Can we rent a self-propelling wheelchair at WDW?

[triplejen]

Or only the kind that requires another person to stand behind the chair and push (a transport chair)?

We're going there at the end of August and will be renting a wheelchair for my mom, but she prefers the kind where she has the flexibility to control the chair herself.

I'm not looking for an electric wheelchair -- just the kind with the large back wheels that can be reached/pushed by the chair's occupant.

Thanks for your help!

-Jen

 

[clanmcculloch]

Does she have much experience with this type of chair? Does she realize just how far you'll be going each day? Does she know how exhausted she'll be and most likely how sore she'll be? Have her give this a try at a mall one day. Keep in mind that a mall is likely a fraction of the size of a WDW park and she'll only be at the mall one day as opposed to the duration of your trip.

Now to your question. I believe that the wheelchairs for rent at the parks are the kinds that need to be pushed.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I'm not looking for an electric wheelchair -- just the kind with the large back wheels that can be reached/pushed by the chair's occupant.-Jen

Does she realize just how far you'll be going each day?
I believe that the wheelchairs for rent at the parks are the kinds that need to be pushed.

Remember also there are manual chairs and manual chairs.

The first manual chair i was given was a hospital clunker. Big wheels at the back so I could push myself along but made of steel and weighed a ton. Like pushing myself uphill through soft sand all the time.

Eventually I caved in and bought my own. Aluminium frame, not steel so half the weight. Back wheels further forward so most of your weight is over the back wheels, so much much easier to push yourself along. Chair measured to fit me so not riding along with arms reaching out like a babboon. Even with this lightweight chair, once around world showcase lagoon was too much.

I'm saving up for a titanium framed chair

Now guess which type they rent at Disney --- clunkers!

And unlike malls, Disney has hills. Not so steep a person walking would notice ...but pushing yourself along in a wheelchair!!

Convince her to rent an ECV. I guarantee that if she rents a manual first day, she will rent an ECV for the rest of her trip.

Andrew

 

[triplejen]

Thank you both.

My mom's a retired special education teacher, and has had fairly regular experience with a variety of wheelchairs. That said, she hasn't been the one INSIDE the chair for quite some time, so I think your advice about the difficulty in using one of these, especially on hills, is very helpful.

I will discuss this with her. Buying a chair locally and bringing it with us is also an option (so I appreciate the information about wheel position making a big difference).

Thanks again for the help!

-Jen

 

[Mary976]

Another concern with the "clunker" chairs is that the position of the arm rests usually makes it harder to push them yourself. DD's chair has no arm rests, which helps her reach the wheels while keeping her arms in a natural position. I had a rental chair one time when I had a broken leg, so I could get around at the office. I was EXHAUSTED at the end of the first day, and we're talking about just wheeling from desk to copier and the like. Not only did my arms start feeling like they were going to give out, but the arm rests rubbed on them in a painful way. DD can make it okay at the parks (with some occasional help from me) but that's because she has a custom chair and uses it on a daily basis. I don't think I would make it farther than Main Street in the MK if I had to push myself. I think the previous suggestion about trying it out at the mall is a great idea in terms of practice and getting an idea of what WDW will be like.

That being said, I hope you guys find something that works for you and you have a wonderful time!
Mary

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would also suggest the rental of an ECV. Most people at Disney tend to walk about 8-12 miles per day. Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade in Epcot is over 1¼ miles and there are hills. ECVs can be rented from Disney (currently $45 per day plus a $20 refundable key deposit) or much better ones can be rented at a lower price from offsite.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #2 deals extensively with mobility problems.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.