Medical Fast Pass???

[Omma]

I went to the doctor this morning and received some not so great news. I have to have foot surgery - SOON. When he told me all I could think about was our trip to WDW!

I will be having foot surgery just 7 weeks before our trip. I asked my doctor if I will be able to do all of the walking that will be required and he told me I will be in a walking boot which should help and that he can give me a certificate that will allow us to get a medical fast pass or something like that. He said he has had to do it for other patients.

Have any of you heard of this/experienced it and know how it works??

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I am sorry but your doctor is incorrect (at least as far as Disney is concerned).

The only people who receive a Front Of The Line pass are children on a Wish Trip and the family with the child.

Really the only official accomodation for a person who has a mobility and/or stamina problem is the recommendation that they rent a wheelchair or (if 18 or older) ECV. The average person at WDW walks about 8 - 10 miles per day. It is the walking between attractions which is the real problem for most people with mobility/stamina problems, not the waiting in line.

I would suggest you look at the disABILTIES FAQ near the top in the threads listing for this forum (or follow the link in my signature) and especially look at Pages 2 and 6 of the FAQ.

And also doctor's note have no direct influence on the people at Guest Relations. We have no way to verify that the note is actually from a doctor, or even if a displayed license number is valid. If the doctor states a diagnoses that does not mean anything. The GAC is based on the needs of the individual, and FOTL is not one of the accepted needs.

(And, by the way, it is a Guest Assistance Card; there is no such thing as a "Medical Fast Pass".)

 

[Omma]

Thank you for your response! I will go read the FAQs. I know my doctor was just trying to help me not worry (because he doesn't think it is good for me to wait to have the surgery). He even told me HE had to have a note for WDW after a surgery a couple of years ago. Who knows, I'm glad I checked here! Thank you for your help!

I'm feeling blue since I was so excited about this trip and now am doubting whether it is a good idea.

 

[LauraVV]

I will be having foot surgery just 7 weeks before our trip. I asked my doctor if I will be able to do all of the walking that will be required and he told me I will be in a walking boot which should help and that he can give me a certificate that will allow us to get a medical fast pass or something like that.

When you go to the park ask for a Guest Assistance Card. I'd also recommend the rental of a scooter. We just came back from Disney. The last time we went we took a letter from the MD. This time we just asked for a pass. I use a scooter and my daughter uses a Convaid Cruiser (push chair). Almost all of the rides are w/c accessible so it really shouldn't be too much trouble to get around.

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, there is no 'Medical Fastpass'.
You can request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC), bit the needs you have are endurance and/or endurance needs. Those kinds of needs are much better met by an ECV or a wheelchair, so that is why those will be recommended to you.
If you are using either a wheelchair or an ECV, you won't need a GAC. As was already mentioned, most of the lines are wheelchair accessible. For the few that are not, the CM will route you to the accessible boarding area because they can see the ECV.

Also, keep in mind that it says right on the GAC that it is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line. The printing on the card says to get Fastpasses if you want to shorten your wait in line. A GAC would allow you to avoid portions of the line that has stairs, but the distance walked with a GAC is usually no different than if you did not have a GAC. Another thing to keep in mind is that the distance walked and time spent waiting in line is only a small portion of your day at WDW. For example, the distance just to go around World Show lagoon at Epcot is over a mile and the average person walks between 3 and9 miles per day, much of it outside of lines.

 

[Omma]

Thank you for all of your help! I am really starting to wonder if we should postpone the trip. I hope hope hope I'm totally well by the time we go...but 7weeks and foot surgery doesn't sound like a lot of recovery time for WDW. Part of me wonders if I could somehow hold off on the surgery too...it hurts now (a lot) but at least I'm used to this pain. I might be able to tolerate it through the vacation and then have the surgery.

Anyway, thank you for your responses. I do appreciate it!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

My view is: don't postpone your trip, and definitely DON'T wait on surgery. You're doc doesn't want you to wait for it, so must have a pretty good reason! So, take a deep breath, and don't panic!

Disney on wheels really isn't that difficult; I've been doing it for years (much longer than I've been on wheels in the 'real world'). It is the most accessible place I've ever been to, and they've made it as easy as possible for people with chairs / ECVs. Also, there will be a lot of other people using chairs there who don't use such assistances day-to-day, because Disney involves so much walking. You won't be out of place, you won't stick out like a sore thumb and you shouldn't find it that different from a 'normal' holiday.

I would suggest you consider renting an ECV / chair from an off-site company. Though you can rent one from the parks each day, off-site rentals would be easier, more convenient (you'd have it to use outside of the parks, as well as in), quicker (no standing in line at the rental place each morning), less stressful (no worries about them running out) and often work out cheaper. The FAQ has details of rental companies in the WDW area.

Just to get you on your way, I'll give you a few links to look at. Firstly, as has been said, the FAQ has a load of useful information. You might also want to look at this thread with tips for wheeling Disney. The Mouse on Wheels is a great site, though you probably won't need all the information on it, as you'll be able to walk to transfer. The last two pages are also linked to in the FAQ.

I hope this has helped a bit. If you have any more questions or concerns about doing Disney on wheels, please post them up here and we'll do all we can to help.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!