DAS pass for arthritis mobility issues – Wheelchair/ECV rental completely outside of our budget

[moanaofmotunui]

This will be the first time my grandfather will be coming with us in 20 years and he has very bad arthritis in both knees, which means he struggles with his movements and he isn’t as steady on his feet as he used to be so the moving walkways may be an issue for some rides and he won’t be able to walk long distances or stand in line for long periods of time now that Fastpass+ isn’t currently available but after doing some reading on here am I correct in understanding that he WON’T qualify for DAS over this? That’s seems odd to me and the type of issues I thought they were designed for?

This is something we’ve never had to deal with before as it’s usually just the three of us but since my grandma died last June we’ve decided to invite him along for this trip so that he wouldn’t be alone for the whole month we’re away (17th Oct - 14th Nov). Having heard about the DAS programme before but never really taking much notice of it because it wasn’t required for us I thought for sure it would cover issues like this but now I’m not so sure after doing some investigating on this subforum. There’s absolutely no way at all we can afford the additional cost of hiring a wheelchair or ECV inside or outside of the parks for an entire month because that just isn’t in our budget and his pride would likely stop him from using it anyway. I guess what I’m trying to find out is if there’s even any point wasting time at Guest Services that first day trying to acquire this pass for him if we’re likely just going to be embarrassed and turned away and told to hire a wheelchair/ECV instead, which we can’t afford to do? Seems unfair that his enjoyment of the parks with us should have to suffer over this with us having to find somewhere shady for him to sit instead for longer waits and him have miss out on things because of it.

Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lpereira]

The question of DAS eligibility aside. He isn't going to make it 1 week much less one month without a mobility device of some sort. That DAS isnt going to solve your problem. You can buy a wheelchair cheap used. Or use a rolling walker with a built in seat. That way he can sit as needed
To the DAS question: mobility as your sole issue isn't granted a DAS as the lines are wheelchair accessible. Although mobility needs will not prevent the DAS if other needs are present.

 

[daisy2013]

Is he able to walk 5-6 miles each day? Even outside of waiting on line, simply walking to the rides can be a long walk. Some lines are a 1/4 mile long. And then there is getting from the parking lot to the park. World showcase is about a mile around not counting detours into the countries. The DAS does not shorten distances. If he cannot walk long distances a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or ecv is really your only option. If money is an issue, consider if he could qualify for one through insurance or see if there is a local lions club or other similar organization that has loaners.
And I wouldn’t count on being able to find seating around the park. It has becoming increasingly more limited through the years

 

[jo-jo]

You can buy a wheelchair for a under $200. Aside from the wait times in lines, you'll have the wheelchair for getting to and from the parks.

Also the thought of finding of bench for him is going to be tough. Not many benches left . The spots to sit are more like sitting on a wall somewhere. Perhaps too low for him to sit.

My DH, who uses a cane or rollator at home, would never make it at disney without a wheel chair even if he never went on a single ride or show.

Just curious, will you just be away or AT disney for a month?

 

[lanejudy]

What do you envision your grandfather needing as “disability assistance?” The DAS does 1 thing - allows the user (and party) to wait somewhere other than the attraction queue. It does not provide for a place to do that waiting, a seat while waiting, or shorten distances; it doesn’t help with waiting for dining or transportation. It really sounds like your grandfather may have trouble just getting to the park entrance. Keep in mind that at this time there are no parking lot trams if you are driving, and folks have reported some long waits for resort buses due to limited capacity.

For a month-long visit, can you cut back a few just 2-3 TS meals and eat at your resort room or rental? That would cover a wheelchair, which you can buy at home to bring (it goes free if flying). Or pack-in lunches a few days. An ECV will cost more but with that long a stay you may be able to negotiate a lower price for the month instead of summing up the cost of 4 weekly rentals.

 

[gap2368]

I do not think a DAS would help even if you got one. A mobility device would work for his need

 

[SG131]

I agree with what everyone else is saying. Technically this doesn't qualify for a DAS, but it really wouldn't help in this case anyway. My mother has trouble with her knees as well. She was also stubborn. When we were there in Feb 2020, we went to the park for 3 hours the first night, took it incredibly slow, but it still involved walking a few miles because the parks are so big. We got back to the room and she immediately agreed to allow me to book her a scooter for the next day. There's just no way she could make it through the parks without it. If he isn't willing to use a mobility device, he will likely spend the majority of the month in the room.

 

[Selket]

I often travel with people who get a DAS and I know from experience that it would do next to nothing to help me cope with my badly arthritic knees. I cannot stress this strongly enough that the distances to travel to and from the park plus inside the park to and from attractions is too much. Especially in large parks like Epcot. He will have already walked a long distance just to get inside the park (plus standing in line for the bus or monorail lines or walking from the parking lot).

I agree that for an entire month perhaps look into purchasing a wheelchair. You could travel with it from your home - perhaps find one locally that is used? One you could borrow? If your grandfather's pride would prevent him from using a mobility device but his knees are as bad as mine then.... well.... I'd be stuck in the room honestly because my knees would be too painful to walk on except very short distances for self care, etc. I would be concerned he could end up not even being able to get to the restroom, etc. after a few park days. At home I don't use a mobility device and can shop for groceries, etc. but that amount of walking is nothing like you do in the parks, rides lines not included.

Another (less good) option is buying a rollator (I think under $100 depending on type) that allows him to push it and to sit - but you cannot push him seated on it. If you bought/rented a wheelchair then he could also use it to push so he is more steady and sit when needed and you push him. If you are not staying in one place or at Disney the whole month then having your own device would be optimal.

I'll edit to say that I use an ECV in the parks - I love the freedom to go everywhere whenever I want. But I can also park it and go inside shops, etc. or walk more when I used to be able to do that. Remember that if you can also park the device in the parks (usually near any stroller parking areas - ask a CM) and he could use it all or part of the day.

 

[Evita_W]

You might be surprised what kind of deal you could get for a month from an outside company. I would suggest calling them and asking rather than using online forms.

I would especially recommend Gold Mobility, the longer the trip, the cheaper per day they tend to work out being.

Just call and explain the situation, most companies will find a way to work with you if they can.

Honestly, a month without one is going to be hard to impossible and I would strongly recommend a scooter for that length of time over a wheelchair. It would get hard for someone in your group to push a manual chair every day.

 

[Jmljasmine]

There is some info here missing that if OP family is like mine would be useful and admittedly I'd like to know since my mom's feet and knees are worsening.

Can someone explain how the walker or wheelchair helps with the moving walkways on those lines?

Also, my mom (and me I think it's genetic) have significantly worse pain with standing then with walking. Walking several miles wouldn't be a problem for mom but standing in one spot for 5 min or even less is. Any advice for that?

 

[joanchris]

My dad is joining us (he moved in with us since our last trip, joining so he won't be alone for a week) on our no parks camping trip this month. He looked into renting an ECV for the week, prices ranged from $180-300. Then we looked into how much to purchase a compact one. He could have gotten one for as little as $600, but ended up picking one that was $800.
I wasn't sure he'd be on board with using one, so we checked out a local place that sells them, he got to get on one and check it out. I think he really liked it, could see the possibility of being able to do more. Without it I was afraid he would just choose to stay at the campground all day instead of joining us at Disney springs, or wherever else we decide to go.

 

[lpereira]

There is some info here missing that if OP family is like mine would be useful and admittedly I'd like to know since my mom's feet and knees are worsening.

Can someone explain how the walker or wheelchair helps with the moving walkways on those lines?

Also, my mom (and me I think it's genetic) have significantly worse pain with standing then with walking. Walking several miles wouldn't be a problem for mom but standing in one spot for 5 min or even less is. Any advice for that?

Moving walkways neither a DAS nor a mobility device helps with. You just have the cast member stop or slow the walkway down. Peter Pan is a problem due to its age but it can be done.
DAS or no DAS there are plenty of times when you will be standing for 5 minutes. My 70 year old mother is a geriatric cyborg. From her ankle to her hip on one leg is metal. She also has arthritis. She uses a rolling walker with a seat in the parks. Particularly when in lines. Even short ones

 

[daisy2013]

There is some info here missing that if OP family is like mine would be useful and admittedly I'd like to know since my mom's feet and knees are worsening.

Can someone explain how the walker or wheelchair helps with the moving walkways on those lines?

Also, my mom (and me I think it's genetic) have significantly worse pain with standing then with walking. Walking several miles wouldn't be a problem for mom but standing in one spot for 5 min or even less is. Any advice for that?

The walker wouldn’t really help on moving walkways. You can ask for most of them to be slowed or even stopped - Peter Pan is an exception.
The OP said her grandfather could not walk long distances, was unsteady on his feet and had trouble standing. All of these concerns can be mitigated through the use of an appropriate mobility device such as an ECV, wheelchair and perhaps rollator.
As for not able to stand in one spot - don't. walk around the lines. IF you are going with some people, ask them to help provide a buffer between you and other groups so you can move around. Although I have not been to WDW since covid, my understanding is that they are spacing groups out in lines so you have some breathing room so to speak, that you can use.

 

[Groot]

It really sounds like your grandfather may have trouble just getting to the park entrance. Keep in mind that at this time there are no parking lot trams if you are driving, and folks have reported some long waits for resort buses due to limited capacity.

Not to mention the distance that he’ll have to walk in MCO/your originating airport if you’re flying and he doesn’t want to sit in a manual wheelchair there either.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

Agree with the above, and also it's worth mentioning that a mobility device isn't anything to be ashamed or self-conscious about. It's a tool to help your family have a great time at Disney!

If personal pride is an issue here, might I suggest what we've done with my dad? He's VERY independent, fit and strong, but mobility challenges were limiting the amount of time he could spend in the park on our last visit. I suggested we rent a wheelchair to use *just for a few hours* so he could have a seated viewing spot for a parade. Turns out, after he realized using a mobility device is no big deal (not to mention makes everything more pleasant!) we didn't have to talk him into it any more.

Best of luck to you and your family!

 

[tobikaye]

Also, my mom (and me I think it's genetic) have significantly worse pain with standing then with walking. Walking several miles wouldn't be a problem for mom but standing in one spot for 5 min or even less is. Any advice for that?

This was my mom for a number of years. She used a rollator for handling life in general for places where she would need to stand in place for more than a couple of minutes. She was fine walking all day, but at her pace and needed to either move around or sit if in one place for more than 2 minutes. Going to the mall to shop was fine, until she either needed to stand in place to look through a rack of clothes or stand in line for check out. Once she started using a rollator, she was golden. She would be able to sit for those short waits and not hurt her back. Plus, she could relieve pressure on her back and shoulders by not carrying items and placing them on her rollator instead.

Having done DAS trips with my sister, I know that just having a DAS would not have helped my mom without the rollator. She would still have had to stand in line waiting to board and I have rarely found the FP line to be a straight walk through and board without some kind of wait in place for a few minutes, or super slow walking which my mom had trouble with. Plus there were the times when the return time for a DAS would have been within 10 minutes and it would have been too complicated to just walk around for that time, but there were no chairs/benches/walls to sit. Looking at you AK.! That park is one that is so spread out sometimes it does not make sense to leave an area and come back and sometimes the area is so congested that you really cannot walk around to keep from standing in one place.

 

[tobikaye]

Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated.

I understand you had hoped the DAS would help your grandfather. It might have helped with long lines, but for the issues you mention, long distances, unsteady on his feet or even standing for long periods, the DAS will not really help much. Even with the DAS, he would still need to walk long distances, sometimes over cobbled walkways, and stand for periods of a time. Even when using the FP+ lines, which are the same lines as DAS, I have found that there are 5-10 minutes of standing in one place as they load people on attractions. I have even gotten caught in some lines that due to a breakdown or some other issue might cause the wait to be 20-30 minutes in those same lines.

$12/day for a wheelchair rental at the parks can add up, but how many days did plan to be in the parks? If it was 5-6 days, could you shorten and use the money saved to pay for the rental? Also, have you checked to see if anywhere local or even someone you know can loan you a wheelchair for the trip? I know some people that have been able to borrow from senior centers and such. There was a local medical store near me that would rent wheelchairs for about $50 for a month. I have also seen transport chairs for about $25 at thrift stores before. I had bought a transport chair from a local drug store for about $80 to take my sister on a trip that she was afraid to use her EVC and that I then used to take my grandma to the zoo occasionally.

I know it is added cost, but there might be some ways that for just a small amount, you could still have a wheelchair for him,m especially if you could see him possibly using it for places locally .

 

[disneyseniors]

I agree with all the above. No one mentioned how much walking and standing there is just to get from your resort to the bus stop, then from bus stop which is usually a long way away from the park entrance, then around the parks, then do it all in reverse. It's very hard on non mobility disabled people.
I vote for the rollator. My 93 y/o Mom just got one at a medical supply store and it cost around $70.00. I was surprised at the low price. She loves her rollator. It's nice to have your own seat to sit on when you are tired or sore. That's the biggest benefit I see with a rollator. If your Dad wants to walk some, then he can do it with the help of the rollator too. I hope all this info helps you decide.

 

[Belle1962]

Check with your local community or church organizations. Many have wheelchairs available for free. I know my uncle got one from the Knights of Columbus. Also, I just googled free used wheelchair and saw several options to try.

 

[Lilsia]

My grandma was like that. It got to the point where she was bone on bone and her legs were bowed. She could barely walk from the car to the grocery store. There is no way that your grandpa is going to walking at WDW for more then a few minutes at a time without being in real pain. He might think that he can push through it but I would not want to put my grandparent through that just for my enjoyment. If he is on medicare, he can have a doctor write a prescription for a wheelchair and he should get it for free. We did that with my grandma. A DAS pass is not going to help him in any way because he will still be on his feet. I would look into options for a wheelchair for him.