Getting a wheelchair w/o offending anyone, very long

[Talking Hands]

I do not consider alternative entrances as line cutting. Oftten there are longer waits going through the alternative entrance than there are for those able bodies in the regualr line. Itis accommodation not line cutting.

 

[SueM in MN]

I do not consider alternative entrances as line cutting. Oftten there are longer waits going through the alternative entrance than there are for those able bodies in the regualr line. Itis accommodation not line cutting.

I totally agree with you.
The alternate entrances were never a "perk" for people with disabilities. They are there only because the regular entrances are not accessible.
We also often wait longer than able bodied people. The longest wait we had was 40 minutes for the wheelchair accessible Safari when able bodied people were walking right on (and trams were leaving half full because people were not coming fast enough).

 

[Pumbaa_]

Lisa, we went to the 6:45 show and sat on the left side. Nice view!
We then had a dinner PS at R&C for 8:00 and watched Illuminations. It was one of the highlights of my trip last year. I would defiantely go see her again.

I really enjoyed how much she seemed to enjoy the music. Ahh, what great memories!

 

[ZPT1022]

I was not trying to say that people who use the alternate entrances were line cutting, I was merely trying to point out that they often have to wait longer for an accessible boat/ vehicle. So even if it seems like they are "cutting" they really aren't, they just have their own (albeit different) line to wait in

 

[SueM in MN]

I understood you perfectly, ZPT1022.
I think people were responding to clutter

Although, I don't see my mom riding too many rides, so we won't be doing any line cutting!! (Well, maybe Small World.)

I just like to make sure it is clear because people who have never traveled with a wheelchair see "line cutting" and think that wheelchair users actually do get some great "perk".
I still see posts on the other boards where someone mentions they have broken their leg and a whole lot of other people respond "It's too bad y broke your leg, but you'll get to go to the front of all the lines now."
So, if I see the phrase, I try to make sure it's clear what really happens (which is just what you said).

 

[WorknFires]

I'm so glad I found this thread!

My DH has a ruptured disc that is pressing on the ciatic nerve. He is able to walk fine (some times with a slight limp) but I know that hours of walking and standing if going to be difficult and that he'll tire easily. He's one of those macho men who refuse to admit he's hurting and since we're taking his parents and my mom, he won't want them to miss anything. It's going to be a fight to get him to use a wheelchair but it's important to me that he not get too tired (or too grumpy! ) and also not to make his problems worse. He has refused to have surgery before our trip (Sept) because he knows how long I've been planning it. Why don't men ever understand that their long term health is more important than a little inconvenience?! I just want him to use the wc between rides. He can stand in lines, I don't have a problem with that. Am I being overprotective or unrealistic?

Cheryl

 

[pjkds]

WorknFires,

Overprotective? No.

Realistic? No.
-----But then neither is he.

Good luck. It's very hard to get people to admit for the first time that they cannot do everything they used to do. Especially when they can ALMOST do it by just trying harder and harder.

 

[SueM in MN]

Am I being overprotective or unrealistic?

I think you are not being either, but will you be successful? I don't know.
They are more expensive, but you might have better luck getting him to use an ecv (also called scooter) than a wheelchair. If he is using an ecv, he will be more independent and not have someone pushing him. If you decide to try an ecv, they are less expensived rented by the week from an outside of WDW medical equipment company.
We've been trying to get my FIL to use an ecv at WDW for about the past 10 years. The first few years, it was, "no. I don't need one. I'll just stop and rest when I need to." The past few years, he has agreed that maybed one wsould be a good idea. And the last 2 years, he has even said, "I think I'll rent one of those

 

[pjkds]

SueM has a good point. There's an emotional advantage to an ECV:

Compared to a wheelchair (and especially if the rider doesn't have the skill, experience, and great strength to propel the chair for long distances by himself)--
an ECV is more like a TOY, or a CAR. My ECV is usually envied, by children and adults alike. It's "cool." It's "fun." "Can I try it?" "I wish I had one of those." These are comments I hear a lot.

 

[WorknFires]

Thank you all so much. I'll try that angle........ Wish me luck!

Cheryl