Help please!!

[bridgettesmom]

Long story short, my 11 yr old niece had hip surgery 2 weeks ago and we are leaving the 18th of october for DW.She is currently on a wheelchair ,but, is using crutches already ,thankfully,she is recuperating quite fast.Her DR has advise us to keep her in a wheelchair while visiting the parks,we only plan to do Epcot and MNSSHP.We are staying at AKL and most probably she will be using the crutches to move about the resort.I might take her walker,if she still needs it.She will be using her crutches to get from our room to the bus stop and once we get to the park I will be renting a wheelchair for her.My question is,What do we do with the crutches?? Do we need to carry them around with us?? or will they store them for us??.I know wheelchairs are limited ,Do you think it will be difficult for us to rent one for MNSSHP?.What about Epcot on a monday?? Sorry for my ignorance, I appreciate any info you can give me!!

 

[BCV23]

I don't know if you can store the crutches at EPCOT. Perhaps someone else can help you.

But I would consider borrowing one of AKL wheelchairs in your situation. We did this at the Polynesian for many trips from the time my daughter was about 7 I suppose until we bought a Quickie for her at 14. We really had good luck doing this. Only once did they give us a really oversized chair...she's very petite. I returned it the next day after trying to make do and they gave us a much smaller one. If your niece had special seating issues this would not be a good idea but it sounds like she just needs wheels for the park.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might also want to contact one of the off-site rental companies.

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

Give them your neice's height and weight and they will be able to provide a chair for her that is actually the proper size. Also tell them and they should be able to provide crutch clamps on the chair. This way uyou will have the WC available at all times. As you mention, you will be using the buses; if she will be able to get up/down the stairs on crutches, the WC can be folded and taken with you.

Yes, this solution will cost more than the free chairs sometimes available at the resorts, but also it will always be available.

 

[thedisneymom]

Call the resort NOW and request the free wheelchair. If none are available have them send over to another resort for one. I have never had a problem. Wait time is usually at few hrs at most for one.

 

[SueM in MN]

We don't rent or borrow a wheelchair since DD has had her own since she was 2 and 1/2.
Some people have posted that they had problems getting the right size when borrowing from the resort (like got an extra wide when they needed a small and were not able to get the right size for a few days); others have had no problem. A lot might depend on whether you are going during a busy time or not (which it doesn't look like you will be going at a really busy time).

The other thing that would make a difference is the size of the 11 year old. If she's closer to adult size, then getting one from the resorts might work out OK. If she's small, it might not. The only way to guarantee one that would fit correctly is to rent from off-site.
As far as I know, the only way to get a wheelchair with crutch clamps is to rent from one of the off-site places that Cheshire Figment posted. You would want to have the crutches with you for boarding rides. For some rides, she would be able to stay in the wheelchair. For others, a transfer is necessary. The crutches would help a lot for transfers.

 

[BCV23]

Just wanted to add that the Polynesian at least did have small wheelchairs...very appropriate for grade school age kids or small adults. Not the custom made ones of course but we only had a problem one time.

If you borrow one from your resort you are free to take it anywhere on WDW property.

Wasn't sure if you meant she would need the crutches at the park or just to get to the wheelchair rental which is how I read your original post. If she'll need to have them with her to transfer to the rides then it probably would be best to rent from offsite. If not, I would borrow from your resort if it were me.

Hope she continues to heal quickly.