Need help with ECV and other ?'s

[nelle]

I have a few question's about ECV's and other things.
We will be going to WDW next dec. and staying at the BWV(DVCer's). My father is planning on going if he thinks he can get around and do things. He has rheumatoid arthritis which makes it very difficult to walk very far, and climb stairs. We were thinking that he could use a ECV to get around but were wondering how the stearing and driving controls work because his hands and arms don't function very well. Also can you take a ECV on a bus? We were thinking of taking a minivan down to use to get to the parks will a ECV fit in a regular minivan?(sorry for the odd questions, he has never wanted to travel anywhere because of his arthritis and needing some kind of chair to get around in).
Also if he wanted to go on a ride that continuously moves like the haunted mansion how would he get on? Can they stop the walkway or is that one of those rides that he won't be able to do?
We are so excited that he is even considering going he has never wanted to travel even when we were kids. If I could show him that he is going to be able to get around and do things and have a good time he would go then. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, O'well.
Any extra advice or tips or anything you think I missed let me know.
Thank you.
Nelle

 

[teri]

You might want to look at his thread -- http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=119377

They will stop the rides for him to get on. I am sure others will give you good advice about steering and controls.

Be sure to look at the Frequently Asked Questions - just click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome!
Here's a link to the DIS mobility disability information page. If you scroll down the page, you will find a list of rides where someone can stay right in the ecv for the whole ride. There are some rides, where an ecv can't go on, but he will be able to switch to a manual wheelchair and ride in that.
Some rides, like Pirates of Caribbean might be hard for him to transfer into since that is a boat where he would need to make a fairly long step down to the seat of the boat and then another step down from the seat to the floor of the boat. You can ask the first CM that you see about the ride and how it boards. There is also a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities that you can pick up at Guest Services. There is one for each park. THey don't give a lot of helpful information about boarding, but they do give a basic description of the ride.

 

[Wheelsie]

WELCOME!!!

First of all I'd say for you to go to your local mall or shop that you know has ECVs available and have your dad try one out for size...that way he will know whther it works for him...and if it does you'll be able to practice a little b4 you get there

Rent off site for the length of your stay as WDW ECV's are gone pretty quick...GO HERE to find some rental info and websites