First trip to Disneyland using a wheelchair ???

[CharacterShoes]

We've been to Disneyland many times, but this will be the first trip since I was diagnosed with a heart condition and resultant heart damage three years ago. I do alright for about 7,000 steps a day and then I am done, both physically and mentally exhausted, so I will be renting a wheelchair (wheelchair not ECV, because exhausted self is not a good driver). Our trip is next week. I have been delaying any sort of planning because I am still sort of scared about the whole prospect of this trip. I believe I understand how ride access works with a wheelchair and am not concerned about that, but even after reading all the existing threads, I still have some questions.

1) Where should I rent from?
We are staying At BWPPI. I have heard good things about renting from Deckert's but that all seems to be regarding renting ECV's. Does anyone have any specific recommendations for renting a wheelchair? (And before anyone tries to talk me into an ECV, my husband is already on board for the exhausting job of pushing me around all day, and trust me when I say it is for the benefit of everyone else at Disneyland that I do not have an ECV. I would 100% be that awful person who runs over toes. Not on purpose, I just really am that bad them when I get tired).

2) Where to park, when not in use?
I am hoping to walk when I am up to it. It's good for me. Is it best to park in stroller parking for one of the rides of the land we are in and relocate the wheelchair we move to a new land? Would it be relatively safe in stroller parking in front of an attraction for a few hours?

3) How do wheelchairs work when securing fireworks or parade spots?
I don't know if this changes anything, or if we go about scoping out spot the same way? Because I can no longer do many of my favorite rides I am really looking forward to the parades and fireworks and want to make sure I am able to secure a viewing spot. I don't mind waiting awhile. I am anticipating that I will be using the wheelchair almost exclusively by nightfall, as my energy is highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. We will have a party of 6.

Any tips beyond this? Our kids are teens so they will be able to hang out together and go on all the rides I can't and they can go off and have fun when I need to stop and rest. The big deal for me this trip is to be able to see the kids there again (we used to go every year when they were little) and to prove to myself that after three years of recovery I can do this kind of trip (even if it's a severely modified version of the trips we used to do).

 

[Tiggerish]

I use a power chair so slightly different, but for the parade I just staked out a spot and sat in my chair. Well before the parade starts, cast members put down tape showing where you can stand to wait or sit on the curb edge. As soon as the taped areas were set, I picked my spot in the front row and then enjoyed people watching until the parade started. A couple of times, a later comer would try to put themselves or more frequently, a child in front of me but other people by me always intervened and made them stay back. If one or two people want to wait with you, it is possible to spread out enough that there will be room for more of your party to join closer to parade start.

For the fireworks, I tried to get a parade spot by a curb cut out into the street. Then when the parade passed, the let you move into the street and wait the few minutes until the fireworks start. Just a note, the fireworks were scheduled for all six nights we were there in early April, but went off only once due to wind conditions.

Several rides, Toy Story, Little Mermaid, Small World and Jungle Cruise have a vehicle that you stay in your wheel chair. I especially enjoy the Jungle Cruise one. Lots of the other rides, you can take your chair all the way to the side of ride vehicle and then it is only a couple of steps to get in.

 

[CharacterShoes]

Thanks! Much appreciated. It helps to know what works for others. My husband will be hanging with me, so I'll have help for spot scoping. And yes, about the fireworks being cancelled. I have somewhat of a reputation in my family for being a fireworks curse. Anytime I get a good spot for fireworks they get cancelled. If I decide I'm not going to bother, they go off without a hitch. Still have to try though! At least one night.

For anyone else, who might have similar questions: I was able to rent a wheelchair from a place right onsite at the lobby of BWPPI. It's $25 for the 1st day, $15 a day after that. I couldn't find many reviews for wheelchairs (although this place has decent reviews for Scooter rentals), but I figured with them being onsite we can handle any issues that arise.