Disney with a Walker

[catra121]

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting in this part of the board but I find myself in a situation right now where I need some advice.

Two years ago I was injured and it caused a serious chronic pain condition. I was doing really well after extensive physical therapy and was able to travel to Disney World in September 2010. I had to take it really slow and stop a lot, but I was able to handle all the walking and most of the rides. Well...in December I suffered from a really bad flare up which continued to get worse and I ended up confined to a wheel chair for months. I have now worked my way back to being able to stand and walk...but only with the aid of a walker (one of the ones with 4 wheels and a seat).

Now...I am no where near the shape to travel to Disney yet, but all I have been thinking about is getting myself to that point. As soon as I am well enough to travel and have enough endurance, I would like to take a trip to Disney. I've been many times, so I understand that there are a number of things that I will not be able to do and I am okay with that.

My question is, has anyone ever done Disney World with a walker and what was it like? Specifically, how is it getting on and off buses, going through lines, maneuvering through crowds, etc.? Any tips that I should know to make it easier? Stairs are definitely an issue, but curbs, small steps up, large thresholds are all things that I can handle.

I really wish that this wasn't even something that I had to worry about as I am only 27 years old, but I don't want this disability to hold me back from doing something that I love, you know? At any rate, if anyone has any advice or experience with this, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[pbrim]

I have never used a walker, but I believe there is a GAC that will let you avoid stairs. This would allow you to use any alternative routes set up for ECVs and wheelchairs. I know in an ECV there has been one or two rides where we had to split off at one point and take an elevator as the only way around stairs (although I may be confusing WDW and US here).

I have also seen a woman with a walker use the wheelchair lift to get into the bus to avoid the bus stairs. I think most of the buses kneel now, rather than have lifts, but it is the same principle.

If you are having endurance problems, you may want to consider renting an ECV with a walker rack. You could drive the ECV for longer stretches, and use your walker where you aren't comfortable using the ECV.

 

[tobikaye]

Last year, my sister used the rollator (walker you described) to get around WDW and it was a great help. It gave her a place to sit when waiting in lines or when she needed a break and there was no benches around. When we got to the parks, we got the guide map for people with disabilities and followed the same instructions as those for WC/ECV users. So, if there was a ride that had stairs, we were able to avoid them the same way a WC/EVC would. We did rent her an EVC for one day when we did World Showcase at Epcot. She would not have been able to make it around with just the use of her rollator due to stamina.

Notes from her use of the rollator:
DHS: Easy for use as the park is not as large and pretty easy to walk.
MK: After getting down Main Street (stamina issue) it was easy to walk.
Epcot (FW): A little more challenging in some places, such as walking up the ramp to the Land Pavilion. For the most part, smooth and easy to walk.
Epcot (WS): Although we used the EVC, some of the challenges she encounted that she would have with a rollator would have been some of the pathways in the countries. Such as the narrow walkways in Morocco.
AK: We should have rented her an EVC as the park is very spreadout and some of the walkways are uneven.

I took my sister again this past June and rented her an EVC off-site for seven days and had it delivered to the hotel. Her mobility and stamina had both taken a dive and she would not have been able to use her rollator. It was amazing how much more of the parks she was able to enjoy this time around.

If you have any stamina issues for when you plan to go, I would suggest you check to see about the use of the EVC or even a wheelchair if you have someone to push you. I know that at 27, it is difficult to think about needing any mobility device, but my sister is only 32 and without the use of her rollator, or now, wheelchair, she would not be able to do much of anything. Do not let your disability keep you from doing anything in life that you enjoy.

 

[catra121]

Thanks very much for the replies! I was unsure of the mechanics of how to make it work as I don't know that I have ever seen anyone with a walker when I have been at Disney in the past. But now I definitely feel more confident that my goal of going to Disney is an attainable one. It's good to know that the buses can accomodate someone with a walker like they do with the wheel chairs...that was a major concern and a big relief since I like to rely completely on Disney transportation when I'm there.

I will continue to work on my stamina and endurance and hopefully I will be able to make it work in the near future. Baby steps...but I love that I have a goal to work towards. Thanks you both very much!

 

[SueM in MN]

In our last 3 or 4 trips to WDW, I have seen at least one person a day using a rollator in the parks. They are nice because they give you the option of of support when you are walking, a place to sit when you need a rest or I have seen people sitting and using their feet to kind of shuffle along.

As the other posters mentioned, you will be able to use the ramps on buses to load and can use whatever is the accessible boarding area for attractions. In most cases, you will be in the regular lines. Some of the boarding areas are different, so you will be pulled out of line the same as someone using a wheelchair.
There is a list of the mobility entrances in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.
Post one of that thread is an index that lists where you will find other informant. On page 2 of that thread, there are several posts the talk about accessibility and include information about which attractions have a large step down or are difficult to get into.

A couple things to think about:

• distances - most guests walk about 6-9 miles per day. So, you want to be aware of that in your plans for how much training you need to do.
• if you arrive at a park early, you would be likely to be able to rent an ECV. You might want to alternate days walking with days using an ECV or wheelchair to conserve energy and not get too overtired or stress your muscles.
• as others mentioned, there are more hills than you might think. Besides what was mentioned, there is a big hill in MK between Fantasyland and Liberty Square.
• Some areas also have challenging pavement. The Studio is probably the best because it is mostly regular concrete or blacktop. Epcot is next, mostly smooth in Future World. Some of the countries in World Showcase have cobblestone streets. AK has paths themed to whatever country you are in - mostly themed to be a bit bumpy to simulate dirt paths (don't worry, they are not dirt) or aged concrete. MK has some areas with just concrete, but a lot are themed to cobblestone streets.
• things are pretty good with having 3 foot wide pathways/walkways required by the ADA, but some of the shops get tight with all the other guests.
• some attractions have long queues - the most notorious is Soarin' which is 1/4 mile from the entrance to the queue until you board and a similar distance out. There are some big hills in the waiting line and you will be standing still on those for a while waiting for the line to move.
• using a touring plan, like touring plans.com will help the waits be shorter by helping point you toward the park that will probably be least busy with the shortest wait for attractions.

 

[disneymarie]

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting in this part of the board but I find myself in a situation right now where I need some advice.

I have now worked my way back to being able to stand and walk...but only with the aid of a walker (one of the ones with 4 wheels and a seat).

Now...I am no where near the shape to travel to Disney yet, but all I have been thinking about is getting myself to that point. As soon as I am well enough to travel and have enough endurance, I would like to take a trip to Disney. I've been many times, so I understand that there are a number of things that I will not be able to do and I am okay with that.

My question is, has anyone ever done Disney World with a walker and what was it like? Specifically, how is it getting on and off buses, going through lines, maneuvering through crowds, etc.? Any tips that I should know to make it easier? Stairs are definitely an issue, but curbs, small steps up, large thresholds are all things that I can handle.

I really wish that this wasn't even something that I had to worry about as I am only 27 years old, but I don't want this disability to hold me back from doing something that I love, you know? At any rate, if anyone has any advice or experience with this, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

My own dd had chronic pain problems and mobility issues at 27 during her trip. I rented a scooter and was the best investment for our trip.
I use a rollator with a seat too. But it is easy to get around, through lines and onto buses. Well except the bus at DTD that would not allow me to use the ramp, I had to carry it up the steps and really strained myself.

The lines a few were up and exit and the CM would get me for my turn or regular queues as the hunted house, but then you would leave the line and wait in a hall area to enter the attraction.

When you have chronic pain, the endurance is not there. Don't forget you may do one day, but the next one when you get out of bed it hits you. Last week we were at an amusement park, not anything near as Disney. I used my rollator, but the next day was unable to roll out of bed with out help.
Then this past week I had a 6 hr ride in the car, few pit stops, but could not move w/o extreme pain from spasms for 2 days.
My suggestion is consider renting the scooter for the week from off site and have a wonderful time!

 

[catra121]

Those are all good points, thank you very much! I did read through the sticky at the top and that has a LOT of great information in it. As I get closer to actually being able to go then I will definitely be going through it again just to make sure that I am fully prepared. I will be able to set some goals for myself though to make sure that I can handle the distance and endurance that I will need. Thank goodness I have been enough times that I know even before these problems that I didn't feel like I had to do EVERYTHING anymore and I liked to take it slow...and that I am an early bird so rope drops are fine for me.

I know that it will be a lot of work, but I am very committed to making it happen. That said, if I need to rent an ECV then I will. It's better for me to walk, but if I pay what we all pay to visit Disney World I would not let one of my "bad days" hold me back.

Thanks again!