HUGO (Walker w/ wheels)

[ronbo49]

OK all, first timer here!
Question 1:
What does anyone know about using a Hugo Walker (the kind with a fold down seat and wheels)) at any of the theme parks --- and is there any security at any of the rides to keep it from being stolen while on a ride you when you have to park it.
Question 2:
My Spouse and I have mobility issues and have difficulty standing for long streches of time...(it used to be at Disneyland, disabled folks could go to a side entrance and avoid the long waits)...is there any accomodations for this or do we just have to grin (grimace in pain) and bear it???
Thanks
Ronbo49
ronbo49@hotmail.com

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILTIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information.

A key item to realize is that for mobility and/or stamina problems the usual (and official) response from Guest Relations is to recommend rental of either a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

A key item to realize is that for mobility and/or stamina problems the usual (and official) response from Guest Relations is to recommend rental of either a wheelchair or ECV.

There is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) which would provide some assistance with your needs. As Cheshire Figment noted, recommending an ECV or wheelchair is the usual (and official) response from Guest Relations for stamina and endurance concerns.
And the big reason they recommend that is the great distances involved in walking around WDW.
I've heard estimates that the average guest at WDW walks between 3 and 9 miles a day. Only a small part of that is in the lines. One of the differences between Disneyland and WDW is the size of the parks. WDW is much, much bigger - Disneyland is 85 acres; MK at WDW is 107 acres; Epcot is twice as large as MK; just to go around World Showcase in Epcot is about 1.3 miles. When you consider that you need to walk at least that far to get from the park entrance to World Showcase, you can see how the miles can add up.
Disney-MGM Studio is about the size of MK, so a trip to WDW involves a lot of walkin.

Another difference between Disneyland and WDW is that Disneyland is much older and is much less accessible that WDW. Disneyland has more alternative entrances because more of the regular entrances are not accessible. Even if there were alternative entrances at each attraction, it would not cut the distance you are walking all that much to use them.
Given all that, I think that you and your spouse would have a much happier trip with ECVs (power mobility scooters). If you do decide to rent ECVs, I would suggest you do it from one of the off-site rental places. Let them know that you have a Hugo Walker and they may be able to include something to hang it in the ECV (they can with crutches, I don't know if they can with walkers, but it is worth asking).

 

[KPeveler]

sue - i was thinking about getting a hugo anyway... do you think i would need a GAC to be able to take it in line like you do with a stroller? or would they treat it like a wheelchair and just know you need it. I will be using a chair most of the time, but i would not mind being mobile a bit, and a walking may help...

 

[SueM in MN]

sue - i was thinking about getting a hugo anyway... do you think i would need a GAC to be able to take it in line like you do with a stroller? or would they treat it like a wheelchair and just know you need it. I will be using a chair most of the time, but i would not mind being mobile a bit, and a walking may help...

You don't need a GAC to bring a walker into lines. It should be treated just like a wheelchair.
If the CM at the entrance gives you any trouble about it, ask for the supervisor.
Some CMs (especially younger ones) may be a bit clueless about it because they may not see them every day, but the superviser should set them straight.
(We had a young CM who was trying to make us go up the stairs with DD's wheelchair at Splash Mountain because "if I let you in the wheelchair area, that would be cutting the line". She didn't really 'get' it even after the supervisor came, but most CMs really are helpful.

 

[KPeveler]

That's what I thought, but I wanted to double check. the ability to sit (i would get the one with the fold-down seat) is the important part. also, if something comes off (my joints dont realy hold) i can have something to brace against.

a wheelchair would be better but i am trying to remain upright as long as possible! thanks for the info

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Thanks for the info. Sue, about bringing the walker into a line, and it would be treated the same as a wheelchair. I had been wondering about this, but didn't think of posting a question about it.

My DH and I are getting excited for our upcoming trip to Disney World, even though it won't be until January when we go. We're also both very excited that his youngest sister (16) will get to go, as she's been wanting to go to Disney World for a long time.

Samantha

 

[Carolc]

I'm so thankful for this board! I just booked a trip for my mother and I for September. She is 80 and has trouble walking any great distances or standing for long periods of time. I am hopeful that I will be able to push her in a wheelchair for 3 park days (she is worried about me doing it as she is a little on the heavy side). She does have one of the Hugo chairs you mentioned, and likes it very much. She is wondering if that would work, but I would worry that that would be just too hard for her (and the act of standing and sitting repeatedly in line would be hard). Do you know of any queues that are definitely hard to negotiate in a wheelchair? Maybe I'll try pushing her our first day (AK) and if it is too hard, I will try to rent an ECV for Epcot. Then we'll see for MGM.

Thanks for having this board... I'll check out the other posts for other helpful hints.

Carol

p.s. for those that are looking to buy this chair, I just noticed a sale on Amazon ($116.99), and free shipping. Do a search on "HUGO Premium Rolling Walker, Cranberry"

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Maybe I'll try pushing her our first day (AK) and if it is too hard, I will try to rent an ECV for Epcot. Then we'll see for MGM.

The problem is AK is the absolute worst for pushing a WC. Not only does it seem to have more hills, but because of the "texturing" of many of the streets a wheelchair is more difficult than at the other parks.

And all the lines are "mainstreamed at AK and MGM. Most of them are at EC and many are at MK. These are ones where you can generally take an ECV right up to the boarding area of any rides.

 

[disneyallway]

I also travel with a mom who needs a wheelchair or ECV. Our last trip to CSR we called a local company there in the Orlando area and rented a EVC for her to use during our trip. They will bring it to the resort and have it waiting for you to arrive and will also pick it up. It's actually very reseasonalbe on price too!! I believe the price for a 6/7 day trip was around $200. The most helpful benefit of renting one from these places is the 24 hour availibilty. You keep it in your room and use it all the time you are there. It will come in handy standing at the CSR, there is alot to see there and she'll be able to see it with you. I hope this helps you out and have a great trip!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Our last trip to CSR we called a local company there in the Orlando area and rented a ECV for her to use during our trip.

There is a list of places to rent ECVs and wheelchairs (with phone numbers and websites) on the disABILITIES FAQs thread.