Heart problems will limit Dad's mobility this trip!

[disney0928]

My dad is a Disney vet...knows most of the ins & outs (over 25 trips!) He and my mom will be taking a 2nd honeymoon to the world in Sept to celebrate their 35th anniversary.

Dad has suffered from heart problems for over 15 years....bypass surgery 14 years ago, w/ continued problems, multiple MI's since that time. He is now awaiting a transplant. He is only 57!!!

He has just gotten out of the hospital, can hardly walk 50 feet w/o breathlessness & chest pain. BUT HE IS DETERMINED to be better by mid Sept. for his trip. He has planned down to the last detail...every PS, an Illuminations cruise, a specific room location at the Wilderness Lodge, a carriage ride @ FW...you get the idea. Most of the plans are a surprise for my mom...he is being very secretive and romantic about the trip.

OBVIOUSLY, he is worried about getting around. It seems the best choice for him will be an ECV rental (push wheelchair would get cumbersome for mom). But, he is concerned about getting around at the resorts. IE, how far is the walk from handicapped parking @ resorts to certain restaurants? He has PS's for Boma, Citrico's, Flying Fish, and others.

If he is able to borrow a wheel chair @ WL for use there, can he use it to get from their room to the bus, leave it locked nearby (like a bike), then rent an ECV at the park for the day? How far of a walk into the parks is it to the wheelchair, ECV rental area? Should mom bench dad, go ahead for the rental, and bring it back to dad?

He considered an outside rental but thinks the cost is prohibitive. How do others feel about the distances and logistics w/o a rented ECV, or resort wheelchair? Is it a possibility? He is aggresively trying to get back into a routine at cardiac rehab, and an indoor walking program. In theory, he should be more able to walk by then. I just hope he's not biting off more than he can chew..........

 

[SueM in MN]

From what you are saying, he would be best off renting an ecv from one of the off-site rental places. That way, he would have one what ever he needs it for.
The handicapped parking at any of the resorts is not really that close to the entrance. Then, once you get into the lobby, it's quite a walk to the restaurant. My FIL has bad hips and knees and had to stop twice to get in from the handicapped parking at AKL when we went there for a visit. He could park in the valet parking at the deluxe resorts - it's free if you have a handicapped parking permit.
At WL, there is a long, fairly steep ramp to get down to and back up from the boat area - where you catch the boat to go to MK. I have a minor heart problem and get short of breath going up that ramp. I don't know the distance once you leave the building, but it's at least 100 feet from leaving the building until you get to the boats.
At the top of this forum, there is a FAQs thread that has info about the pros and cons of renting wheelchairs vs ecvs, getting a wheelchair from your resort and information about off site rental places. I think he (and your mom) will have a much better time if he rents an ecvv from one of the off-site places. I'm sure you'll also get some good info from the regulars on this board who are ecv users.

 

[BarbaraJ11]

Originally posted by disney0928


"IE, how far is the walk from handicapped parking @ resorts to certain restaurants? He has PS's for Boma, Citrico's, Flying Fish, and others."

It is easier to get around the parks with a rented EVC than to hobble from place to place. I rode the monorail to Grand Floridian and drove the EVC up to the entrance to Citrico's then just walked inside. You can ride the EVC everywhere in the hotels, no problems,

" How far of a walk into the parks is it to the wheelchair, ECV rental area? Should mom bench dad, go ahead for the rental, and bring it back to dad?"

I tried this last visit- I lasted two days. Way too much walking. In some places-Epcot I think is one-it was too far for me.

"He considered an outside rental but thinks the cost is prohibitive. "

Outside rental is CHEAPER!!! I am going on Friday, staying till Wed. night, 6 days, and the rental is $180 from Walker I believe. Last time i was there the rental at the park is $45 (you can call to another park to have one held if you are park hopping-if one is available) plus 10 dollars deposit that is returned.
Don't try a push wheelchair. It is very hard to do even with a healthy young adult son pushing you, as I found out.