Daughter foot injury...options?

[IBLarsen]

We are heading to DLR next Saturday for 4.5 days. My 11 year old daughter managed to injure her foot, not broken luckily, just a really bad sprain, but can't bear much weight on it and has been put on crutches as of today. Dr said 1-2 weeks, and doesn't think she will be ready to do all the walking on it by next Saturday. Hoping for best case scenario and she'll be fine...but in reality I need a backup plan. Crutches won't work for walking around Disney. What are the best options? I appreciate any advice

 

[ParkHopper1]

Get her a wheelchair or a scooter and just use the crutches for the lines.

 

[Aladora]

Maybe look at renting a pediatric wheelchair?

 

[minneylovesmicky]

No advice for getting about when there, but between now and when you go, get her to ice it as much as possible, stay off it as much as she can, strap it when not showering/bathing.

Get her to do gentle movements with it, to strengthen it with a heat pack on it. Do you have cream such as Deep Heat or Voltaren? Use those if you can get them.

But most important is to rest it and fingers crossed she will be right.

For the days in Disney, strap it and keep up the Deep Heat or Voltaren.

 

[tlovesdis]

Rent her a wheelchair. Deckert's is the best!

 

[IBLarsen]

Rent her a wheelchair. Deckert's is the best!

Is this is local in Anaheim? How do we get it? Do they deliver? How do we deal with wheelchair and lines? I know people do this everyday, just never pay attention. if we leave wheelchair parked if she can walk for long enough to get on rides, that wouldn't be so bad. Just worried about standing on it in line for 40 or 60 minutes. Short lines I wouldn't worry about. Just trying to think thru the logistics.

 

[tarheelalum]

I would think you could get a disability type accommodation or whatever they do for that now. She is, temporarily, disabled.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Yes, Deckert's is local to Anaheim. They will deliver it and pick it up to/from your hotel. In DCA, the wheel chair will fit through most of the lines. For DL, if you check in with the CM at the ride (usually at the exit), they will give you a return time to come back so she won't have to stand on the injured foot for a lengthy wait.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

That stinks! I would definitely get a wheelchair. I probably wouldn't take the crutches unless absolutely necessary, because those will be hard to lug around the park all day. Plus, I would think it would be hard to navigate those in the crowds. If she can bear some weight on it by Saturday, then you could just have her use a wheelchair while going around the park and then she can stand in lines that don't involve a lot of walking or use the wheelchair accessible entrance.

Good luck, and I hope she feels better by Saturday!

 

[Aladora]

I would think you could get a disability type accommodation or whatever they do for that now. She is, temporarily, disabled.

She would be able, with a wheelchair, to get a wheelchair return time from the attractions that have this. She would also be able to use the alternate entrances for the attractions that are not wheelchair accessible. She would not, however, qualify for the DAS (the Disability Access Service, the replacement for the Guest Assistance Card) since that is not given out for mobility issues.

OP, it really does sound as though a pediatric wheelchair is your best bet. She can use it when she needs it, such as going long distances and then park it an walk when she does not, for instance walking through a land or attraction line. If she ends up needing it more than anticipated, go and talk to Guest Services and find out about wheelchair return times and alternate entrances, that is what they are there for!

 

[Nonsuch]

Disney also rents wheelchairs and scooters, but those can only be used in the parks and cannot be taken back to your hotel (even onsite).
It is generally better to use Deckert's or other third party vendor.

 

[lorijohnhill]

You can also pick up a disability guide at the turnstiles. It will tell you where the wheelchair entrances are for each ride.

 

[tarheelalum]

She would be able, with a wheelchair, to get a wheelchair return time from the attractions that have this. She would also be able to use the alternate entrances for the attractions that are not wheelchair accessible. She would not, however, qualify for the DAS (the Disability Access Service, the replacement for the Guest Assistance Card) since that is not given out for mobility issues.

OP, it really does sound as though a pediatric wheelchair is your best bet. She can use it when she needs it, such as going long distances and then park it an walk when she does not, for instance walking through a land or attraction line. If she ends up needing it more than anticipated, go and talk to Guest Services and find out about wheelchair return times and alternate entrances, that is what they are there for!

Just curious, if a person is in a wheel chair due to a spinal injury, would they qualify for the DAS?

 

[Aladora]

Just curious, if a person is in a wheel chair due to a spinal injury, would they qualify for the DAS?

According to Disney, no. The DAS is not given for mobility issues. The wonderful people in the disAbilities section can answer more fully but as always, the only ones who can give a definite answer are the Guest Relations CMs.

 

[IBLarsen]

That stinks! I would definitely get a wheelchair. I probably wouldn't take the crutches unless absolutely necessary, because those will be hard to lug around the park all day. Plus, I would think it would be hard to navigate those in the crowds. If she can bear some weight on it by Saturday, then you could just have her use a wheelchair while going around the park and then she can stand in lines that don't involve a lot of walking or use the wheelchair accessible entrance.

Good luck, and I hope she feels better by Saturday!

Thanks! I agree, the crutches will not work, she can barley maneuver them here at home, so I am not planning on taking them. I'm thinking she will be ok for lines, and just use wheelchair for the long walking.

 

[IBLarsen]

Thanks everyone! Good to know about wheelchair rental options! I'm hoping lines will be fine for her and just use wheelchair for the main walking. It helps to understand options if she finds the standing in lines to be too much. I was clueless about wheelchair entrances or return times being an option if it's too much for her. Doesn't sound too hard, just have to be prepared

 

[disneychrista]

Just curious, if a person is in a wheel chair due to a spinal injury, would they qualify for the DAS?

The wheel chair ACTS as a DAS. The DAS is for invisible disabilities.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks! I agree, the crutches will not work, she can barley maneuver them here at home, so I am not planning on taking them. I'm thinking she will be ok for lines, and just use wheelchair for the long walking.

Is her foot currently casted? In a boot? Strapped? A wheelchair is the best idea. If the doctor says she shouldn't walk on it at all, then the wheelchair in the park is the best bet. Be aware, on rides, she will need to be able to exit with your assistance if the ride stops for an emergency. This can include stairs or a VERY long wait. Use Fastpass as much as possible. You will be able to use the alternative entrances, you go to the CM manning this area with everyone's tickets. The CM will scan them and tell you a return time (generally 5-10 mins less than the standby time.) When you return, they will rescan your ticket and you will enter the HA line and ride. Some lines are accessible, such as Matterhorn and Buzz Lightyear. All of DCA is accessible. The wheelchair can make it thru the lines.

 

[IBLarsen]

Is her foot currently casted? In a boot? Strapped? A wheelchair is the best idea. If the doctor says she shouldn't walk on it at all, then the wheelchair in the park is the best bet. Be aware, on rides, she will need to be able to exit with your assistance if the ride stops for an emergency. This can include stairs or a VERY long wait. Use Fastpass as much as possible. You will be able to use the alternative entrances, you go to the CM manning this area with everyone's tickets. The CM will scan them and tell you a return time (generally 5-10 mins less than the standby time.) When you return, they will rescan your ticket and you will enter the HA line and ride. Some lines are accessible, such as Matterhorn and Buzz Lightyear. All of DCA is accessible. The wheelchair can make it thru the lines.

Thanks for the specifics. that helps! Foot not casted, just a lovely shoe/boot. Dr. said if she gives total rest this week she may be able to do some walking at Disney, but that if it hurts, she needs to not, so she doesn't set it back. So we are playing it by ear, and just arming myself with the logistics of how to do Disney with a foot injury I can't imagine she won't be able to at least stand in lines and we always use FP to the max. I just want to be sure DD isn't miserable if she overdoes it.