Knee surgery before trip…help please!

[crystal1313]

Hello! My husband just found out that he has torn his ACL and will need surgery. We are assuming that he will need to rent a scooter on our next trip in Nov. we have lots of questions! (Surgery most likely in sept or Oct)

First, I know he will not qualify for DAS and that is totally ok. Our concern is loading and unloading. Especially on attractions that load and unload fast, like space mtn. Do we ask for more time to load and unload? I don’t want him to rush and injure his knee again. Do we just tell the CM when they ask how many in our party? How does that work!??

Scooter rental! Which do you prefer? We don’t want to rent from the parks and will most likely try to stay close by on harbor Blvd for this very reason. Any advice/tips are welcome since this is the first time we have ever needed a scooter.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi Crystal,

I can't answer your scooter questions but depending on when the surgery is, there is a good chance the loading and unloading for him will be back to normal by then.

My 17 yo tore his ACL playing rugby and had surgery April 25th. He was told he would be on crutches for 2 weeks. I think it was closer to 3, but that was for his own comfort level to keep from getting bumped into at school. He was driving again on June 1st. I have a picture of him doing pushups in the elevator after one of his PT appointments 40 days post surgery. Lol, but gross on the hands. So the healing that would allow for loading and unloading happened more quickly than I imagined. I know he could have done pushups a couple weeks earlier than when I took the picture.

I remember we are in the same area. We had an amazing surgeon and we love the Physical Therapist he ended up with. Let me know if you have any questions on that front.

 

[hsmamainva]

I know the Best Western Park Place has scooter rental in the lobby. I think the Camelot does too.

Quick healing vibes for your hubby!!!

 

[KPeterso]

Just tell cast members what you need. Take the scooter in the lines (or through handicap entrances). For a ride like Space Mountain, the handicap entrance is through the exit (may have to get a return time for it) and there is rocket pulled off the track to the side (you may have seen from above before and not realized that is what it was for) and you can take all the time you need getting on and off. The cast members will let you take the time you need and once the rocket is loaded, it slides over into place and off you go on the ride and when you come back, it slides back to its unload platform.

 

[Pluto468]

Crystal, I'm sorry your DH hurt his leg. I've heard good things about the scooter place at BW Park Place. I looked into it last year for a knee injury but didn't need it.

I recently asked a CM about DAS for physical issues, and she confirmed that DAS isn't for that— as you already know— but she did say I could ask for something called location return time. She said I could talk to the CM at the ride and explain the issue, and they'd either tell me a time to come back, or give me a better place to wait if I couldn't stand in line or go up stairs.

 

[irlandaise]

I recently asked a CM about DAS for physical issues, and she confirmed that DAS isn't for that— as you already know— but she did say I could ask for something called location return time. She said I could talk to the CM at the ride and explain the issue, and they'd either tell me a time to come back, or give me a better place to wait if I couldn't stand in line or go up stairs.

I'd like to hear more about that. I can walk pretty well, but standing in one place (or barely moving) for a few minutes makes my legs painful, so I've been wondering how I could manage another DL visit.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd like to hear more about that. I can walk pretty well, but standing in one place (or barely moving) for a few minutes makes my legs painful, so I've been wondering how I could manage another DL visit.

I don't really know any more, because I've never even heard of it before the CM mentioned it. Maybe someone else has experience with it and will chime in.

 

[RoseColored97]

Disney is *very* accommodating for those that need extra time to board. Space Mountain will have you board on a vehicle that is taken off the track so you have as much time as needed. For BTMRR, they have a way of setting up the ride (leaving a row empty so you don't have to wait for people to get out while you get in) so you get a few more seconds to load and get settled.

My mom had knee replacement and needed more time on one of our trips and we had no problems at all, all the CMs were great.

 

[irlandaise]

I don't really know any more, because I've never even heard of it before the CM mentioned it. Maybe someone else has experience with it and will chime in.

Yeah, I know it's new to you. I'm hoping for more info from people who have used DAS alternatives.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi Crystal,

I can't answer your scooter questions but depending on when the surgery is, there is a good chance the loading and unloading for him will be back to normal by then.

My 17 yo tore his ACL playing rugby and had surgery April 25th. He was told he would be on crutches for 2 weeks. I think it was closer to 3, but that was for his own comfort level to keep from getting bumped into at school. He was driving again on June 1st. I have a picture of him doing pushups in the elevator after one of his PT appointments 40 days post surgery. Lol, but gross on the hands. So the healing that would allow for loading and unloading happened more quickly than I imagined. I know he could have done pushups a couple weeks earlier than when I took the picture.

I remember we are in the same area. We had an amazing surgeon and we love the Physical Therapist he ended up with. Let me know if you have any questions on that front.

That is great to hear! My DH had ACL surgery on his right knee in the early 90s and remembers it taking awhile to get back to normal. Hoping technology has improved significantly since then and it will be easier this go around on his left knee. Would love to hear your recommendation on a surgeon and a PT. You can pm me! Thank you!!! (Glad to hear your son bounced back so quickly! )

I know the Best Western Park Place has scooter rental in the lobby. I think the Camelot does too.

Quick healing vibes for your hubby!!!

Thank you so much! We really appreciate it.

Just tell cast members what you need. Take the scooter in the lines (or through handicap entrances). For a ride like Space Mountain, the handicap entrance is through the exit (may have to get a return time for it) and there is rocket pulled off the track to the side (you may have seen from above before and not realized that is what it was for) and you can take all the time you need getting on and off. The cast members will let you take the time you need and once the rocket is loaded, it slides over into place and off you go on the ride and when you come back, it slides back to its unload platform.

Thank you! The last thing in the world he wants to do is mess up the ride system by loading slow and making the ride shut down.

Crystal, I'm sorry your DH hurt his leg. I've heard good things about the scooter place at BW Park Place. I looked into it last year for a knee injury but didn't need it.

I recently asked a CM about DAS for physical issues, and she confirmed that DAS isn't for that— as you already know— but she did say I could ask for something called location return time. She said I could talk to the CM at the ride and explain the issue, and they'd either tell me a time to come back, or give me a better place to wait if I couldn't stand in line or go up stairs.

Oh wow! Very good to know! I’m thinking I might email the resort to see what the options are. We were just talking and I think stairs might be really hard to navigate. Especially jungle cruise stairs. I’m hoping he will be doing really well with his recovery by that point. But we don’t want to push it either! Thank you for the info!

I'd like to hear more about that. I can walk pretty well, but standing in one place (or barely moving) for a few minutes makes my legs painful, so I've been wondering how I could manage another DL visit.

If I find out any more info, I’ll be sure to post.

Disney is *very* accommodating for those that need extra time to board. Space Mountain will have you board on a vehicle that is taken off the track so you have as much time as needed. For BTMRR, they have a way of setting up the ride (leaving a row empty so you don't have to wait for people to get out while you get in) so you get a few more seconds to load and get settled.

My mom had knee replacement and needed more time on one of our trips and we had no problems at all, all the CMs were great.

Oh thank you! Do you just talk to the CM at the entrance? Or tell the CM when they ask how many in your party right before you load?


Thank you all for the responses! I really appreciate it.

 

[deejdigsdis]

PM sent!