My in-laws

[tcp0421]

I am getting really scared here. My In-laws are now going to DW with us. They just planned it about 3 weeks ago. We are going in 20 days. Problem is....my MIL has real bad heart problems, among all other problems. SHe has a hard time walking up stairs, and sitting in the sun. Every day my FIL calls and asks me questions. He is afraid that she wont be able to stand the sun. I am just curious about the GAC. I told them about it and they seem a little more at ease. She did just go back to her heart Dr yesterday. He told her to go and have a good time. He did write her a Dr's note stated she cant stand in extreme sun. I guess what I am wondering will the GAC really be benificial to her? Will it really make a difference?

 

[Earstou]

Have you considered getting her an ecv?
I found out I had restrictive lung disease 2 weeks before I left for WDW in July. (I thought I just needed new asthma medicine.) We realized all the walking would tire me out as I struggled to breathe, so rented the ecv.

It worked really well. I kept cooler, since I wasn't exerting myself, and had a great trip. I had an off-site rental, so could easily zip around the parks, sometimes I would move ahead and wait in the shade for the rest of my party.
This time, we didn't have to leave the parks early because of me, we left when the rest of my family was tired!
So think about an ecv!

 

[tcp0421]

Have you considered getting her an ecv?
I found out I had restrictive lung disease 2 weeks before I left for WDW in July. (I thought I just needed new astma medicine.) We realized all the walking would tire me out as I struggled to breathe, so rented the ecv.

It worked really well. I kept cooler, since I wasn't exerting myself, and had a great trip. I had an off-site rental, so could easily zip around the parks, sometimes I would move ahead and wait in the shade for the rest of my party.
This time, we didn't have to leave the parks early because of me, we left when the rest of my family was tired!
So think about an ecv!

Yes I did think about renting an ecv. The price is crazy! $35.00/day. She said she will only if she has to. Thanks

 

[Mickiethepooh]

if you rent from Walker mobility they are $30 a day delivered to your hotel and picked up and for $20 for the week you can also rent the sun canopy which does help
I am alergic to the sun and have heart problems etc. and I use a canopy on my scooter, along with full body coverage reflective clothing including gloves but that is a whole other thing. You can get a GAC for staying out of the sun but there are few areas where it really helps you much.
I STRONGLY recommend the off site rented ECV and if she is not used to driving these already have your FIL get her to the grocery stores to practice on them first.

 

[Schmeck]

Getting a GAC is not going to help your MIL between attractions, and that's where most of your energy is used up and sun exposure is longest. WDW's standard response to stamina issues is to suggest a wheelchair or ECV.

Stairs can be avoided with a GAC - if my mom goes on another WDW trip with us, I'm going to make her promise to get a GAC to avoid stairs. Actually, with the way my hip feels/acts now, I'm probably going to need one as well. Now, just need to find someone to haul the two of us to our feet and out of the Splash Mountain logs...

 

[wvdislover]

Yes I did think about renting an ecv. The price is crazy! $35.00/day. She said she will only if she has to. Thanks

Think of it this way--the average person walks about 9 miles a day at WDW. Everyone's trip will be much more pleasant. If your room is a long walk from food court or bus stop, she'll be glad she rented an ECV offsite. Also, depending on where you stay, the walk from the park to the bus may be quite a hike, too.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

This is a slightly unusual suggestion, and it might not work for you guys, but have you considered buying one? I've just had a quick flick through the US ebay and have found a number of scooters for around $200 (there are some currently on at around $100, but they've still got a few days left so may go up). This may sound like a lot, but it's cheaper than renting for a week, and she'd then have it to use for other excursions or holidays as she felt necessary.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck and have a great time!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes I did think about renting an ecv. The price is crazy! $35.00/day. She said she will only if she has to. Thanks

Please ask her the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others that an ECV is probably going to be more helpful to her than a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). Even if she does get a GAC, that will only help with the attraction lines - and the attraction lines are only a very small part of your day.

If you have not checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, I's suggest looking there. You will find info on renting ECVs and there is also a section about GACs.

 

[tcp0421]

Thanks for everyones replys. Let me tell you a little about my MIL. Yes she does have a very bad heart. SHe also has bad legs due to the problems with her heart. Honestly she cant stand the sun......but she is the most bullheaded, independent person I know. She wont let anyone help her and never asks for help. She did say if she really needs the EVC she will rent one, but I think it took a lot for her to say that. More then likely she wont though. I have a feeling this vacation is going to be crazy with her going! I really have a feeling that at the last minute she is going to back out. She hasnt been feeling good the last few days. I do think it is mental though! She really isnt all there (I dont think). SOmetimes she does this kind of stuff for attention. Like i said she does have a bad heart and sweats when it is -2 degress! It is driving me nuts because when I fould out they were going I had to change all of our ADR's. I had to cancle a few that I really wanted because they didnt have tables for 6 of us. I just thought that getting the GAC would help her. I guess not really though. Like everyone said she will be spending more time in the sun just walking around. I dont know. Should I just come right out and say something like maybe it would not be a good idea if you go?? I just dont want her to go and realize she cant do it. Sorry for venting but I have to tell someone how I feel.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most people don't realize the distances involved in a WDW vacation.
Just to go around the walkway at World Showcase at Epcot is 1.3 miles!
And, that's just walking around on the walkway, not actually going into any of the countries and walking around.
People who have used pedometers to measure how far they walked each day have reported walking between 6 and 9 miles per day on their WDW trip.
A GAC might be useful to help avoid waits in the sun, but most of the attractions are well shaded or have roofed or inside areas for the line, so the GAC would not be used in many attractions at all. The walk to get from the entrance to the boarding area would be the same, GAC or no GAC and some of the walks in line are fairly long.

One thing that has helped people before to convince a relative or friend that they need an ECV is to think of a place familiar to the person that is about 3 miles from their home (grocery store, gas station, etc). Ask if they could walk there. Most people will say that they could not. If they think they could, ask if they could walk there and back, as many days in a week as you plan to go to the parks. Everyone who has reported they tried this said that their loved one agreed at that point that hey need an ECV.
If she still needs convincing, explain that you really want everyone to enjoy their trip and that you would like her to use her energy to have fun, instead of just getting from place to place.

Good luck to you.

 

[tcp0421]

Most people don't realize the distances involved in a WDW vacation.
Just to go around the walkway at World Showcase at Epcot is 1.3 miles!
And, that's just walking around on the walkway, not actually going into any of the countries and walking around.
People who have used pedometers to measure how far they walked each day have reported walking between 6 and 9 miles per day on their WDW trip.
A GAC might be useful to help avoid waits in the sun, but most of the attractions are well shaded or have roofed or inside areas for the line, so the GAC would not be used in many attractions at all. The walk to get from the entrance to the boarding area would be the same, GAC or no GAC and some of the walks in line are fairly long.

One thing that has helped people before to convince a relative or friend that they need an ECV is to think of a place familiar to the person that is about 3 miles from their home (grocery store, gas station, etc). Ask if they could walk there. Most people will say that they could not. If they think they could, ask if they could walk there and back, as many days in a week as you plan to go to the parks. Everyone who has reported they tried this said that their loved one agreed at that point that hey need an ECV.
If she still needs convincing, explain that you really want everyone to enjoy their trip and that you would like her to use her energy to have fun, instead of just getting from place to place.

Good luck to you.

I think that may be the issue. I dont think she has a clue actually how much walking there is at Disney. I know people who think it is like our local amusement park, and compair it to that. Also people think that the hotels are actually right outside the parks. They really dont know how big DIsney really is. I dont know. She did get the ok from her heart dr to go. It is just nerve racking waiting for her to call and just say they are not going. In a way I wish she would, but I would also (in a way) like them to go. I know my girls are excited they are going also, and I think it would be a disappointment for them. Anyway, thank you for the advice.

Tanya

 

[kaytieeldr]

Should I just come right out and say something like maybe it would not be a good idea if you go??

Nope. You should print out the individual responses (i.e. NOT the whole thread, and ESPECIALLY not any of your posts other than the first one; and mine ) and show them to her. Explain that this is advice from people with first-hand experience visiting Walt Disney World with varying disabilities.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I do like Sue's idea about picking a place 3 miles from home and asking if she could walk there and back. Is there somewhere convenient around her home town that's about that distance away? I understand how difficult it is to imagine the size of Disney, I think it's something you can't really comprehend until you've been there and experienced it for yourself.

I think it sounds like and ECV is the best thing to help all of you, not just her, enjoy the holiday to the full. Good luck trying to convince her!

 

[bzzymom]

My uncle was in his 50's and was on a heart transplant list and traveled many places. He walked mostly, but when he got tired, or a little short of breath, he slowed down and rented a wheelchair. He traveled everywhere he wanted to go and saw everything he wanted to see. It can be done.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Thanks for everyones replys. Let me tell you a little about my MIL. Yes she does have a very bad heart. SHe also has bad legs due to the problems with her heart. Honestly she cant stand the sun......but she is the most bullheaded, independent person I know. She wont let anyone help her and never asks for help. She did say if she really needs the EVC she will rent one, but I think it took a lot for her to say that. More then likely she wont though. I have a feeling this vacation is going to be crazy with her going! I really have a feeling that at the last minute she is going to back out. She hasnt been feeling good the last few days. I do think it is mental though! She really isnt all there (I dont think). SOmetimes she does this kind of stuff for attention. Like i said she does have a bad heart and sweats when it is -2 degress! It is driving me nuts because when I fould out they were going I had to change all of our ADR's. I had to cancle a few that I really wanted because they didnt have tables for 6 of us. I just thought that getting the GAC would help her. I guess not really though. Like everyone said she will be spending more time in the sun just walking around. I dont know. Should I just come right out and say something like maybe it would not be a good idea if you go?? I just dont want her to go and realize she cant do it. Sorry for venting but I have to tell someone how I feel.

Your MIL sounds like me in that I have a bad heart bad legs, severe artritis, Sun alergy and an autoimmune disease, this all started about ten years ago. I learned right off the bat then that you USE WHATEVER IT TAKES to get on with your life. Can, wheelchair, scooter whatever it takes.
doing anything else is cheating yourself and your family, with a false sense of pride.