In park wheeelchair questions

[LilyWDW]

Hey all!

So, my friend's and I are looking into a trip for June. We may be in a situation though where a wheelchair will be needed at least part time in the parks. We are looking to do MK, Epcot, and AK. I have a couple of questions though...

1) Just how hard is it to push a wheelchair? The person who will be using it may weigh 135lbs soaking wet (silly skinny friends!). There will be 3 other people capable to switch off pushing.

2) If the person using it wants to walk some, can we park the wheelchair and let her? Should we leave it with the strollers?

3) Is it better to just rent one right away or wait until it's known how much she might need it?

Thanks a ton!

 

[SueM in MN]

With 3 capable of pushing, I don't personally think you will have much trouble pushing the wheelchair. If she's more the independent type, she may prefer an ECV though.

You can park a wheelchair with the strollers, but be aware that dome attractions have a long walk and others have a standing period even if the wait is short. There is more info on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

It would be less expensive to rent from one if the offsite places, plus she would have it got use at the resort. I don't think you will run into a problem getting one at the parks though. An ECV, yes, but they seldom run out of wheelchairs.
There is more information about renting in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[LilyWDW]

With 3 capable of pushing, I don't personally think you will have much trouble pushing the wheelchair. If she's more the independent type, she may prefer an ECV though.

You can park a wheelchair with the strollers, but be aware that dome attractions have a long walk and others have a standing period even if the wait is short. There is more info on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

It would be less expensive to rent from one if the offsite places, plus she would have it got use at the resort. I don't think you will run into a problem getting one at the parks though. An ECV, yes, but they seldom run out of wheelchairs.
There is more information about renting in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Thanks Sue. This sort of thing is just so out of my normal planning that it is throwing me for a tizzy more then it should!

My friend will be able to get by doing normal stuff without a wheelchair, but we are worried about her getting fatigued (more then normal) while at the parks. I have been recently (October of this year) so I do have a good feel for the lines at the attractions. I was thinking that if she feels up to it (because knowing her, she will haha) that she can park the wheelchair and maybe do a few attractions in Fantasyland or something like that.

She does not personally (at this point in planning) feel comfortable with an ECV. Plus, cost is an issue because this will be as budget of a trip as physically possible. I didn't think about the resort though. We will be staying off site at their timeshare and will be driving to the parks every day. I also didn't think about what we would do at DTD and Universal Citywalk (we want to do Citywalk but not the parks this trip).

 

[pampam]

MK has a gentle slope that is usually not even noticed by the walker but a WC pusher could notice. Walk from Tomorrowland/Fantasyland to Liberty Square/ Frontierland. It's not quite as tiring.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree with Sue that with three pushers (and the person in the chair being fairly lightweight) there should be no problem.

However, I agree that if staying offsite that you rent a chair from one of the outside vendors listed in Post 2 of the FAQs. Since you will be in a timeshare, there will probably be a management office at the location and they would be able to accept delivery for you and hold it for pickup when you depart.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Here's my take as somebody who doesn't normally need to push a wheelchair but had to push one of my kids one trip (she was around 80lb).

The effort of pushing was not a strain. I'm in relatively good shape though I do not work out just to give you an idea of my abilities. My DH couldn't help because he was around 1 month out from having a hernia operation so just getting himself around was difficult. Even without anybody to switch out with, the effort was no big deal.

The one thing I did find difficult was that I basically couldn't look around the whole trip. I spent the entire trip watching my daughter's feet. I was so focussed on hot hitting people that I had to keep watching the area around her feet in order to avoid people. Because I've been to WDW as many times as I have, this wasn't a big deal but for a first time traveller this would be extremely frustrating. Because there are 3 of you to swap off it won't be nearly as big of a deal plus you've also been several times so you shouldn't see it as being as big of a deal as newbies.

If you wait until she needs the chair before renting one, she'll likely try to push herself as much as she can before agreeing to get one at which point she'll likely be past the point where she can really participate in the fun and enjoy herself. If you've already paid for the chair, she's more likely to agree to use it before she's worn out since it's paid for and there anyway so she might as well use it. Especially since this is a budget trip, she'll likely try to get by without a chair some days but end up paying for it later physically. Get the chair and just park it when she wants to get up and walk a bit.

 

[LilyWDW]

Here's my take as somebody who doesn't normally need to push a wheelchair but had to push one of my kids one trip (she was around 80lb).

The effort of pushing was not a strain. I'm in relatively good shape though I do not work out just to give you an idea of my abilities. My DH couldn't help because he was around 1 month out from having a hernia operation so just getting himself around was difficult. Even without anybody to switch out with, the effort was no big deal.

The one thing I did find difficult was that I basically couldn't look around the whole trip. I spent the entire trip watching my daughter's feet. I was so focussed on hot hitting people that I had to keep watching the area around her feet in order to avoid people. Because I've been to WDW as many times as I have, this wasn't a big deal but for a first time traveller this would be extremely frustrating. Because there are 3 of you to swap off it won't be nearly as big of a deal plus you've also been several times so you shouldn't see it as being as big of a deal as newbies.

If you wait until she needs the chair before renting one, she'll likely try to push herself as much as she can before agreeing to get one at which point she'll likely be past the point where she can really participate in the fun and enjoy herself. If you've already paid for the chair, she's more likely to agree to use it before she's worn out since it's paid for and there anyway so she might as well use it. Especially since this is a budget trip, she'll likely try to get by without a chair some days but end up paying for it later physically. Get the chair and just park it when she wants to get up and walk a bit.

Again, thank you all for your input.

We are actually asking around here if anyone we know has a wheelchair (that is in good condition). Since we are driving we can bring it with easily. Plus, it will save a bit more money which is a big deal. It's a super budget trip for them (to the point I am buying some of the tickets as a birthday/christmas gift so that they can go without worrying as much about money).

I just want to make it a good trip for them.

 

[stargazertechie]

Have you checked goodwill/salvation army? They normally have chairs in decent shape for $10-$20. That's where we got mine when I had surgery.

 

[JoyMouse]

My DD uses a wheelchair when she feels fatigued. When she wants to walk we either park it, or she pushes it herself. It gives her some support and we can just load our bags and stuff in it. Sometimes just having it to hold on to helps her. She really enjoys it while waiting in lines, especially if they are long. Sometimes just standing is harder on her than walking around is. Good luck!!