First trip with a wheelchair, a quick question

[Boski]

Hi All,
I've gone through the FAQ which has a ton of great information and is a little intimidating! I didn't see where this was specifically addressed so I apologize in advance if I have missed it or if this just a dumb question.

My wife has some back and neck issues that have just continued to get worse throughout the years. Our trip last year she would have to take many breaks and felt like she had to push herself to make it to the end of the day. After much debating we think that this trip we are going to get a wheelchair for her. I'm sure there are people on here that have similar situations! She'll be able to transfer to rides, buses, etc. just fine. We do not need any special room requests and there might be days where she doesn't even need it. Some days she might start out walking and then use it in the evening after we take a break. We are going to see how she feels and play it by ear. My question is in regards to rides/buses. Lets say we are at Epcot and Spaceship Earth has a 10min wait. Do we bring the chair into the queue and then the CM will take it to exit? Or do some people park their chairs and walk to the attractions? Again this assuming she can hang in line with a short wait. I don't know if she could stand for 30-40min wait so on that occasion I think we'll bring her w/ the wheelchair into the queue. And what about the buses? Again she will have no problems boarding, do we simply fold the WC up and bring it on board with us? Thanks in advance!

 

[wilkeliza]

Hi All,
I've gone through the FAQ which has a ton of great information and is a little intimidating! I didn't see where this was specifically addressed so I apologize in advance if I have missed it or if this just a dumb question.

My wife has some back and neck issues that have just continued to get worse throughout the years. Our trip last year she would have to take many breaks and felt like she had to push herself to make it to the end of the day. After much debating we think that this trip we are going to get a wheelchair for her. I'm sure there are people on here that have similar situations! She'll be able to transfer to rides, buses, etc. just fine. We do not need any special room requests and there might be days where she doesn't even need it. Some days she might start out walking and then use it in the evening after we take a break. We are going to see how she feels and play it by ear. My question is in regards to rides/buses. Lets say we are at Epcot and Spaceship Earth has a 10min wait. Do we bring the chair into the queue and then the CM will take it to exit? Or do some people park their chairs and walk to the attractions? Again this assuming she can hang in line with a short wait. I don't know if she could stand for 30-40min wait so on that occasion I think we'll bring her w/ the wheelchair into the queue. And what about the buses? Again she will have no problems boarding, do we simply fold the WC up and bring it on board with us? Thanks in advance!

What happens with the wheelchair will depend on the ride. So for your example Spaceship Earth you will be directed around to the exit where you will be loaded from there and the wheelchair will wait there so it is easily accessed at the end of the ride. There are similar situations where you will use a separate entrance (Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road and Space Mountain come to mind) and then the CM will take the wheelchair to the exit location. I have heard BTMRR and Haunted Mansion can be lengthy walks back to get your wheelchair but less than 10 minutes so doesn't sound like it should be an issue. for buses I believe you have to load through the wheelchair ramp or lift but can then choose to fold up the wheelchair once on board.

 

[gap2368]

in all of WDW there is about 5 rides where you have a different entrance BTMRR JC ( MK) Space ship earth are some that come to mind in these you will either be directed to the exit if the line is less then 10 minutes or given a return time to come back latter ( or you can park your WC ) and do the stand by. Others you will go in what ever line FP or stand by and at a point you will be directed to another line/ area TSMM and 7DMT are two that come to mind the CM will let you know or you can just ask before getting in line if you need to do anything or how the line works space mountain only the FP line is wheel share assessable so if you do not have a FP you will get a return time. Buzz light year you go thought the line and at the end you go thought the doors to the exit and get on there.

if you do not think your wife needs a wheel chair the whole time you may want to get a wheel chair at the park ( these you normally have to keep in the parks) this way you do not have to worry about getting it on and off the buss ( but just be aware busses lines can be long and they do have complimtry WC but all so the walk to you room) and also the park WC can be very hard to push, if your wife dose not need one all the time she can park it in the land you are in and go walk around some and then come back when she needs it also she also she can use in like a walker so she dose not have to be sitting all the time,

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as a part time ECV user, I know different but where I am going is somewhat the same, I would use chair as much as possible and not try to push herself to make it a little longer. yes I would do the offsite rental and use on buses or what ever transportation you are using, esp for end of day for the wait for buses or just the end of the day tiredness to get to the room. being able to sit while in line or moving around the parks. this is what I have found for my self

 

[mamabunny]

When it comes to the buses, you will load first, via the ramp and exit last (also via the ramp). The ramp folds out the side door. She does not have to sit in the chair for loading/unloading, and can walk up the ramp, either pushing the chair, or behind the person pushing the chair. Let the bus driver know if she will be walking on the ramp.

And just a reminder - don't forget to bring along an inexpensive pair of bike gloves to help prevent blisters for whoever pushes the chair along. You may not need them, but you may be very glad to have them if you do!

If she thinks she might spend more time sitting than standing/walking, a nice gel cushion will make any wheelchair much more comfortable, especially if she has lower back/SI joint/hip issues. Wheelchairs have a "sling" type seat that can become somewhat uncomfortable after lots of sitting.

 

[Boski]

Thank you all! @mamabunny I did purchase a pair of gloves (read that in one of the threads!) and shes got a comfy cushion set to go