Easter crowds and ECV's

[rbalcom]

Any advice on how to manage the Easter crowds for my dad who has MS and will be using an ECV? He can get a bit nervous around crowds so I'm looking for advice on what to do to avoid putting him in that situation. He has been to WDW once before in March and we used a wheelchair. It was really difficult to push around so we decided to rent him an ECV that he can use at the reosrt as well. (He has his own at home but apparently the one we are renting is a 3 wheeler not the 4 that he is used to.) How about using the bus system? We are staying on-site and will be making use of the buses. Any advice on getting on and off the buses? Our plan is to wait out the big crowds at the end of the day by shopping so he doesn't have to fight the crowds on the way home at night. Finally, what about the water parks? He obviously won't go swimming but he does like to sit in the shade, read and watch the kids. I'm thinking that he can do this with no probelm but I've never tried it so advice would be great!

 

[MommytoMJM]

I don't have any advice, this is my first Spring Break/Easter season in my ECV and I am a bit nervous about it too...Looking forward to the answers.

 

[SueM in MN]

If he already has a ECV experience, he should do fine. Most people find the 3 wheeled variety are easier to drive than the 4 wheel ones. If he practices a bit at the resort before going out into the parks, he should do fine (especially backing up, which he will need for the bus).

How about using the bus system? We are staying on-site and will be making use of the buses. Any advice on getting on and off the buses? Our plan is to wait out the big crowds at the end of the day by shopping so he doesn't have to fight the crowds on the way home at night.

Waiting and letting the crowds thin out is a very good idea. That's what we always do and actually you don't end up being that much later. It's much, much easier. Plus, by the time you get to the buses, many of the people will have left and you might not have a line at all at the bus. There is some information about buses with ECVs/wheelchairs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Finally, what about the water parks? He obviously won't go swimming but he does like to sit in the shade, read and watch the kids. I'm thinking that he can do this with no probelm but I've never tried it so advice would be great!

The water parks do have pathways that are wheelchair/ECV accessible, but the sand areas where the chairs are would not be accessible. So, he would need to walk a short distance to a chair.

 

[rbalcom]

You've answered all my questions well. Glad I'm on track.