Disney on crutches: possible?

[SandraVB79]

Monday evening, I showed, once again, that I am not the most elegant person in this world. I fell down the stairs, with as result my foot/leg in a cast. And I leave on vacation (cruise, WDW) in ... 2 weeks.

OK, tell me, how can one do WDW on crutches?
Any advice? Stories? Some experience you want to share?

We have tickets for MNSSHP, have booked the Backstage Magic and the Train tour, have ADRs for the Luau, Kona breakfast, Cape May breakfast, Coral Reef dinner, LTT dinner, ...
Should I cancel some of those, or is it possible to do with crutches?

Thanks a lot

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I don't see any reason why you should cancel anything, as long as you can steer yourself reasonable well with the crutches. I would, however, recommend that you seriously consider getting yourself a set of wheels. It will be awfully difficult (though not impossible) to do the whole of Disney on crutches. If you rent a wheelchair or ECV you can use it some of the time on the trip, to get between places. The FAQ at the top of this board has a lot of information on renting wheelchairs and ECVs. If you go for an ECV you can even get crutch holders attached, so you don't have to balance them awkwardly, or ask someone else to carry them (you may be able to get a holder on a regular wheelchair too, I'm not sure).

How high up your leg does the cast come? Does it stop you bending your knee? Depending on the size of the cast, you may have to give one or two attractions a miss. Space Mountain is one that springs to mind as having limited foot space. If you're in any doubt, you can ask the CM at the ride, and they can help you out.

Sorry if this is a bit garbled, the brain's gone at the moment.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[SandraVB79]

The cast is from my toes until my knee, I can still bend my leg. No idea what the removable cast-thing will look like, but it should be easier than this.

I don't mind giving up some rides; we'll spend more time eating and drinking then

It's just... it depresses me

 

[SandraVB79]

I think it's something like this I will get:

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I understand how hard it is, trying to adjust to new limitations, but the wonderful thing about Disney is that it helps you forget your problems for a while. The cast you showed in the photo should be no more obtrusive than a pair of walking boots, so I can't see you having any problems with the rides in that. I will still recommend the ECV / wheelchair approach though, as it will save your strength for the fun stuff.

Also, if you go on some of the rougher rides, make sure your leg is wedged in place, so it doesn't get jolted around. Safari is one that I tend to find difficult, as is Dinosaur.

Try not to worry about it (easier said than done, I know). I know how hard it is being in pain and coping with different situations, but you will still have a wonderful time at Disney, no matter what.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Sandra, I posted on your CB thread (to make sure you knew to come here!). I think you will seriously want to think about renting a scooter for the week. The ones that Disney has rent out quickly and they often run out early. Crutches can be very tiring and there is a lot of ground to cover in WDW. With the scooter you can get from place to place and not have to cancel or change one bit of your plan. In fact you will probably be less tired than the rest of the people!

If you read around here a bit you will see that you can use the scooter in the lines and then just transfer to the ride when you get up there. Make sure you do check with your Dr. about what rides you can and can't do. Have your crutches with you so you can use them if you don't want to take the scooter all the way in a line or into a meal, but I think overall you will find the money for it well spent and you will have a great vacation!

 

[Chuck S]

It really depends upon how well you do with the crutches. I suggest going to a large store (like Wal-Mart or Target) or a shopping mall and wandering around doing normal shopping.

If you do OK, then you'll probably be fine at Disney.

If you get tired quickly, or have some pain, then I would plan on using an ECV (scooter) or wheelchair for the trip. As long as you can use the crutches some to load and unload from rides, you should do just fine.

I wouldn't cancel any of my plans, just allow a little extra "travel time" to the restaurants.

And be sure to consult your doctor, as s/he may want you to use a scooter so your leg can rest as much as possible.

 

[SandraVB79]

Thank you all for the advice!

I will look into renting an ECV, and well... I have looked already into more restaurants/ F&WF boots

I know many people have way worse conditions than I have.
I am just concerned spending so many hours on a plane, then on a cruise (first time), then to Disney in way warmer weather then we are used to... And my mom is rather "panicking".
And I have way too much time now to think about everythin...

But I guess we'll survive! Last year, I was there all by myself, and could hardly move because of my back, and I survived it ust fine then too

But thanks for all your advice/ answers!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you start looking at it that way, there will always be someone 'worse off' than you, but that doesn't negate or trivialise your feelings. It's perfectly all right to be worried, but also know that this is Disney; if they can make elephants fly and bears sing, they can give you a magical holiday, even with a cast on your leg.

Just make sure you take care of yourself, use whatever help you need to get about and have yourself a wonderful trip!

 

[grimley1968]

I will echo what others have said: rent a wheelchair or ECV for the majority of getting around. I would think using crutches would really get to you after more than 200 feet or so at a time; sore feet, sore arms, etc. Much nicer to just take it easy and roll for the longer distances, IMO.

If you use a wheelchair or ECV, I see no reason to cancel any of that stuff you list.

 

[TwoGriswolds]

I'm going to tell you to use a wheelchair (or ecv if you can bend at knee per doctor's instructions and can afford) even if you feel you're moving good on the crutches. The reason is- it's far easier to "slip" on crutches in a place like Disney ("stuff" on the pavement) or be bumped and knocked over and a re-injury, especially far from home, is not a good time. ALso using crutches a long time makes your arms sore, your pits sore (sorry but true) and can even make your back ache from the weight shift and compensation. The removable will likely be an air splint (what someone posted a picture of) and these can irritate you actually - wear sock - and even then it's difficult and many get irritation in the shoe so again crutching and being on it not a great idea. Please consider a wheelchair at the least. (and your "motor" [the one pushing you] will get some great calves workout out of the deal too

 

[SandraVB79]

Thank you again for the advice, I will look into the wheel chair rental, that might help a lot, because I do remember how far everything is

 

[Michigan]

You might also want to look into a walker rental for the cruise. Depending on how the seas are it can be hard to walk without a cast and a walker would be more stable then crutches.

 

[SueM in MN]

all very good advice.

One other thing to add - we are here now and it is very rainy. Even though the surfaces are sort of 'slip proofed' by being rough and/or textured, many of them get pretty slick in the rain.

We've seen quite a few people with crutches, some who are obviously skilled at/or perrmanent crutch users and some who are obviously not used to using them. We've seen quite a few on ECVs and some in wheelchairs with their leg elevated. One woman on the boat from MGM to Epcot realy fascinated my DD - she had a full leg removable cast or brace on. Once the boat started, she lefted her leg up high enough to rest it on the ECV steering tiller. DD had never seen anyone do anything like that before and I don't think she realized legs can go up that high (hers sure can't). She was trying not to look and kept signing 'funny' to us; the lady was very nice though and said goodbye to DD when they got off the boat.

One hint I have is to get out and walk around or move your legs around at least once every hour. Just sitting still, plus having a recent fracture, puts you at risk for DVTs (deep vein thrombosis). DVTs can be prevented by getting the blood flowing (standing, changing position, moving the legs), so read the prevention stuff in the link and chances are good you will not have to deal with any problems.

Also, if you need to lie down or get your leg up, remember that each park has a First Aid center that has cots you can use for that purpose.

Since you have been before, you are probably aware of which rides are sort of rough so you can avoid them. In case you can't remember, all the rides with warnings have a red triangle icon on the park map and there is a sign at the entrance to the queue and also before boarding. You can ask the CM at the ride entrance if you have any questions (and like someone else mentioned, ask your doctor what to avoid before you go).

 

[winniedapooh]

I had knee surgery done 9/13 and was at the parks in a wheelchair with crutches for transporting to rides on the 26th. I was unable to use an ECV due to not being able to bend my leg enough to get on/off or ride it so we opted for a chair. I have been on and off crutches since high school and am now in my early 40's...I consider myself a pro on them. With that being said I cannot imagine walking all day in the parks or getting in and out or off and on rides with crutches. I opt for the get some transportation, ECV or wheelchair. You will be much happier and if you are going with others they will be much happier! Have a great time, I know we did.

 

[SandraVB79]

Thanks again for the advice.
I know about DVTs, been there, done that (when I was almost 25, not the best months of my life), so I know what to do for prevention, and am on medication for that.

I am going to look up all information/ addresses/ phone numbers. I'll only get that air cats thing the night before we leave, so I don't know whether I'll be able to walk well or not. We have a week in Florida/ cruise before WDW, so I can always call around for additional "tools" to help me around

I never realised visiting Disney can be such a "hassle". I mean, these are all things I didn't think about. When I had the thrombosis, I went to DLP for my birthday, and didn't do any rides, because I wasn't allowed to stand in line in the heat for so long, but still, that was easier than it is now.

I am so glad this is just a temporary thing, I am SO happy I don't have to deal with it all the time.
to all those who have to think about that all the time!