I'm going to CRY!!! What should I do?

[Gillian G]

We leave for our first ever trip to WDW in 2 days and my 12 year old son broke his foot in PE today!

Is our trip ruined? Due to time constraints we CAN'T re-book. This is it and we HAVE to go.

I NEED advice! Stuff like wheelchair advice... how, where, what?

We're staying at the POR for 7 days and POFQ for the other 8 days. Do I need to get a bottom floor.

Seriously, I'm just so upset and sad.

I guess I was just hoping someone could tell me something to help me make the most of this.

Thanks everyone...

 

[djkeenan]

Don't worry about a thing! Between wheelchairs and electric carts you will do just fine. My wife (Pat) has bad knees and rents a cart which the nieces and nephews call their "Pat Pass" 'cause it gets us all to the front of the line in many cases.

You will all still have a great time I'm sure.

 

[Accentuate+]

I haven't gone with a broken foot but I've seen lots of people there with casts and stuff. barely seemed to slow them down. Just from experience on crutches you would probably want to rent a wheelchair for him. you'll probably get lots of responses from folks with experience with this but just in case you might want to also ask on the disabilites board. It will probably change some of your plans but you should be fine.

 

[Bunchkin]

I would still go!! And I'm sure that your son wouldn't want you to cancel, I'm sure he must feel bad enough being hurt!
So go and get a wheel chair or electric cart and have a ton of fun!!!

 

[my2boys1821]

Awww! All your planning and now you have just a minor bump in the road. But look on the bright side, you can still go to WDW. You can use the wheelchairs and scooters they have. And who knows, maybe you can even get on rides faster Less waiting!

Don't worry, you will still have a great time! Is he on crutches? I know that won't help walking around the parks but he can maybe use the crutches to move around when the chair isn't so easy to use.

Best of luck! I know you'll still have fun

 

[lucky winner]

No problems. I can tell you this will not cause any problems at all. I went down 3 months after I had broken both my legs. All I did is pace myself.
You can rent a wheelchair when there( I did not need one). There are allowances at all attractions for people that need extra help.
Be assured this will not cause you any major problems.

 

[Anc96]

We leave for our first ever trip to WDW in 2 days and my 12 year old son broke his foot in PE today!

Is our trip ruined? Due to time constraints we CAN'T re-book. This is it and we HAVE to go.

I NEED advice! Stuff like wheelchair advice... how, where, what?

We're staying at the POR for 7 days and POFQ for the other 8 days. Do I need to get a bottom floor.

Seriously, I'm just so upset and sad.

I guess I was just hoping someone could tell me something to help me make the most of this.

Thanks everyone...

I wouldn't think that this has to ruin your trip... just make it a bit more of a leisurely walking pace

I've broken my ankle (2ce in one year ) and only after 2 days I was pretty much up and around fine! I wasn't technically supposed to use the walking cast while driving (and I had a manual transmission car), but it was Christmas time and I HAD to get more shopping done! I did fine... and I was a lot older than 12. So if a XXX yr old (a lot older than 12 person) could get around in a rather large shopping mall, at Christmas time, I'm sure your son can get around at Disney. Even if you need to rent a wheelchair part of the time if he gets tired.. he might even find that fun (and you'll have someone to pile your purchases on).

The second time I broke my ankle I needed a lot of physical therapy... even then on day 2 they had me on the exercise bike.

Ask your doctor how he thinks your son can handle it since all injuries are not the same.. and ask about a walking cast (you can even put that on after a few days if he's not ready for it yet.. it's like a big ugly-looking sandle).

Good Luck.. and have a great time there!

 

[LegoMom3]

For ease of getting around, I would call both resorts and explain your situation and make a request for ground-floor rooms. Not sure about FQ but I know some of the buildings in POR are 2-story and have no elevators.

 

[simzac]

What better way for your son to get his mind off his foot than to go to WDW. Have a great trip, I'm sure your son will always remember it.

 

[Anc96]

I NEED advice! Stuff like wheelchair advice... how, where, what?

By the way... wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for rent near the entrance of every park. I think wheelchairs are $7 with a $1 refundable deposit, and the scooters are $30 with a $10 refundable deposit. Just ask a CM upon entrance where they are located.

I'm not sure (I'm sure someone here can confirm this ), but I think when you rent a carriage, wheelchair, or scooter, you get a receipt and it's good for the whole day at any other park. If so, it'll save you money.

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Of course you are not going to Cancel a Disney Trip.
Don't cry either...Be glad he has a "wound" that will cure.
Disney staffers will take extra special care of him. That is what they do best.
You will get First rate attention, and it will make a bad situation for him,a great experience to remember .You Must Go... It's best his mind be on the Parks and attractions than sitting at home thinking he spoiled everyones plans.Call your resort, tell them you are coming, but will need a handicapped room and a wheelchair
Have a Wonderful time being Together

 

[kidzmom3]

just remember that you have to be 18 to ride the ecv. Does he have one of the waterproof goretex casts. That was a lifesaver when my son broke his arm, fully submersible you can swim anything (its great even just for showering, no covering with a plastic bag) He will get tired on the crutches, so definetly rent a wheelchair.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hey Gillian,
Dont worry about anything... dont get your self upset.. no matter what your going to Disney... my advise...call the resort and airline to tell them that your son broke his foot. They will set up wheel chair services right away for you. There are some benifits too.... when you get to the hotel they will put your room close to the bus stop or by the main building, your son & family wont have to wait in many lines (which by the way is ligit for you guys, but I hate when people take advantage of it and they really dont need a wheel chair, but thats off the topic ) and If you son wants, he can even have some of the characters sign his cast... I know that would be worth it for me...
Like I said... no need to cry over this. As long as your son is okay, everything will be fine.
Have a great trip and I wish your son a speedy recovery!

 

[Flora Fan]

If you feel that you need a wheelchair during your entire stay, there are several companies that will deliver the chair to your resort before you arrive and pick it up after you leave. caremedicalequipment.com is the the place I used for my trip with my dad and they were wonderful.

Sit back, relax, and let the magic take hold. Have a great trip.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

While it's not a fun way to start your trip, you don't need to worry. It won't ruin the trip. My mom has had all sorts of surgeries on her feet over the years and has to use a wheelchair at Disney. On our first trip to WDW we did everything that we wanted to. The wheelchair, while it will slow you down a little bit, will in no ways ruin the trip. As others have mentioned, some rides have different entrances for wheelchairs, so just ask the CM and they'll direct you. Your son will be able to do most rides there. And get a waterproof cast so he can do any attractions that involve water such as Splash Mountain.

You can also use a wheelchair from the Disney resort you're staying at that you can use all day. When you rent a wheelchair from the park, you have to return it when you leave that park. Your receipt will allow to use a wheelchair at another park provided they have some available. The resort chairs are subject to what they have on hand, but it's free. They can usually get one if you let them know in advance.

Things will be just fine, so I hope you have a great trip!

 

[jade1]

My 5 year old got ran over by a car and we went, but it was 7 weeks before. 2 shattered bones in one leg, broken arm and head injury. We all had a great trip even in a wheel chair.

 

[Michelina]

Best wishes to your son for a speedy recovery! My DH had a broken leg & ankle when we went to WDW on our honeymoon! We rented a wheelchair and I pushed him around all day, it was harder on me than him, lol.

As long as he is able to transition from the wheelchair to the rides he should have no problem. My Dh did it by just hopping a little into the ride vehicle. There weren't any rides that he wanted to go on and couldn't.

It was 5 years ago that this happened so things may be different now, but we were able to go to the front of many lines which was a big help. One warning, watch out for people walking in front of the wheelchair. I wasn't used to pushing one and didn't realize it can take a little time to slow them down. Unfortunately, I clipped one lady who stopped short in front of us pretty badly in the ankle.

 

[keishashadow]

We were in the same situation last Dec.

I highly suggest renting a "transport" wc @ home. They are much more leightweight & easier to manuever.

check out the disability boards for expert advice, especially as to renting in Orlando.

Good luck, hope you have a great time.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

One warning, watch out for people walking in front of the wheelchair. I wasn't used to pushing one and didn't realize it can take a little time to slow them down. Unfortunately, I clipped one lady who stopped short in front of us pretty badly in the ankle.

Excellent advice. People around you aren't always very aware that there's a wheelchair in the vicinity. Pushing a wheelchair around Disney is hard work, so don't feel bad about what lines you'll wait less in because of the wheelchair as your party will appreciate the rest(or in other words, it's insane to push a wheelchair around Disney if there is no need to).

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Relax, rent a wheelchair, all will be fine. Plus, he's 12 years old. He can manuever a wheelchair just fine.