Mom and Dad

[dizfanz]

My fiancee and I have been DVC members for a year now. I have fond childhood memories of going to WDW with my family and would love to return the favor to my parents. My father is 70 and my mom is 66. She has had a few mini strokes and suffers from back pain and a knee replacement. Let's just say she doesn't walk much. She doesn't use a wheelchair or anything else to get around. When I mention Disney to her she thinks of the parks and would probably love to see them again. What resources are available to someone who needs help getting around, but is not technically disabled. Do I rent a wheelchair, which might not go over well? If I do, do I get it at the park, or the resort, fees...? I would appreciate any help anyone has. Thank you,

Jeff

 

[mhopset]

Jeff,

You can either rent a wheelchair at your resort, at the park, or you can rent from an offsite vendor such as Walker Mobility, or Care Medical. Sorry I'm not for sure of the phone numbers.

I know when you rent from an offsite vendor they will bring the wheelchair right to your hotel and will pick it up after you leave. You just leave it in the lobby.

Maybe your mother will give you grief about the wheelchair for just a few minutes, but I almost bet that once she gets into the parks and has the energy to enjoy things she will chill out. I know probably Sue, Teri, Wheelsie, and Talking Hands can give you a little more information.

Have a great time!.


Tony

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
here's the info that mhopset mentioned about outside places to rent wheelchairs or ecvs (motorized scooters):
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

And a link to the DIS page about wheelchair touring.

You didn't say which DVC resort is your home resort, but you might want to look at one other than your home resort. OKW is a nice resort to go to with older people. It is spread out, but there are a lot of bus stops, so you would be close to the bus stop wherever you stay. There is a nice large balcony for each unit with a table big enough to easily seat 4 people for breakfast or a cup of coffee. Our home resort is OKW and most of the time, we are staying there with my 70+ in laws. Sitting on the balcony and watching the birds (or the golfers, depending on where your room is) while we have coffee is just a nice start to our morning. One of our "traditions" that MIL and FIL really enjoy is renting a pontoon boat and taking a boat ride toward DD and PO. It's a very relaxing resort. If you rent a wheelchair or ecv, most of the buses are wheelchair accessible.
BWV is nice because you are close to Epcot and MGM. VWL is nice because it is close to MK, but if you don't plan to spend a lot of time at MK, that wouldn't really be an advantage to you. Transportation to get to the other parks from there isn't as easy.

You can usually get a wheelchair at your resort, but you can't reserve them ahead of time. you also get what they have, so if you need a regular size and all they have left is wide, that's what you get. Some people report that they were charged a $250 deposit that is refunded when you return the chair. The DIS page link that I gave you above has information about renting at the parks.
If you think of any more questions, just ask.

 

[teri]

You might also look at some of the tips for elderly travelers and new wheelchair users on the Disabilities FAQ .

When I took elderly relatives to WDW, their pace and interests were significantly different from mine and my children's. They wanted and needed more down time at the resort, spent more time people watching. Having cell phones or 2-way radios will be very helpful for splitting up and getting back together in the parks and at the resorts. Also, Disney Transportation busses were not to their liking at all... I recommend driving to the parks. You can ask the parking attendants to allow you to park in the space close to the tram stops - they are marked off with orange cones and reserved just for this need.