Need advice for smoothing Mom's way

[Mo-Yo]

Hi again.

We are visiting this spring, and we are bringing my mom and dad this time.

My mom had a stroke several years ago, which left her right side mostly paralyzed and her speech impaired. She worked very hard to get out of a wheelchair, and she gets around on a cane and a moffa brace in everyday life. She rests a lot.

For our Disney trip, however, she will be renting a wheelchair in the parks to cut down on fatigue and also to allow her to cover more ground. (She is very slow-moving on her cane.) We will push her in the chair since she is unable to move the right side wheel manually. Do the parks ever run out of wheelchairs to rent?

As I understand it from stalking the boards here, most lines in WDW are accessible so my mom can stay seated while in line. I read about a "GAC", but since most lines are accessible, I don't know that we will need one. Am I understanding this right?

Also, we are going to the Hoopdie Doo. I understand there are some accessibilty issue in the theater. Mom will probably not be in a wheelchair that day, but stairs are very difficult for her.

Do I need to request more accessible seating when I make my reservation? Will the cm's question this since mom will be walking on a cane, and not in a wheelchair?

Any other tips we should know about? This will be a new experience for all of us. My kids can't wait to have fun with thier Mom-Mom and Granddad at Disney, and I want to smooth the way for that as much as possible.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Unless you are going within a week on either side of Easter they will not run out of wheelchairs. Actually the only time they tell CMs that they cannot get a reduced price on strollers or wheelchairs is the week between Christmas and New Years.

Unless she also has an "invisible" disability, such as difficulty in seeing or hearing, if in a wheelchair she will not need a GAC.

Seating for Hoop-de-do is based on the earlier you make the reservation the better seating you get. When you make the reservation be sure to tell them that one person will be in a wheelchair, and even though she can transfer being on the first floor is "medically necessary" (use that exact term).

 

[Mo-Yo]

Thanks so much.

 

[forr2grls]

Hi! I was thinking that you may want to rent a wheelchair before you get to Disney. I do not know how you are planning to get there,but if you are flying. the walk in the airport may be too much for your mother. Also,depending on where you stay,she would probably get tired just getting from the room to say bus stop or eatery...Hope this helps and hope you have a great time!!

Paula