Need assistance

[bayleebugs_mom]

Hey everyone! This is my first post over on this extremely informative board! You guys seem to know everything over here....lol! We are taking my parents to the World for their anniversary from May 27-June 4. This is their first trip and we are all getting really excited. I need some guidance if you don't mind.

My father is diabetic. He is very mobile and gets around really well, however, he has very poor circulation in his left foot due to a skiiing accident when he was younger. Add the poor circulation with the diabetes adn it can sometimes make for a bad situation. He can get around most of the time with no problem then out of no where that foot will swell and he will be limping for several days.

I want them to have the best time possible so my question is this, should I just go ahead and rent an ecv or a wheelchair just in case? What companies do you recommend? We have no experience with any type of medical equipment so any information you can give me is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Happy you found us.
If you look in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find links and phone numbers to off-site companies that DIS posters have pretty consistently reported good experiences with. The most commonly used ones (not in any order except when I thought about them) are Walker, Randys, Apple and Care.

For the walking, he may be able to get around just fine at home, but most people don't walk 6-10 miles per day at home. So, I would suggest just renting the ECV. If he wants to park it in an area and just walk around, that is fine to do, but that way he will have it when he needs it.

 

[dclfun]

I would also suggest that you rent an ECV for the reasons Sue mentioned. There will be lots of walking involved and I'd not want to take a chance with his health or comfort. If he decides not to use it one day or for part of a day, then no harm done. It will be hot when you are visiting so that might also affect the swelling. You might want to bring along a power strip and/or extension cord to charge the ECV at night. Each resort seems to have a different location for the outlets and some are easier to access than others.---Kathy

 

[krisnme]

I agree with everyone else! And remember with some diabetics, the walking is not as much of a problem as the standing in line. That is when fluid tends to pool, and disney lines are very long. with the ecv or wheelchair he can either use the alternate entrance or be able to sit while waiting. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Most attractions have Mainstream Lines, which mean that guests with wheelchairs or ECVs use the same entrance and line as everyone else.
Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios were built with Mainstream Lines. Epcot and MK had them added as much as possible during renovations and attraction replacements. MK has some attractions that were not able to be Mainstreamed, so they do have more wheelchair entrances there, but using those does not necessarily translate into shorter waits and many do not have anywhere to sit and wait.