My wheelchair doesn't have a key and lock

[jillrabbit]

Hey everyone, I am going to disney in April and I just got a new electric wheelchair that does not have a key or lock. My insurance company paid a lot for it and it also took 6 months of paperwork to finally get it. It's also fitted for me and really comfortable and I am kind of attached to it. I am not sure what I should do. I am obviously worried about it being stolen, but I really want to bring it. Does anyone have any idea on what I could do with it when I get on some rides and have to leave it for a little while?

Thank you so much for your help/ideas!

 

[50surgeries2012]

It'll be OK. There is no way anyone would want to steal it especially since it was made for you. I had the same concerns with my power chair. But, half of the time when I wanted to go on a ride, say Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. My friend who was with me, didn't want to go on the ride. So, she stayed at the bottom where you get off the moving walkway, with my power chair while my husband helped me walk up to the ride.

There are rides where you can take your power wheelchair right on them. Like It's A Small World, the one ride with Nemo and his friends, and a few others. Maybe Sue, or some of the other people on here can chime in on the other rides that you can take your power chair on. I know that there are quite a few other rides where you can take your power chair right onto them.

If you do need to get out of your power chair for a ride. It will be right next to a cast member. So, I don't think it would get stolen. Especially if it has a seating system made for you. I know I was worried about this when I went to Disney World with my friends. But, as it turned out. I didn't need to worry about it. I did take all of my valuables like my wallet and cell phone with me all of the time when I had to get out of my wheelchair for the rides that didn't allow a wheelchair on.

 

[rewardsinlife]

Like the PP said...your power wheelchair will not be far away from you when you go on rides. Sometimes you can roll right onto the ride and not have to switch. Sometimes you may have to transfer to a manual wheelchair somewhere in the accessible line which can be taken care of by the CMs. Most of the rides though will have you a few feet from the actual ride...and of course all the CMs operating the ride are right there to watch to make sure the same person who got out of the wheelchair gets back in even if there was an off chance that someone took your chair for a joy ride..they certainly wouldn't get far with all of the security at Disney. maybe put an identifiable mark on it so it can be found quickly on the off chance that it does happen...but I doubt it will ..have a great trip!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

most rides the CMs will move your chair to exit for you if needed. the few rides that require you to use their wheelchair, just have someone watch or leave with CM with the whellchairs. do not see you having any problems have a great trip and enjoy the rides you want to ride..

 

[kaytieeldr]

If it has open/spoked wheels and you or someone in your party can bend that far, AND it's not a situation where a CM will need to move your wheelchair for you - put a simple padlock on a front wheel, around the tire so a would-be thief can't get far. More elaborate options would be threading a bicycle lock through two wheels, or hiding a key-finder or gps located somewhere in the chair.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I use an ECV daily, so I bring my own to WDW. Last year - my scooter was getting so old, and I knew it had to be replaced - I just about wished someone would walk away with it. (I was still very careful, as this ECV is my legs all day.) No one touched it.

I have been to WDW at least 20 times with my scooter. Trust me - no one wants my scooter or your wheelchair. I think Disney attracts people who are honest & helpful, not nasty & dishonest people who want to hurt others. Naturally, there is always a chance of losing anything we bring to the parks - but I would say that your wheelchair is safe with Mickey. No one really wants it, & they really want YOU to enjoy it. It is yours. Feel safe.

I have a new scooter, too. We will both be enjoying our new wheels at Disney. Have a great trip - Don't worry!

 

[KPeveler]

Just a note, some CMs don't know the differwnfe between a powerchair and an ecv. There are some lines ecvs are not allowed in and they will tell you must transfer to a park manual.... if that happens, just tell them you have an electric wheelchair, not a scooter, and it is allowed in the lines.

It may not be allowed on moving walkways... that seems to depend on the cast member.

Take your chair through the lines with you and it will stay near a CM. .. I've never had a problem with my personal manual or powerchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most power wheelchairs don't have a lock or key, so you won't be the only one without.

As others pointed out, you will be bringing it into lines to the point of boarding. It will either be left right where you left it, or a CM will move it to the unload area if that is different than where you boarded.
Since it will be inside the attraction, it won't be sitting out where people can mess with it. Guests will either be getting on or off where your chair is. I can tell you from experience that most people won't even see/notice the wheelchair.

One time at Haunted Mansion, I got off, but the CM forgot to stop the ride so my DH and DD could get off (she can't walk and needs to be lifted off and into her wheelchair). The CM told me to just wait at the exit for their ride car to come by again since I needed to help in the transfer.
I waited right there, in plain sight, or one whole ride cycle. Hundreds of people passed by me, none looked at me and I am quite sure none knew I was there.
They were absorbed in getting off and talking about the ride or where they were going next.
Several wheelchairs were parked in the area. The only group I saw who noticed any of them included a little boy, who was looking his parents and almost ran into a wheelchair.

Also, the average guest will not have a clue how to turn the power wheelchair on.

I also would STRONGLY suggest against trying to put a lock of any kind on it. Anything that prevents a wheel from moving could do serious damage to the motors if someone tries to move it.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I worry about my son's large Convaid chair. It is very expensive, sells for over $3500. And people ask me about it ALL the time, many people are interested and envious (?) Which I understand, because the chair is amazing and helps us so much at the parks.

(I was lucky and bought it on Ebay, still paid over $1000 for it though).

 

[Talking Hands]

My power wheelchair does not have a key either and I have not had people bothering it. I did have people sit on my scooter a few times but never the chair.

 

[bandit90]

We've taken my grandma's chair for the past three trips and have never had a problem with it. The only time people have really acknowledged it was to ask questions like do we like it, where did we get the cup holders on the side, etc.