Disney in a walking boot

[tkbbmom]

any tips?

15 yo ds was just placed in a boot for a minimum of 26 days-- it goes about mid-calf - we leave for Disney the 11th. I know we may need to take things slower - already needed to consider that bec dd has a bad ankle from surgery last year --and the water-park we were hoping to do this time will be out now.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I would plan on renting a wheelchair for him, if you aren't already. You walk so many miles at WDW even without taking into account things like length of lines (I mean length in distance). At 15 he's too young to rent an ECV from most offsite rental companies or from WDW (Randy's does sometimes rent to older teens because they've always met renters at their hotel so can test to see if they feel the teen is safe driving the ECV). If you rent a wheelchair offsite, you'll save money compared to renting at the parks and then he can use it at the resort, as well, if needed. You also may be able to rent a wheelchair where the footrest on the side of the cast can be raised to help reduce any swelling. At 15 I would expect him to generally fit a standard adult wheelchair.

 

[tkbbmom]

We have considered the need for a WC but hadn't thought of reserving one from an off-site vendor. I'm checking on that now -- we didn't know how difficult they were to get on and off the buses. I plan to note on our resort e-mail request that he is in a walking boot.

I noticed on Sea World site that it specifically lists one ride that you aren't allowed on w/ a boot- I don't see any info on WDW like that. Anyone have any idea if there are certain rides that aren't allowed?

 

[SueM in MN]

We have considered the need for a WC but hadn't thought of reserving one from an off-site vendor. I'm checking on that now -- we didn't know how difficult they were to get on and off the buses. I plan to note on our resort e-mail request that he is in a walking boot.

I noticed on Sea World site that it specifically lists one ride that you aren't allowed on w/ a boot- I don't see any info on WDW like that. Anyone have any idea if there are certain rides that aren't allowed?

There is a list of vendors in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread about renting from off-site vendors.

Getting a wheelchair on the bus is quite easy - the driver puts down a room, you drive the wheelchair on and park where the driver indicates. The driver will attach the wheelchair down using special tied own hooks.

WDW doesn't have any attractions that they automatically do not allow guests on with a leg cast or boot. There are no attractions except Soarin' at WDW where people's feet are dangling. Many other parks have lots of attractions where feet are just hanging, which is the main reason for prohibition against walking boots.
WDW would make more of a case by case decision for Soarin' based on how secure the foot boot appears.

 

[dawnhaze]

If he doesn't want a wheelchair, a knee walker might be an idea, but I don't know anywhere that rents them off the top of my head. I saw a couple people on my last trip using them with walking boots.

 

[gwb]

DW will also be in a walking boot for our upcoming trip in early Dec. We went with a scooter from Apple scooters of Orlando. On a previous trip my wife had unexpected knee surgery right before we had out trip to WDW and I went with a wc.
Big mistake!!!!!!
The scooter provide much more freedom for the driver and far less taxing for the people pushing the WC. Draw back for the scooter is the size But I have been a nurse's aide and I can tell you from that experience of wheeling 1000's (yes 1000's) of patients and the experience of pushing DW around WDW the extra cost is well worth it. Also since your son is a teen the sense of freedom and being in control will help him out tremendously. ( and he'll love to drive it)

 

[peemagg]

DW will also be in a walking boot for our upcoming trip in early Dec. We went with a scooter from Apple scooters of Orlando. On a previous trip my wife had unexpected knee surgery right before we had out trip to WDW and I went with a wc.
Big mistake!!!!!!
The scooter provide much more freedom for the driver and far less taxing for the people pushing the WC. Draw back for the scooter is the size But I have been a nurse's aide and I can tell you from that experience of wheeling 1000's (yes 1000's) of patients and the experience of pushing DW around WDW the extra cost is well worth it. Also since your son is a teen the sense of freedom and being in control will help him out tremendously. ( and he'll love to drive it)

The only problem with this is that most companies will not rent to children and teens unless the teen is experienced (has their own, but didn't travel with it) and then Walker is the only company that I am aware of that will rent to them. You have to be over 18 in order to rent and operate a ECV.

 

[ttintagel]

There were a lot more hills and ramps than we realized in the parks, and a manual wheelchair proved too much for me after one day.

Then again, I'm a tall woman with 20 extra pounds, and not a 15-year-old boy, who may be a lot lighter than me. And I have really weak, un-athletic arms which were unable to self-propel for long, which may not be a problem for him depending on his muscle tone. So, the manual may work better for you than it did for me. Hard to say without knowing more about him.

If you find a company that's willing to work with you on an ECV for him at his age, and if whatever option you decide on turns out to not work after a while, most companies will be more than happy to switch for you as soon as possible.

Also, stay on top of the pain meds schedule - don't wait to take them until it starts hurting. Regular breaks with ice and elevation are also a good idea (counter service restaurants will give you ice if you can't carry the break-and-freeze cold packs).

 

[KPeveler]

Again, the person who will be needing the wheelchair is 15 years old - he will not be allowed to rent one, and Disney CMs WILL say something if they see a teenager operating a rental scooter (even if it from off-site vendors, since they know most do not allow children to rent one). Of course not everyone gets "caught" but I have seen kids who were playing with their parent's scooters be stopped by a CM.

I would look into a wheelchair. With a walking boot, he can easily get up and walk a bit when he needs to (i.e. getting into a ride vehicle or going to the bathroom), but has a place to sit. He can even push it empty sometimes, using it something like a walker.

He can park it and walk into shows (so you do not have to sit in the back row), or take it. I highly suggest, if he can, parking and walking for the American Adventure show. The wc viewing is not great, and only one person can sit with him.

On the bus, many people stay in the wc and it is tied down in its own spot, or some people transfer and fold the wheelchair and just hold onto it, like a stroller. They will let you load in the back, so you would roll it up the ramp, and then you can tie down or fold it as you prefer.

 

[JennyDrake]

Been there, done that! I was at WDW this April w/ a walking boot. Take it from me and PPers--RENT A WHEELCHAIR FROM OFF SITE SOURCE. I resisted renting one but boy oh boy was I EVER glad I did! I'm reasonably fit and 40 something. The walking just from the resort room to bus top to park entrance was EXHAUSTING. Renting the chair was the BEST move I could have made. I was encouraged to walk as much as I could tolerate, so we'd park the chair and I'd hike, then ride and rest.

I rented from Walker Mobility and was more than satisfied.