Crowd size affect wheelchair/scooter use

[Mrsdennison]

We are thinking of a Disney trip for next Christmas. My mom would need to use a scooter or powerchair. She has really bad knees and back problems. She could walk some but after about an 30 minutes she would need some assistance.

I know crowd levels are at the highest. How does this affect her use of a scooter? Will she be able to maneuver around? Would it be easier if we pushed her, in a wheel chair.

Mrsdennison

 

[bobaloo000]

We are thinking of a Disney trip for next Christmas. My mom would need to use a scooter or powerchair. She has really bad knees and back problems. She could walk some but after about an 30 minutes she would need some assistance.

I know crowd levels are at the highest. How does this affect her use of a scooter? Will she be able to maneuver around? Would it be easier if we pushed her, in a wheel chair.

Mrsdennison

Very timely post for me. My Mom informed us today that she wants to join us when we visit the parks between Christmas and New Years. She's 73 and has had two strokes so she needs a scooter or a wheelchair. I'm very interested in what other people have to say in response to your question.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm sure the wheeled folk will be around soon but I'll offer this for now.

Crowds will likely effect you. There's simply more people around so you'll probably experience that it could be harder to manuver an ECV particularly. Things would be even worse if whoever you're traveling with has never used an ECV before. That being said, a manual wheelchair can be exhausting to use for the person in it and for the people pushing it. If you don't have a few people that can switch in and out pushing, you may find it too difficult to do on your own.

 

[peemagg]

With the ECV she would have freedom to scoot around where she wants to go, but with it being the busiest time of the year she will have to be extra vigalant and watch out for others. I'm not going to lie, sometimes the scooter is more tiring than walking due to the fact that you have to be constantly aware of what everyone is doing all around you all the time. It is a mental drain.

A wheelchair takes away her freedom to go where she wants and if the person pushing it isn't watching everyone all the time around her, it could be just as bad if not worse than a scooter, since she would be helpless to do anything to stop an accident from happening.

If your mother has the reflexes to handle the crowds, then I vote ECV. If not than a wheelchair might be the better option. Remember that ECV's have no real brake system and can't stop immediatly. All you can do is let up on the throttle and hope it stops in time. The faster she is going, the longer it will take to stop.

 

[Schmeck]

The larger crowds mean more guests using ECVs and wheelchairs as well, so expect much longer waits at the attractions for accessible vehicles, and to get on Disney transportation.

 

[Mrsdennison]

Thanks for the responses. It is something that we will have to think about and discuss more in the coming year as our trip is next Christmas. Glad I thought of it now, so we have time to look at our options.

She has used a scooter before. She used one on another vacation too. There will be lots of us, so we could definitely take turns pushing. At least we have options to consider. Thanks again.

Mrsdennison

 

[SueM in MN]

I've got a couple of other things to add.
First, most of the rental companies will not rent a power wheelchair to someone unless they are experienced in using one. They look very easy to use, but I can tell you from experience driving my DD's power wheelchair that it is much harder than it looks. It takes more practice than an ECV since a single joystick controls speed, direction, turns and whether you are going forward or reverse.

The crowds will be very busy at that time. I have been to WDW 3 times for the time between Christmas and New Years (and also at Easter, which is very busy). On a busy days, it literally is not possible to stretch out your arm without hitting someone. On the very busiest days, it's possible to have people within about 15 inches of you on all sides. THat can make it very difficult to drive an ECV since you can't see where you are going and have little time and space to react.

 

[pampam]

Do you or those travelling with you have experience pushing a WC?

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

we just came home on saturday after using an ECV at the parks as i am disabled, can harly walk due to a skydiving accident.

MK wasn't a problem with crowds but Epcot was a horrific experience as the crowds were enormous probably due to the increase in folks due to the candellight processional.

it was nearly impossible for me to navigate my scooter around epcot so i just parked to the side and my family went on rides. every now and then i would go in to a store but found that to be cumbersome too as there were so many people in the stores.

i would not suggest going during peak times when needing to use a scooter as it is so hard to make your way thru the crowds on a scooter as people will literally walk in front of you and then yell at you to watch out. i would find a lesser crowd timeframe to go to the parks if i were you, for the sake of your mom on the scooter.