Heart Condition

[JenniferTB]

I am currently wearing a LifeVest (personal defibrillator) while I am recovering from a heart condition. My cardiologist has cleared me to go on our trip to Disney World, but he suggested that I rent an ECV. I look perfectly healthy, and am in my mid-thirties. But, I developed a pregnancy related heart condition during my last pregnancy 10 years ago. This is my first real relapse since I was released from my cardiologist 7 years ago. I am DETERMINED to make this trip a success for my family. But, I'm worried about using the ECV. Basically, I will only need it for the parks. Not for use in the resort or for short distances. What do I need to do to prepare for the trip? I have already informed the Disney resort that I will need a ground floor, but not a handicapped accessible room. Any other suggestions as to how I can better prepare for this trip?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Are you sure you won't need an ECV outside of the parks? Except for the Magic Kingdom the walk from the bus to the park entrance can be considered long for someone with stamina issues. And depending on where you are staying it might be quite a hike to your hotel room from the bus stop. Something to consider. I'm having the same debate with my father about our trip.

 

[nikkislaght]

You mentioned that you dont want an ECV, aside from the parks.. I use a cane most days.. and just make it through the day.. when I add Disney to my days.. I am done in by 5pm.. even just the prep work to get there .. traveling with a disability is tiring .. I would use the ECV for as long as I could , it will make your trip so much more enjoyable for you and in turn your family...

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome to the DISboards!

I agree with the PP, you may want to reconsider the distances to cover to/from transportation and around your resort. You might look into an off site rental; it will also be less expensive than daily rentals in the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Goofy14sure]

I've got a Heart Condition and use an ECV and I could not make it with out one. The thing I have found about WDW is that it's somewhat deceptive! Every one thinks the parks are the hard part, but I really think that getting to the park is the hardest. The distances from your room to the bus stop will be long, and the distance from the bus stop to the front gates will often be longer, then you'll wait in line for security, then que up to get through the gates, then line up again to get your park ECV. The park has a few places to sit, and cool places to shop or take a break , but the bus stops seem to be out in the middle of a scorching concrete wasteland . And then there are those trips to the food court or restaurant for meals. Our last stay at Port Orleans our room was just over 1000 feet to the food court or the bus stop and about the same from the bus stop to guest relations at MK. Those treks add up (it's further from the bus to Guest relations than from GR to the center of the hub).

I would think about renting an offsite ECV and using it as much as you can and save all your energy for family

 

[Betty Rohrer]

another vote for getting offsite ECV rental and using at resort. remember at the end of night when you are tired the park rental is not allowed out the gate and you then have to find the strength to get to bus or boat or monorail which has a incline ramp or your car. save strength anywhere you can so you can have more fun with them. ps I have a daughter who had major heart attack at age 35 and has to use ECV if she wants to enjoy Disney with her sons so in a way been there done that with her. plus the offsite ECV rentals are cheaper

 

[nikkislaght]

This lady just did a trip report..you might want to take a look,, she is detailed in what it is currently like getting round WWD in an ECV ..
http://www.disboards.com/threads/thoughts-from-our-february-trip.3387320/#post-53203714

 

[powellrj]

I am currently wearing a LifeVest (personal defibrillator) while I am recovering from a heart condition. My cardiologist has cleared me to go on our trip to Disney World, but he suggested that I rent an ECV. I look perfectly healthy, and am in my mid-thirties. But, I developed a pregnancy related heart condition during my last pregnancy 10 years ago. This is my first real relapse since I was released from my cardiologist 7 years ago. I am DETERMINED to make this trip a success for my family. But, I'm worried about using the ECV. Basically, I will only need it for the parks. Not for use in the resort or for short distances. What do I need to do to prepare for the trip? I have already informed the Disney resort that I will need a ground floor, but not a handicapped accessible room. Any other suggestions as to how I can better prepare for this trip?

Some of the reasons you may want to look into renting an ECV from an off-site vendor are because its much cheaper than renting one at the theme parks, its a long walk from your resorts to the food courts or busses, while I am not sure where you are coming from, but depending on the time of year, the heat can be overwhelming at times.

 

[JenniferTB]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm super excited about the trip, and I am currently shopping around for the best deals on an ECV. I really do think offsite rental will be best because the resort we are staying at is HUGE (Port Orleans Riverside.) I know, deep down, that the best way to truly enjoy the trip is to do 2 things...1. Rent an ECV and 2. Plan a lot of rest time into our trip. We are "morning park people" so right now our plan is to tour from park opening until lunch then rest at the resort until 6:00 or so then have dinner at the park and finish whatever we plan to do. I have also done research via disney planning websites about the foods I can order. I've learned that the more diligent I am about my sodium intake, the better I feel. So, eating a weeks worth of burgers and fries is a TERRIBLE idea. I'm confident that disney restaurants will be able to accommodate me. I'm lucky that Disney is so great at helping people with special dietary needs. I'm so excited to be sharing this time with my family, that I don't care if I get dirty looks from people who assume I'm healthy.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

sounds like a good plan have a great trip