May need a wheel chair.

[TiggerBouncy]

Do you need to rent them in advance or can I rent one when I am down there? I am nervous getting on the bus. I saw what a nightmare it was for people that did not use them before.

This past trip both DW and I were in scooters for the first time. We rented from Scooterbug and they were at our resort waiting for us. For someone who has never driven one, I was nervous about the buses.

The bus drivers were EVERY ONE OF THEM 1000% AMAZING. I told them I did not feel comfortable getting the scooter in the bus. Each one took a different approach - usually having me drive it up the ramp, then they would either use the handles or have me power it off and they would unlock it and maneuver it. But they said they prefer to do it rather than have me try to do it. they never had me stand up - they just quickly and efficiently backed it into the spot and buckled me in. When we got there, they usually lined me up to the ramp and then let me drive off - although a few of them preferred to drive it all the way off the bus for us.

The most amazing thing about it though is they never made us feel like an inconvenience.

One word of warning about renting from Disney day off - on our last trip, DW hurt her knee and we went to rent from EPCOT - they were out of BOTH scooters AND wheelchairs.

 

[Disturbia]

Don’t rent a wheelchair at WdW. It’s easily 20k steps, with added incline; even on to monorail/gondola the ramps (there are elevators but people don’t realize that). You might save your feet at the expense of whoever is pushing you. I get exhausted pushing a stroller up those ramps. We saw one person pushing a medium built older person and was sweating and exhausted and moving extremely slowly. He looked dehydrated (make sure to take electrolyte).

Scooter rental companies drop off at your resort. Rent a scooter and take mid day breaks.

 

[Love Disney210]

I hear what you're saying about the possibility of needing a wheelchair, and maybe it will come to that -- but I have plantar fasciitis too, and I vote for doing all you can do to avoid the wheelchair. This is a condition that you can control; that is, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of needing to use a wheelchair.

I've been suffering with plantar fasciitis for over 15 years, and through help from the orthopedist and trial-and-error, I have developed a set of "rules" that keep me from "flare ups". I can hike all day, stand up in my classroom all day -- no problems. As long as I wear the right shoes. The last time I had any trouble was the day of my daughter's wedding (5 years ago?) when I really over it with walking and borderline-inappropriate shoes.

My self-imposed rules:
- When I was first diagnosed and had serious pain, the doctor gave me a shot of cortizone in each foot -- that hurt, but the next day my pain was gone. He told me that was necessary to get rid of the current problem, but he said that if I "followed the rules" I would not experience more "flare ups". This has proven true; I've never needed a second shot of cortizone.
- I have custom orthopedic inserts made. They are hard -- they're about support, not cushioning. They're expensive, but I've been using the same pair maybe 8 years, and they're still in great condition. They work great; they slide into little slip-on tennis shoes, loafers, boots, and lots of other shoes.
- I have plantar fasciitis socks (purchased from Amazon) -- they're short, black and toe-less. They hug the middle of my foot tight and really feel good. I'd think they'd be good for the hotel room after a day of walking at Disney, if your plantar fasciitis isn't quite under control. If you order them, note that they're sold as singles -- but I have problems with my two feet equally.
- I do wear sandals that don't work with my inserts, but they must be "just right" ... no deviations whatsoever: The heel must be "cupped" a bit -- no flat-flat sandals, and that wipes out a lot of choices. A strong arch support is absolutely necessary. If the sandal is a flip-flop style, the straps must be wide and must come up close to the ankle (cannot stop near the toe). Least importantly, the heel needs to be "raised" just a bit -- 1/2" is enough. Heels are fine, as long as they have all the necessary features.
- Name brands that work for me are Chacos (for sandals) and Vionics (for dressy shoes -- but sizes are weird; don't order online until you know what works for you). But if I could have only one pair of sandals for my plantar fasciitis, it'd be my Sketchers Reggae sandals; my daughter calls them my "ugly sandals", but she was constantly wearing them -- so much that I bought her a pair for her birthday.
- I got rid of ALL my shoes that were bad for my plantar fasciitis -- it broke my heart, but I can't-can't-can't wear them, even just for an evening out or even just to church. That my two daughters wear the same size and wanted most of my shoes took away some of the emotional pain, and I bought a bunch of new shoes that work with my condition. Seriously, wearing the right shoes is Job 1 to help plantar fasciitis; if you cheat on the right shoes, you'll never get past this problem.

Things that work for some people but didn't help me:
- Stretching and icing my foot. My orthopedist pushed this, but the relief was mild and brief. Wearing the right shoes was about 1000Xs more helpful.
- A big over-shoe (provided by my orthopedist) that stretched my toe towards my knee. At first he had me wearing it an hour a day (couldn't walk with the shoe), but it didn't seem to help.
- Never going barefoot. I am almost always barefoot (or in sock feet) in my own house. I understand this really sets off some people's problems, but it doesn't seem to bother me.
- Never lying on the sofa with feet hanging over the edge "with toes pointed". Apparently this really sets off some people's plantar fasciitis, but since this is not one of my habits, not a problem for me.

In closing, I strongly suggest that you put effort into avoiding "flare ups", while having the information on wheelchairs as a back-up plan.

Thanks for all your advice. I too notice my flair ups are cause by wearing the wrong shoes or slippers. I am hoping I don’t have a flair up on our vacation.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Don’t rent a wheelchair at WdW. It’s easily 20k steps, with added incline; even on to monorail/gondola the ramps (there are elevators but people don’t realize that). You might save your feet at the expense of whoever is pushing you. I get exhausted pushing a stroller up those ramps. We saw one person pushing a medium built older person and was sweating and exhausted and moving extremely slowly. He looked dehydrated (make sure to take electrolyte).

Scooter rental companies drop off at your resort. Rent a scooter and take mid day breaks.

Pushing someone around EPCOT is surprisingly difficult... I did not realize how many hills there were. I tend to think of it as flat.... but it's really not. Even those slight inclines are killers and EPCOT is BBIIGG.

Note that if you are at a Disney Resort, only Scooterbug can leave the scooter there at Bellhop and let you leave it with Bellhop. Everyone else you have to meet at the resort at set pickup / dropoff times.

 

[AprilsZoo]

I hear what you're saying about the possibility of needing a wheelchair, and maybe it will come to that -- but I have plantar fasciitis too, and I vote for doing all you can do to avoid the wheelchair. This is a condition that you can control; that is, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of needing to use a wheelchair.

I've been suffering with plantar fasciitis for over 15 years, and through help from the orthopedist and trial-and-error, I have developed a set of "rules" that keep me from "flare ups". I can hike all day, stand up in my classroom all day -- no problems. As long as I wear the right shoes. The last time I had any trouble was the day of my daughter's wedding (5 years ago?) when I really over it with walking and borderline-inappropriate shoes.

My self-imposed rules:
- When I was first diagnosed and had serious pain, the doctor gave me a shot of cortizone in each foot -- that hurt, but the next day my pain was gone. He told me that was necessary to get rid of the current problem, but he said that if I "followed the rules" I would not experience more "flare ups". This has proven true; I've never needed a second shot of cortizone.
- I have custom orthopedic inserts made. They are hard -- they're about support, not cushioning. They're expensive, but I've been using the same pair maybe 8 years, and they're still in great condition. They work great; they slide into little slip-on tennis shoes, loafers, boots, and lots of other shoes.
- I have plantar fasciitis socks (purchased from Amazon) -- they're short, black and toe-less. They hug the middle of my foot tight and really feel good. I'd think they'd be good for the hotel room after a day of walking at Disney, if your plantar fasciitis isn't quite under control. If you order them, note that they're sold as singles -- but I have problems with my two feet equally.
- I do wear sandals that don't work with my inserts, but they must be "just right" ... no deviations whatsoever: The heel must be "cupped" a bit -- no flat-flat sandals, and that wipes out a lot of choices. A strong arch support is absolutely necessary. If the sandal is a flip-flop style, the straps must be wide and must come up close to the ankle (cannot stop near the toe). Least importantly, the heel needs to be "raised" just a bit -- 1/2" is enough. Heels are fine, as long as they have all the necessary features.
- Name brands that work for me are Chacos (for sandals) and Vionics (for dressy shoes -- but sizes are weird; don't order online until you know what works for you). But if I could have only one pair of sandals for my plantar fasciitis, it'd be my Sketchers Reggae sandals; my daughter calls them my "ugly sandals", but she was constantly wearing them -- so much that I bought her a pair for her birthday.
- I got rid of ALL my shoes that were bad for my plantar fasciitis -- it broke my heart, but I can't-can't-can't wear them, even just for an evening out or even just to church. That my two daughters wear the same size and wanted most of my shoes took away some of the emotional pain, and I bought a bunch of new shoes that work with my condition. Seriously, wearing the right shoes is Job 1 to help plantar fasciitis; if you cheat on the right shoes, you'll never get past this problem.

Things that work for some people but didn't help me:
- Stretching and icing my foot. My orthopedist pushed this, but the relief was mild and brief. Wearing the right shoes was about 1000Xs more helpful.
- A big over-shoe (provided by my orthopedist) that stretched my toe towards my knee. At first he had me wearing it an hour a day (couldn't walk with the shoe), but it didn't seem to help.
- Never going barefoot. I am almost always barefoot (or in sock feet) in my own house. I understand this really sets off some people's problems, but it doesn't seem to bother me.
- Never lying on the sofa with feet hanging over the edge "with toes pointed". Apparently this really sets off some people's plantar fasciitis, but since this is not one of my habits, not a problem for me.

In closing, I strongly suggest that you put effort into avoiding "flare ups", while having the information on wheelchairs as a back-up plan.

Great list!

I’ll add that the one thing that I found has made a really big difference for me as far as experiencing morning pain— I’m talking the make-your-knees-buckle, can’t-take-even-1-step, knife-up-thru-the sole-of-your-foot kind of pain— was doing a s-l-o-w toe-up stretch before my feet touch the ground in the morning (or if I get up in the night). It has to be a pretty slow stretch— 10 seconds at least: 5-6 to get to max dorsiflexion (toes up) and about that long held in that position— or I’ll end up with a just-as-painful charlie horse in my calf— not fun, but at least it doesn’t leave me hobbling for days or longer… just brings tears to my eyes for 30-45 secs until it subsides.

And I also bought some “Snoozies” slippers to keep my tootsies warm while I sleep so that my feet can be out from under the blankies. I realized that heavy blankets that force my toes to point (I sleep mostly on my back) made me have more flareups. So by untucking my blankies and sticking my feet out, I had most of the battle won. Then I just had to keep my little piggies toasty. Snoozies turned out to be so warm and comfy, they ruined me for anything else.

I realized at some point (or maybe it was hubby) that I never had issues until we traded our waterbed for an adjustable bed (what I wouldn’t give for an “adjustable waterbed”)… well, I always slept on my side in the waterbed and now in the adjustable I primarily sleep on my back. So if you are a back, or tummy, sleeper a morning stretch is probably worth a shot to see if it helps.

Of course, as with pretty much anything, ymmv.