Kid on oxygen...

[MotherWhimsey]

My son is on oxygen, a feeding tube, and uses a wheelchair most of the time. Mentally he's normal, his body is just rather crappy. Anyhow, we would like to go to Disney in the fall or winter. He'll be 3 then. We want him to be able to do what every other 3 year old can do there, but I don't know the rules about taking oxygen on rides. That's the one thing we can't unhook him from. We can get a bunch of small tanks for while we're on rides and keep them in a small backpack or something, but I don't know what the rules are about this. Anyone have any idea?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

As he will be fairly small he will not be able to go on any of the wild rides, where having an oxygen tank would be dangerous. Many of the rides he would be able to go on he can remain in his chair. For those where he has to gransfer there is no restriction concerning oxygem.

I would suggest having a small portable tank in something like a messanger bag and use that tank if he has to be taken out of his chair for a ride. Note that you will be able to park his wheelchair right at the boarding area and if unload is in another location it will be there waiting for him.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Initially I would suggest looking at Post #6 concerning the Guest Assistance Card and Post #3 look for the section on oxygen.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[MotherWhimsey]

awesome! thank you! I'll look into those links. Do you know what hotel is best to stay in for someone with disabilities? He really wants to ride the monorail to and from disney but I suppose we can just ride it around a few times and he'd be happy.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

There are three monorail hotels: Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. The monorail actually goes through the middle of the Contemporary. These hotels are pretty expensive...

In order to get to the Magic Kingdom you have to either ride a boat or the monorail.

 

[Schmeck]

awesome! thank you! I'll look into those links. Do you know what hotel is best to stay in for someone with disabilities? He really wants to ride the monorail to and from disney but I suppose we can just ride it around a few times and he'd be happy.

The monorails do not extend outside of Walt Disney World property. They do connect the Magic Kingdom to the 3 resorts mentioned by a previous poster, and there is a connected line to EPCOT as well. Lots of opportunities there to ride the monorail! Even if you stay onsite, you'd have to take other transportation to Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studio, as well as the water parks and Downtown Disney - all found on WDW property.

 

[mechurchlady]

awesome! thank you! I'll look into those links. Do you know what hotel is best to stay in for someone with disabilities? He really wants to ride the monorail to and from disney but I suppose we can just ride it around a few times and he'd be happy.

I have a few friends on another board who drive monorails. All you do is go to the CM and ask to ride up front. You will have to carry the kid or have him walk into the cab as the doors are not big enough for a normal wheelchair. If you can squeeze a toddler sized chair through the door and then past the Driver's area then you could take the chair into the cab. There is a four passenger limit no matter what size. The chair can then be loaded in one of the cars so it will be with you. Your son could be right at the nose of the cab of the monorail.

As stated all resort hotels are interconnected via busses and/or boats to downtown Disney, water parks, parks and other entertainment areas. The exception are the three monorail hotels. They are easier as you can take the monorail to the TTC then a bus to other parks or the monorail to Epcot and MK. For Epcot and Mk that means an almost guaranteed ride on the next monorail out of the station unless it is really busy. With busses you are at the whim of life. You might get in line for the bus and have 5 ECVs in front of you or the bus may not have a working lift. They have a dozen monorails and they are easy to load compared to a bus. Most of the time bus service is really good though.

Check FAQs for the number for special needs for rooms. They can provide bed rails and lots of other services. Good luck on the trip.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

There are three monorail hotels: Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. The monorail actually goes through the middle of the Contemporary. These hotels are pretty expensive...

In order to get to the Magic Kingdom you have to either ride a boat or the monorail.

having stayed at the Polynesian (yeah I am biased!!) I think he would really enjoy that one. I have seen a lot of kids and adults in wheelchairs there, and they seem to be able to get around with no problems! ( I also just like the atmoshpere of the Poly!)

Staying there would eliminate some of the bus riding, as you can take the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom park, or over to the TTC and switch to the Epcot Monorail.

To carry small O2 bottles, you might want to consider getting the smaller backpack and or waist pack from Camelbak. They are essentiall designed to carry various sizes of water bladders with drinking tubes...BUT they are also designed to carry the weight of those water bladders, so a small O2 cannister would be no problem. They also have built in "channels" for the water tube, that could b used to thread the O2 line.

When he is in the w/c, it could be hung on the back, and when transferring, he could just put it on and move to the ride! (not have to switch out!)

Have fun!!