Mobility issues with kids

[morningcloud]

I have mobility issues and historically have used a wheelchair at Disney (and at home off and on as I've undergone numerous surgeries to manage the issues.) I have 2 children, 3 and an infant, and will be bringing their double stroller. We have a trip booked in a few months ('we' being me, my husband, both kids.)

I haven't been to Disney since before my oldest was born, so I'm now trying to think through/navigate Disney World with limited mobility and multiple kids. I would love to not bring my wheelchair/not rent one, and I feel like that may be possible because we'll be moving significantly slower and doing significantly less because of the kids, but also because I am able to lean on the stroller while walking as well as shift weight off my bad side when standing. I feel confident I can navigate the parks at a slowed pace without a wheelchair but I am nervous about waiting in the lines for the rides without being able to lean on the stroller and while needing to hold the infant and corral the 3 year old.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I bring my wheelchair, have my husband push it through the parks empty while I push the stroller (the height of the stroller is better for me to lean on) and then in the lines, use the wheelchair to lean on/sit in while holding a kid in my lap and have my husband hold the other kid/kid's hand while pushing the wheelchair? Is that allowed? Would we get terrible looks pushing an empty wheelchair through the parks? I know you can have the stroller marked as a wheelchair and bring it in the lines, but my assumption is that is reserved for children who have mobility issues and need to stay in their wheelchairs, not adults with the issues.

I did get Genie+ so worst case scenario we will limit our rides to ones we can book through that and short line rides!

 

[lanejudy]

I recommend you explain your needs at Guest Relations and request the stroller-as-wheelchair tag. If using the stroller as your mobility aide helps, I have heard of others who have done this.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I have mobility issues and historically have used a wheelchair at Disney (and at home off and on as I've undergone numerous surgeries to manage the issues.) I have 2 children, 3 and an infant, and will be bringing their double stroller. We have a trip booked in a few months ('we' being me, my husband, both kids.)

I haven't been to Disney since before my oldest was born, so I'm now trying to think through/navigate Disney World with limited mobility and multiple kids. I would love to not bring my wheelchair/not rent one, and I feel like that may be possible because we'll be moving significantly slower and doing significantly less because of the kids, but also because I am able to lean on the stroller while walking as well as shift weight off my bad side when standing. I feel confident I can navigate the parks at a slowed pace without a wheelchair but I am nervous about waiting in the lines for the rides without being able to lean on the stroller and while needing to hold the infant and corral the 3 year old.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I bring my wheelchair, have my husband push it through the parks empty while I push the stroller (the height of the stroller is better for me to lean on) and then in the lines, use the wheelchair to lean on/sit in while holding a kid in my lap and have my husband hold the other kid/kid's hand while pushing the wheelchair? Is that allowed? Would we get terrible looks pushing an empty wheelchair through the parks? I know you can have the stroller marked as a wheelchair and bring it in the lines, but my assumption is that is reserved for children who have mobility issues and need to stay in their wheelchairs, not adults with the issues.

I did get Genie+ so worst case scenario we will limit our rides to ones we can book through that and short line rides!

I walk with a cane and on trip with grandson who was a runner the stroller as a wheelchair was a God send. You are using stroller as an aid I would look into it for sure

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I recommend you explain your needs at Guest Relations and request the stroller-as-wheelchair tag. If using the stroller as your mobility aide helps, I have heard of others who have done this.

I agree and you beat me to the post

 

[Lilsia]

Or rent an ECV for yourself, to free up your husband from pushing you, so he can handle the kids.

 

[DisneyOma]

And if you don't want to rent an ECV, then how about a rollator? You could use the rollator in the queues while your husband holds the baby (and the hand of the 3 year old) for the attractions that are baby-safe.

 

[KPeterso]

My friends used to get the stroller as wheelchair accommodation for the adults, not the kids. We often pushed the empty stroller through the line to be used for the balance it provided. My Mom and I have pushed her wheelchair around empty many times too. She needs to do some walking and gets tired of sitting so one of us pushes the wheelchair empty (her for balance and me when it is a hill which she cannot handle pushing the wheelchair on.

As someone else mentioned, I would seriously consider renting an ECV. Even with going slow and having something to lean on, the parks are huge and exhausting. You would have the ECV to use whenever you need it. And if you are feeling good and want to walk a line, you can always park it with the strollers and walk the line and onto the ride. And using a scooter, you will be more eye level with the kids and can experience what they are seeing at their level too.

 

[Bete]

Keep in mind the average park trek is 6 miles per day. This doesn't count standing time in ride queues and such.

I feel you should rent a scooter. If you do a park scooter make sure you get there at park opening. It's first come first get. Husband needs to push the double stroller. If you rent an offsite scooter rental you will be guaranteed a scooter but then you have to charge the scooter each day and you need to get it on and off the park transportation. If you are going by car to the parks then you have to break apart an offsite portable scooter and have enough room for it in the car. You also need to fit your double stroller in the car at the same time.

 

[RoseGold]

You're not just walking multiple miles a day, you're also standing for long periods of time. There is no medal for not bringing your wheelchair and toughing through it.

I would bring your chair/scooter and let your husband handle the stroller. At most rides, the chair goes all the way up to the ride, so you have a seat for the line.

Technically, Disney rules don't allow a kid to ride in your lap. Enforcement is a different story, especially in line queues. Who cares what looks people give you. People push empty strollers and wheelchairs all the time when parties get split up.