Mom & Dad

[brittsmum1998]

Hi all, first time needing advice from DisAbilities Board. Mom had heart surgery one month ago and got the OK from DR to go to the world w/ us beginning of April as long as she is in wheelchair and DOESN'T do spacemountain Dad gets treated monthly by IV for arthritus...(he even has it in his jaw) ouch. He also has the disc problem. He does not need a wheelchair thank goodness. We will have access to a wheelchair at the BWV's but it can't leave property. My questions are.....How much for a "standard" wheelchair at the parks per day and does the receipt work the same as the strollers do? How does the front of the line access work? I don't want to take advantage of the situation if they are not entitled. Mom would be ok in wheelchair as long as she isn't in the sun but I worry about Dad whereas he cannot stand in one place for long periods. I know quick access would really help Dad and Mom but as I said if its not something they are entitled to we will jsut spend less time in the parks. Thanks in advance for all advice.

 

[teri]

You should rent from one of the off-site locations. Have you considered renting ECVs instead of wheelchairs? It might give your parents more independence, and help conserve your energy as well.

Here are the companies that rent offsite that we have heard the most about :
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


Be sure to click on the link in my signature and look at teh section on the Guest Assistance Pass, and also on Pacing, and traveling with elderly. If your mom needs to be out of the sun, you should get a GAC that says that, so that she will not be required to use the mainstream lines if they are in a sunny location.

Trust me, you will not be taking advantage of anyone by using the accomodations that Disney provides to disabled guests. If you are concerned about abusing privileges, read the section about Wheelchair Abuse, and then you will understand the difference between taking advantage of others and allowing others to assist you when you need it most - so you can have a good vacation..

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome with your questions.
I see that teri already gave you a lot of advice. I just wanted to clarify that wheelchair and ecv users don't get "front of the line access". Most lines have been changed to Mainstream Access, which means that wheelchair and ecv users wait in the same line with everyone else.
One of the things that would help you with waiting in line would be looking into a GAC. They are not meant to shorten your wait in line (and often won't), but they will allow you to wait in a more suitable place, like out of the sun.
Another helpful thing would be to use fastpass. By using fastpass, you will only be waiting in line between 5 and 15 minutes. You get a fastpass and on it is a return time. When you return later, your wait will be short. In the regular line, the wait for the same attraction might be an hour or more.
Some people who can't stand in line have brought combination folding stool/canes.