Going to Disney with someone who has mobility issues

[Rose DiVerona]

I'm not sure where this belongs, so apologies if this is the wrong category.

My aunt and uncle have invited me to go to WDW with them in the spring. They are both in their sixties. My uncle is not disabled, per say, but he has had a couple of knee replacements. He can walk short distances (slowly), but I definitely can't see him walking around a theme park all day. I've been to WDW plenty of times, but I've never gone with someone who has mobility issues, so I have no idea where to start. I know I'll need to have a frank conversation with both of them about how much walking there will be (they haven't been to WDW in at least 20 years). And I also know I will have to adjust my usual "go, go, go" vacation mode to suit their needs. I don't know if we'll need to go the scooter route, but it's a very real possibility.

Anyway, what I'm really asking for is advice on things I need to consider while planning this trip. I know people with disabilities go to WDW all the time. What are the most important things to keep in mind? How was your experience accompanying a person with mobility issues, or your personal experience as a person with limited mobility? Are there any resources out there you can recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Bete]

Slow up the pace by seeing shows mixed with rides. This will allow for a rest. Eating at a sit down table restaurant is a rest, too. Walk at their pace, not yours.

Be organized and do the parks in a loop without backtracking too much. I would definitely use genie+ and lighting lane access. You will pay per person for those privileges. Make ride reservations as much as possible. Rides with big drops to get on I would suggest you going on first and then be a helping hand for him to get onto the ride. Test track in Epcot and Pirates of the Carribean in Magic Kingdom are examples of such rides with big steps down.

The normal trek through the park is around 4-6 miles a day. If you live in the same area locally I would suggest a walk through a botanical garden or a zoo to see how well they will handle all the walking. That's still not as tough as going to Disney World.

You can practice using a scooter for free at grocery stores and the like. I would definitely do a scooter. Maybe, both of them will even need a scooter. You can rent a scooter at the parks but it's first come first get. Usually to secure one you need to get to the parks at park opening. You will still walk to get in and out of the parks. You can rent scooters with offsite vendors which will be cheaper. Then, you are responsible for charging the battery everyday and getting the scooter(s) in your resort room. Also, you have to get the scooter(s) on and off Disney transportation. You may even have to do it for him, here. With scooters you will get a longer day in the parks which in turn gives you better value with your park tickets. If someone is heavier you need to consider a heavy duty scooter which will have 2 batteries, Pride Victory 10 is one such model. Disney is very crowded and you have small children running around; so, the scooter driver has to be very careful not to injure anyone. Don't expect others to watch out for you. Also, ride queues have a lot of twist and turns; so, it can be challenging to do a scooter through them. Last trip I was 66 and I used a scooter. I lasted twice as long with a scooter in the park.

As another option you can rent a manual wheelchair and you push. If he can walk some then he can use the wheelchair as a walker himself empty. Again, you can rent one in the park or do an offsite vendor.

It may be advisable to take a rest/nap back at the resort midday and then return to the parks later. You do use up time getting back and forth from park to the resort and back again.

It's very doable but you definitely have to slow up the pace.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most people don’t realize how far the average person walks in a day at WDW. The low end is 4 miles, but 8-9 miles is really not unusual. Just telling them ‘4 miles’ may not be something they can visualize.
One of the things I have suggested for the ‘frank talk’ that people say helped the person understand is to pick a familiar place around 2 to 2.5 miles from their home.
Ask if they would be able to walk there; many people will realize they could not walk there. If they say they could, ask if they could walk it and back - then tell them that’s the average distance people walk in a day at WDW.

Posts 18-21 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread have some helpful information about boarding rides. You can find that thread in the pinned posts near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[DisneyOma]

Rent offsite scooters, and have a great trip.

 

[Selket]

My aunt and uncle have invited me to go to WDW with them in the spring. They are both in their sixties. My uncle is not disabled, per say, but he has had a couple of knee replacements. He can walk short distances (slowly), but I

Are you staying on property? I think it is the easiest. Either way I suggest renting a scooter from off-site (I like Gold Mobility but there are many others). If you are staying off-site you could rent a portable scooter and put it in the trunk of the car you're driving (you'd need a car/van). I suggest a 3 wheel vs. a 4 wheel - much tighter turning radius and easier to manuever in lines. ECV's are easy to operate but have him try it out at the resort when it arrives and practice backing up and parallel parking (useful for the bus). The bus driver will help him park. Or you can drive it onto the bus for him.

I have very bad knees and use an ECV at WDW. He can also park it when he gets to the parks (usually with stroller parking) and walk all he wants. He's not obligated to sit in it all day. Or your aunt or yourself could drive it along if he wants to walk - in a big park like Epcot you don't want to leave it too far away. You get no special treatment generally with a scooter - it goes into most of the lines. He can also keep up with you - probably outrun you if you want to race him - haha!

 

[mamabunny]

I'm not sure where this belongs, so apologies if this is the wrong category.

My aunt and uncle have invited me to go to WDW with them in the spring. They are both in their sixties. My uncle is not disabled, per say, but he has had a couple of knee replacements. He can walk short distances (slowly), but I definitely can't see him walking around a theme park all day. I've been to WDW plenty of times, but I've never gone with someone who has mobility issues, so I have no idea where to start. I know I'll need to have a frank conversation with both of them about how much walking there will be (they haven't been to WDW in at least 20 years). And I also know I will have to adjust my usual "go, go, go" vacation mode to suit their needs. I don't know if we'll need to go the scooter route, but it's a very real possibility.

Anyway, what I'm really asking for is advice on things I need to consider while planning this trip. I know people with disabilities go to WDW all the time. What are the most important things to keep in mind? How was your experience accompanying a person with mobility issues, or your personal experience as a person with limited mobility? Are there any resources out there you can recommend?

Thanks!

Like a lot of folks here, I have been using personal mobility devices at WDW for many years now, but I remember like it was yesterday the first time I had to use one.

It was *so* hard to accept that I had to do that. I fought it *hard* - and then ugly cried when the scooter was delivered.

And then, I had the best trip that I had had in years. I was no longer in pain, and not only could I keep up with my family, but suddenly I was able to go all day. At night, I could actually sleep, and then wake up refreshed, with less pain and swelling. It was a revelation.

Tell your uncle this: Using a mobility device (like a scooter, or a Rollator (which is a fancy walker with a handy built-in seat, and typically a basket under the seat) at Disney World is no big deal. It's using a *tool* to get a job done; it's no different than using glasses to see better, or a hearing aid if you need to hear better. Using the proper tool for the job is always the best, safest way to go!

And also let him know that him riding a scooter at WDW is a total non-event. There are so many folks who need to use a mobility device there that no one stands out. And even if you did... who cares? You will never see those people again, so don't let that bother you.

We have tips and tricks for new scooter drivers - if you want/need them, just let me know

Renting a scooter (ideally from an outside vendor in Orlando) is a great idea for anyone with mobility issues of any kind. Disney does not extend DAS privileges to folks with mobility issues, as their needs are addressed by using a wheelchair, or scooter, etc.

 

[TiffFromTX]

Like others have said, I was in my late 40s when I had to get a scooter due to massive knee problems. I cried before, worried, but it was the BEST thing ever! Go with Gold Mobility. They're so prevalent (scooters) and they'll have a great time. In fact, if they insists on not having them I'd order them anyway and have them there in case. Bet after a short time, they'll head back to the hotel to get them.