Husband has mono - travelling with double stroller and ECV? Advice needed!

[BlueFairy]

Hi everyone,

My family is due to drive down and check-in at WL on 1/31. I have DD(1), DD(4) and DH who is in the acute phase (high fever) of mononucleosis. Assuming he is well enough to travel, I need some advice and input from all the wonderful people here.
I am considering his potential need for an ECV. My parents rented from Walker mobility once. We had a 3 BR condo with plenty of space then. At WL we will have a standard room with a pack-n-play for the toddler.
We have planned 4 1/2 days of parks using mainly the WL boats and my Ford Escape for transportation. I have a very large sit-n-stand double stroller. I'm certain that both an ECV and the stroller will not fit in the Escape. Also, I am concerned about trying to juggle the 2 children and stroller myself while DH handles the ECV. So my questions:

1. Will there be room for us to store the ECV in our hotel room? What other options are there?
2. Would we be better served to rent the ECVs only at the parks?
3. Would you recommend our attempting to use the buses? I need a tutorial since the buses have changed. Are they all accessible now?
4. Should I leave the large stroller behind and let DD(4) "ride" with DH on the scooter when she is tired?
5. Is the potential hassle of all of this too much of a stressor on our vacation? Would we be better served to postpone the vacation for a few months? (I think the cancellation fee vs. the ECV rental may balance each other out to an equal expense.)

My head is spinning. Please give me your honest input. I know the potential for DH to have fatigue and such for weeks or months. For now he is not considering canceling. He wants to wait until midweek to make our decision. I'd like to have a realistic picture in mind of what our touring will be like. We are not able to do commando with little ones. We had planned early mornings, midday breaks, and some early bedtimes as well.

Thank you!


ETA: I am reading FAQs. I now see that "riding" is against the rules and dangerous. Other suggestions for juggling the kids, then?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Hi everyone,
1. Will there be room for us to store the ECV in our hotel room? What other options are there?

Should be enough room, yes. Remember that you can always call housekeeping to remove any removable furniture, so you can make more space for the ECV.

2. Would we be better served to rent the ECVs only at the parks?

Depends on the needs, desires and likes. If you do this, it would avoid the problem of not being able to fit the ECV AND stroller into the car. However, it would mean DH would have to walk all the way to the rental place. From WL to MK for instance that would basically mean walking to the boat, being on the boat, walking to MK. Quite a long hike, which can be way to much for some with mono.
Another downside of renting in the parks; it's more expensive. It's first come, first serve, so they might be out later in the day. The ones WDW rents are sturdy. Very sturdy. Which comes with a bigger turning radius (needing more space to turn), bit less quick handling etc. Also, if it turns out DH tires a lot quicker than expected, you would all have to go back to the resort as you are his driver.

3. Would you recommend our attempting to use the buses? I need a tutorial since the buses have changed. Are they all accessible now?

They've been for quite some time, you probably just never noticed it as you had no need. Busses are accessible, see the FAQ sticky for more info on the different type of busses. Benefit would be no downsides that come with renting. DH could go back to the room for breaks independently. Possible downside? Waiting for busses instead of own transportation. DH would have to be able to get the ECV on the bus. Not everybody seems to like that.

Juggling with both? I wouldn't sweat it too much. DH should be independent because of the ECV. After he loads, you get the kids on board and he can watch them as you now board with the folded stroller. DH can watch the kids during the ride, while you deal with the stroller.

4. Should I leave the large stroller behind and let DD(4) "ride" with DH on the scooter when she is tired?

Lap-riding isn't allowed. While WDW tends not to act when the aid is someone's own aid, they have been known to act when you try to do so on their ECV's. And rightfully so! It simply isn't safe. DH isn't used to driving an ECV and combining that with a child on the lap? Oops. DD can incidently knock the accelerator or 'steeringbar', which in crowded places like WDW can lead to accidents before you know it. Children behind any 'wheel' simply isn't safe.

You could think about taking a single stroller and put a board on it. Don't know how they call them in the US, but they are the boards you click onto the stroller, allowing DD to stand on them while you push the stroller. She wouldn't need to walk, just stand.

5. Is the potential hassle of all of this too much of a stressor on our vacation? Would we be better served to postpone the vacation for a few months? (I think the cancellation fee vs. the ECV rental may balance each other out to an equal expense.)

Depends on your family. What is it you want to do with this trip? Will you be disappointed if DH will have to take it easy and do a lot less than normal if he finds he's lacking the energy? If so, postponing might be wiser.

Are you people that worry loads about 'what if's' about combining the ECV and stroller? If so, the stress of it all might be a real downer on the experience.

If you are comfortable with DH perhaps having to slow down considerably, I wouldn't sweat it too much. It's going to be different for sure and you'll be the one having to run after the kids if they decide to run of to meet Mickey but it really can be done without having a headache.

My head is spinning. Please give me your honest input. I know the potential for DH to have fatigue and such for weeks or months. For now he is not considering canceling. He wants to wait until midweek to make our decision. I'd like to have a realistic picture in mind of what our touring will be like. We are not able to do commando with little ones. We had planned early mornings, midday breaks, and some early bedtimes as well.

My advice? Sounds like you've got a stubborn DH. If I were you, I'ld prepair myself as if I was the only adult on this trip, taking the kids. That way it doesn't put extra strain on DH and if he does find he'll have to skip some (or more) because of fatigue, you are prepaired and not feeling like thrown in the deep-end.

ETA: I am reading FAQs. I now see that "riding" is against the rules and dangerous. Other suggestions for juggling the kids, then?

I should've read the whole posting before starting to answer. I'ld try the board on a single stroller and perhaps talking to DD. Explain that she's a big girl (make a big fuss out of it, they love it) and she can reeeeeeeeeally help mommy if she walks or uses the board. Combined with the many breaks you are planning to take, she should be able to handle the parks this way without you having to deal with a double stroller.

 

[peemagg]

I really think you should consider cancelling your trip. Even if the fever breaks there is no way in one week that he will be fit for travel. Mono is not something to screw around with. The trip could also set your husband back and the whole thing could be worse the next time around.

If you really have to go, I would get a ECV from an off site company. He will be too weak to handle the parks without one.

Good luck on your decision, but if I was in the same situation I would cancel and reschedule the trip for later.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I had mono when I was 37 years old. After I was out of the acute phase (no more high fevers) I took 31 workdays of sick leave (almost seven weeks). My daily schedule was to wake up, have breakfast and read the newspaper. Go out to either get groceries or the Library (could not do both), come home and take a nap (about 4-5 hours). Get up, make and have dinner, reaad and watch TV, and go to sleep. I was probably averaging 18 hours sleep per day for the first two to three weeks.

I would think that at this point you really might be best off postponing the trip by at least two months. You husband will really be in no shape to be running around WDW, even in an ECV.

 

[Kkhoward227]

I might suggest a "dry run" before your trip. Send your hubby out to run a full day of errands. If he has the strength I would forge ahead. If he can't do it then I would cancel. Hope it all works out. It's hard to let go of a trip you've been planning.

 

[ToddyLu]

I had mono when I was 37 years old. After I was out of the acute phase (no more high fevers) I took 31 workdays of sick leave (almost seven weeks). My daily schedule was to wake up, have breakfast and read the newspaper. Go out to either get groceries or the Library (could not do both), come home and take a nap (about 4-5 hours). Get up, make and have dinner, reaad and watch TV, and go to sleep. I was probably averaging 18 hours sleep per day for the first two to three weeks.

I would think that at this point you really might be best off postponing the trip by at least two months. You husband will really be in no shape to be running around WDW, even in an ECV.

As a nurse (not that I am in infection control)I would tend to agree. I am a wound care specialist and you don't want to mess around with a bacteria like strep or a virus like mono away from home. My husband almost didn't graduate from high school his senior year becasue of Mono. A bacteria could travel to other areas of the body (like a foot--to set up a weird infection) after you are seemingly healed. I wouldn't think stressing his body just by all the activity would be a good thing. He could actually carry the virus for several weeks He must be a die hard Disney fan!!

Mono is like true Influenza...from what I understand when you have it you literally cannot do anything for two weeks or so... Best of luck to you and I hope he feels better soon.

 

[Danibelle]

Both of my kids had mono. My son was 19 and missed a bunch of college classes which led to poor grades that semester. My daughter had it the next year and missed almost a month of her senior yr of hs!

Please reconsider! The parks will be there!

I wouldn't consider a trip that strenuous in just one week!

He will definitely not be able to stand/walk for the amount of time spent in the parks.

 

[KPeveler]

My sister had mono, and she was traveling at the time (got sick on a choir trip in Spain). She had to push herself, and the swelling of the glands in her body got so bad that it severed one of her facial nerves and now half her face is paralyzed...

She is still not well 2 1/2 years later.

I would seriously consider postponing the trip. He will not be able to go all day (most likely - my sister was out of work for 6 weeks), and you would have to handle the kids all by yourself.

Your youngest child cannot ride on the ECV, it is very dangerous and he will have to sign a paper stating he will not allow anyone to ride with him (at least on property rentals).

Also, traveling during the "contagious" phase could be dangerous, if only for your family - it is difficult to not share drinks, cups, tissues, food, or really too much space with daddy when you are driving...

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm with the others who are suggesting postponing it.
I am also a nurse (and I actually am in Infection Control and worked as a school nurse while I was in Public Health). I saw High School kids who had been out for a couple of weeks with mono come to my office for an afternoon nap when they came back!

If it was me, I would cancel. Because it is an illness, you might be able to get refunds or credits with a doctor's note. Can't guarantee, but worth a try.

One thing to think about is the drive down - who was going to be driving?
I would not expect he will be able to drive at all - or at least for more than short times.
If you drive, will he be up to keeping an eye on the kids while you drive.
Another consideration is how far you will be driving. If it's a long trip, that in itself will be quite tiring.

If you do decide to go, you will need to rent an ECV from offsite IMHO.

With early mornings, you would probably be able to get an ECV at the parks, but no guarantee. Because of that, you have to think about what you would do if they are all rented out when you arrive.
You won't be able to push a wheelchair and a stroller. We have been to WDW with a 4 yr old and found she was able to keep up quite well. We were not doing commando touring, but were getting to the parks around 10 and staying until early evening. She did well each day until our 4th day, when she decided her "legs are all out of walk." If you have to push your DH in a wheelchair, you will get more tired.
He would be able to hold your child in a stroller while you push, but he may be too tired to hold the child.

You also need to think about how you would manage 2 kids in lines. Since you are planning on going early, your waits will probably be minimal, but will you be able to manage the 1 yr old and the 4 yr old in lines?
I'm assuming you would spend a lot of time at MK, probably in Fantasyland because of the ages of your children. The ECV would not be able to go in most of the Fantasyland lines, so he would need to get out and walk in lines. Most of the MK rides would involve transferring from the ECV to a ride car - each transfer does take a certain amount of energy.
And, because he is not at 100%, he may not be able to help much with getting the children in and out of the ride cars.

A last thing that I don't think any of the other posters mentioned is that it does take a certain amount of energy to drive an ECV. People dart out in front of you and you do have to stay alert and ready to stop at any point.

 

[tekoa]

I had mono when I was 27. My advice would be to postpone the trip. Mickey will still be there. I actually went to WDW with my brother, his wife and their three young ones shortly after "recovering" from mono. I was pooped. They went to the water parks and other fun things, I could not I was too exhausted. Go in the fall it will be something to look forward to. Good luck on your decision.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thank you so much to everyone for their feedback and insight. As it stands, my husband is doing very well. We are encouraged, but proceeding cautiously and will follow up with a doctor this week. We have decided to postpone our trip until hopefully May. The reasons are too numerous to mention. I'm relieved DH came around on the idea.

 

[KPeveler]

Thank you so much to everyone for their feedback and insight. As it stands, my husband is doing very well. We are encouraged, but proceeding cautiously and will follow up with a doctor this week. We have decided to postpone our trip until hopefully May. The reasons are too numerous to mention. I'm relieved DH came around on the idea.

I think that is a very wise plan. Even if your husband managed to get around the parks, i think he would be very frustrated because he would not be able to do as much as he wants.

I love the parks in May, so I hope you have a great time then!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think that is a very wise plan. Even if your husband managed to get around the parks, i think he would be very frustrated because he would not be able to do as much as he wants.

I love the parks in May, so I hope you have a great time then!

I agree totally.
Hope he gets well soon and am sure your trip will be much more enjoyable in May.