Getting Around Parks When Injured...suggestions Please

[reesecup]

We are planning a trip at the end of the year into the new year and I have an injured foot/toe that I am OK getting around for a little bit but can not walk for long periods of time without it hurting really bad. I can't see myself being able to get around the parks like I used to. Yet, I don't feel I am at the point of needing a wheelchair and would not want to get one if someone else needs it worse. Are there any suggestions out there? Just not sure of what to do.

 

[monkeymama]

I will be watching this thread as well. We leave in 2 weeks and my husband just badly sprained his ankle for the 3rd time in 2 months. I suspect he is looking at surgery but in the meantime, I have to figure out how we're going to get him around the parks. I can't push both a wheelchair and a stroller!

 

[elwise1966]

In both your cases, I would suggest an ECV. Don't feel that you're not injured enough to use one. Let me tell you it can be a very long trip if your foot hurts.
The ECV not only gives the person riding it mobility to go where he/she wants, it also does not require that other party members push them and in doing so, tire themselves out as well.
My partner has a foot that really hurts him after long periods of walking. This started at the beginning of this year, so we have not been to WDW since. But even walking around Disneyland, which is much smaller, bothers him a great deal. We now always get a scooter for him
Next year when we go to WDW, I plan on getting him a scooter from an offsite company so he will have it at all times.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You know, getting yourself around in a wheelchair isn't necessarily all that easy, but it's not necessarily difficult either - once you get used to it.
But you can rent an ECV (electric convenience vehicle, aka 'scooter') either at a park for use in that park for that day, or from an outside firm for the length of your stay - see the disABILITIES board for more information.

Keep in mind, though, that some attractions require you to transfer from the ECV to a wheelchair - so the issue of propelling the person comes into play again - and/or from the wheelchair to the ride vehicle.

Don't worry about taking one away from somebody who needs it 'more', since if walking any kind of distance is painful/difficult, YOU need it. Oh, you can also rent manual wheelchairs from those same companies - there's a FAQ on the disABILITIES board.


Remember, there's a LOT of walking - both between attractions, and in the actual ride lines.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, yeah - standard disclaimer: Using an ECV or wheelchair does NOT, for the most part, let you go to the front of the line. Common misconception (not stated by anyone in THIS thread, of course )
MOST queues are designed so that wheelchairs/ecvs fit the entire way through. If an alternate entrance is necessary, it does NOT mean that the Guest is going ahead of everyone, just that for whatever reason they can't negotiate the regular line. For example, about halfway through the line for Splash Mountain there's a set of stairs; ditto for Dinosaur. At those points, the Guest is directed to an alternate means of access.

 

[bopper]

Don't worry about taking an "ECV" if you need it...there are many companies that rent them. You need it. You are injured. You want to make sure you and your family have a good time...which you and they won't if you are in pain! Don't worry if you just use it to get from ride to ride and then you stand in line. Don't worry about what others think...you don't know them and they don't know you and your injury! Do what you need to do to make the vacation the best for you and your family!

 

[reesecup]

Thank you guys so much for the suggestion on the ECV. That sounds like exactly what I will need. I can probably go for a little and then use it in the afternoon. Can I do that?? Just set up a time to rent it out? And does anyone know how far in advance I would need to request one?

I'm confused on how that works for rides, attractions though. Where would the ECV be left? Would someone have to stay there and not ride or something?

Sorry for all the questions. I just have never had to inquire about this before. It's amazing what you take for granted. Thank you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You really should check out the disABILITIES board here on the DISboards, but...
No, you can't reserve a time to rent an ECV, and each park only has a limited number. It's not at ALL unusual for them to all be rented out within a couple of hours of park opening. Get to your park of choice early; rent the ECV; use it to get around. Why risk putting yourself in pain and making your day miserable when you don't HAVE to?
As you approach EACH attraction, a Cast Member will direct you. If not, just ask someone. Some attractions you can stay on the ECV the whole time; some you need to transfer to a wheelchair; some you need to walk a little (or a lot, if you're alone and/or nobody can push you in a wheelchair - Pirates of the Caribbean comes immediately to mind). If you do need to park the ECV, the Cast Member will show you where. Just take the key with you and it'll be fine. Sometimes the CMs have to move it, for example you exit the ride in a different place from where you boared. The ECV has a manual switch - if you rent from Disney, any CM should know where this switch is. If you rent offsite (all reputable/recommended companies deliver to your resort free), you may have to show somebody where the switch is.
Again, I can't repeat it enough - go to the disABILITIES Board here on the DIS - it's about a dozen or so forums below this one on the list of Trip Planning Forums. There's a FAQ there with TONS of information.

 

[reesecup]

Thank you. I'll ck the other board out. Just posted this quick without seeing that one.

And I would NEVER expect to be moved to the front of the line. I can stand just fine for the most part unless it's a really long time but I would never try to USE my injury for any kind of purpose like getting ahead in line. That's why I wanted to know where it would go when we went to get in line.

I'm not going to park in handicapped parking if I'm not handicapped and I am not going to try and cheat in line at Disney if I'm able to stand in line like everyone else.

We are going at a good time I think where the crowds should be too bad anyway. I just want it to get around to the rides better, that's all. And to not be in pain and be "Grumpy" most of the time. We want to have a good trip. And I really wish more than anything this injury would have never happened. I'm a very active person and it is getting the best of me.