Issues with walking/standing

[recoverylife2017]

Hello,

My Disney trip is sadly, a long way off, but planning for it is half the fun The last time I was there was way back in 2004, I was in in my late 20's and had no mobility issues back then. I have spinal stenosis and RA, so walking much really isn't an option for me, I know I'll need a wheelchair the majority of the time. My biggest concern is standing in line, after a few minutes that will be nearly impossible. Are you allowed to take something to sit on while waiting in line? Obviously, I know you can't take a folding chair (that would be nice), but something smaller, like those little stick seats? I don't know the name, I'm not even sure it would even work, but I'd really like to figure this out so I can better understand what to expect.

Donna

 

[SirDuff]

You can bring your wheelchair in almost all lines.

 

[recoverylife2017]

You can bring your wheelchair in almost all lines.

Thank you for replying so quickly, I had no idea that was an option

 

[MICKIMINI]

You might want to bring a cane with you. An ECV makes the parks very doable. I only use one at WDW and though it is an added cost, it saves my energy to enjoy the day rather than struggle to get from point A to B all day long. Do what you have to do to enjoy yourself. It is your life and your trip so ENJOY!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is the person who will push your wc used to pushing you in a wc? If not you should get an ECV. WDW is a lot of walking (and not all flat looking at you AK) and over a multi day trip a person not used to pushing a wc can easily injure themselves.

 

[recoverylife2017]

You might want to bring a cane with you. An ECV makes the parks very doable. I only use one at WDW and though it is an added cost, it saves my energy to enjoy the day rather than struggle to get from point A to B all day long. Do what you have to do to enjoy yourself. It is your life and your trip so ENJOY!

Thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate it

 

[AprilsZoo]

Is the person who will push your wc used to pushing you in a wc? If not you should get an ECV. WDW is a lot of walking (and not all flat looking at you AK) and over a multi day trip a person not used to pushing a wc can easily injure themselves.

This is so true. Family members have the best intentions, either one person thinks to do it themselves … or a few family members think they’ll just switch off. But even pushers who are used to it, find all of the pavement types (rough, smooth, stony, & variously themed) coupled with all of the hills & even “gentle slopes” turn into torture pretty quickly. It’s a lot different than pushing someone around a store, of along neighborhood sidewalks. It can be exhausting, making their trip miserable by the end— even if few will ever admit it.

The ECV rental at the park is pricey, and you have to get to the parks very early to make sure you get one. With the in-park rental, you won’t have it to use from the parking lot or tram drop off, monorail, bus stop etc. & if you are park hopping, the next park might not have one for you when you get there, meaning you’d have to be on a wait list to get one when it’s available.

At the top of this sub-forum, there’s a sticky with a list of commonly used vendors for off-site rentals. They’re generally less expensive over a 5-7 day rental. These can be delivered to you at your hotel and picked up at the end of your stay. For Disney property resorts, (except Swan & Dolphin) most companies will give you an appointment time when they’ll meet you to deliver the scooter and later to pick it up. Scootaround Scooterbug can leave it at the resort and get it at the end without you being present, but a lot of people have expressed disappointment with their quality and service. Some people have had very good experiences however, so it often comes down to convenience. At Swan & Dolphin any vendor can do an unattended delivery/pickup.

With a little shuffling of furniture, a scooter will fit in even an economy room. For even an easier time fitting it in the room, housekeeping can remove a table or chair that you aren’t going to use.

An outside rental means you have a “scooter” to use during all parts of your visit — From inside the parks, to exploring different resorts, to shopping at Disney Springs. You can take it on all Disney transportation, and it can be used in nearly all queues (The few that you can’t will have a manual wheelchair for you to transfer to. Generally, a pusher will have less trouble managing a few ride queues over the course of a day, than pushing all day long.) A further bonus, if you don’t have to get in line everyday to rent one, you have more time to do fun things instead.

When using either a scooter or wheelchair in line, it will be taken from you at the point where you board, and it will either be waiting for you at the exit , or very rarely, you’ll be returned to the boarding area.

And, I didn’t see it specifically addressed, but the stick type seats are not allowed in the parks. Even cane “seats” are prohibited from being brought in. Probably isn’t an issue as long as you’re getting a wheelchair or scooter… but I still thought I’d mention it.

I feel like this has been a little rambling tonight, but hopefully there’s something that will help you.

 

[recoverylife2017]

This is so true. Family members have the best intentions, either one person thinks to do it themselves … or a few family members think they’ll just switch off. But even pushers who are used to it, find all of the pavement types (rough, smooth, stony, & variously themed) coupled with all of the hills & even “gentle slopes” turn into torture pretty quickly. It’s a lot different than pushing someone around a store, of along neighborhood sidewalks. It can be exhausting, making their trip miserable by the end— even if few will ever admit it.

The ECV rental at the park is pricey, and you have to get to the parks very early to make sure you get one. With the in-park rental, you won’t have it to use from the parking lot or tram drop off, monorail, bus stop etc. & if you are park hopping, the next park might not have one for you when you get there, meaning you’d have to be on a wait list to get one when it’s available.

At the top of this sub-forum, there’s a sticky with a list of commonly used vendors for off-site rentals. They’re generally less expensive over a 5-7 day rental. These can be delivered to you at your hotel and picked up at the end of your stay. For Disney property resorts, (except Swan & Dolphin) most companies will give you an appointment time when they’ll meet you to deliver the scooter and later to pick it up. Scootaround can leave it at the resort and get it at the end without you being present, but a lot of people have expressed disappointment with their quality and service. Some people have had very good experiences however, so it often comes down to convenience. At Swan & Dolphin any vendor can do an unattended delivery/pickup.

With a little shuffling of furniture, a scooter will fit in even an economy room. For even an easier time fitting it in the room, housekeeping can remove a table or chair that you aren’t going to use.

An outside rental means you have a “scooter” to use during all parts of your visit — From inside the parks, to exploring different resorts, to shopping at Disney Springs. You can take it on all Disney transportation, and it can be used in nearly all queues (The few that you can’t will have a manual wheelchair for you to transfer to. Generally, a pusher will have less trouble managing a few ride queues over the course of a day, than pushing all day long.) A further bonus, if you don’t have to get in line everyday to rent one, you have more time to do fun things instead.

When using either a scooter or wheelchair in line, it will be taken from you at the point where you board, and it will either be waiting for you at the exit , or very rarely, you’ll be returned to the boarding area.

And, I didn’t see it specifically addressed, but the stick type seats are not allowed in the parks. Even cane “seats” are prohibited from being brought in. Probably isn’t an issue as long as you’re getting a wheelchair or scooter… but I still thought I’d mention it.

I feel like this has been a little rambling tonight, but hopefully there’s something that will help you.

Thank you SO much for all of this helpful info! It was a huge eye opener, one that was definitely needed for myself and for my son, who will be with me on this trip. I will be checking out the vendors who can deliver to my resort, it's good to know that even at POP, where we will be staying, a scooter can fit in the room. My son has only been to WDW one time, that was way back in 2004 when he was still very little, I want him to have an amazing time and would certainly never want to ruin his vacation by exhausting him with pushing me around in wheelchair for 6 days. Thank you again for replying with so much useful info

 

[Lewisc]

Scootaround can leave it at the resort and get it at the end without you being present,

Scooterbug is only Disney authorized vendor allowed to use bell services for delivery and pickup.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Scooterbug is only Disney authorized vendor allowed to use bell services for delivery and pickup.

Oops you are right… not sure where I got Scootaround… I know it’s Scooterbug.

I’ll go correct it. Thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

Even cane “seats” are prohibited from being brought in.

Cane seats are allowed. It was always allowed for use as a cane, but it is no longer prohibited to be used as a seat as well. In fact it is specifically mentioned on the Disability section of the website. I assume a “stick seat” that is also a cane-type device would be allowed. Folding stools or chairs are not.