Help! stroller or wheelchair?

[welovespacemoutain]

We are headed to WDW in 5 weeks. My daughter has had ongoing issues with her ankle and was finally able to walk normally and run for the first time in 1 1/2 years. Unfortunately, she fractured 2 growth plates in her ankle last Friday. This trip was supposed to be a celebration for her and we are determined to keep it that way! She will be in a cast for at least 4 weeks - probably longer. Even if she is out of the cast, she won't be able to walk the distances required at the parks, so our options seem to be a special needs stroller, a disney double stroller, or a wheelchair. She should be able to wait in short lines, but we won't really know until the time comes. If she isn't in a cast she will probably be in a walking boot to protect her ankle from the crowds.

She is about 60 lbs and is 54" tall. She is only 10, so anything motorized is out. We are staying at the Polynesian and I think we will take our rental car to DHS and AK.

Any thoughts on the best rental for our situation?

Is there any way to get closer parking if we do have a wheelchair?

TIA!!!

We rented a wheelchair at Busch Gardens in the summer when she was in a walking boot. It wasn't fun with all the hills, but it was alright. I was appalled at how many people complained when we came in the exit to ride the attractions (believe me, we would have loved to be able to wait in line with everyone else if it meant she was fine and we had to wait just as long as everyone else!) as well as the people who cut her off and actually jumped over her wheelchair and kicked her in her bad ankle in order to run around and quickly get in line again. It really opened our eyes as to what a lot of people go through every day.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

This may sound silly, but check on your State requirements to get a disabled hang tag. Normally it does not have to be for a person with a license but for a person who is in the vehicle and has need. You should be able to print off the forms on the State's website. Have them completed by the doctor, at least for a temporary tag.

This will allow you to park in disabled parking, Normally there are loaner wheelchairs at or close to the disabled parking which can be used to get as far as stroller/wheelchair rental.

Note also that unlike BG, most of the attractions at WDW are mainstreamed so you will maintain the wheelchair in the line all the way to boarding.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent wheelchairs or special needs strollers in Post #2. Also, Post #6 deals with the Guest Assistance Card; one of your options is to get a tag which allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest NOT renting one of the WDW wheelchairs because of her size. The majority of them are adult size (there have been a few reports of people getting pediatric ones from WDW, but those reports are few and far between).
My youngest DD is 5 feet tall and about 87 pounds and the few times we have gotten her to sit in one of the park wheelchairs, it was way too big for her.
Also, it may be hard for her to get in and out of because of the height of the seat and the footplates being in the way. Since she already has an injured foot, that may make it harder for her to get in and out.

I'd suggest a WDW double stroller would probably not be a good option since it sits so low, which might make it hard for her to get up.

So, your best options would be to rent a special needs stroller or see if you can rent a smaller wheelchair from one of the rental places Cheshire Figment pointed you to in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Another possibility would be to check with the Orthopedist's office or the Physical Therapist at your DD's school to look at the possibility of getting a wheelchair closer to home and bringing it with you. The doctor or PT might even be aware of loan closets in your area that loan out wheelchairs for situations like this. If you do bring a wheelchair with you, it is transported free of charge by the airline (they are not allowed to charge for mobility devices needed by a customer). You can keep it until boarding and gate check it (ask about that when you check in or when you arrive at the gate - don't wait until boarding starts). By gate checking, you can keep the wheelchair until boarding, fold it and leave it at the gate. It will be delivered to the gate at your destination.

The wheelchair folds and she is able to step onto the parking lot tram, you could park in the regular lots. Just tell the parking lot CMs that you have a wheelchair so they can direct you to a front end spot. Otherwise, check into a handicapped parking permit for her as Cheshire Figment mentioned. We got DD's first handicapped parking permit when she was 3 yrs old and needed to park in the handicapped spots so we would have room to lift her from the van into her wheelchair.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Check out orlandostrollerrentals.com They just got in the baby jogger liberty and they are super easy to push, and also have a canopy so she can get shade. They just started carrying them, too so you might still get the discount they were offering to the first 3 to "test" them. I think it would probably be more comfortable, although she'd have to be o.k. w/ the idea. They would deliver it to your hotel and you'd have it for your stay, just leaving it w/ bell services when you left. Whatever you choose, have a wonderful trip! If you do use a stroller, be sure to go to guest services and request a stroller as wheelchair GAC. That will allow you to use it everywhere just like a w/c, and not have to keep it in stroller parking, which would obviously not work well for ya.

 

[welovespacemoutain]

Thanks for the help! This is a wonderful forum and everyone here is amazing!

I did look at the state dvm site, but I would feel guilty parking in a true handicapped place. I think we will rent a pediatric wheelchair and have delivered to our hotel. If the wheelchair folds up easy then we can stick it on the tram or maybe DH could drop us off and then park. I showed DD the baby jogger liberty and she said she prefers a wheelchair.

Thanks for the loaner suggestions. Her school only has 1 wheelchair and can't lend it out and her orthopaeditic is several hours away. I will check with her physical therapist. We are flying from a small airport into orlando sanford, so I think we will be okay waiting to get the wheelchair until the hotel. Hopefully she will be able to walk short distances - although a year ago when she came out of a cast she was actually worse than before the cast, so we need to be prepared for anything.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hopefully she will be able to walk short distances - although a year ago when she came out of a cast she was actually worse than before the cast, so we need to be prepared for anything.

Some of the difference before and after is that the muscles are weak from not being used while the leg was in a cast. Have her be careful because it's very easy to re-injure a limb because of the weakness.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I did look at the state dvm site, but I would feel guilty parking in a true handicapped place.

Why would you feel guilty if the actual need is there? And usually there is plenty of space in Disabled Parking at the Parks unless you are going during a very crowded time of year.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I think the pediatric w/c is a good option. I'm wondering, could you let the airline know that you needed a w/c at the gate? Or, potentially you could rent from home and then have it while in the airport. B/c it's medical equipment, it wouldn't count as baggage. Have a great trip! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[billwendy]

Hi= sounds like you have your idea - but really 10 is not too young for power at all - I work in the rehab engineering department at our local peds hospital in wilmington, de - and 3 year olds use power chairs quite well - lol!!!

I just didnt know if maybe renting her a pediatric scooter or power chair would help alliviate some frustration in getting around - just a thought....

Have a WONDERFUL TRIP and dont let the fracture ruin your celebration!!!!

Have fun!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi= sounds like you have your idea - but really 10 is not too young for power at all - I work in the rehab engineering department at our local peds hospital in wilmington, de - and 3 year olds use power chairs quite well - lol!!!

I just didnt know if maybe renting her a pediatric scooter or power chair would help alliviate some frustration in getting around - just a thought....

Have a WONDERFUL TRIP and dont let the fracture ruin your celebration!!!!

Have fun!!!

Just FYI....
Good suggestions, but the places that rent EVCs (power scooters) off-site and in the parks won't rent for use by people under 18. One company - Randy's will consider renting to an older child who is experienced at using one, but since none of the companies rent pediatric ECVs, it would not be an option in this case because of the size of the child.

Also, almost all of the companies that rent power wheelchairs for use at WDW will only rent them to adults who have experience using them. When we tried a few years ago to rent one for our younger DD (who is experienced using one) none could rent a small enough one for her - her own wheelchair seat is 14 inches wide and 18 inches deep. The smallest they could do was 16 inches wide. DD was 5 feet tall and 87 pounds, so small for an adult.