need advice, non weight bearing ankle break, have WDW trip planned in 2 weeks.

[CRI]

Hi,
Im in a panic, have trip planned (and non refundable condo booked at bonnet creek) for Feb 28 to visit nephew on college program, so cancelling trip isn't option. I fell down icy steps, and broke my lower leg bone (cast up to my knee).I am non weight bearing, and just learning how to get around my house, with walker, crutches, and a wonderful scooter type knee walker.
My husband and I are flying down, and I haven't looked into what Southwest Air allows as far as taking medical equipment. Does anyone know if I could take both a wheelchair and a knee walker?
We are renting a car at the airport.
If I rent wheel chair in parks, how would I get from car to guest services.? Do they allow my husband to bring chair out to parking lot to get me?
I'd like to take my scooter type wheel walker, which is ok for short distances, but not long periods or far distances. My question is if I used it from parking lot to guest services inside the park, then rented a wheel chair, would I be able to store my walker at guest services, and pick it up when I return wheel chair?
If anyone has traveled in my situation, do you have any helpful ideas?
We are only there for 5 days, arriving late Friday night, and returning Wednesday afternoon.
I am overwhelmed by how to maneuver an airport, and the Disney parks, without being able to walk.
Sincerely,
Chris

 

[Talking Hands]

I did it many years ago and depended on my power wheelchair and a walker. Had a great time.

 

[JillyBean1899]

They have parking lot use wheelchairs, but those can't go into the park, and they might be hard to find sometimes. You might actually be better off parking in regular guest parking and using your crutches to get down the aisle (or ask the parking attendants if you can have an end spot so you don't have to walk so far to the tram) than parking in the handicap area and walking in or having your husband find a wheelchair. The ones they rent in the park can't be taken out of the park.

The other option would be to rent one from an off-property vendor, that way you can use it everywhere you are while you're there. I'm not sure if GS would have space to store the knee walker (I actually know what you're talking about, because my neighbor had one for a while, they're an awesome idea but I could see how they would be uncomfortable for long periods of time), the best thing to do would be to call them and see, but I wouldn't count on it as being your only option.

 

[JennyDrake]

OH HONEY!! I FEEL FOR YOU!!

I was zero weight bearing for 12 weeks last year.

Shortly after weight bearing was allowed, I had a WDW, so while my circumstances were different, I *can* relate. Absolutely, positively rent a wheelchair from an off site source. I used Walker Mobility and was very, very pleased. I had a knee scooter and it would not have been manageable for the long, gradual inclines in the parks nor for the uneven surfaces at AK. _I_ did not take the knee scooter to WDW and I have no regrets. _I_ would go w/ crutches and renting a wheelchair.

SWA can arrange for a wc for you from front doors to the airplane and vice versa. Give them a call in advance. The MCO airport wc will get you from your gate to either car rental or curbside pick up.

RENT THE CHAIR. You will be so glad you did. Again, I was 3 weeks into weight bearing but only 10 days out of a boot. I was pretty realistic, but even _I_ underestimated the fatigue factor and the RAIN! No way could I have gotten myself out of the park on my own in pouring rain.

 

[bedogged]

Hi,
Im in a panic, have trip planned (and non refundable condo booked at bonnet creek) for Feb 28 to visit nephew on college program, so cancelling trip isn't option. I fell down icy steps, and broke my lower leg bone (cast up to my knee).I am non weight bearing, and just learning how to get around my house, with walker, crutches, and a wonderful scooter type knee walker.
My husband and I are flying down, and I haven't looked into what Southwest Air allows as far as taking medical equipment. Does anyone know if I could take both a wheelchair and a knee walker?
We are renting a car at the airport.
If I rent wheel chair in parks, how would I get from car to guest services.? Do they allow my husband to bring chair out to parking lot to get me?
I'd like to take my scooter type wheel walker, which is ok for short distances, but not long periods or far distances. My question is if I used it from parking lot to guest services inside the park, then rented a wheel chair, would I be able to store my walker at guest services, and pick it up when I return wheel chair?
If anyone has traveled in my situation, do you have any helpful ideas?
We are only there for 5 days, arriving late Friday night, and returning Wednesday afternoon.
I am overwhelmed by how to maneuver an airport, and the Disney parks, without being able to walk.
Sincerely,
Chris

I have been in the same situation. If I were you, I would rent a scooter. Then you would have some independence. Since you are renting a car, you could rent a Go Go scooter. They are small and light (117 lbs.) and easily come apart so you can fit them into pretty much any car.

SW will let you take anything you need and if it is medical, it doesn't count as part of your luggage.

 

[CJN]

To answer one question, if you took the knee walker to the parks and then rented a wheelchair, yes, you absolutely can check the knee walker until your return. We've done this many times (in our case checking a wheelchair and renting a scooter).

That said, I would feel very vulnerable with your kind of injury while trying to navigate trams, etc, with a knee walker. I personally would forgo the walker completely and opt for renting a wheelchair at home to have it not only for the airport but every other time you won't be in a park. Then you have a choice of either renting a scooter daily in the parks or renting one offsite full time.

Blasted ice anyway!!

 

[CRI]

I appreciate all of your very in depth, helpful advice. I am relieved to hear it's possible to still have an enjoyable trip. I'm still in the "self pity", frustrated, disappointed stage of all this, but each day gets a little better. I will be even better when snow and ice go away!
I have been a DIS follower for many years, but times like this I'm more grateful than ever for this website and all of you for your help.
I will look into cost of both scooter and wheelchair rentals, and I guess I will leave my knee walker home, even tho it is a lifesaver in my home.

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[JennyDrake]

I appreciate all of your very in depth, helpful advice. I am relieved to hear it's possible to still have an enjoyable trip. I'm still in the "self pity", frustrated, disappointed stage of all this, but each day gets a little better. I will be even better when snow and ice go away!
I have been a DIS follower for many years, but times like this I'm more grateful than ever for this website and all of you for your help.
I will look into cost of both scooter and wheelchair rentals, and I guess I will leave my knee walker home, even tho it is a lifesaver in my home.

Thanks again,
Chris

If I can be of any help--even just to LISTEN, PLEASE PM ME. I've been there--only a year ago-- and even though I'd had other injuries, nothing was as mentally & emotionally devastating as 12 weeks of zero weight bearing. I went from dancing (ballet, tap musical theater) 2 nights per week, running 4 days/ week (I had a half marathon in 10 days) and full time life on a farm to nothing except the couch and TV for 3 months. It sucked. No other way to put it. Again, I'm here for you in any way I can be!

Jenny