do people steal your wheelchair?

[Leslie]

When you leave your wheelchair to get on a ride, do the CM's put them somewhere safe? Do they ever get taken? TIA

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcmoe to disABILITIES.
For movies and shows, you will be able to stay in the wheelchair and sit in it during the show. For a few rides, you can choose to stay right in the wheelchair if you want (although most people who can get out of the wheelchair and get into a ride car choose to do that). Here's a link to the DIS page about touring with mobility disabilities. The page lists attractions that have Mainstream Access (wheelchair users wait in line with everyone else) and also has a list of attractions where you can stay in the wheelchair for the entire time.
For rides where you need to transfer into a ride car, the wheelchair will almost always be able to come in line with you. For many rides, wheelchair or scooter (ecv) users wait in line, but then board at the exit. This helps because you generally have more room and less people while you board. Also, on most rides, the moving walkway can be slowed or even stopped to make it easier to board. (The only ride that can't be stopped is Peter Pan).
If you can walk a ways, they will have you park the chair and it will be in the same place when you get off. If you need the wheelchair brought up close to the ride (even onto the moving walkway), the CM will move the wheelchair out of the way for you and the chair will be waiting for you when you get off.

We have not had any problems with DD's wheelchair in almost 15 years of travel to WDW. We do leave her bag with clothes, etc on it, but I wouldn't leave anything valuable or irreplaceable on it when we're not there.
WDW park rental wheelchairs must get taken sometimes because they do have places where you can get replacements. It might be more a problem of "mistaken identity" though, since all the park rental wheelchairs look the same.

 

[cupcake]

I have used the WDW wheelchairs or a wheelchair from my resort many, many times. I have never had any problems, although I initially was concerned when I heard about replacement wheelchair stations. I have never left the wheelchair outside in the stroller area, and I imagine that might be more of a problem. When you leave it where you transfer into a ride it isn't out in the open. Most of the time, it's just you or one or two other wheelchairs. The most I can recall is at the Haunted Mansion, where there can be 4 or 5 wheelchairs. We leave something fungible with the wheelchair so it's clear it's ours (usually a tote on the back that we keep water in). I like getting balloons too, although as Sue has noted, they do tend to bop others and must be held in your lap while moving! This is total supposition, but I think that either people mistakenly take a wheelchair without looking at the name (fixable by leaving something that differentiates your wheelchair) or mean people take it when it's left out in the open. For what it's worth, this has never happened to me, and I no longer worry about it.

Cupcake . . . leaving for WDW this Friday and venturing out on a scooter for the first time!!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hey, cupcake.
In case I don't "see" you on the boards before you leave on Friday, here's some pixie dust for a great trip (a special mixture of good trip pixie dust with a little bravery pixie dust and a dose of skillful driving pixie dust).

 

[Safari Steve]

In 3 years, at Haunted Mansion I have seen 2 wheelchairs actually stolen. There have been instances where people think their chair has been taken, when in fact they just forgot where it was parked (easy to get disoriented like that). Both chairs were rented WDW chairs, and those are easily replaced (just keep your reciept). I always tell people to bring along anything they can't stand to be without, because there's no one out there to watch. During Grad Nites we usually hide wheelchairs in an offstage area.

This doesn't seem to be a problem at Jungle Cruise, because the chairs are parked in plain view of at least two CMs.

I really wouldn't worry about it too much. (As I always say, if this is your biggest worry, your trip will be WONDERFUL!!!)

Have fun!

 

[Annette]

Once my Dad made the mistake of leaving the key in the electric scooper and two 12 yr old boys were located by Disney trying to get on the rides using the handicap entrances. Disney was wonderful and got it back quickly. They even got my MOM another turkey leg that had been attached to the scooter when stolen. So it can happen. We have never had our kid's stroller or anything on it ever distrubed.

 

[suzysezso]

But it was at Bush Gardens in Tampa, not Disney. We were on a guided tour and going on a truck to meet and feed some animals in the field. We had to leave my son's chair at the "ranger station" and when we got back a half hour later the chair was gone. Security was given a description of the chair and they caught the kids that stole it and recovered the chair within the time it took for us to see the dolphin show.
Since that time when we visit any theme park or similar situation I carry a small bicycle lock. When we have to leave the chair behind I use the lock to disable one wheel only so that cast members/park employees can move the chair as needed, but someone looking to steal the chair for a joyride through the accessible entrances would be out of luck.

 

[itscc2u]

A friend of mine loaned me her Grandmothers Scooter while (still fighting insurance on getting my own Dr says yes Ins says no, Medicare says sure but theres a ded and co-pay) Grandma was in the hospital w/a broken hip so I had it for oh about 6 weeks b4 Grandma was home... Its a nice looking scooter, very obviously a personal one I took it to Wal-Mart with me it has a nice basket in the front... I was window shopping more than buying anything and I needed something off a top shelf and no Walmart Employee aroudn to help so I got off the scooter went to reach for the item and this lady in the matter of seconds stole my scooter sat herself in it and started off.. I yelled at her Hey thats mine ! and she got nasty with me said Tough you got out its mine and I was liek really Does it have your name on it? No and most specifically does it say it is a Walmart Scooter? she turned about 6 shades of red then she realized her error but she ticked me off with the finders keepers attitude and not even paying attention that it was a personal one......The McDs in that Walmart isnt very accesible so I seldom stop but when I did the last time I not only took my keys I went into the store with a sign that said "Beware Crazed Woman With PMS" and "Scooter REntal not available unless willing to pay $500 a minute" Taped to the back of the Scooter noone even tried to touch it and Its amazing the help I got that day in the store

I personally know once I get my own scooter after I fight with the insurance company and get Medicare to pick up what they dont cover I am personalizing my scooter so that NOONE would even attempt to steal it, borrow or even put their feet on it.. It will be a sight to be seen and if I do decide to get my hair cut in spikes , bleached and died purple i know noone will bother me .. yes I have a weird sense of humor and style these days but hey it makes me feel better on bad days to think of what I can do if I am up to it LOL.

I remember when I left my rental scooter at Kings Dominion outside a ride somehow it got moved, I had the key w/me but it seemed like there was some respect from other visitors and then again it was a private rental day where everyone worked for AT&T or was friends of soemone from AT&T I was there with Big Sisters.

Ok I am rambling again I better go to bed and re-visit here in a day or two LOL