Is stroller or wheelchair overkill?

[RedWhiteandBlugold]

Our trip is in June with our 3 kids who are 13, 7, and 11. Our 11y has Down Syndrome and I'm thinking that stamina might be an issue for him. The last time we went to WDW he was 4 and his sister was 18months so a stroller was a no brainer. We had originally rented a stroller for this trip when it was SUPPOSED to happen in June of 2020, but now that it has been postponed 2 years and everyone is older I had just assumed we wouldn't do that. As it gets closer I am reconsidering whether or not we should rent a stroller meant for bigger children with disabilities, or maybe a wheelchair, but it kind of feels like overkill? I keep going back and forth. I don't want dirty looks at having a stroller for older kids, or a wheelchair for a kid who can walk, and I'm also not looking forward to hauling a stroller or wheelchair around on DW transportation, but I also think it would give him a much needed break since he can be slower and have less energy (especially in the heat) than the rest of us. Any advice?

 

[PollyannaMom]

I would just rent in the parks if needed. (Their doubles go up to 100 pounds.)

That way, you're not dealing with it on the busses.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd try out one of the park rentals first, but maybe bring some info on renting from offsite just in case the onsite ones don't work well for him (or you?)

 

[midwestdee]

Personally, I’d go with the wheelchair option. Your 11 year old son may not be too enthused about using a stroller. It can be used for whichever kid needs a walking break. That way he doesn’t feel like it’s specific to him. For the first time, I’m renting a wheelchair from Scooter Bug - it will be at the resort - I’ll just wheel it on & fold it up for the bus ride to the parks.

 

[Mamabun]

It's a very individual decision, but some things to consider:
- How much will you be walking? It's not uncommon to be in the parks 10-12 hours and walk 10+ miles each day. How will your son do with that much walking over that length of time.
- How big is your son? Can he fit in a typical stroller (generally <70lbs)? Is he small enough that a pediatric wheelchair would be more comfortable than a standard (18" seat width)?
- Will he be embarrassed or hesitant to use a wheelchair or stroller?
- How strong is the person pushing? Adaptive strollers (for larger kids) are much easier to push around than wheelchairs, especially for heavier kids.
- Does your son sit a lot when waiting, for example does he try to sit down when in a long line at the grocery store, or is he fine standing in a line for a while?
- Do your son's feet ache when he walks more then a few miles? Are you going to be doing that day after day, or are you alternating park days and off days?
- Does son need a 'bubble'? A wheelchair or stroller can provide him a little extra personal space in lines and when walking in crowds. Some strollers even have a sunshade that would provide even more of a private space.

I have never personally witnessed anyone giving a second glance to someone with Down syndrome in a wheelchair, and certainly not giving dirty looks, but I'm typically focused on those in my party and not the people looking at us. If you're gonna do some long days, I would certainly consider a wheelchair or stroller, but it really depends on your family and your son, of course.

I hope you all have a wonderful trip.

 

[RedWhiteandBlugold]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Good options and insights! I appreciate it!

 

[DisneyOma]

Personally, I’d go with the wheelchair option. Your 11 year old son may not be too enthused about using a stroller. It can be used for whichever kid needs a walking break. That way he doesn’t feel like it’s specific to him. For the first time, I’m renting a wheelchair from Scooter Bug - it will be at the resort - I’ll just wheel it on & fold it up for the bus ride to the parks.

Sadly, if multiple children are using the wheelchair as a place to rest, etc, you may get comments about "cheating the system" and so on. It's not nice of people to do this, but there have even been posts here on the DIS about it.

 

[jo-jo]

Will you use the wheelchair in lines? With a wheelchair, you can just go into lines. If you need the stroller for the lines, you would need to get a tag for it first.

And I'm not sure if a double stroller will fit in the lines.

 

[redberyl]

My daughter is 13 and looks perfectly healthy if you don't know her history. She can walk but not for long distances. She used a special needs stroller until she was 11 and now uses a wheelchair. Not once have we ever received any comments about it, and I have never noticed any dirty looks. I wouldn't let fear of others negative opinions factor into your decision.

 

[midwestdee]

Sadly, if multiple children are using the wheelchair as a place to rest, etc, you may get comments about "cheating the system" and so on. It's not nice of people to do this, but there have even been posts here on the DIS about it.

There’s nothing “cheating “ the system, unless someone is improperly obtains DAS, and there was no discussion of that. It was a matter of getting to an attraction, not using it to obtain an unfair advantage.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm also not looking forward to hauling a stroller or wheelchair around on DW transportation

There are various special needs stroller options -- some are large, heavy and probably cumbersome to use on WDW transportation. Others are smaller and lighter and easy to fold/carry onto WDW transportation, much like an umbrella stroller. We used a Maclaren Major Elite for several years. One site I've found with various rental options is Orlando Medical Rentals. They also rent pediatric sized wheelchairs if you opt for that route. While my DD does not have DS she has some very similar attributes including the low muscle tone and stamina, and I couldn't imagine trying to do WDW at that age without a mobility device for her. She preferred the stroller at age 11 but of course each individual is different you son may feel that is too "babyish." I suggest having him involved with the decision.

 

[KittyKitty]

There’s nothing “cheating “ the system, unless someone is improperly obtains DAS, and there was no discussion of that. It was a matter of getting to an attraction, not using it to obtain an unfair advantage.

Disney says only 1 person in a wheelchair.

 

[jo-jo]

Disney says only 1 person in a wheelchair.

I don't believe anyone meant pushing a chair with 2 or 3 kids in it. More like, ok, Jane can ride it from Space mountain to tea cups, then Bobby can ride from tea cups to HM. Then Tom (who really needs the chair) rides in it for the next hour.

 

[RoseGold]

I keep going back and forth. I don't want dirty looks at having a stroller for older kids, or a wheelchair for a kid who can walk, and I'm also not looking forward to hauling a stroller or wheelchair around on DW transportation,

No one is going to care about a special needs kid in a wheelchair/stroller. There are wheelchairs and strollers everywhere, including in the lines. Even if they do, that's not your problem. The reaction of strangers is not the reason you should be making accessibility decisions for your family.

A pediatric wheelchair or a larger stroller will be smaller than many things on Disney transportation, like all the monster double strollers. You will be fine.

You need to think about the airport component of this, which also involves a lot of walking. It might be worth bringing your own device just for that reason.

 

[DisneyOma]

There’s nothing “cheating “ the system, unless someone is improperly obtains DAS, and there was no discussion of that. It was a matter of getting to an attraction, not using it to obtain an unfair advantage.

I don't believe anyone meant pushing a chair with 2 or 3 kids in it. More like, ok, Jane can ride it from Space mountain to tea cups, then Bobby can ride from tea cups to HM. Then Tom (who really needs the chair) rides in it for the next hour.

I agree that there is nothing "cheating" about using a wheelchair at WDW, just that if the OP has multiple children, and someone sees one child get out and walk and another one get in and get pushed, there have been threads here about how other people have spoken out, said something disrespectful, etc. There have even been threads with people here on the DIS complaining about it. I wanted the OP to know that some people are rude about this situation, so the family won't be blindsided by a comment made by a nosy, oblivious person.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I agree that there is nothing "cheating" about using a wheelchair at WDW, just that if the OP has multiple children, and someone sees one child get out and walk and another one get in and get pushed, there have been threads here about how other people have spoken out, said something disrespectful, etc. There have even been threads with people here on the DIS complaining about it. I wanted the OP to know that some people are rude about this situation, so the family won't be blindsided by a comment made by a nosy, oblivious person.

Yea, this. If the average guest at WDW sees a person in a wheelchair, I think their first instinct is absolutely to assume it's medically necessary and to have/display appropriate compassion.

But upon seeing several people climbing in and out of the same wheelchair, that same guest is less likely to be able to envision the scenario where that is medically appropriate (even though it could exist) and far more likely to wonder if the wheelchair is being used to "game the system".

The answer was just about what kind of reactions to expect, because the OP is trying to decide not only what would be the more convenient plan, but also the most comfortable one.

 

[RedWhiteandBlugold]

I agree that there is nothing "cheating" about using a wheelchair at WDW, just that if the OP has multiple children, and someone sees one child get out and walk and another one get in and get pushed, there have been threads here about how other people have spoken out, said something disrespectful, etc. There have even been threads with people here on the DIS complaining about it. I wanted the OP to know that some people are rude about this situation, so the family won't be blindsided by a comment made by a nosy, oblivious person.

Yes, this is what I have been worried about. I know that I should think more like RoseGold and only think about my families accessibility needs, but I have always, probably unnecessarily, worried about other people's judgement even when it shouldn't matter. I freely admit to being "that person," as a young 20 something with no kids (and CLEARLY no clue about how hard it is to haul children through WDW) and mumbling under my breath at my husband about kids who were "clearly too old for a stroller." Also I know that if we have a chair or stroller my son won't be using it ALL the time, which will mean trying to keep the other two out of it.

Again, Thanks everyone for the responses. Lots of good things to think about and good suggestions for devices that might work best for him. I really appreciate it!

 

[jo-jo]

I agree that there is nothing "cheating" about using a wheelchair at WDW, just that if the OP has multiple children, and someone sees one child get out and walk and another one get in and get pushed, there have been threads here about how other people have spoken out, said something disrespectful, etc. There have even been threads with people here on the DIS complaining about it. I wanted the OP to know that some people are rude about this situation, so the family won't be blindsided by a comment made by a nosy, oblivious person.

I see your point.

 

[RoseGold]

If other people's judgment matters, then just rent a pediatric wheelchair as opposed to a stroller. No one is jealous of any kid in a wheelchair.

 

[FrankDIS72]

I say who cares if others give you dirty looks? You'll probably never seen them again.