I need your input!

[margmoss]

We will be heading down to WDW on Friday. I have been having a lot of issues with standing due to a hip issue and foot issue. I can not stand for very long. A few weeks ago I called DVC MS and was told to get a note from my doctor and Guest Services would take care of me and my group. I did get this note from my physician and decided to call and confirm with DVC MS that things would be taken care of. The lady I spoke with today said that I would be separated from my party and have to wait on a bench all by my self. Is that true??? That is so heart breaking!!! If that is the case I should just let them go to the parks. There is no point in me having my own little vacation away from my friends and family.
Any thoughts or advise?

TTFN!!
Marg

 

[ireland_nicole]

They are both wrong. Disney recommends the use of an ECV for mobility issues. The disability FAQ's sticky has information for offsite vendors where you can rent and have it delivered to your resort for your length of stay. Alternatively, they are available in the parks but are more expensive, and then you don't have one available around the resort.

You don't need a dr's note, and you certainly don't need to sit on a bench for the trip, I hope that you got the CM's name who told you the latter, because a complaint is most certainly in order. Most lines, especially in the newer parks, are mainstreamed, so an ECV will fit just like a walking person would. In MK, more lines have a "handicapped" entrance, but your ECV will serve as the notice that you require that entrance, no additional documentation is required. If you do need to use a seperate entrance, up to 5 people should be able to accompany you. There is a guidebook for guests with disabilities that is available at guest services at the parks. This will give you specific queue info for each attraction.

An ECV or w/c really is the best way for you to enjoy the parks, lines are really not the primary source of walking, it's the distance between, and the only way to address this is with the ECV w/c options.

If you have any more questions, just ask! And enjoy your trip!!

 

[margmoss]

Thanks for the fast reply!
Actually some walking helps to a point, and then I have to sit for a bit. The one thing that just kills me is STANDING. I sound like such a baby and I know how odd that sounds. But for example this morning while getting ready for work and fixing my girls hair I had to put a chair in the bathroom. UUUGGGHHHH! I'm so frustrated. Do you think this trip would be worth it?

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with ireland_nicole.

An ECV or wheelchair is what you really need.
Reading this thread will be helpful to you. As ireland_nicole mentioned, the walking and standing in line is not as big a problem as the walking and standing you will do in other places.

A few weeks ago I called DVC MS and was told to get a note from my doctor and Guest Services would take care of me and my group. I did get this note from my physician and decided to call and confirm with DVC MS that things would be taken care of. The lady I spoke with today said that I would be separated from my party and have to wait on a bench all by my self. Is that true???

The 'taking care of' that DVC MS was talking about was a Guest Assistance Card. MS has nothing to do with issuing Guest Assistance Cards and the information they told you was not correct.
You don't need a doctor's note to get a Guest Assistance Card. You just need to be able to explain your needs. In your case (trouble with standing), a Guest Assistance Card would not really help much or at all. Unless you bring a place to sit (like an ECV or wheelchair) with you, most places don't have a place to sit. There are also places where the line doesn't move for a while and having a Guest Assistance Card would not avoid that (post #3 in the thread linked above has more information about attractions where you will stand if you are not using an ECV or wheelchair).
There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature).

 

[margmoss]

I re-read the FAQs. It seems like their only option is to rent a ECV. Totally not an option. I tried that once when I was 6 months pregnant. I ran in to people. I found them VERY hard to drive and the response time was not very good. Children (and grown men and women for that matter) just run right out in front of you. One would think Disney would really be more accommodating for someone with these issues. We spend a lot of money with Disney a few times a year and it's not like I am asking to bypass every line or something.
.... On another note... why would someone from MS give you false hope? I jumped through the hoops I was told to and got documentation.... FOR NOTHING!

Very frustrated...

 

[mechurchlady]

Very often the CM for DVC and even WDW and DLR do not know how other places work. A person in foods might not know how merchandising or hotels work. The people here know how the GAC works from experience, online research and from in person research. It is a common myth about needing a doctor's note.

Disney is legally required to provide equal access and nothing more. They provide an elevator at the Tiki Room at DLR for example and entrance through the exit at Casey Jr. at DLR but that is all they have to do. They do not have to make the special wheelchair boats for Jungle Cruise or Small World. They do not have provide special meals for guests. The Nemo submarines have an area where guests can view the ride with out boarding a submarine at DLR. They do not have to do that by law but they do it as a service to guests.

WDW, DLR and other amusement parks clearly state that guest should bring a wheelchair or ECV or rollator or walker or canes or what ever it takes to make life more bareable. It is like me setting the table for dinner and someone wanting me to fix a plate and bring it to them. I made dinner so you come to the table and dine. Disney has set the table and you just got to cooperate with them by providing neccesary aides.

ECVs are great but you got to have an attitude and ignore idiots. I do not stop for people jumping out in front of me. I will run down anyone who jumps in front of me just like I would walk on someone who walked in front of me. I will not let people cut in line just because I have an ECV. I drive like I walk and DLR provides a nice bumper for hitting things and people who are so stupid as to walk in front of me other than normal flow of traffic. I do stop if they are walking normally but not if someone climbs over me or suddenly pops in front of me. get an ECV and an attitude.

hugs
laurie
anp time for me.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I re-read the FAQs. It seems like their only option is to rent a ECV. Totally not an option. I tried that once when I was 6 months pregnant. I ran in to people. I found them VERY hard to drive and the response time was not very good. Children (and grown men and women for that matter) just run right out in front of you. One would think Disney would really be more accommodating for someone with these issues. We spend a lot of money with Disney a few times a year and it's not like I am asking to bypass every line or something.
.... On another note... why would someone from MS give you false hope? I jumped through the hoops I was told to and got documentation.... FOR NOTHING!

Very frustrated...

I don't understand what option you would want them to provide for you? An ECV or wheelchair (which is actually a second option) provide a place to sit when needed; or even a cane with the little seat on it will provide that. If you can walk some, you can leave you ECV for a while; for example; in Fantasyland, I can leave my ECV between two or three attractions that are close together, and come back when I need it. (Just remember to always take your key). You could always practice steering/maneuvering at Walmart/Target type places. They keep them available in the stores. Just remember, the store ones are a lot bigger.

 

[janiejake]

Any thoughts or advise?
Rent an ECV, as other posters have recommended. I just came back from a trip to WDW. I thought I'd try and see how I would do on my own. Started out ok, but by 4 o'clock I was back on the bus to POR, leaving my favorite park, Epcot.I normally would never do that. Left dh and dd to enjoy themselves. The next morning, first place we went was to rent the ECV. I'd never driven an ECV before. Yes, you do have to watch out for all of the pedestrians and stroller pushers who are not looking where they are going. I did not take anyone out. I found the park ECVs very easy to use. You will have to do a lot of standing and waiting. Give your body, and travel companions a break, and reconsider the ECV.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I found them VERY hard to drive and the response time was not very good. Children (and grown men and women for that matter) just run right out in front of you. One would think Disney would really be more accommodating for someone with these issues.

Respectfully - in what way or ways could you suggest Disney be more accommodating to Guests using mobility assistance devices?

 

[BillSears]

I re-read the FAQs. It seems like their only option is to rent a ECV. Totally not an option....

How about renting a wheelchair? You could push the wheelchair yourself allowing you to walk the same amount you would without a wheelchair. THen when you're standing in line and need a place to sit you can just sit in the wheelchair.

 

[bidnow5]

You get used to ECV's at least I do I used to try to avoid hitting people all the time then I gave up because trying to avoid the one that stepped in front of me made me hit an innocent person on the side of me.

Now I pay attention to the people in front and on both sides you can tell if they have no clue. I must have said excuse me 500 times to people walking at an angle toward me from the sides but last May I didn't hit anyone

 

[margmoss]

Mechurchlady,

It's not about what Disney is held to from a legal stand point. It's about trying to be accomodating. The point I was making was, we spend a good deal of money with Disney year after year after year. Why? Because you get what you pay for.
... At this point I would be wiling to pay for "an upgrade in service".

 

[mechurchlady]

Mechurchlady,

It's not about what Disney is held to from a legal stand point. It's about trying to be accomodating. The point I was making was, we spend a good deal of money with Disney year after year after year. Why? Because you get what you pay for.
... At this point I would be wiling to pay for "an upgrade in service".

Try the VIP tour so you get in line faster. I am multiple disabilities and am happy with the service that DLR provides though would like to slap Chris with some gluten free noodles. I cannot stand for long times without pain later on but I either live with the pain or use the ECV. I would not pay to go to the head of the line or avoid waiting in line. I spent this year more than you did in ratio to my total disposable income as well as my family's disposable income thus I will shut up now and go help people who need help and use the help and enjoy the parks and work with the system to remedy their limitations and needs.

Sue please remove chips and dip from the time out corner because I am supposed to be on a diet, thank you.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Mechurchlady,

It's not about what Disney is held to from a legal stand point. It's about trying to be accomodating. The point I was making was, we spend a good deal of money with Disney year after year after year. Why? Because you get what you pay for.
... At this point I would be wiling to pay for "an upgrade in service".

Disney has many accomodations for persons with disabilities. How is it WDW's fault if you won't learn to drive an ECV if you have "a lot of issues with standing due to a hip issue and foot issue"?

Do what others have suggested and get a wheelchair and have someone in your party push you or push yourself then. That way you can walk from time to time like you want to.

Just because you spend a great deal of money at Disney doesn't mean they have to change their policies. We have gone to WDW 6 times in less then 3 years from Southern Illinois because Disney is so great for someone with a mobility issue, we are going twice this year.

I would like to know what you expect them to do for you? Maybe you want VIP treatment, I suggest like someone else did reserve a VIP guide.

 

[chaospearl]

Like everyone else... I'm not sure what you want Disney to do for you in order to accommodate your needs. We have a lot of people with different disabilities here on the DIS; I'm sure we can come up with something that would help get what you want! We just need to know what that is. In your ideal world, if everything were perfect, what would Disney do to make you as happy as possible? Let's start from there and see what we can come up with to get as close as we can to that.

Jenni