maybe someone here can help me?????

[imthatgirl]

i really dont know where to go to find answers for this, so maybe here?

its looking like my i will foot and ankle will be casted for my trip to disney in august. ive paid for the trip, so im going. it will be a walking cast, but i really dont think i can walk all that time. so what does this mean? what will i be able to do, not do? will i be able to rent a wheelchair, or is this not really considered a disability?

oh sorry, i just found out so im a bit distrought...ill explain...im going to need surgery on my foot to correct a bone growth problem, in 32 so ive had this problem for a while. i can wait to have the surgery, but with the possibility that i break it from the walking, its painful to walk but ive gotten used to it over the years. i dont quite believe them it will break.

oh and i have 3 kids who very much deserve this trip, so i wont cancel it.

thanks for any help or advice!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITES!

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, including where people rent ECVs.

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

It would help us to answer questions if you could provide a little more information: How many in your party, ages of the children, are you staying on or off site, will you be having a car or using other transportation, and how long you will be going for (and I can see from your ticker you are going in lagte August).

 

[imthatgirl]

Hi and to disABILITES!

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, including where people rent ECVs.

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

It would help us to answer questions if you could provide a little more information: How many in your party, ages of the children, are you staying on or off site, will you be having a car or using other transportation, and how long you will be going for (and I can see from your ticker you are going in lagte August).

thank you for the quick reply, sorry i didnt provide everything.
going will be my husband and i and our 3 kids 2,4 and 8. his parents and his 13yo sister will also be joining us for part of our stay. we are staying at POFQ and renting a car. we will be there from aug25th-aug31st. so 6 nights.
i have a question about the EVCs, do they have a lot of them? how about the manual wheel chairs, can you get those, or is that a really bad idea. i just dont want to take an ECV from a child that really needs it, im an adult ive learned how to suffer with this problem, does that make sense? im just a bit overwhelmed at the monent, lol, but im very realistic to the fact that my problem is small compared to others.

 

[khomer504]

I'm no expert, but I'll share what I can. From my understanding, there is a possibility that they will run out of ECV's at the parks. And in addition, if you rent it in the park you can't use it at the resort, which also can mean a lot of walking.
My dad has trouble walking for long distances, we are renting him an ECV from a supply company in Orlando. That way he'll have it for the entire trip no matter where we are. It's also a little less expensive this way. They will deliver it to the resort for you as well.

I believe I found the information for these places in the DisAbilities FAQ that Cheshire Figment already pointed you to.

Good luck! From everything I've read, Disney is very accessible, so if you go with a wheelchair or and ECV you should have no problem!

Karen

 

[imthatgirl]

I'm no expert, but I'll share what I can. From my understanding, there is a possibility that they will run out of ECV's at the parks. And in addition, if you rent it in the park you can't use it at the resort, which also can mean a lot of walking.
My dad has trouble walking for long distances, we are renting him an ECV from a supply company in Orlando. That way he'll have it for the entire trip no matter where we are. It's also a little less expensive this way. They will deliver it to the resort for you as well.

I believe I found the information for these places in the DisAbilities FAQ that Cheshire Figment already pointed you to.

Good luck! From everything I've read, Disney is very accessible, so if you go with a wheelchair or and ECV you should have no problem!

Karen

thanks!! there is so much info to go through. i did read that there too. this might be a better idea for me. we picked POFQ orignially because of my difficulty walking, its a much smaller resort.

another question, that i havent seen in the stuffim reading.
is there a place to park my ECV when im waiting in line? is there a possibility it would be stolen?

 

[khomer504]

This is being discussed right now on this thread...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1876558

Check it out! Also, I highly recommend this book, I've found it to be very helpful in addressing lots of challenges (my dad and his ECV, my son's autism, and my husband's size in relation to rides are all covered in this great book!).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158771048X

Karen

 

[KPeveler]

you said sometihng about taking an ECV from a child... ECVs are for adults only, so no worry there. don't worry about what other people may do, as i know you will definitely need the scooter by the end of a couple hours in a walking boot. you have a definite NEED, so don't worry!

i know what you mean about being an adult and learning to suffer with things, but this is DISNEY world, not the REAL world... while you may suffer through things in daily life, like a lot of us do, it is different in disney. you don't just want to "survive" but also "enjoy."

i suggest renting a scooter from off-site, since they are much smaller and less expensive, and much easier to drive.

and dont think because your problem is "smaller" or "temporary" than some people's here that it matters less... other problems might sound more "impressive" but that does not mean they are "worse." The "who is worse" game is NOT one anyone wants to win, so I try very hard to stay away from things like that. So don't feel like you dont count as much because this is not a permanent or all-encompassing disability...

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am in a walking cast also and may still have one in Oct when I go. I have had foot problems for the last few years and haven't been able to walk very much the last 3 times I have been.

It is my understanding that there is a minimum age for using an ECV so don't worry about taking one from a child that would need it. Children are most likely going to use manual wheelchairs. BUT, Disney does run out of ECVs pretty early in the day most of the time.

I strongly suggest that you rent an ECV from an offsite company like Randy's Mobility or Buena Vista Scooters etc. They run about $200 a week and are well worth it! There are links to them in the FAQ that Chesire pointed you to. I have used Randy's and the difference between him and the other companies is that he meets you in person and shows you how the scooter works and answers all questions you may have. This is good and bad. Good because you have a personal interaction and get all the information you need. Bad because you have to set up a time that works for both you and him to meet and that can be tricky depending on when you arrive and leave.

The other scooter companies will just drop off the scooter at the resort and leave it for you, and then you leave it when you are done and they pick it up. No worrying about arranging a meeting time, but also no one to answer questions or show you how to use it. But they are all pretty easy to use.

By renting offsite you are assured of having a scooter when you need it. While you may be used to the pain and stress of daily walking with your condition, nothing really prepares you for the miles of walking and long standing times at Disney. There is no shame in using a scooter to help you out and medically it may be much better for you so you don't risk reinjury. You can always park the scooter and walk if you feel up to it--I did that last time in Futureland and Fantasyland at MK where things are pretty close together. I know I find standing still to be the hardest thing to do so just waiting for a bus at the end of the day can be excruciating for me. With the scooter I know I have somewhere to sit.

You can either park the scooter outside of the rides and attractions and walk in, or you can go through (most) of the lines in your scooter and then they will show you where to park it when you get to the front so it will be there for you when you get off of the ride. As long as you can transfer to the ride, which it certainly sounds like you can then nothing should really be off limits unless it will put stress on your foot. If a ride line is not able to accomodate the ECV (like Pirates) then there should be manual wheelchairs there for you to use to get through the line.

As I mentioned, just think about the stress a ride may put on your feet, particularly the thrill rides where you need to brace yourself with your feet. For me Big Thunder Mountain was awful since it throws you around so much and you end up pushing your feet down to keep from moving. I rode it once and haven't done it since. I don't do too many other thrill rides so I can't help you with many others. I know that Test Track was fine for me. Also some of the ride vehicles can be tricky because they don't have much foot room to begin with and with the walking cast it is even worse.

You will have a great time! If you have other questions just ask.

 

[Piper]

thank you for the quick reply, sorry i didnt provide everything.
going will be my husband and i and our 3 kids 2,4 and 8. his parents and his 13yo sister will also be joining us for part of our stay. we are staying at POFQ and renting a car. we will be there from aug25th-aug31st. so 6 nights.
i have a question about the EVCs, do they have a lot of them? how about the manual wheel chairs, can you get those, or is that a really bad idea. i just dont want to take an ECV from a child that really needs it, im an adult ive learned how to suffer with this problem, does that make sense? im just a bit overwhelmed at the monent, lol, but im very realistic to the fact that my problem is small compared to others.

You won't be taking an ecv from a child as they cannot rent them. If you see a child using one, it will be their own. (and that is highly unlikely--most children have either a wc or a power wc or use their stroller as a wc.) If you go the ecv route, you are probably better off (and cheaper) renting from an outside vendor.

 

[lovetoscrap]

thanks!! there is so much info to go through. i did read that there too. this might be a better idea for me. we picked POFQ orignially because of my difficulty walking, its a much smaller resort.

another question, that i havent seen in the stuffim reading.
is there a place to park my ECV when im waiting in line? is there a possibility it would be stolen?

The scooters all use a key, you just take the key with you when you leave it--no problems with being stolen.

You generally park the scooter with the strollers or there will be a marked area. You can also stay on your scooter in the line and for most rides it will be right there at the exit when you get off the ride. Sometimes the CM has to move it but there is a switch on the scooter that allows them to push it where it needs to be. I think Test Track is the only ride I went on where you have to leave the key in it because they have to move it quite a distance.

Oh, if your walking boot is removable like mine and has foam around your leg I strongly suggest you get a handtowel (bigger than the washcloth size) to wrap around your leg under the boot. The foam is very hot and doesn't absorb sweat so it is very sticky and gross. Putting a towel under it has made it much more comfortable for me.

 

[RetroMom]

I just thought I would add that Test Track was the only ride that specifically asked about my son's ankle (bad sprain) and how bad it was. I don't know if it is standard there or not, but the very nice CM was not so much worried about the transfer, but if the ride went down, would he be able to travel without a wheelchair for the length it would take to get down from the track. She was very specific, so I thought I would point that out.

 

[imthatgirl]

i just want to thank everyone! ive been taking my time reading all the info, most doesnt apply to ne, but its all bery thorough none the less.
i suppose that makes sense that i wouldnt be taking an ECV fro a child, i just didnt put any real thought into it, and to be honest all the times ive been to disney ive seen EVCs but i never really looked to see if they were only adults.
i think im going to go ahead with the surgery, ill have to wait 8 weeks before i can even think about having the second procedure, so i really should get this ball rolling.
renting one off site is looking like the way we will go.

so thanks again! and im sure ill be back with more questions.
christina

 

[bopper]

i have a question about the EVCs, do they have a lot of them? how about the manual wheel chairs, can you get those, or is that a really bad idea. i just dont want to take an ECV from a child that really needs it, im an adult ive learned how to suffer with this problem, does that make sense? im just a bit overwhelmed at the monent, lol, but im very realistic to the fact that my problem is small compared to others.

If everyone felt this way, there would only be ONE wheelchair for the WORST OFF PERSON. But there are many wheelchairs at Disney and the other outside companies that also supply them. You are in a cast, you need one. End of story. You are going to WDW and want to enjoy yourself. How can you do that best? Would an ECV or manual wheelchair be better? That is all you need to worry about.

 

[zumbergc]

Your mentioning you want to walk some at the parks. Just want to caution you your first day out in the parks. You may want to take it easy and stay in the ecv more in the morning and afternoon. Main reason being if your over do it, you probably know you end up in lots of pain, and your ankle/foot swells up. Then your left the rest of the day in pain.

Make sure to bring your pain medication, Rx or over the counter with you into the parks. Nothing worse than being in pain, when you forget the pills back at the room and the foot starts to ache. You might want to ice in the morning and night to combat the imflammation from being up and about etc.

So, take it easy, there is so much walking and waiting in line, so just stay in the ecv in lines. Remember people mentioned they walk up to 10 miles a day at disney.

Then after the first day, you can gage better how things went, if you walked to much, felt you could walk more. Its just you don't want to be in constant pain from over doing the walking the first day. Being in constant pain, does put a damper on the happiness in the parks, all that moving around, excitement, don't turn in to grumpy w/ a painful ankle.

At the end of the day if you hit the stores, it can be difficult to get around in the ecv in the stores, thats a great place to spend that walking energy. Or toward the end of the day, when you have energy and another adult has none left, you can walk and they can get off their feet, and motor around w/ the group.

You'll have a great trip

 

[imthatgirl]

you sound like my hubby, hehe...hes always telling me i push it too much. we go every year, and so far ive just been suffering and i never stop, its a fault of mine. so im kinda hoping as it will be casted this year ill actually be happier.
but youre right, i do need to take it slower while there. my husband keeps telling me there no reason to go go go...weve been there done that. but its disney!!
weve actually planned lots of down time this year, but i think the kids will love being at the pool more.
oh and i never even thought about shopping, so thanks for the heads up!

 

[SueM in MN]

Another thing to think about - if you are supposed to have your foot elevated, it's hard to do on an ECV. The 'floor' is flat and not that large, so there is not much space to position your feet in different ways. So, be watching for swelling.
I have seen people resting with their foot up by parking the ECV next to a chair, turning the seat of the ECV so the seat faces the chair and then propping their foot on the chair. If you can do that a few times a day, along with some walking, it will probably be better for your foot than sitting in one position all day.

 

[imthatgirl]

Another thing to think about - if you are supposed to have your foot elevated, it's hard to do on an ECV. The 'floor' is flat and not that large, so there is not much space to position your feet in different ways. So, be watching for swelling.
I have seen people resting with their foot up by parking the ECV next to a chair, turning the seat of the ECV so the seat faces the chair and then propping their foot on the chair. If you can do that a few times a day, along with some walking, it will probably be better for your foot than sitting in one position all day.

everyone here is so full of wonderful info! i never even thought of elevating my foot, i guess because i havent had the surgery yet, but im sure that will be something im told to do.
i do have a 2yo, so there will be plenty of times that i ahve to sit somehting out, so i will make sure at those times to elevate.
thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

everyone here is so full of wonderful info! i never even thought of elevating my foot, i guess because i havent had the surgery yet, but im sure that will be something im told to do.
i do have a 2yo, so there will be plenty of times that i ahve to sit somehting out, so i will make sure at those times to elevate.
thanks!

You might want to do some thigh stretches so you can do what we saw a woman do while my DD's wheelchair was parked next to her ECV on the Epcot boat. She somehow got her leg up high enough so she could prop her leg up on the handlebar thing. My leg doesn't stretch that far
and my DD's eyes nearly popped out seeing it because she is used to her own tight muscles that don't go anywhere near that far.

 

[imthatgirl]

oohhh...yeah, im not sure about that one, im not as young, or as thin as i used to be

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I've done three CPs, one of which was in attractions. I went back and picked up shifts there the other two. It is very hard to navigate many lines with an eCV, in fact, in most you will have to transfer to a wheelchair and leave your ECV outside. IN close to three years, I have never had a guest report an ECV stolen. We do have problems with strollers getting mixed up, but never one ECV. It really is pretty safe to leave it, and many times you will have no choice.