Good News...And Bad News...

[Buckeye Fan]

Was hoping you guys could offer any suggestions/advice:

Good news...
* Leaving for vacation a week from today!!!
* Will be at Daytona 8/2 - 8/9 and at VWL 8/9 - 8/14.

Bad news...
* DS (12) broke a bone in his foot.
* Difficult for him to get around.
* Dr. said not to stand or walk around for long periods of time for at least a good 2 - 3 weeks.

More good news:
* No cast, but a boot.

I know we can rent a wheel chair, which we'll do, but how will this work in the parks? He will be able to ride the rides, but I don't think he'll be able to stand in lines for long periods of time. No biggie at all, and we're very blessed! Just looking for general information and suggestions.

Thanks, all!

 

[Mama of Indybride]

At Disneyland, they had what they called wheelchair accessible lines.

I'm sorry to hear about your son's foot, but it may be a blessing in disguise!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Having a WC in WDW is no biggie at all. Go to guest services and get a GAC if you feel it's necessary, but just rent a WC and take him around. He will have no problems getting on busses, seeing parades/fireworks, or on rides. My mom is an amputee and we rented an ECV for her and she just transferred into a regular WC for some rides, but had no problems.

D4D

 

[wdw1972]

At Disneyland, they had what they called wheelchair accessible lines.

I'm sorry to hear about your son's foot, but it may be a blessing in disguise!

At WDW most attractions were designed so people in wheelchairs wait in the regular line with everyone else. It's only some in the MK that were built so long ago they're not completely accessible, so there's a separate line. People in wheelchairs don't necessarily get on any faster though, even in the special line.

 

[CarolMN]

Moving to disAbilities Forum - you should get lots of suggestions & encouragement there.

Hope your DS heals quickly

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi there!

Firstly, don't panic! Disney is the easiest place to wheel about that I've found. As has already been said, almost all of the lines are mainstreamed now, so wheelchair users will go through the same entrance as everyone else, go though most or all of the line, then be shown where to board. For the rides that are not mainstreamed, the CM at the entrance to the ride will show you where to go. Just to warn you, you very rarely get on a ride sooner with a wheelchair, and will often end up waiting longer (though this is of course worth it if it reduces his pain).

I would suggest you consider renting a chair from an offsite company, rather than renting daily at the parks. This is more convenient, as you'll have it for the whole trip; allows him to use the wheelchair at the resort and DTD; usually works out cheaper than daily rentals and will hopefully mean he can have one that is a better fit for him. If he needs to keep the foot elevated, you can usually get a chair with liftable leg rests from an offsite company; just tell them you need it, and which leg needs to lift. You can also usually get crutch holders attached to the chair, for a small flat-rate fee. You can find information on external rental companies in the disABILITIES FAQ (post #2). I think that at least one of the companies listed rents kids' wheelchairs, which, depending on his height, might be a more comfortable fit for him.

If you do rent from offsite, you'll need to deal with Disney transport with the chair. Again, Disney has made this as easy as possible. You can either fold the wheelchair and carry it on, using the front doors, or he can board in the chair, using the ramp or lift at the back of the bus. We used to do the first option before my Fibro got too bad, but now we find it easier on everyone if we board through the back. Wheelchairs can be fairly heavy and bulky to have to lug up the steps (my lovely, long-suffering mother did this for me for a few trips, even when her back was playing up ). Information on riding Disney transport with a chair can be found in the FAQ (post #4).

Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, do give us a shout!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

One Little Spark gave some very good advice.

Also, if you are driving you may want to rent a wheelchair that will fit your son in Columbus so you have it for both locations. If not you should definitely rent from one of the off-site companies as all the Disney wheelchairs are designed for "standard" size or larger adults. Also the off-site chairs tend to have adjustable leg/foot rests while the Disney ones do not.

And almost every line at all the parks is "mainstreamed" so that the wheelchair can be used in the line all the way to the load/unload areas. Those where it is not mainstreamed there are indicated alternate entrances.

He would not need a GAC unless he has a problem other than the mobility problem.

 

[KPeveler]

I would DEFINITELY rent from off-site. i am 5' and 100lbs, so the size of an average 12 yr old boy, and the park chairs are the MOST uncomfortable things ever! he will be uncomfortable within minutes (in fact, i cannot even stand them for the length of the POTC queue line), and they are very heavy and hard to push. if the footrests, which are not adjustable will mean his legs are hanging there, and that can cause more problems with a boot on - it will be heavy and pull on his leg...

i would also rent from off site for those places that do not have wheelchairs to rent or do not have one easily rented, like DTD.

 

[mamaloya]

Talk with his doctor and see if he will write a prescription for a wheelchair rental for him. Your insurance should cover it and then you can pick it up from a medical store near your home and have it your entire vacation. You then just turn it back in when you return home.