Mobility issues

[WeCantWait]

Hi all, I am looking for some help with my upcoming trip.

We have been to Disney many times but it seems I have not paid close attention to things that don't affect us. After our last trip in 8/2013 my husband had a terrible accident and had several injuries to his leg. After 2 surgeries, it has been a LONG recovery. Right now he can walk a little with a cane but it still swells up like a beach ball after being on it for just a few minutes.

So we plan to rent him a scooter. We plan to rent from an outside company do he will have use of it at the Resort. I have a few questions... On the attractions where the queue is scooter accessible, does he just leave the scooter at the loading area and go back to get it after we ride? On something like Splash Mountain, is there a seperate entrance that would get him to the loading area quicker? I don't think he will be able to walk that entire queue. Is there anything else I need to know as far as planning goes or can we just take it attraction by attraction and the cast member will tell us what to do? Thanks for any help.

 

[lanejudy]

So sorry to hear of your husband's injuries. I'm glad he's feeling well enough for a WDW vacation.

I think you are smart to use an off-site rental ECV. Yes, he will have it to use to/from buses/transportation as well as around the resort.

Regarding the rides...you'll find most queues at WDW are ECV accessible, at least to a point. So he will enter the main queue (or FP+ queue if you are using one) with the ECV. You will be directed accordingly if he needs to split off. Sometimes that to avoid stairs and other times it's simply to put the ECV at the ride exit. Note that this will not necessarily get him through the queue "quicker" but will avoid the obstacles and have him leave the ECV at the appropriate location for after the ride. There is no need to park the ECV outside and walk the queues unless he wishes/needs to stretch his legs. Please also note there are a few rides that require he transfer from the ECV to a wheelchair provided at the attraction (Pirates and Buzz Lightyear come to mind, there are others).

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[WeCantWait]

So sorry to hear of your husband's injuries. I'm glad he's feeling well enough for a WDW vacation.

I think you are smart to use an off-site rental ECV. Yes, he will have it to use to/from buses/transportation as well as around the resort.

Regarding the rides...you'll find most queues at WDW are ECV accessible, at least to a point. So he will enter the main queue (or FP+ queue if you are using one) with the ECV. You will be directed accordingly if he needs to split off. Sometimes that to avoid stairs and other times it's simply to put the ECV at the ride exit. Note that this will not necessarily get him through the queue "quicker" but will avoid the obstacles and have him leave the ECV at the appropriate location for after the ride. There is no need to park the ECV outside and walk the queues unless he wishes/needs to stretch his legs. Please also note there are a few rides that require he transfer from the ECV to a wheelchair provided at the attraction (Pirates and Buzz Lightyear come to mind, there are others).

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks so much for the reply. As bad as his injuries were they could have been a lot worse, we are thankful it was leg and not his head, neck or back. Honestly when we booked our trip, we really thought he would have been 100% recovered by now. We all could use a vacation after this past year so we are going to push forward and hope for the best. We have no need to get him through the queue quicker, just don't want him to have to walk any longer than necessary. Who knows, he still has a month of healing to go, hopefully he gains a little more mobility in that month. Thanks again.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Also, be aware that there are first aid stations where I believe he can get ice packs for a severely swollen leg (although of course check with his doctor first about any kind of temporary treatments). The First aid station often have a place to lie down if he needs to get that leg elevated.

 

[WeCantWait]

Also, be aware that there are first aid stations where I believe he can get ice packs for a severely swollen leg (although of course check with his doctor first about any kind of temporary treatments). The First aid station often have a place to lie down if he needs to get that leg elevated.

Thanks. That is very helpful. His physical therapist has him soaking his leg in an ice bath every night. Ice and elevation certainly help him and I would have never thought to stop at the first aid station.

 

[ttintagel]

can we just take it attraction by attraction and the cast member will tell us what to do?

Pretty much this.