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

Check with your resort. The resorts have limited number of chairs available for 24 use at no charge. Call your resorts and expalin that he needs one the whole time and they should have it ready when you check in. We had two girls in our drill team sprain their ankles while preparing for the parade they fixed them right up.:thumbsup2
 
My son and I were at MK today and he was joking that if his grandmother was with us we would have had a better chance of getting on some rides because they cateer to those in wheelchairs and electric wheels chairs. At MGM last night we missed the fantasmic show at 9 pm because there was no room left not even standing room EXCEPT FOR THE WHEELCHAIR AREA. Even as the show was starting (and we were walking out because "YOu have to be behind the yellow line" and believe me we couldnt get behind the yellow line-tried to and some woman punched me in the leg.) my son kept say ing there is room there and no ones else is coming but they wouldnt let us stand there.
GO AND HAVE FUN.
 
Should not be much of a problem however i dont know if disney does this, but I was a ride operator at a theme park a few yrs ago, and on certain rides we wouldnot allow people with broken legs, etc , especialy on rides such as roller coasters because if the ride needed to be evacuated, it would be difficult getting that person off. But i dont know if that is a procedure at Disney.
 
A few years back, my sister had a herniated disc in her back just before we left to spend Christmas at WDW.

CMs are really understanding when they see you need some extra help. My sister didn't have a cast, so she didn't "look" like she needed a wheelchair, but as soon as she struggled to get out of the chair to get on a ride (she insisted on going on mostly everything - she doesn't ride the "good" stuff anyway, so no worries about missing out on coasters or TOT), the CMs really were very kind. During parades, even characters went out of their way to stop by her - she was 25 at the time! I thought that was very cool.

FYI, most rides at WDW do not have separate queues for wheelchairs anymore. With some attractions, you won't have to wait in as much of a line, or you'll get FPs (Peter Pan comes to mind), but most attractions now let wheelchairs in the regular queue.

Ooh, he'll probably get some good autographs on his cast, too!

It might take some getting used to for him, but I'm sure he'll be fine. My sister could barely move, and she still had a good time!

Don't worry and just focus on having a good time!
 

There are local medical supply places that will deliver a wheelchair to your room for a reasonable fee. I would look into this then your son would be guaranteed a wheel chair during the entire trip not just while he is in the parks.

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
Phone (407) 856-2273 • Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282
Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com
 
jacksinn said:
My son and I were at MK today and he was joking that if his grandmother was with us we would have had a better chance of getting on some rides because they cateer to those in wheelchairs and electric wheels chairs. At MGM last night we missed the fantasmic show at 9 pm because there was no room left not even standing room EXCEPT FOR THE WHEELCHAIR AREA. Even as the show was starting (and we were walking out because "YOu have to be behind the yellow line" and believe me we couldnt get behind the yellow line-tried to and some woman punched me in the leg.) my son kept say ing there is room there and no ones else is coming but they wouldnt let us stand there.
GO AND HAVE FUN.
These spots are reserved for disabled guests. Sorry it inconvenienced you. Be thankful you don't need them.
 
It is true about rollercoasters but I can not think of any hanging type rides at WDW that would not allow the cast, more so a problem if you were to visit Universal, etc.
 
Make sure he gets a WALKING cast- it totally cushions your foot in a air pocket- I broke my foot a week before we left for Disney in 03. I was so upset. I had a 6 month old baby and they were trying to give me crutches!! It took tears and begging= and they finally gave me a walking cast- it was sooooo wonderful. I could walk around the park no problem. I went to guest services in every park and at that time I was given an Handicap pass that let us go on fast pass on every ride. *My kids are asking if I can break my other foot this trip....ha ha ha.
So my tips from a btdt.....
GET THE WALKING CAST*and some knee high thin socks to cushion his leg.
Go to GUEST SERVICES in every park.
Make sure to take a break every now and then.
My big scare was that I had the Discovery Cove day planned with my oldest son. I didn't think I would be able to swim with dolphins or snorkle all day. But you know what? I did it no problem. I was able to take off my cast and hop into the water and then I was fine. So good luck and he will be fine. You may have to fight for that walking cast- they are not so generous with the walking cast. But fight for it.
 
LegoMom3 said:
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.
POFQ has elevators not to worry there. But I would go to the Disability boards and find out about havinhg a chair or electric cart available when you arrive at the resort. Everything will be fine. Hopefully if he gets a cast the MD will put one on that can get wet. They have them and they don't cost much more that way he can enjoy the pool etc. Hope all goes well for you :grouphug:
 
So sorry this happened to your child but as long as he's comfortable with it, don't cancel your trip.

I don't know if the offsite places require someone to be 18 to use an ECV but it might be worth looking into. The folks on the Disabilities board could probably help you with companies and that question. Similar thing happened with my DH a few years ago, tore up ligaments in his leg shortly before our trip. He was in a walking cast and had crutches but no way could he hobble all over WDW. We rented an ECV from an offsite company, it was something mobility, probably Walker Mobility another poster has mentioned. It was a lot cheaper renting that by the week than one at the parks every day and then you had the use of it all the time, not just in the parks. The company had delivered it to our resort before we arrived and bell services held it and they picked it up from bell services after we left. The buses usually load you first BTW. People did make comments about the little extras we got because DH was using it but he took it well and just said "I'd give anything not to have to" (and sincerely meant it although he said it with good humor) and everyone would look immediately sorry. We knew they didn't mean it in a bad way though.

Anyway don't know if it'll work for a 12 year old, and there is more cost involved, but much easier than pushing a wheelchair - although I guess that's comprable to pushing my two when they were in a double stroller!

Good luck and have fun anyway :)
 
It will be O.K. We took many trips to WDW with my mother in a wheelchair. Two years ago we went without her and were looking forward to power walking across the parks. A week before we go, older DS slides into third base and totally ripped up his knee. He ends up in a leg-straight brace. We managed just fine with a rental and leg lift that we got delivered to our hotel (The Dolphin). I second, third the small lightweight transporter type (has no large side wheels to push with the rider's hands). If he has one usable foot he can walk himself around a bit, so he will have some control without always needing someone to push. Unless your son is huge, the park chairs are pretty large and heavy. Not to mention, a weekly rental may be cheaper and works a lot better getting in and out of the parks and to and from your room. They are much more lightweight and easier to heave in and out of busses and car trunks. Bop on over to disABILITIES and look at their FAQs. Just be prepared for some frustration with the WC. Sometimes the entrances do differ (especially the older rides) and in shows you nearly always end up in back rows. And DS is going to get pretty sick of looking at behinds and armpits.

Carla
 
lucky winner said:
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.
I'm sorry your DS is hurt, but yeah, you might make out better in terms of lines, etc.
 
Yeah, because you'll be using fastpass and such to avoid waiting in lines, unless you have a wheelchair, in which case you'll just go through the regular line.
 
My niece broke her arm the DAY BEFORE they were supposed to leave. They usually plan extra driving time, so they didn't miss any of their reservation (she had to be in the hospital overnight to get it set). Make sure you bring several Sharpie markers - in colors too - as she got awesome character autographs on her cast and still has it. The characters will go out of their way to be especially nice when there is an injury involved. Have a great trip! :sunny:
 
I not sure how old your child is. If he's small enough, I would use a stroller. My DS7 just got his cast off his broken hand yesterday - YEAH! We were very happy about that, but if it didn't work out he had a "swimming" cast on. Getting a "swimming" cast made a huge difference; took showers, played in the sprinkler, etc. Hope everything goes well!

:wave2:
 
Do check out the DisAbility forum, there is a sticky on wheelchair/ECV rentals - hints, and tips!!

Dont be mislead, Disney (as many other amusement parks today) are ADA accessible, so the wheelchairs do go thru the regular lines - and it is a close fit thru the line at Buzz let me tell you!! So you do need to maximize the FP - using an ECV/or wheelchair helps keep the spirits up, its a 5 mile trek around a park minimum!!!

Do get the colorful signatures with the sharpies - love all the colors you can get now!!

:wizard:
 
First, good luck to your son. As everyone has said, you can rent a wheelchair. We went last year with my in-laws and after the first day realized there was no way they would be able to walk around all day. We rented 2 chairs everyday. They were $15 each per day x2 x 10 days = $300 that wasn't figured in the budget. But any amount is worth their comfort. If you are looking to save alittle money, you can go to a used item store (ex. Goodwill) and get one there really cheap. Or asked you DS's school if you can barrow theirs.
We are going back to DW in December and I have already bought one at a tag sale for $3. My plan is to purchase 2 of them before our trip, bring them to the World and leave them behind when we leave.

I can't do it, but, maybe someone can start a wheelchair exchange (like they did with the carriage exchange or the Pal Mickey).
 
I've never broken a bone but I was at WDW just after a rather bad Car accident. My advice is regarding any pain meds he may be on. Take a reference copy of the MD's Prescription with you when traveling and be sure to keep the meds in their original Rx bottle when traveling. I just about got mine taken away at the airport because they could not identify it. Only with my state pharmacy license and a call to my pharmacy did they reluctantly allow me to keep them. Your pharmacy will (or should be) happy to make you a reference copy, I do it all the time for my patients.
Minnesota
MNPhT
 
I see several people have already suggested you check out the disABILITIES Board FAQs thread. There is in link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, and then look near the top for the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
I would suggest renting from one of the off-site places so you have the wheelchair for getting around your resort and for getting to the parks. Even if you plan to borrow one from your resort, take the numbers along so you can call and get a wheelchair in case the resort either doesn't have one or doesn't have one that works for you (they are first come, first serve with no guarantee that they have one).
You may want to check on a pediatric or small adult wheelchair (if your child is small) and check on an elevating footrest so you can raise his foot. Also, if he does have crutches, you can rent a wheelchair with crutch holder from one of the off-site places.

I wanted to clear up a few things, though.

1) The WDW parks and most of the off-site rental places require that someone be 18 or older to rent or drive/ride an ECV (power scooter). Some of the offsite places may make an exception for people younger than that who use ECVs at home because of permanent disabilities, but don't want to travel with them.
Power wheelchairs can be rented from the off-site companies, but they will generally only rent them to people who are experienced users and just don't want to travel with their own.
These things are for liability reasons - it's hard enough for experienced adult who drive cars to manouver an ECV around WDW, and would be much harder and more dangerous to have a child with no driving experience doing that.

2) Most of the lines at WDW have what is called Mainstream Access, where people using wheelchairs or ECVs wait in the same lines with everyone else. The only people who get "front of the line access" are children on "Wish" trips and similar situations.
AK and MGM were built with Mainstream Access (all the regular lines are accessible).
MK and Epcot are older parks and all lines are not Mainstream, but all the newer or renovated attractions had Mainstream Access added if it was possible. There are a few attractions that were not possible to update to be accessible, but many are.
If you used a wheelchair and were allowed to move up/skip lines, you were the recipient of some pixie dust because that's not the way things usually work. Sometimes it happens because a CM is just giving out a little extra pixie dust. Sometimes it's because of things behind scenes that are not visible to you - like the attraction is well staffed right now, but someone is going on break, so by the time you get to the front if you do wait in line, there would be less staff to provide assistance. Also, sometimes, there is an extra wait involved in using a wheelchair; if the regular (standby) line is short, the CM may "pull" you out earlier than the normal "pull out" point for guests traveling in wheelchairs. But, your wait may actually be the same as a person walking in line because you may have to wait at the wheelchair boarding area to board.

3) If you want to avoid waiting in line, getting to the parks early and using Fastpass are good ways to do so. Having a wheelchair doesn't mean you will have a shorter wait - just that you will have a place to sit while you wait.
 


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom