My Mother with RA is coming to WDW!! Woo Hoo

[aimeeg]

I cannot tell you how happy I am that my Mom has agreed to join us to WDW in December. First off she is the best! I am 28 and she has been living with RA since I was 6. We have had more bad years than good but she keeps a positive outlook and never complains! She really is the best.

Anyway, I asked her to join us for our trip next December. She is really excited but a little nervous about the standing/ walking. She said that renting a scooter would be best. Although, she does not use one at home we think it would be good at the park.

We are the type of family who gets to the park at rope drope. My girls are 2 and 4 and will be thrilled Grammy is coming! We are planning on going the first weekend in December-right before the Christmas rush.

I need a little more info on renting scooters in the park and the GAC. Any help for would be most appreciated. If you cannot tell I just love my Mom to pieces and am soooooo looking forward to her seeing her Granddaughters light up at WDW!

Thanks so much.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs. It also gives information about GACs. Or, if you want, you can click the link in my signature.

 

[aimeeg]

I did read that before. I called about the GAC card. I was concerned that my Mom "looks" perfectly healthy. She is only 54 and does not look like she has RA. (Just do not look at her piggies.)

They said that she would not get a card because everyone has to wait. in line. I told the girl that we were not scheming to get to the head of the line. I just want my Mom to have a really good experience. I asked her if she could use the scooter on the the lines and then she said oh no some of them you can't. She would have to use the GAC card. Then I said but you said she is not in need of a card is she has a scooter. Confusing????

I am also concerened about my Mom getting in and out of rides. It takes a little longer because she has bad knees. She would need help. Again, I am not trying to be sneaky I just want my Mom to have a wonderful "normal" dream vacation that she deserves.

 

[SueM in MN]

I did read that before. I called about the GAC card. I was concerned that my Mom "looks" perfectly healthy. She is only 54 and does not look like she has RA. (Just do not look at her piggies.)

They said that she would not get a card because everyone has to wait. in line. I told the girl that we were not scheming to get to the head of the line. I just want my Mom to have a really good experience. I asked her if she could use the scooter on the the lines and then she said oh no some of them you can't. She would have to use the GAC card. Then I said but you said she is not in need of a card is she has a scooter. Confusing????

I am also concerened about my Mom getting in and out of rides. It takes a little longer because she has bad knees. She would need help. Again, I am not trying to be sneaky I just want my Mom to have a wonderful "normal" dream vacation that she deserves.

The only people who really can answer questions about GACs are the CMs in Guest Relations at the parks. The general information CMs who answer questions on the phone are not involved in giving out GACs and often give out inaccurate information.
If she is using a scooter, she will probably not need a GAC because her needs should be met by using the scooter. Using a GAC in the lines that don't allow scooters would really not help with the distance walked. Whether or not you are using a GAC, the distance is usually the same.

It is true that scooters are not allowed in a few lines, but, all the lines are accessible to manual wheelchairs. The lines that don't allow scooters do have manual wheelchairs available for people to switch to. ALSO, some of the attractions do allow the smaller, more manouverable scooters. The ones they don't allow are the larger, 4 wheeled types rented at the parks.

Most attractions stop for boarding and for getting off. A CM is in charge of 'dispatching' the ride car and doesn't make it move until you are seated or out. The rides that are a problem are the ones with moving walkways, but those are boarded at the exit by people who are using wheelchairs or ECVs. That allows the wheelchair/ECV to be at the exit when you get off. It also allows you to board at an area that is more 'controlled' and the CM can slow the walkway, or even stop it if necessary in most rides (Peter Pan can't be slowed or stopped though). You will usually wait in the regular line until just before the line reaches the regular boarding area.
There is a link to a past thread about boarding rides in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that has information about rides with moving walkways.

Also, if it would be helpful for her to have a cane to help her get in and out of ride cars, she can bring a cane with her. In most cases, it would go into the ride car with her. For some of the 'thrill rides', the CM would take the cane after boarding and keep it for you.

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

I was going to suggest a cane, and I see Sue already did I totally agree...I use mine from getting up out of my wheelchair to getting into whatever the attraction is. Usually no problem taking it with you, unless, as was said, it is a thrill ride.

One other suggestion, and I see you have plenty of time before your trip....if it will be your Mother's first time using a scooter, try to use one somewhere close to home first to get use to it. I have not used one bc I use my manual wheelchair, but it looks to be not all that fun trying to learn how to use one in a place such as WDW. Too many toes and feet in the way, and I hear backing up and getting them onto the buses take some practice, so it would be a plus if she had a little time to get used to using one before going.

Sounds like you are all very happy and it will be an awesome trip!!!!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'd suggest you rent an ECV from one of the off-site rental companies. That way you would have the ECV 24/7 for use around the hotel, at DTD, getting to and from buses etc. Also, you wouldn't have to worry about the parks running out, if you were in a little later, or park hopped. The rental ECVs are apparently very maneuverable and often work out cheaper than renting from the parks each day.

You might want to read the FAQ before you go, as it has information on boarding buses, getting on and off rides, using wheels in Disney etc. You don't need to worry, though, Disney is the most accessible place I've found, and the CMs are a great help if you run into any problems!

Have a great trip!

 

[TriMom]

My DH has RA, and after a miserable trip, he finally agreed to rent a scooter. We rented off site, and DH says they are much better the WDW ones, plus we had it 24/7.

If the only health problem your mother has is the RA, then I don't think that you would need GAC. The CM's at each ride are wonderful about accomodating a scooter, and will fill you in on the procedure for each ride. THe only ride that I can think of that your mom might have trouble with is Peter Pan - and the CM did offer to slow the ride down for us, but they can't stop it.

Ask away if you have any questions about park touring with RA, we have been there, and I feel I have learned a lot.