Looking for WC/ECV Advice

[ltlmaint]

So here is the scenario: My Dh suffers from Relex Sympathetic Dystophy and is currently recovering from back and knee surgery. We are just back from a a brief trip 8/16-8/21. We stayed at SSR with my DS ages 10 and 12 and my DSis. DH ventured out of the room for a few brief trips to the pool, the pirate and princess party at MK with an ECV and a unassisted trip to Downtown Disney.

Here is where I need the advice: We are planning an extended stay at Christmas. We arrive 12/13 staying at VWl until 12/27 then we are heading to Cocoa Beach to do the KSC and Daytona before leaving on the DCL for a 4-day on 12/30.

Although Dh can walk, he can't walk more than a few minutes without tiring. I was thinking about renting an ECV for our stay in WDW but I wondered if I could rent a wheelchair while on the DCl or maybe purchasing one to use while in CB and on the DCl. Your thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

 

[hematite153]

Most of the offsite rental companies in the area suggest that they are happy to have you rent from them for a disney cruise. So, you could easily rent the same ECV for use at wdw and on the cruise.

I suspect that managing a wc/ecv would be harder on a cruiseship than on steady ground but it sounds like your DH will be able to enjoy himself better if he has an ECV or wc. (And the rest of you will be able to enjoy having him around more often too.)

The rent/purchase question is a big one. We keep bouncing it around everytime we go on vacation somewhere. Would you be able to get a prescription to purchase a chair? If so, and if you have a plan that would cover it, then purchasing would seem to be an option that will save you money overall. Of course, then the question becomes whether to purchase an ECV or a wc.

There are several disboard members who have taken ECV's on the DCL. Hopefully one of them will respond with more specifics about the advantages and disadvantages of an ECV vs. wc.

I do think that you should include the information that you will have a wc or ECV in the notes for your DCL reservation because I think there are some rooms that can hold them better than others.

 

[ltlmaint]

I hadn't thought about the room size. A great suggestion.

I am going to talk about the wheelchair with his dr. I think he will prescribe one, and one of our insurances should cover (we have 3).

Many Thanks!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

WHeel chairs are very hard to deal with on a ship. the ECV is much better you will however need a HC cabin to get it into. You cannot leave the scooter in the aisles of the ship it is a violation of the coast guard laws and a safety hazzard.
I have taken about a dozen cruises using my scooter so I am familiar with the whole thing including rentals.
The Disney ships are well equipped for use of HC items though.
I also suggest you rent from one place for the duration of your trip.

 

[ltlmaint]

Thanks for our comments. Now here is the thing. We mentioned to our TC that we would need pre-boarding but did not know about the ECV rental at that point. Is there a possibility we could still get an HC room in our catergory at this late date? Our cruise is 12/30.

Thanks!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Thanks for our comments. Now here is the thing. We mentioned to our TC that we would need pre-boarding but did not know about the ECV rental at that point. Is there a possibility we could still get an HC room in our catergory at this late date? Our cruise is 12/30.

Thanks!

All you can do is call and see, they go very fast as there are few of them and IF they have any now it may be a different category than you have booked currently. all you can do is try.

 

[ajsmommy1129]

Will your insurance purchase one for you? Most insurances will purchase a good wheel chair, but the ECVs are harder to get insurance companies to pay for. Medicare has finally started paying for them, but it needs to be for a long term disability, not just surgery related,as a general rule. If you can get your insurance to kick in, I would say buy one.

 

[LindaBabe]

On several DCL cruises we've been on, We have seen that people parked and plugged in their ecv's in the stair lobby nearest their stateroom, so it doesn't necessarily have to fit in the room.