I feel funny asking here.......

[mouskamom]

so many of your illnesses are much more serious than mine - but I need tips for traveling in a cast up to my knee - (green - tried to get Dis-lime but no go)- I fractured my leg on a hike (well, really more of a stroll).
I am way to shakey for crutches, can do a cane for a while but I know how much walking is involved - so I guess it will be a wheel chair for me - I should be able to transfer to most rides with cane and husband's help - will be traveling with 4 other people - any tips will be appreciated - am mostly worried about getting on and off the buses - don't think I can do the steps -
thank you so much

 

[Chuck S]

Do you want a manual wheelchair or an ECV (scooter)? Your WDW resort will have a limited number of manual wheelchairs available for you to use (free) during your trip, ask at the front desk when you check-in. If they don't have one available, you can call and rent from an off-site company. That way you will have the wheelchair with you for use around your resort as well, as many of the resorts also require quite a bit of walking. You can stay in the wheelchair or ECV when you get on the bus and not have to go up steps. Each WDW bus accomodates two chairs or ECVs.

Most rides are fairly easy to load/unload and you can stay in a manual wheelchair for many attractions, however many will have you to transfer, like roller coasters and some boats. It shouldn't be too much trouble as long as you have help from your spouse/friends. Have a great trip.

 

[scroot]

Welcome to the exciting new world where access is important.

I would go with a wheelchair as it is slightly less dangerous than an unexperienced driver in an ecv. Ecv's can be inconsistent particularly when it comes to stoping rates (which can be important especially in a crowed place).

I believe you will find Disney to be very accomodating. Some fellow guests. . . not so much.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[mouskamom]

I thank you for your help - for the comfort and safety of those around me I'm going the wheelchair route - am going with a happy heart - and will let the good times roll!

 

[MightyMom]

Here's a couple of other tips:

- Take advantage of as much air conditioning as possible. Your gonna be sweaty and itchy inside the cast.

- Find a hand held battery operated fan to blow down the cast so you're not too uncomfortable.

- Get used to looking at everyone's butt's in a crowd.... that's about the level you'll be at most of the time. This can be good and bad depending on who's in front of you.

Relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[I Love Pluto]

A wheelchair sounds right for Disney parks. At the resort - if you want to be out of the wheelchair for a while - try a walker. It's a lot better for anyone having trouble with crutches. Been there. Good luck to you!

 

[SueM in MN]

And, for places to rent, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a listing of different off-site companies that DIS posters have had good experiences renting from.

 

[Cleokitty]

We needed to know this info also. DD10 broke her foot last week. DD can walk on her cast--it's the black boot, put-on, take-off kind. But, she cannot walk for long periods of time. When I e-mailed our TA about wheelchair info and access info, all she sent me was the name of a company that rents wheelchairs. So, I've been searching the boards looking for more info.

 

[mrmagicmph]

Cleokitty,

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I've visited WDW MANY times over the years (I was there for the soft opening of MK in September 1971, to give you an idea). This trip out (belated honeymoon), I've got some problems with my right foot/ankle/tendon. I've been using a cane for a while now, but, I'm beginning to accept that for Disney, I'm not up to running around like a lunatic, which is what I'd need to do to keep up with my wife (its her first trip EVER to WDW).

So, this time out, I've begun to accept the concept that I'm going to need an ECV. I've been to Disney before when I managed to twist up an ankle & tried a wheelchair once, but, NEVER EVER again. First, it would NOT be nice to do to my wife, she's going to be running around, she does NOT need to be pushing me around too! Second, some of the surfaces in some of the parks are NOT particularly great for a wheelchair, while an ECV is likely to be better. Finally, there are a few "nice size" hills that are tough in a wheelchair, and easy in an ECV.

So, I'm just about certain to get an ECV. Based upon reading ALL the messages on here that I possibly can (around 525 or so), I'm about 80% sure that I'm going to go with an ECV from Walker Mobility. It looks like they're possibly a few dollars more, but, they seem to be better rated than anybody else in general.

Since your DD is 10, an ECV is probably not really an option, unfortunately. Still, I would STRONGLY recommend renting from an off-property location that will drop it off at your hotel & pick it up. You'll be guaranteed to have it whenever you need it (where as if you rent it from Disney at the parks, you can't guarantee that they'll have one). Additionally, you'll be able to use it around your hotel too, etc, to make it easier to get her around & let her enjoy herself as much as possible.