Can I do all the attractions and rides with a cast or boot?

[ArchOwl]

Thanks for your hints and tips, jdb in AZ. It was so nice of you to reply.

I pretty much had my mind made up to rent the ecv but DH is so against it that I am just going to stick to wearing the boot and toughing it out. If it turns out that I am holding others up getting in and out of rides, I will just go to the HC entrance and apparently just having the boot on is enough to clue in the CMs without having to get any special pass from what I have been reading. Then only thing I'm really worried about is the big steps coming out of indy. I can remember the going up ones and do those fine but I think there are steps down too?

He totally freaked when I said I was going to get it and use it just for getting to and from the parks and park it in the different lands. He is so concerned that it will be too crowded to manuever and he is probably right since we are going 1/2-1/5 and the crowds look to be massive. If I can't walk, then he will have to push me in a wheelchair which we here all know will be worse but he already hates DL (gasp!) and is just going for dd so I don't want to make it worse for everyone else. I also added an extra day so if we have to go slow, we won't feel too much pressure.

(I do plan on taking Deckerts phone number with me and if after the first day I need it, then I will order it and Deckerts said if they sell out, there are other companies in town.)

Only you know what you can do and what you would be most comfortable with. DL is a LOT of walking, though. So I hope you will do okay.

I know that you aren't supposed to need a GAC when you have a visible mobility aid, but in my experience, a GAC made my life a LOT better. I did half a day without it and was constantly explaining what I needed and CMs were always asking for my card. So I went ahead and got a GAC and things went much more smoothly. They are so trained to look for a wheelchair/ECV or a GAC that I think it throws them when you have a brace.

If you are going to try and walk it, here are things I would use the HC entrance for:

Indiana Jones: because it has stairs going up and down and they are lengthy. Go in the exit and you will be directed to an elevator, so much easier to navigate!

Jungle Cruise: I needed the extra time and help of the CMs to get in the boat. Talk about a steep step down! Using the handicapped line, I was able to do it, though.

Big Thunder: there are stairs going up and they are steeper than others. The HC entrance is through the exit and BTMRR doesn't have a big step down like so many others.

Space Mountain: there are stairs going up at the exit and they are also on a quick turnaround time. Meaning you need to board the train fast and it is hard to do with a giant brace. If you use the HC queue, you will board a train where you have lots of time to enter/exit. The exit area of Space Mountain has a HC queue. I would go early in the morning because the HC line builds quickly.

Nemo: those twisty stairs in and out of the sub are bad enough, but add a giant brace, no way! I would watch the alternate experience.

Splash Mountain: I think on this one you enter the regular queue and then right before the stairs you are diverted. But I haven't ridden this one while wearing a brace because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of removing the brace, etc. So someone else might be able to tell you the best way of dealing with this.

Autopia: ok, this was fun! If you can't use the stairs to go down into the loading area, they put you on the wheelchair elevator. I rode down to board. Just tell the CM you can't do stairs.

Pirates: this is a big step down into the boat. I was able to manage it without using the HC line, but your experience may vary. My hubby helped me get in and we didn't hold up the line much. If you think you need more time, perhaps use the HC line and let the CM know.

I was able to do the Fantasyland rides and Matterhorn just fine in the regular queue along with Roger Rabbit.

In DCA:

Toy Story: be sure to tell the ride operator you need to avoid stairs. You will use the mainstream line and when you are directed to a gate, make sure they know you can't do stairs. You are trying to avoid the stairs on the exit which go up and then down.

Screamin': i mainstreamed the line and before I went up the stairs, told the CM I needed to avoid stairs. They will direct you to the proper place. They also will give you tips on the best way to fit your brace in the car.

TOT: enter the mainstream line, but tell the CM inside that you need to avoid stairs, they should direct you to the right hand loading area.

GSS: this was not open when I had my brace. I am not sure it would have fit! Maybe someone else has an idea.

GRR: again, didn't ride the water ride with a brace, hopefully someone else can let you know the procedure.

I was able to ride Soarin' and Little Mermaid just fine. Also Flik's Flyers and Monster's Inc. I did need a little more time in Monster's Inc. to get the brace in right, but it wasn't a big deal.

I hope you are able to enjoy DL without much pain. Good luck and have fun!

 

[fidoprincess]

WOW Archowl, How can I thank you for typing up such a great list for me?! This is so good it should be a "sticky" on the board for people with temporary injuries like ours. I will print it out and memorize it! I can't believe I had forgotten all those steps on the various rides and have been to DL many times. I remember too that giant step on the jungle cruise now that you mention it and that would be really hard. I don't think I would be able to get out of the boat or up the sub steps, even with help. It's kind of funny that in my original post I was worried that the CM's wouldn't let me do things and now I see that I will be limited myself by what I can't do.

I should/WILL also listen to you and get the GAC. I'm trying to work out our schedule now and am thinking since we are staying at BWPPI on Sunday night so we can check in really early at DLH on Monday morning, we should do WOC that day. DL has early entry on Tue/Thu so I don't want to give up that time to get the WOC fastpasses and the girls love Toontown MM and I think that is Wed. I assume I can get the pass at CA? Do you know where to go there? Will it be also good for DL? Will one last all 4 days or do you have to go back each day? (That would be a drag!)

I know you might not have all these answers but thanks so much for the list! I guess I won't really know until I go and try some things. Heck, I'm not even sure I can walk from DLH through DTD to the park. I don't know what I was thinking booking this trip but I know dd will be in heaven and now even ds might come along too so they will have fun even if I am dragging. I wish I would have picked GCH now but dd's friend will have just come back from there and I thought DLH would be fun for the girls with the new room and pool. I remember it being SO FAR to the park! I think DH is just going to probably tell me get a ECV when we both realize I can't even walk through DTD. We'll see but I will be sure to report back and again, big thanks to you! I know that took some time to type up and I really appreciate it!

 

[ArchOwl]

WOW Archowl, How can I thank you for typing up such a great list for me?! This is so good it should be a "sticky" on the board for people with temporary injuries like ours. I will print it out and memorize it! I can't believe I had forgotten all those steps on the various rides and have been to DL many times. I remember too that giant step on the jungle cruise now that you mention it and that would be really hard. I don't think I would be able to get out of the boat or up the sub steps, even with help. It's kind of funny that in my original post I was worried that the CM's wouldn't let me do things and now I see that I will be limited myself by what I can't do.

I should/WILL also listen to you and get the GAC. I'm trying to work out our schedule now and am thinking since we are staying at BWPPI on Sunday night so we can check in really early at DLH on Monday morning, we should do WOC that day. DL has early entry on Tue/Thu so I don't want to give up that time to get the WOC fastpasses and the girls love Toontown MM and I think that is Wed. I assume I can get the pass at CA? Do you know where to go there? Will it be also good for DL? Will one last all 4 days or do you have to go back each day? (That would be a drag!)

I know you might not have all these answers but thanks so much for the list! I guess I won't really know until I go and try some things. Heck, I'm not even sure I can walk from DLH through DTD to the park. I don't know what I was thinking booking this trip but I know dd will be in heaven and now even ds might come along too so they will have fun even if I am dragging. I wish I would have picked GCH now but dd's friend will have just come back from there and I thought DLH would be fun for the girls with the new room and pool. I remember it being SO FAR to the park! I think DH is just going to probably tell me get a ECV when we both realize I can't even walk through DTD. We'll see but I will be sure to report back and again, big thanks to you! I know that took some time to type up and I really appreciate it!

Oh no problem, I understand that half the stress sometimes of a temporary disability is not knowing how things work. Hopefully this eases your mind somewhat.

You can obtain the GAC at either park, in DCA it is in a weird location now because of the construction. Basically you go in the front gates and everyone has to make an immediate right. A walkway goes all the way past the back of the Soarin' building. About halfway down this walkway you will see a temporary trailer-like building on your left. This is the temporary Guest Services. You can apply for a GAC there and they will ask how many days you are staying. It will be valid for those dates and for both parks. Just be sure to explain exactly what you need, including the stair issue.

I know you will have a great time. Just be flexible and don't push yourself too hard. I have done that before and paid the price the next day. Much better to save some stamina even if you have to suck it up and use the ECV.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thank you again ArchOwl!

I am still leaning toward getting the ecv if only just for going back and forth to the hotel and park. I don't think DH really understands since I still manage to do lots of things. They just don't include walking or steps-lol.

Even under the best conditions, DL is exhausting for most of us so I am keeping an open mind but your list will help so much, as will the reminder not to push too hard one day and be out of commission the next. It does make me wonder though if it would be safe to let the 2 12 year old girls do rides without me but that's another whole different issue to think about. I would never have even considered it before.

Thanks too for the directions to the guest services! That would have been tricky to find without help. I am getting a general plan down and will make some dining reservations tomorrow. I really want my ds to come along but he is still on the fence so not sure what to think about that. He is 16 and not that into DL so that's a bummer too. I go back and forth between hopeful he will come, to excited for dd's big surprise and then apprehensive about how I will do it! Good thing I have lots of wrapping to keep my mind off of things.

Thanks, many, many thanks again for all of your help!