Need recommendations for mobility impaired

[MUtiger98]

My inlaws have decided to meet us at WDW this summer. This will be their first trip since my FIL had a stroke. At home he gets around with a cane, but realizes he will need assistance for something as large as the WDW parks, as only a few blocks exhausts him. They also decided it would be easier to stay on site and use Disney transport than driving in an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar location, etc.

That being said, is an ECV the way to go, or are there other types of options?
Are any of the Disney hotels better than others? They stayed at the Pop Century the last time, but everything is so strewn out.
Recommendations for getting around parks or Disney buses for mobility impaired newbies?

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Definitely recommend an ecv. You should look into renting 1 from an off site vendor that way he will always have it. Even though the parks are huge, getting to and from the parks is a bit of distance walking within the resorts as well. Disney has a couple of recommended vendors that you can find on their website or if you just do a google search there are a bunch of others. Really the only difference is the recommended vendors can leave the ecvs at bell services while other vendors you actually have to meet them to receive your ecv. I am renting from walker mobility this year. It's my first year renting from an off site vendor, so far they have been great!

 

[lanejudy]

Does your FIL drive? I ask because in many ways, an ECV is like driving a car -- it takes a lot of focus and attention, people step out in front of you and you really need to be aware. After my dad's stroke, he did not drive again; but I realize others are fine to do so.

Other options are a wheelchair if one of you will be there to push (I wouldn't count on an elderly MIL to be able to push all day). Or if he's used to walking with a cane, maybe a rollator - which is a walker with a seat so he can stop to rest whenever needed.

I recommend an off-site rental. It can be quite a hike to/from transportation at the parks as well as around most of the resorts.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Gracie09]

If you go the ecv route, I would not just have it left at bell services. I would have your FIL meet the driver and go over how it works and take it for a spin. If he's hesitant to drive a car in an unfamiliar place I would not want him driving an ecv in the crowded parks.

 

[ttintagel]

The resort where everything's closest together would probably be Port Orleans French Quarter. It also is the first stop on the Port Orleans bus route, and the bus boarding area tends to be less crowded, so it's less pressure getting on and off in an ECV.

The drawback is that it's a Moderate-level resort, so it's more expensive than POP Century. Also, there are some areas with cobblestone-like pavement. But I thought it was incredibly disability-friendly.

 

[minnie mum]

POFQ is a good resort if walking distances is a factor. We love it there. But if he gets an ECV, distances are no longer a factor for him, since he'll have wheels.

I'd recommend looking thru the FAQsticky at the top of the DisAbilities page. It will answer a lot of questions about WDW for the mobility impaired, including a list of rental agencies.

 

[knitngurl]

My mother has a transport wheelchair. It folds down to about the size of a stroller and is very light. It fits very well in the trunk of just about every car we've had, and it has been great for us. My mom has hip problems and a paralyzed arm so pushing herself in a wheelchair or using a walker are not options, and she does not like to use a cane. We got the wheel chair new for about $100 on amazon and it has been wonderful. It has really opened up my mom's world again since she can go on spontaneous shopping trips with us or we can do road trips with her (or take her to Disney with us!!) and not have to worry about her being in pain or getting too tired.