Broken Foot.. TRIP IN ONE WEEK!!!

[XmasVacation]

Hey everyone, it is my first time posting here. I am 21 and go to college in PA. Next week starts my xmas vacation (winter break to be politically correct) and I will be traveling with my family to Walt Disney World. We went last year for xmas and it was amazing. The only downfall was that I actually got a cold the second or third day (2 days after xmas) and was miserable. I went to Canada for dinner one night and could not even enjoy the steak or cheese soup! This year I told myself I was going to take a huge amount of vitamins and keep myself healthy so I can enjoy the entire vacation.

Well, that was until 2 nights ago, when running up and down the stairs in my house, I rolled my ankle and broke my foot. Now with finals coming up, and a trip to my favorite place in the world, I am forced to adjust my style of living. My view of it is this: I would much rather be in the position I am now than the one I was in last year. At least a broken foot will not keep me from enjoying the amazing food Disney has to offer.

So, clearly we have to slightly change our vacation. Has anyone ever taken on WDW with a broken foot? My dad has already began calling Disney inquiring about a wheel chair or ECV. I do not mind getting a regular wheel chair, as I see it as exercise (pushing myself), and want to stay moderately active given the circumstances. To better help you answer the question, I will provide you with some details and maybe you can help me work around these or provide some advice.

Dec. 24th: Arriving at Disney's Coronado Springs, Dinner @ Maya Grille, Coronado Springs
Dec. 25th: Magic Kingdom, Cape May for Dinner, hang out at Boardwalk
Dec. 26th: EPCOT, and go see the Floridian Xmas Displays
Dec. 28th: Animal Kingdom, Dinner at BOMA at Animal Kingdom Hotel. (My favorite)
Dec. 29th: EPCOT or Downtown Disney, Dinner @ Canada
Dec. 30th: Magic Kingdom, Dinner @ The Wave @ The COntemporary
Dec. 31st: Downtown Disney or Magic Kingdom, Dinner @ Whispering Canyon
Jan 1st: Leave Disney

Now, allow me to tell you a little about myself. I will not let a broken toe get me down, so canceling the trip is out of the question. I am in Disney World, the happiest place on Earth. Last year, being sick, was a different story. Also, while I am impartial toward being seen on an ECV or wheelchair, I understand this is what needs to happen to enjoy Disney. I also enjoy all of the rides and shows at Disney. My question is, will I be able to go on all of the rides and see all of the shows? If I am told I cannot go on Rock-N-Roller coaster or Tower of Terror I will lose it

For anyone who has been in my position, please let me know how you worked around it, and if you were any type of inconvenience to your family. Thank you all, have a Merry X-mas and I look forward to hearing from all of you!

 

[XmasVacation]

anyone?

 

[SueM in MN]

Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
Post #2 of that thread has information about renting wheelchairs and ECVs.
You could rent in the parks, but there is no guarantee they will have any ECVs when you arrive. They don't usually run out of wheelchairs, but can when the parks are really busy. For that reason, the off-site rental companies are probably your best option.
There is a list with contact information in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
The wheelchairs you can rent in the parks and from the off-site companies are really set up to push, rather than self propel. So, I would count on being pushed quite a bit if you do get a wheelchair.

You could also check into renting a wheelchair from your home area and bringing it with you to WDW. Wheelchairs are transported by the plane without charge. THere is more information in post 15 of the disABILITIES FAQs about air travel.

The buses, the monorails and most boats are wheelchair and ECV accessible. You can find out more about getting around in WDW with those types of transportation in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in post # 4 (buses) and post # 8 (everything else).

Since you can walk/hobble, there will be nothing that you can't ride. You may just be getting on in an accessible spot if the regular line is not accessible. They will not prevent you from going on any attractions because of a broken foot/toe. If you had a long leg cast and could not bend your knee, there might be some ride cars that you would not fit in, but with a broken foot, you should not run into any problems.

Most attractions have Mainstream Lines, which means that the line is accessible to wheelchairs and ECVs through the regular line. Post # 11 of the FAQs thread has basic accessibility information for each park.
AK and the Studio were built with almost all Mainstream Lines. Since MK and Epcot are older, they do have some attractions that were not able to be mainstreamed. When you enter the park, you can pick up an accessibility park map that tells where the 'mobility' entrances are. In most cases, it does say to "Enter through the regular queue." If you want to shorten your wait in line, you should get Fastpasses.

For getting on and off attractions, if you can stand securely, you may not need a hand from someone else in your party, especially when you are stepping down into ride boats/cars. CMs are not allowed to physically assist, but can move the wheelchair out of the way once you are out.

If you do decide to rent an ECV, you may also want to look at posts 18-20 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread because there are some attractions which are wheelchair accessible, but the queue is not ECV accessible. In that case, they should have a wheelchair at the attraction that you can use in the line.

 

[Eeyore5]

Must be a quite day on the board since no one has replied. I was a wheelchair sports athlete as a teen and would have found it difficult to push myself in a wheelchair at Disney. It is also tiring for others to push you. You will be much better off with an ECV. They are a bit of a challenge to use so I would suggest practicing at your local mall if you have time. The rental company ones are easier to use then the mall ones. Make sure you get one from an off site company. That way you are guarantee one. The Disney owned ones can't be taken out of the park they are in (ie Epcot one can't go to MK). There is a lot of walking just to get to the parks. The buses can be a challenge. Let the bus driver (or boat or monorail cast members) know you are new to using an ECV, and they will help you. The boat and monorail are easier to use. Import thing is to turn your speed way down when loading. I would call now to reserve one since the demand might be higher over Christmas. Check out the FAQ post for lots of good advice. Most rides have a mainstream lines which means you will be in the regular line - sometimes splitting off to a separate line towards the end. Some lines are not accessible for ECVs but they have loaner wheelchairs for most of those lines. Are you on crutches? If so, ask if the ECV can have a holder for them so you have them if needed. You should be able to do anything you want unless your dr has advised you to avoid any certain activities.

I think Sue and I were typing at the same time

 

[Eeyore5]

I would also add that if you are in a cast and planning to go on water rides (ie splash mountain) you might want to bring a waterproof cast cover. Pharmacies sell them. If you don't already have one, they are also great for keeping your cast dry when bathing.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

In one place you say you broke your foot and another you say you broke a toe? I just want to confirm which it is. What sort of cast do you have? The limitations for getting on rides with something like a broken foot are based on your mobility. If you can get yourself in and out without hurting yourself or someone else (and a cast member cannot help you with the getting in and out part), then Disney is pretty comfortable with people doing what they want. The rides where you might have issues in terms of Disney not allowing it are rides where your legs hang, such as Soarin'.

I would strongly suggest an ECV rather than a wheelchair. While pushing yourself in a wheelchair may sound like "moderate exercise" to you, it's pretty hard to do especially in a rental wheelchair. I'm pretty close to being a full-time manual wheelchair user (I'm 26 and have used a wheelchair since I was 20) and I can barely push myself a few feet in a rental wheelchair. Rental wheelchairs can be 50lbs so imaging moving your entire bodyweight plus 50 more pounds by your arms which won't be used to that motion or weight. They're also one-size-fits-all so it could be huge compared to your body and you could have difficulty reaching the wheels. If you get a wheelchair, you'd need to have people willing to push. An ECV will likely give you more freedom to go where you want. You can also when renting an ECV from an offsite vendor (which I would suggest, although you need to reserve it now since Christmas is so busy) and get a crutch holder. That way if you feel like parking the ECV and using your crutches in some places, you can.

One thing to note is that with the crowds at Christmas time in WDW, using either a manual wheelchair or an ECV requires a large amount of vigilance. People will not see you since you're not at eye-height and walk in front of you or over you and you need to be able to stop on a dime (which is difficult in both an ECV and a manual wheelchair, although for different reasons). I don't want to discourage you, but I want you to have realistic views of WDW using a mobility aid.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

As previous posters have asked, since this a broken toe, what, if any, type of cast do you have? Is it going to be a walking-type cast or are you strickly on crutches?

Good luck on your final exams. Hope you have a great trip. At least, you don't have a cold.

 

[XmasVacation]

Hey all,

Thank you for the replies. as of now it is a soft cast going up to my mid-shin. The soft cast is wrapped with an ace bandage. Tomorrow I go to an orthopedic to have it looked at more indepth. it is a broken FOOT, a Jones Fracture to be more precise. It seems as if I will be stuck in an ECV. As long as I can go on rides I will be happy. I would have no problem getting in and out of rides as I have gotten used to hobbling or using crutches as well.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would strongly suggest not only renting an ECV from off-site, but pay the extra fee (about $10-$20) to have a crutch holder attached to the ECV. That way if you need to get off it for any of several reasons you will have your crutches immediately available.

In addition, you might want to talk to the person who will be removing the cast. Have a line drawn on the cast where it will be cut for removal. Then bring along some "Sharpies" and have the characters autograph the cast, asking them to make sure their signature does not directly cross the line.

Once the cast is removed and fully dried out, you will then have a very unusual souvenir of the trip.

 

[jlw29]

Been there, did that for this summer. I would recommend (HIGHLY) renting a scooter from an offsite place. And bring 2 bungee cords with you in case they don't have or forget to put on the crutch holder. You can hook one to the arm rests and one to the bottom of the seat (the metal parts) and have your crutches behind you with the tips sticking up. That worked well for me.

As for rides, there shouldn't be anything you can't go on. While CMs won't help you on or off, they will take your crutches from you once you are on the ride and have them waiting for you at the end of the ride. A few queues don't allow ECVs. Take the wheelchair they offer! I tried using the crutches only for those lines and it was very awkward. Too many people bump into you and you're already unstable on the crutches.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[JudithM]

Sorry about your broken foot, but you seem to have a positive outlook for your upcoming WDW trip - good for you! I agree with the other posters who recommend renting a scooter from an off site company. That way you will have it with you at all times - resorts, parks, Downtown Disney, etc. plus no one will have to push you around in a wheelchair.

I personally recommend Walker Mobility. I have rented from them about twice a year for almost a decade. They will deliver (and pick-up) directly to your resort. Their prices sure beat renting a scooter at a WDW park.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I don't have any real advice, just a

 

[#17 Cherry Tree Lane]

I went to WDW this summer with a broken right foot for 9 days. We rented a wheelchair from off site and my husband pushed me the entire time. It was actually a pretty painless experience. Please feel free to message me with any questions you might have! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[caitbrianna]

Rent the scooter! I just came back with a broken foot. The scooter is much easier to manuever than a wheelchair at WDW. I agree with bringing bungees to tie on your crutches. I am actually using a walker and we were able to attach it to the back of the scooter. Also, there are a lot of family/companion restrooms so look out for those since you can drive the scooter right in.

 

[jham]

Thanks for starting the thread, I hope you have a great trip. Report back when you get home! I just fractured my right foot and sprained my left ankle with a little over a month before my trip. I will have to have surgery on my foot in the next week or two and the info everyone has contributed has been very helpful! I will be traveling with DS8 and meeting up with friends so it sounds like wheelchair rental may not be the best idea. But nothing is going to stop me from going to Disneyworld!

 

[caitbrianna]

Jham - it is definetely worth going on the trip. 99.9% of the people there were helpful. You will still be able to enjoy your time. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask me.