Hope you can help with a few questions-Sorry A little long

[Gizmo1951]

I travel with my grandchildren to disneyworld 1/2 times a year
I have bad knees and need knee replacement surgury but have to wait until I have insurance
Past trips I used a cane at most parks except Epcot where I rented an ECV as I never would have been able to make it through that park
Now I am having some medical issues where I am unable to stand without support for very long
I do not want to use a wheelchair and have someone push me and also do not really want to rent an EVC for the entire stay as I only uses the buses and dont want the hassle of getting it off and on the bus etc and also the cost

I am thinking of buying one of those folding type walker seats that you can hold onto when you walk and also has a seat if I would need to sit

My questions are
1.am I allowed to use this in the parks

2. Can I take on the buses as it folds and is similat size to a stroller

3. Can I take on the airplane with me and gate check

I want to continue to enjoy trips with my family as long as I can

Thanks In advance for any help

 

[brat]

If what you are speaking of is a rolling(4 wheel) walker(rollator) yes this is a peice of medical equipment and can go everywhere a wheel chair can go.They fold. My Mom uses hers everywhere. They are not transport rated so you want to sit on the bus seat for safety reasons.

 

[SueM in MN]

The answer to all your questions is yes.
I have seen many people on our last 3 trips to WDW using rollators. The nice thing about them is that you can use them as a walker and still have a seat whenever you need it.

You will need to fold it for the bus, although you can enter the bus thru the back door using the ramp or lift if you need to.
For the plane, you can gate check it, but on some planes and with some rollators, you may be able to actually fit it onto the passenger compartment of the plane. If is folds up small enough, it may fit in the overhead bin. Some planes also have a closet it might fit into, but closets are much less prevalent than they were before on airplanes from our experience.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Can I take on the airplane with me and gate check

Check the size of carry-on luggage for your airline. If your chair folds that size or smaller, you can put in the overhead bins.

 

[CoffeeCup]

My mother used a rollator for several years before her death, and there would not have been any way I could have gotten it into an overhead bin on a plane. If they are good quality and sturdy, they also are heavy. I don't think it would fit so that the door on the bin could close properly, and if the door happened to fly open causing the rollator to fall out, it could hurt someone very seriously. Checking it at the gate would be the best and safest option.

 

[SueM in MN]

My mother used a rollator for several years before her death, and there would not have been any way I could have gotten it into an overhead bin on a plane. If they are good quality and sturdy, they also are heavy. I don't think it would fit so that the door on the bin could close properly, and if the door happened to fly open causing the rollator to fall out, it could hurt someone very seriously. Checking it at the gate would be the best and safest option.

I have seen walkers folded and put up in the overhead bins on the planes with the biggest overhead bins, but you are probably right that a rollator would be too big. With the seat, they are more bulky.
As for heaviness, many of the bags people are putting up there are heavier than a rollator would be. I’ve seen some bags up there that people can barely lift.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Please reconsider and rent an ECV. I rented from Apple Scooters for $175 for the whole week. The buses were no problem. I was nervous but the drivers were all wonderful. We were first on so we always got a seat. The thing to thinkk about is how to make the trip hassle free for the rest of your family. I too have knee and back problems so walking is limited to normal daily use not WDW use and I can not stand in line with my back. I travel with my family including grandkids also and the scooter worked out great. Will rent again in Jan 2012

 

[Gizmo1951]

Thanks s for all the replies and suggestions

I feel much better now about upcoming trips.

 

[KPeveler]

I second that using a scooter on the bus is not that hard.


I believe (though I have not done it myself) that Disney will store your walker for you in the wheelchair rental place if you want to rent an ECV once you get to the park - this may be especially helpful for Epcot and AK!

 

[Gizmo1951]

Thanks I will most likely do that at least at Epcot

This year my grandson who was adopted from Ethipopia will be coming with us
When I ask him what he is most looking forward to is TSM at DHS of course so that will be a challenge LOL
Thanks again