My Dad's first trip and my first EVC experience???

[skhermsmeyer]

Hi all!

My dad has decided to join us on our upcoming trip but there are several issues I've never been faced with since he's now joining us. I figured this would be the best place to get some answers.

He's 66 and uses a cane to walk all the time, but can only go for about 20 feet before he needs to rest. He needs a double hip replacement, but due to multiple health issues, he is not able to get them done anytime soon.

I've looked at the sticky CF has pointed out at the top of the DISabilities page, so I have a good idea about what he may and maynot be able to ride. I also plan on getting him a GAC since he can't stand for long periods of time or walk for very far.

I booked an ECV through the Apple company many of you have recommended, but my DH doesn't think it will fit in the back of our Honda Odyssey. We have to get him the Captain's Chair (4 wheels) because of his weight. There are 7 people total, including my dad, so we have to have the 3rd row up so my sister and I can sit in the back. Will we be able to get the EVC in the van? I'm assuming we'll have to break it down and put it back together at the parks, but that's fine since I'll be putting my kids in their strollers.

Are there any places you would recommend for him to sit at and take a break while we're riding some of the rides? IASW is out of the question b/c he won't be able to get in and out of the boats. I don't want him sitting out in the sun all day, but maybe somewhere that he can sit and have a cup of coffee while reading the paper?

We live in GA and they live in KS, so this is a very special trip. Everybody kind of knows this will be his one and only trip to WDW with his grandkids (my kids) and I want to make sure everybody has a good time. I've already told everyone this is going to be a slower paced trip and everybody is fine with it.

Thanks for any input!

 

[KPeveler]

Did the scooter you rent say specifically that it could be taken apart? If not, then you will likely not be able to take it apart at all. I don't know what model you rented.

Also, it may be a tight fit into the Odessey, but that depends on the model of the scooter. I am not certain if it would work at all, but I don't use a scooter and I have never broken one down, so I cannot speak for experience.

When it comes to rides, there are many with wheelchair cars. These usually cannot take scooters, but these rides will have a park wheelchair available there (free of charge) at the ride for him to transfer to. This would let him go on things like IASW without having to climb in and out of the boat. He would be able to use his ECV up until he got to the ride, so you are not trying to push him.

He can also park in places like the American Adventure pavilion and listen to the singers all day, or get a drink and sit in counter service restaurants. As long as he is not taking up a table at popular times, he should be okay. There are also lots of shows that he can just park in, and many of them are quite long, so there should be plenty of chances to cool down.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[SteveMouse]

GACs are not usually given for purely mobility issues. Disney recommends the use of a wheelchair/ECV.

If you are renting a schooner with a captain's chair, it is unlikely that it will fit in the back of an otherwise full Odyssey, if it collapses at all.

If you are staying insure, you can use Disney transportation from your resort, which is a good choice.

If you decide that you will be transporting your own ecv, be sure as you enter the theme park parking lot to tell the attendant you need parking for use with an ecv, otherwise you will be routed to regular parking. Disney's trams are not accessible to Ecvs or electric wheelchairs. the attendant will direct you to a special lot- it can still be a hike to the theme park.


Do be sure that if you park in the lot and do not have a disabled placard or plate to park in a non-disabled parking space.


-steve

 

[SueM in MN]

GACs are not usually given for purely mobility issues. Disney recommends the use of a wheelchair/ECV.

If you are renting a schooner with a captain's chair, it is unlikely that it will fit in the back of an otherwise full Odyssey, if it collapses at all.

If you are staying insure, you can use Disney transportation from your resort, which is a good choice.

If you decide that you will be transporting your own ecv, be sure as you enter the theme park parking lot to tell the attendant you need parking for use with an ecv, otherwise you will be routed to regular parking. Disney's trams are not accessible to Ecvs or electric wheelchairs. the attendant will direct you to a special lot- it can still be a hike to the theme park.


Do be sure that if you park in the lot and do not have a disabled placard or plate to park in a non-disabled parking space.


-steve

The marked handicapped spots will have either a sign, a wheelchair symbol or blue paint dividing the spots. If you park in one of those spots without a valid state issued handicapped parking permit, you can be ticketed.

One other thing to be aware of - if he transfers from the ECV to a wheelchair at attractions, they may not have extra wide wheelchairs at all attractions.

As was already pointed out, a GAC does not shorten the distance walked, so if he can only walk 20 feet before needing to sit down, it really won’t help much. There are also many attractions where guests need to stand and wait for another part of a who to be completed before they can move to the boarding/show area. I don’t know if you got to the second page of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, but post 22 on that thread is about attractions where standing is required and there is no place to stand. Posts 18-21 may be helpful in figuring out which attractions have a long step in.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Does your dad have a handicapped parking "hang tag" that he uses at home? (laminated tag that hangs from the rear view mirror) Since he usually walks with a cane, I would hope he has permanent disabled license plates, but the disabled can also get a portable hang tag to take on vacation and/or use when traveling in others' vehicles. He'd need to take a doctor's note to the local DMV. If he could take a hang tag on your vacation, that would give you "legal" access to the handicapped parking. We've done that with rental cars, but forgotten to take the tag home with us. ahem. Make note to self not to do that again.

 

[Kat in GA]

Another thing to do is to call Apple and see if it will fit in the back of your van. I am getting the larger scooter - but the one with three wheels rather than four - and called Apple to explain that we would have a full van - and see if it would fit in the cargo area of a Toyota Sienna - and they assure me that it will fit.

 

[POOHsie]

My sister has a Honda Odyssey. It seats 2 in front, 2 in middle, 3 in the 3rd row. So, no, there's no room left to fit a scooter. You mention the scooter has a Captain's seat. That indicates to me it is a large scooter. Even if you could take the scooter apart, a Captain's seat is a huge, unwieldy thing to take on and off, and it takes up a lot of space. It is like the size of one of the seats in the middle row of the Honda.

Are you staying at the Disney resorts? If so, the scooter could get to the parks on the buses. If you are staying off-site, I seriously recommend a second car for some of your party. A large scooter is like adding the space of 2 additional people to your van. In my opinion, you would need the whole 3rd row (seats removed or folded into the floor), and the use of the back liftgate, for shuttling a large scooter. I say "seats removed" because if they don't fold into the floor, if the backs just fold down, then you will still not have enough room, considering the height of the scooter. My scooter, medium size, in the back of my Chrysler Town & Country mini-van, takes up the whole 3rd row and just barely clears the tailgate door opening by a few inches.

One last alternative, rent a large wheelchair. When folded, I believe this will fit in the back of the Honda past the 3rd row seats. Wheel your dad to the front park gates and rent a park scooter for him. They are large sized with 4 wheels. Disney will keep your dad's wheelchair for him until you turn in the rental. If you go to more than 1 park in 1 day, your scooter rental is good for the whole day. Just show your receipt.

 

[curly5]

We are in a similar boat. Taking my mother for her first trip with a ECV. We are getting the regular size though. We also drive an Odyssey. There will be no room in the Odyssey unless it disassembles. If you are staying at a Disney resort and rent from a company down there, they will deliver it to your resort. The transportation buses will load your dad first. Even the big chairs will fit. Hope this helps a little.