Current crowd levels & wheelchairs

[zeke11]

I have a heart condition and tire easily. So we were going to rent a length of stay wheelchair.

Does anyone know if there are insane crowds at the wheelchair rental area at say, 9-10 AM? Or if they are running out of chairs by this time?

Also, yikes - navigating the crowds - are there wall to wall people or what?

THanks,
Kris

 

[Piper]

You may want to rent a chair from an off site company. You will be guaranteed to have it, it is less expensive and you'd have it around your hotel!

 

[toocherie]

I have a heart condition and tire easily. So we were going to rent a length of stay wheelchair.

Does anyone know if there are insane crowds at the wheelchair rental area at say, 9-10 AM? Or if they are running out of chairs by this time?

Also, yikes - navigating the crowds - are there wall to wall people or what?

THanks,
Kris

I agree-rent from off-site. Also, consider an ECV instead--there are lots of hills and such and it may get tiring for the person pushing the wheelchair.

That said, I believe there would be chairs at the parks in the 9-10 am. timeframe, but the walk from the parking/tram/shuttle area would be tiring too. Just take it slow in crowds, after fireworks or other event where people gather wait a while and let the crowds thin out before you leave.

 

[tekoa]

We have rented from Care Medical 3 times. They are great they deliver and pick up at the bell stand area of your resort. I would advise an off site company then you will not have to worry about getting in line every day to rent one at the parks.

 

[zeke11]

I know, I agree totally - I wanted to rent an ecv offsite, but my dh said no way. He doesn't want to hassle with it on and off the buses. He would rather we just pick up a wheelchair at the park each day.

Kris

 

[toocherie]

I know, I agree totally - I wanted to rent an ecv offsite, but my dh said no way. He doesn't want to hassle with it on and off the buses. He would rather we just pick up a wheelchair at the park each day.

Kris

A wheelchair is a lot easier to maneuver on the busses than an ECV--I would at least rent an offsite wheelchair. some of the resorts have wheelchairs that you can use for the length of your stay, but they are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

 

[zeke11]

Yeah, I agree, but my dh says no.

So that's the point of my original question! If I will be able to find a wheelchair to rent at the parks or not.

If it was totally my call, I'd rent an offsite ecv or at least an offsite wheelchair.

Kris

 

[RN4Babies]

I have a heart condition and tire easily. So we were going to rent a length of stay wheelchair.

Does anyone know if there are insane crowds at the wheelchair rental area at say, 9-10 AM? Or if they are running out of chairs by this time?

Also, yikes - navigating the crowds - are there wall to wall people or what?

THanks,
Kris

My SIL and BIL are at WDW this week; she has medical issues that affect her stamina, and they decided to rent at the park each day instead of doing a length of stay because her husband also didn't want to deal with a w/c or ecv on the buses/monorails.

They were at each park this week by 9:30am. Three mornings ALL w/c's and ECV's were all ready rented. The one morning they were able to rent a w/c, it took them 50 minutes at the rental station (waiting in line and then filling out the paperwork), and then another 55 minutes to return it at the end of the day (waiting in line and presenting their receipt, getting their deposit back). Doing a park on foot is not an option for her, so they ended up going back to their resort each time there wasn't one available and "hanging out". They've been in one park since their arrival on Sunday afternoon. They've spent a LOT of money to essentially spend every day at the pool.

Of note, the resort w/c's are NOT for use in the parks; they're for people who become ill or incapacitated suddenly at the resort, and are a temporary aide only.

I rented an ECV for our trip in February. The buses and monorails weren't a hassle at all, and it made it possible for me to fully enjoy our trip. We rented offsite; it was deilvered by the company (it was there waiting for me when we arrived), and they picked it up after we departed. I loved the independence an ECV gave me, instead of relying on someone to push me around.

Maybe you need to ask your dh if he'll be happy hanging out at your resort every day if a w/c isn't available at the park. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but he should be more considerate of your needs and limitations, even if it means it's a little less convenient to ride the WDW transportation. IMO, it's a LOT more inconvenient to rent a w/c or ecv at the parks; talk about a hassle.

 

[mechurchlady]

I rent an ECV sometimes from DLR and can tell you it is a pain in the neck.

Get into the park and then wait in line to rent the wheelchair, stroller, or ECV.
For wheelchair and ECV there is paperwork to fill out.
Then you have to pay for the item and keep that receipt to return for a refund.
Then you have to wait to get the item from another CM then off you go.l

If you are park hopping then you have to turn in the ECV and park hop except DLR which is special thankfully.

End of day I have receipts for food and stuff along with finding that magic bunch of paper to return to the cashier to get my money back. Nothing like pouring rain, cold weather, or aching joints to confuddle the brain to where you want to take a nap and not come out for a week. That is the worst part for me. Remember that you repeat this every day unless you can get length of stay for the item, not sure about that.

Renting offsite
you call them.
They meet you at your hotel or drop off the item.
You check the item out and call if there is a problem
End of trip leave the item in the hotel for pick up.
Receipts = 1
Way easier than on site renting.

 

[Windjammermay]

If you need a mobility device, get it. It is not your dh that will be hurting after the end of the day. Make the accomidations that you need and have a wounderful time.

I use an electric chair all the time, at home and around. I use a transit bus and a para bus to get places. It is much easier than you think to get around. I have over 4,000 miles on my chair and have gone on planes, trains, buses, rideing the roads and sidewalks. And Washington, DC's Metro

It is realy very easy to get on a bus with a ECV. You are loaded on your resort bus before the pedestrians get on. They will lower a lift, you ride right on it and you go up. Then you can manuver into a chair spot. They tie you down, thank goodness, and you are off.

I can get off and on a bus faster than most poeple. It is just that easy.

 

[Chuck S]

WE travel with our own manual wheelchair for Mom, who is ambulatory, but has had 3 surgeries on the same hip...and at 85, she just can't walk the parks anymore.

There really isn't a problem loading the chair onto the busses, as long as there aren't already 2 chairs or ECVs on the bus. Or you could fold the chair, keep it folded on the bus like a stroller. Just be sure your DH has a firm grip on it. A folded wheelchair can go flying and injure if the bus makes a sharp turn.

Last year we flew down, and didn't bring our chair. They had no problems or qualms with us using the complimentary resort wheelchairs in the parks. I asked at check-in. The wheelchair wasn't in the best shape, the metal was rusting some, and the seat webbing was worn, but it did roll well. Be aware that they do have very limited number of chairs available at the resorts, but you could check first, then call an offsite company to have one delivered the next day.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

.Does anyone know if there are insane crowds at the wheelchair rental area at say, 9-10 AM? Or if they are running out of chairs by this time?

Also, - are there wall to wall people or what?

THanks,
Kris

It all depends on the dates you go. I have in the past been in September when there have been plenty of chairs available, right through the day, and relatively few people.

I have also been there New Year's eve when you couldn't move.

And if your husband wants to push you all day, let him. I wouldn't do it, but your husband obviously has more stamina than me. - Disney parks are hillier than you think

You could always rent an ECV on your second day if your husband changes his mind!

Andrew

 

[blondietink]

WE have purchased two travel chairs, which are somewhat more compact than a regular wheelchair, for both of our disabled teens. They fold up easily and load on the buses easily. The cost for each was around $170.00. That being said, we had a cheap travel chair ($99.00) for a couple of years and the wheel broke off during our August trip. So, we had to rent a wheelchair for the rest of our trip at the parks. We got a multiple day rental, which was cheaper. We are also morning people. We had no trouble picking up a wheelchair at the parks in the morning. Just showed our multiple day ticket, got it stamped, and away we went. The trouble you could potentially run into is if you are not morning people, or if you park hop. If you park hop, you have to drop off your wheelchair at the park you are leaving, and pick up another wheelchair at your next park. This is where you could run into trouble if your next park is all out of wheelchairs. We didn't have a problem, because we were there during the 5 days of TS Fay. But, chasing after my son with Autism through the parking lots and up to the gate was an issue, and then him running ahead to the wheelchair rental station was anaother issue (he memorizes maps in his head so he knew where he was going). Anyway, I would strongly suggest you either buy a travel chair for your own use, which you can take on the plane, too, or rent a wheelchair fon off-site. Good luck.

 

[honugirl]

Go with off-site. If you choose to park hop (if you have that option) you may not be able to get a chair at the next park you go to.

 

[kathyfranklin]

I have a heart condition and tire easily. So we were going to rent a length of stay wheelchair.

Does anyone know if there are insane crowds at the wheelchair rental area at say, 9-10 AM? Or if they are running out of chairs by this time?

Also, yikes - navigating the crowds - are there wall to wall people or what?

THanks,
Kris

Kris - hope you have a wonderful time.

We were there this week, and the crowds were very high, making maneuving more challenging. Be sure to pack your patience, bring a touring plan and you will be fine. And, once Easter passes, I think the crowds will diminish. Also, since it was very cold on Tuesday and Wednesday no one was at the water parks so eveyone was funneled to the other four parks, pushing those parks to capacity. The weather did warm up, and once it did the crowds eased slightly.

I'd recommend that you get there before the park opens. You will be able to navigate much easier in the early hours with fewer people.

The buses have a wonderful lift, and special places for a chair or ECV. Baording is very easy. IMO, having one for length of stay will be the simplest thing to do. Otherwise, you'll be waiting in line every morning, and at the end of every day...