Help!! Have a few questions about wheelchairs and strollers

[klbfl2002]

I have quite a few questions on different subjects that I was looking for help with. I posted this another area and I thinking I should have posted it in here. We are going to Disney World in a few mths, I have some health issues with my spine. I can't be on my feet for long periods of time without being hunched over in pain and or my feet swelling or sometimes can hardly even walk at. So I know I couldn't walk that whole park without being in a wheelchair or some type of other help. I know you can rent wheelchairs. What do you need to get a wheelchair??How much do they usually cost per day?? Also, we have two girls, they are 8 and 2. We will be using a stroller for our two year old, are there stroller areas outside each ride?? Should we rent a double stroller? Just incase for the 8yr just to rest at times or is the parks doable for her age without the double stroller?? If there are areas, do you leave stuff in your stroller? I know we will keep personal things like the backpack with us. But I heard some people leave gifts they bought with them so they don't have to lug it on all the rides. Does this happen a lot?? I more so worry buying to much stuff and it getting stolen, if we did that. Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for all who answers. Have a great day.

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome! I suggest you check out the disAbilities FAQ sticky at the top of this forum for more details about wheelchair rentals.

Wheelchairs and ECVs can be rented at each park on a daily basis. The rental location is near the front at each park, same area as stroller rentals (I'll get to that question next). ECVs are $50 per day plus a refundable deposit, and I think wheelchairs are $14 per day. Length of stay rental is available if you wish to purchase multiple days at once, it might save you a couple bucks off each day but not much. I really would suggest that you look into an off-site rental -- they will be much less expensive plus you'll have it to go back to your resort (after a long day in the parks, the walk from the bus to resort room can seem really long). And you'll have it throughout the day without worry about WDW running out. One question...you mention a wheelchair but also using a stroller...will you have at least 2 other adults - one who can push you in a wheelchair and one who can push the stroller? If not, self-propelling a wheelchair at WDW can be very tiring and impossible if you aren't used to doing so; you might consider an ECV instead.

Strollers can be rented from within each park as well, or from off-site vendors -- some even the same vendor who rents ECV/wheelchairs. Again, I recommend off-site for the same reasons as above. There is stroller parking for each ride -- it might be at the ride or in a general area shared by a few rides. ECVs or wheelchairs may also park here if you don't wish to use it in line. I suggest hanging or tying something onto your stroller to make it easy to recognize as yours; sometimes the strollers will get moved around a bit while you are on the ride and it won't be exactly where you expected it. Don't leave anything valuable behind; it's up to you if you feel comfortable leaving a with bag sweaters, rain ponchos, snacks (make sure they are closed so critters don't get into it), etc. If you are staying onsite at a WDW resort, I suggest you make use of the resort delivery for any purchases you make in the park so you don't have to lug them around.

As to the 8-yr-old...you know your child best. Some will say use a double stroller, others will say share a single with the 2 yr old, yet others will say make her walk. Will you be going back to the resort for a rest/break mid-day? The average 8 yr old would probably be fine then. If you plan a rope-drop until closing full day, my bet is she'll be tired and whiny. But again, you know your kid.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[design_mom]

You can find all the pertinent information about in-park rentals of wheelchairs/ECV in the Disabilities FAQ thread. Look here, in post #2 of this thread, for the latest info on cost, deposit, etc. (Anyone can rent a wheelchair. You don't have to show proof of need or anything): http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713 There's also info in that thread about off-site rentals of wheelchairs/ECVs, which might me a smarter choice for some people.

Personally, if your 8 year old is healthy and active, I do not think she'll need her own stroller. Mine stopped using strollers around 5 years old. There is lots of walking at WDW but it's not all at once. It is also possible that there are times that your 2yo will want to walk, where the stroller could be available to your older child. And if all else fails, there are double strollers available for rent in the parks.

There are stroller parking areas near each attraction. There are often cast members trying to organize the strollers to make room for everyone, so your stroller might not be exactly where you left it when you return (don't panic!). We used to leave some stuff in our stroller (extra clothes for the kids, the diaper bag, etc), but we never left anything valuable or irreplaceable there. I have heard occasional reports of things (or even whole strollers) being stolen. It's rare, but not worth the risk for irreplaceable things. If you are staying on-site, most stores can arrange to have your purchases sent back to your resort for you so you don't have to carry them around. Or you can save your purchasing till the end of the day/end of your trip. (That's what we usually do.)

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Michigan]

I have never understood the shopping and carrying bags. Trust me Disney isn't going to run out of anything and you can buy it on the way out the door. Also if you are staying on property you can have it shipped to your room.