topic up to my mom!

Thanks!

 

[merbobear]

I should say - by 'benefit' I meant no benefit that would apply to them. I don't want to get a GAC if it's not a necessity for our moms, and I know it's not a 'front of the line pass!'

 

[Piper]

A GAC shouldn't be necessary. The only benefit I can see is if stairs are a problem. If so, then you may want to get one for that. Since WCs go in the same line as everyone else, you don't need a GAC for that.

I would definitely rent from an outside vendor. The WCs at WDW are awful! There is a list of vendors that people on here have used on a sticky at the top of the DisAbilities board.

 

[merbobear]

A GAC shouldn't be necessary. The only benefit I can see is if stairs are a problem. If so, then you may want to get one for that. Since WCs go in the same line as everyone else, you don't need a GAC for that.

I would definitely rent from an outside vendor. The WCs at WDW are awful! There is a list of vendors that people on here have used on a sticky at the top of the DisAbilities board.

Thank you for pointing that out, I didn't even think to ask if the WDW chairs were in good condition!

 

[txnana]

I, too, have knee problems from decades ago - too much volleyball in a young adult league!! I went with 17 friends and family a couple of years ago and loved having a scooter. I would never have been able to enjoy the trip without it. I could do as I pleased, ride the things I wanted and be completely independent (not so with a wheelchair). I am going with a friend this fall for food and wine festival and already have my scooter rental lined up. Please consider this for your mom so she has the independence to do everything she wants without hindering the trip of others she is with.