Broken foot advice Not DAS related

[auralia]

My 17 year old broke her foot 2 weeks ago. One of the fractures is displaced but they said surgery wont improve outcome and would require a large incision and could cause more damage than help. She will be out of her boot in mid October. We go for a mini trip thanksgiving week. We plan to do the Orlando informer meet up at universal Saturday, break Sunday (we were going to go to blizzard beach but with her foot so fresh from the break we don’t think this is a good idea), Hollywood nights Monday (kids preferred park going for short lines and evening park hours more than the party), and are now considering a day trip to MK on Tuesday to say good by to Tom sawyers island (I know it’s a MVMCP day, we are not interest in the party, but figure it will make for a lighter crowd day). We would just buy a one day military one park ticket for that day at 140$ and genie plus.

Staying at kadani in a Savannah view studio and will have my SUV. arriving Friday before thanksgiving check out Wednesday before thanksgiving.

So the question, we know she won’t be able to walk the amount needed for a Disney trip on her foot… she will be walking cast free by then, but it won’t be fully healed for 6 months. I am trying to decide between a wheel chair and a scooter. I’d need the scooter that we can put in the car for universal. I’m thinking the scooter/chair will be to get to a given area and then she could walk… park in tomorrow land walk to space, buzz, people mover, then use the chair/scooter to go to the next major area… same with universal park somewhere in a central location do the rides in that area then pick up chair/scooter and move on…

So what’s the better plan chair or scooter? Chair =no battery to give us issues, no technical drama, won’t have to wait for a bus and have a scooter to strap into it… could just fold chair and bring on like a stroller.

Thoughts, opinions? I know this isn’t a DAS qualifying thing as she can use a chair/scooter in line and lines likely won’t be an issue during the informer meet up or jollywood nights. I imagine it’s easier to navigate a line with a wheel chair than a scooter if she started hurting or am I wrong? She is still learning to drive a car, was just supposed to test before she broke her foot so she does know how to drive.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Dug720]

I'd check with the company you're thinking of renting from - I think most in Orlando prohibit operation by anyone under 18. If that's the case for all, your question is answered - wheelchair.

 

[lanejudy]

Wheelchair is likely the only option for a 17-yr-old. Disney as well as most of the rental companies will only rent ECVs for ages 18+. There used to be 1 vendor who would rent an ECV to older teens who used one regularly at home but didn’t travel with their personal device.

 

[auralia]

Wheelchair is likely the only option for a 17-yr-old. Disney as well as most of the rental companies will only rent ECVs for ages 18+. There used to be 1 vendor who would rent an ECV to older teens who used one regularly at home but didn’t travel with their personal device.

Don’t know why I thought it was 16 to operate them. Crazy you can drive a car but not an ecv

 

[lanejudy]

Don’t know why I thought it was 16 to operate them. Crazy you can drive a car but not an ecv

I think it’s 18 to enter a rental contract, which is a contract with the user. Anyone of any age can actually use an ECV in the park as long as they bring it with them.

 

[Belle1962]

Would something like this work for her? Not motorized so no age limit. She can push with her good foot/leg. She can sit when needed. I am sure someone must rent them (if not I think you can buy them for around $100)

 

[lanejudy]

Would something like this work for her? Not motorized so no age limit. She can push with her good foot/leg. She can sit when needed. I am sure someone must rent them (if not I think you can buy them for around $100)

Orlando Medical Rentals offers knee scooters (they call it knee-walkers).

 

[redberyl]

I've never drivena scooter at Disney or anywhere else, but I wouldn't want my first time driving one to be at Disney. I push my daughter in her wheelchair through the parks and it is a lot of mental work. People frequently walk out or come to a dead stop right in front of me, so I am constantly on alert making sure I don't run anybody over. I imagine it would be worse with a scooter. I feel like I miss out on a lot of the ambience of disney because I'm just constantly scanning for pedestrians. I imagine it would be very stressful to drive a scooter in disney, especially if yhe driver is inexperienced

 

[jo-jo]

Non medical person here, but I'd ask the dr about after the cast/boot, if maybe some kind of brace/elastic wrap might be useful to prevent any injury. Maybe wear during day, off at night....that type of thing.

I think the wheelchair would be good enough for your plans. Maybe even use it in some lines that are extra long like soaring. Give a chance to rest the foot.

Since she will be able to walk, you can push her in flatter, smoother areas and she could walk the hills. And if you have others in the party, well, don't keep the cardio workout to yourself, share the fun.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

She will be out of her boot in mid October

I'm a bit confused- She's in a "boot" until mid Oct. but you are doing a mini trip around T-giving

she will be walking cast free by then

won’t be fully healed for 6 months

Is she in a "walking Boot" or a cast?
If she will be allowed to walk without anything on it by T-giving - your concern is the amount of walking ?

Maybe consult your Ortho about what should be done. Perhaps she can wear the "boot" while at Disney and walk (sometimes assisted with crutches helps remove some weight bearing)

If she's able to weight bear and walk (per Dr.) maybe use a wheelchair between rides, park it and walk through the lines.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I would definitely get a knee walker. So much easier to deal with. I broke my foot and used one. It would be a good idea for now as well.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Duplicate

 

[auralia]

We have a knee scooter and crutches. I talked to the doctor who recommended either a scooter or wheel chair due to severity of break even though she will be out of the boot. He prefers the scooter idea just for her to have freedom, but from what I see that’s not an option. It’s the quantity of walking not the actual activity of walking.. It will be likely to be painful if she walked the amount required for a Disney trip and is likely to swell. 6 months before she can do water slides, jump, etc possibly more.

 

[pamlur1]

I broke my ankle in July, had the surgery and then was in rehab for nearly two months. I am a lot older than your daughter, but it still hurts and swells after walking just a little while. I am afraid she will be miserable if she has to put any kind of weight on it for very long at all.

 

[Genie+]

have a knee scooter and crutches. I talked to the doctor who recommended either a scooter or wheel chair due to severity of break even though she will be out of the boot. He prefers the scooter idea just for her to have freedom, but from what I see that’s not an option. It’s the quantity of walking not the actual activity of walking.. It will be likely to be painful if she walked the amount required for a Disney trip and is likely to swell. 6 months before she can do water slides, jump, etc possibly more.

We’ve rented ECV over a dozen times and my initial reaction to your question is that in your same position I’d let and trust my 17yo with the scooter. But after hearing the 18yo rule, that would be the problem. So I checked a few vendor sites in Orlando and found one that didn’t mention age, and asked the question (below- screenshot from chat).

They said it was okay and even gave me a 15% off code.

Cost is roughly $33/day before discount and they operate the same as most vendors. They can drop off and pickup at different locations, etc.

So the question becomes do you actually want a scooter. You’d either need to take it in/out of your SUV or use WDW transportation. There are lighter models that are easier to put in/out vehicles. The benefit to scooter is pushing a wheelchair around WDW is alot of extra work. You realize all the hills and valleys. WDW can already be physically exhausting and that nearly doubles it imho. The scooter is much easier in that regard.

As far as driving the ECV, it’s pretty straight forward. My MIL joined us and was nervous since it was her first time and her motor skills were declining. She did fine! No issues. Just took her time and was careful. They are not hard to drive, and for extra safety can turn the power way down and it won’t be able to exceed walking speed.

Hope everything works out whatever you choose.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Scooter King is okay with it, Might ask Disney (Vendor policy or also park policy)

 

[nalababybear]

Thank you family for serving our nation.

As people.mentioned already. knee scooter.

She can bear weight. Distance is the issue. Logistics matter on transport and queue management. She's 17.

Knee scooter checks all the boxes. Probably cheaper to buy on Amazon and ship to AKL then renting. Run the numbers.

Have fun!