Elderly aunt and scooter ?

[3smithboys]

I wanted to thank everyone for all of their help and advice. My aunt has decided that Disney at Christmas is not for her. She is nervous about using a scooter, and my two cousins are not willing to push her in a wheelchair - so that ended that! (I also think convincing them that they were not going to get a front of the line pass also sealed the deal.....) Well, better to have them know the facts now then have them be miserable later!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Can anyone explain to me how the scooter gets through the lines for the rides and shows? (Some of them can be quite lone, winding, and tricky.)

Here's my experience:
Even at DHS (can't think of any attraction in AK offhand), there are some queues that are too windy/narrow to accommodate ECVs. Well, actually, they can't handle the Disney-owned ones, so I've been told rather than allow some ECV users to go through the line and prohibit the onsite renters - Guests using ECVs need to transfer to an attraction-provided wheelchair.

I had a similar problem at DHS. I can't transfer out of my powerchair to many rides, but I like at least to ride through the lines to enjoy the pre-show theming. A couple of trips back I wanted to ride the Tower of Terror line to see the gardens and the pre-show in the basement area. They wouldn't let me unless I transferred to a manual I told the CM that (a) I was riding a powerchair, not an ECV ;(b) I couldn't transfer; (c) my powerchair was narrower and shorter than most manual chairs and (d) I could turn in my own length unlike an ECV.

I lost the argument. I was sent to guest relations who told me to write to Disney. I never did see the pre-show.

Andrew

 

[Bete]

However, if this resurfaces I think you can call Specials Needs at Disney direct and they should be able to give you the ins and outs of what can be done or not. Your aunt can do the same.

I agree with the other posters that a doctor's note doesn't get you front of the line access. If it did I would be first to do it.

Also, I think it's terrible the cousins won't push a wheelchair for her. I'm in my late fifties with bad knees and my overweight and I do it for my mom who is 88 and with Alzheimer's. I don't have a second person to help push a wheelchair, either. I'm not looking for any medals for doing it, either. I'm just sharing my story which I think is relevant, here. I did it for 9 days at Disney World last year. I'm going to be doing it for 14 days this year. I'm planning on it for Busch Gardens in Tampa, too; it's a much harder terrain there to push a wheelchair. I didn't win any races pushing a wheelchair, but we survived. I haven't seen my mom happier in a while; it was so worth it for me and her. We alternated between eating, rides, exhibits, live entertainment, shows, parades, fireworks, etc. By doing it this way I had a chance to rest and then move on.

Finally, your aunt can practice for free with a scooter at stores like Wal-Mart and such. She can do this in her own backyard. If she wants to venture out she will need to learn a scooter and such. It sounds especially important since the cousins have such a poor attitude in helping her. It's likely not to get easier for your aunt; so, she needs to get adjusted to a new way of life. It's especially important to do it while she has full brain capacity. With dementia, alzheimer's, etc which can be around the corner (God bless that it doesn't happen), it doesn't get better to learn a scooter and such later on.

 

[3smithboys]

Bete, I couldn't agree with you more.... I think it's terrible too. They say that they have a "hard time thinking of their mother in a wheelchair" and that's why they don't want to push her around in one. They also say that pushing her in a wheelchair is no vacation for them either. (I think if they could get a front of the line pass they would be singing a different tune -KWIM!) If she really wanted to go, would get up at RD, and didn't mind going with my family, I'd push her myself!!!!

I think they are planning on taking a cruise in February, and they will be happier doing that.... At the end of the day, I am just going to let them be...my DH says to stay out of it! I think I am going to take his advice!

 

[KPeveler]

I had a similar problem at DHS. I can't transfer out of my powerchair to many rides, but I like at least to ride through the lines to enjoy the pre-show theming. A couple of trips back I wanted to ride the Tower of Terror line to see the gardens and the pre-show in the basement area. They wouldn't let me unless I transferred to a manual I told the CM that (a) I was riding a powerchair, not an ECV ;(b) I couldn't transfer; (c) my powerchair was narrower and shorter than most manual chairs and (d) I could turn in my own length unlike an ECV.

I lost the argument. I was sent to guest relations who told me to write to Disney. I never did see the pre-show.

Andrew

That sounds upsetting. I can never sit in one of their manual chairs, and that would cause problems... lots of rides say "must transfer to manual chair" - has anyone else had these problems, with TOT or any other ride? This is my first trip in a powerchair, so I am still getting the ropes...

OP - sorry to hijack!