Help/Advice Stroller or Wheelchair

[cancer_survivor_06]

We are leaving for disney on 12/10 and I thought I had this all planned out but now I am starting to second guess myself and we will be there till the 21st so I don't want to be miserable while I am there. My original plan was to bring my mountain buggy urban stroller mostly for the storage but that is proving to be not a good choice for the seat. So no big deal I have plenty more strollers to choose from so next in line of course in my baby jogger city classic it is somewhat lacking on the storage compared to the MB but again comfort is more important than storage. I made the decision to bring the stroller in the first place for ease of changing dd, shade, and the recline for napping if she so feels the need. I can't help but think the wheel chair would be easier when out an about but the biggest problem I would have w/ it is changing her, next would be the fact that she knows how to maneuver it around and likes to take aim at people, and then of course no recline for napping, no shade, and the handles are short even for me and so I hunch over to push her and my back will not last that long. we are staying at coronodo springs and we have no plans on going back to the resort for breaks. I guess my main question is what are your experiences either way. thanks for any help or advice sorry this was so long.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I would go with the stroller as any wheelchairs that you would rent from Disney would be made for an adult and not a child. Also using one just for carrying stuff would really get you some bad looks from both able bodied people and others in wheelchairs and Evcs.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

my dd doesnt walk she can't stand up at all it would be her wheelchair and the only thing it will carry is her,lol. she is 7 she weighs around 60 pounds and is roughly 3ft tall. I have no intentions of renting anything I have to decide whether to bring a stroller or her wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would bring whichever stroller is most comfortable for her (and easiest to transport).
Her wheelchair would be easier if you are using the bus because you probably would not need to transfer her out of it for that (neither stroller you mention is safe for bus tiedown).
If you already know that the wheelchair push handles make you lean over to push in an uncomfortable way, you will be quite uncomfortable by the end of a day of pushing it.

We always just use a regular backpack for storage. Worked well when DD was small and in a stroller and still works now. I also rigged up a bag that goes underneath her wheelchair seat for some extra storage. Not sure whether you could do that on any strollers since they need to fold, but it sure works well on the wheelchair.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

my dd doesnt walk she can't stand up at all it would be her wheelchair and the only thing it will carry is her,lol. she is 7 she weighs around 60 pounds and is roughly 3ft tall. I have no intentions of renting anything I have to decide whether to bring a stroller or her wheelchair.

Sorry I misread your original post and didn't relies that you were talking about brining your own wheelchair.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Sorry I misread your original post and didn't relies that you were talking about brining your own wheelchair.

no worries I rambled on so much my words may have ended up jumbled I was trying to type my post and put dd to bed lol

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I would bring whichever stroller is most comfortable for her (and easiest to transport).
Her wheelchair would be easier if you are using the bus because you probably would not need to transfer her out of it for that (neither stroller you mention is safe for bus tiedown).
If you already know that the wheelchair push handles make you lean over to push in an uncomfortable way, you will be quite uncomfortable by the end of a day of pushing it.

We always just use a regular backpack for storage. Worked well when DD was small and in a stroller and still works now. I also rigged up a bag that goes underneath her wheelchair seat for some extra storage. Not sure whether you could do that on any strollers since they need to fold, but it sure works well on the wheelchair.

Thanks Sue, I did take into consideration the transportation and I know that they can't tie her down in the strollers I wouldn't want them too. We will be driving to the parks everyday since we drive to disney it will just be easier for us drive to the parks and the only transportation we will use is the monorail for leaving MK and epcot for dining. I usually bring a backpack w/ us and for the past year now I have been using the skiphop diaper bags the built in attachment straps give them a nice fit and actually have been working out pretty good on the back of dd's wheelchair. honestly when it comes down to it my main concern was being able to change her and since she can't stand up or assist me in anyway changing her the stroller really is my best choice. I guess its hard b/c she has this since of freedom now w/ her new chair that I feel like I will be taking it from her during our trip but I know this will be best. thanks again.

 

[peemagg]

Could you bring both? Let her use her wheelchair at the resort and the stroller in the parks?

 

[SueM in MN]

Could you bring both? Let her use her wheelchair at the resort and the stroller in the parks?

That would be a good option - freedom when and where it's not so busy or crowded. And, you would only be pushing her with the short push handles for shorter amounts of time.

Also, for changing her, don't forget that you can use First Aid in any park. They have individual rooms or cubicles with cots that you can use.

 

[clanmcculloch]

At her age, How does she feel about being changed in her stroller? Is this something you normally do or is something you're thinking of for convenience at WDW? You might want to reconsider the first aid stations for changing her regardless of what option you choose for transportation. I'm not sure which daughter you're referring to but even at 5, kids want some level of privacy for things like this.

Since this is her regular wheelchair, have you investigated handle bar extenders?

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

My dd is 7 now my sig is old. Normally I take her to the restroom and change her in her stroller. I usually take her to the last stall of the restroom that is not the handicap unless that is my only option. We obviously don't go into the regular stall and close the door so I use the last stall so there isn't alot of traffic so that I can change her. I do have to recline the seat in the stroller and that is where my issue is w/ changing her in the wheelchair. Originally I was thinking of taking her to the family restrooms to change her but I some have said they use them as they are the only restrooms that they can use and since I know I use the reg restrooms w/ her I figured I would do that and avoid the family ones unless necessary. Her cognitive levels vary but that are on an age level more than 2.

 

[SueM in MN]

My dd is 7 now my sig is old. Normally I take her to the restroom and change her in her stroller. I usually take her to the last stall of the restroom that is not the handicap unless that is my only option. We obviously don't go into the regular stall and close the door so I use the last stall so there isn't alot of traffic so that I can change her. I do have to recline the seat in the stroller and that is where my issue is w/ changing her in the wheelchair. Originally I was thinking of taking her to the family restrooms to change her but I some have said they use them as they are the only restrooms that they can use and since I know I use the reg restrooms w/ her I figured I would do that and avoid the family ones unless necessary. Her cognitive levels vary but that are on an age level more than 2.

They are Companion Restrooms, so if you feel they would better meet your/your DD's needs.
They are the only restrooms that some people can use, but using them would allow you to have more room to recline her stroller and also you would have a sink to wash hands after you are done. Those things are important reasons that you may want to use that restroom. So, don't feel bad using them. (And, those are pretty much the only restrooms that my DD can use, so I am speaking as someone who does need them).