Gold Mobility walker?

[DeadHead]

My wife will be needing a walker for our upcoming trip. I will be using ecv from GMS, and we saw they rent walkers also. Has anyone had any experiences with the walker? They say the walkers are park approved. Any issues on disney transportation? Are the walkers foldable to make it easier on the bus. Thanks so much for any help.

 

[SueM in MN]

My wife will be needing a walker for our upcoming trip. I will be using ecv from GMS, and we saw they rent walkers also. Has anyone had any experiences with the walker? They say the walkers are park approved. Any issues on disney transportation? Are the walkers foldable to make it easier on the bus. Thanks so much for any help.

I think the ‘park approved’ is a bit of overkill on their part. There is no process for ‘park approval‘ so there are no official ‘park approved’ wheelchairs, ECVs or other equipment. I think what the rental companies mean by it is that their devices are not bigger than the maximum size Disney allows.
Walkers are generally folded and held the same way strollers are on the bus. Some people attach the Walker to their ECV or wheelchair (that may or may not work depending on how far it sticks out and how well the driver can fasten the tie down straps to secure the ECV with the Walker on back.
This appears to be the walker model Gold is using (or a very similar one)
Vive walker
The link has a picture of it folded, but it’s shown being put into a trunk, so maybe not the clearest picture. I’m sure Gold would give you further information if you contact them, but I’m quite sure you won’t have an issue with it on the bus or in the parks.

 

[Evita_W]

I think the ‘park approved’ is a bit of overkill on their part. There is no process for ‘park approval‘ so there are no official ‘park approved’ wheelchairs, ECVs or other equipment. I think what the rental companies mean by it is that their devices are not bigger than the maximum size Disney allows.
Walkers are generally folded and held the same way strollers are on the bus. Some people attach the Walker to their ECV or wheelchair (that may or may not work depending on how far it sticks out and how well the driver can fasten the tie down straps to secure the ECV with the Walker on back.
This appears to be the walker model Gold is using (or a very similar one)
Vive walker
The link has a picture of it folded, but it’s shown being put into a trunk, so maybe not the clearest picture. I’m sure Gold would give you further information if you contact them, but I’m quite sure you won’t have an issue with it on the bus or in the parks.

I think the park approved is not a case of copy and paste from other descriptions than anything else. I could see park tested and having been with people that need walkers, I can indeed tell you some models do substantially better than others due to the very different terrains you encounter from asphalt to cobble stone like to trolley tracks, etc. I have known people who have the model you linked and it is one of the better ones in the parks.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've had no experience with their walkers, but GM is a great company to deal with. However, I found on our last trip to Hilton Head, where I needed a walker, it was just as cheap to buy a walker and have it delivered to the resort, waiting for me as it would cost to rent one. Then, at the end of our vacation, we took it home, where I already have a walker, but left it in the box, so now I have a "vacation walker". I see that the one is about 3 times the cost to purchase, but there may be less expensive ones that are exactly what you want as far as foldability and size. Just an idea, based on our experience. BTW, since walkers are medical equipment, there's no luggage cost by the airlines for it.

 

[LoveToDisney]

I have a Nitro rollator which is very similar to the Vive walker you are showing from Gold. My Nitro folds up vertically and is very easy to take on the bus and hold in front of me when seated on the bus. You can take it through all the lines and the cast members will have it waiting for you when you get off the ride. I don't use a pouch on my rollator because it folds up easier without one. If you purchase one to take with you, I always bungee mine closed when I turn it in at the gate so it stays closed during transfer and I don't have to worry that the airline will break the plastic lever than keeps it closed.

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

We rented a walker for Pop from Gold last October. It does fold up the same as most walkers. There is also a walker holder available to attach to the scooter you rent. Pop decided after trying to go back and forth between the scooter and walker to just use the scooter in the parks and the walker around the room. (We also had his wheelchair from home that we used if he was too dizzy for the walker.) The attachment was not too difficult to use, and would have gotten easier with practice, but again we used it only a couple times the first day. Also the walker is 4 wheeled. Pop had used only a 2 wheeled one at home and at rehab. He’s just to slow to get the good out of 4 wheels. Hope y’all have a great stay!

 

[DeadHead]

Thank you all for the info. I apologize for taking so.long to reply. Recovering from hip replacement surgery and didn't feel like being online.

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you all for the info. I apologize for taking so.long to reply. Recovering from hip replacement surgery and didn't feel like being online.

I get it. I'm *still* recovering from my emergency spine surgery on Dec 30 (that cancelled my Jan 2021trip... boo!)

I hope you are recovering quickly, and completely!!!