Need Suggestions

[BLLB]

I am taking my mother, age 83, to Disney this May. It is a last minute trip. She has some stamina and mobility issues. I will be traveling with my DS ages 8 and 6. We go to WDW frequently, so we will obviously not be "commando" park touring.

I chose the Contemporary for monorail access. I have planned meals for either the resort, monorail resorts or Magic Kingdom. My mother has asked for a wheelchair or scooter (I have already checked with off-site providers and "think" this is the best idea).

If she chooses a scooter, do you "ride" them onto the monorail? I have seen them being loaded onto buses, but we have never stayed at a monorail resort.

I have also requested a wheelchair for the airport. We will have a car service pick us up at the airport.

Since this is last minute and with new circumstances, I am really, just looking for suggestions and advice.

Thank you.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

What makes you 'think' this is the best idea? "Think" sounds likes something is holding you back and/or you're doubting about something??

I would definately get her an ECV or wheelchair and rent it offsite. Onsite, you'ld still have to go to one of the parks and you do run the chance of them running out. With off site you'll be sure she has got the aid and she can use it around the Contemporary also. Also, off site tends to be cheaper.

Both wheelchairs and ECV's can get onto the monorail. The CM's working will see you approaching and direct you to the cart she can get on. They'll lay out a ramp for her and on she goes. They'll ask where you're going, and phone ahead to that station to make sure they know you need to get off. They will then be waiting for her with the ramp. Depending the station and how she got on she'll have to get off by either backing up or going straigth ahead. Sometimes (very sometimes though in my experience) they either do not make the call or somebody forgets or something and you'll have to give a little polite yell to get their attention. It's very easy to use the monorail, so don't worry about that.

Has your mom got any experience with an ECV yet? If not, I'ld recommand doing some practicing at places like a wallmart or something. This way she can get a feel of it and you can easily judge if she'll be comfortable enough with it or not. (for some elderly using an ECV is too confusing) She'ld rather practice in a quiter place like a shop or mall than at WDW.

 

[BLLB]

Wow! What a fast reply, thanks. The reason I was "thinking" off-site rental was the best were the exact reasons you mentioned. Thank for for affirming that for me.

The off-site rental company also made the suggestion regarding practicing at the ECVs at the store. My mom said she will do try them and make sure she is comfortable.

Great information regarding the monorail. Again, thank you so much.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You are welcome. ECV usage is pretty simple. The biggest thing to learn will be that if mom let's go of the controle it will stop very quickly and get jerky. However they do not stop on a dime, so that can be a bit intensive for the first time with a lot of people around. (read; people do not watch where they are going and will jump in front of you).

Have fun!

 

[kaytieeldr]

They'll lay out a ramp for her and on she goes. They'll ask where you're going, and phone ahead to that station to make sure they know you need to get off. They will then be waiting for her with the ramp.

In an ideal world, sure
After one "Charlie on the MTA"-type experience - where, despite seven assurances (one at each other stop, some twice - I was assured that the GF platform would be alerted I was coming, but where, when I was finally able to exit thanks to the intervention of another Guest... stand in the open doorway of the monorail car and make sure you get the attention of, and then a ramp placed by, a Cast Member.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a picture of the monorail car with the ramp in place.

 

[BLLB]

Thanks SueM. I have reserved an ECV from an offsite rental company, a DIS sponsor. Also, my mom has practiced and really thinks it is pretty neat. She is a little more excited about the trip.

 

[honugirl]

Make sure she knows how to back the ECV up. When I took mine on the monorail, you drive it on, but you have to back it off. You can't just drive right off the other side and go. Turn the speed down to turtle and then go. She'll be fine!

 

[bopper]

The other good thing is that if she wants to go back to the hotel to rest, it will be pretty easy for her to do (or you to go with her really quick). I think you have an ideal plan!

 

[everylastbreath]

Hi- We brought my 82 year old mother with us last August, just a couple of tips for you. Def. get the ECV, but practice with her. My Mom drives a car but did have some trouble handling the ECV. As someone prior said, it does move quicker than you think it will and older persons have a tendancy to "Panic" and it goes faster, so be very aware of her. Also make it a habit of walking in a circle around her, this way you can kind of clear the way for her and you don't have to worry about her hitting anyone. Do NOT try to move her in a crowd, just find a comfortable place to park and sit until crowd thins out- Main Street after the parade is a NIGHTMARE!- make sure she has plenty of sunblock on & get her a hat. Expect to move very slowly, and stop in as much a/c as possible. Good luck, it will be fine as long as your expectations are right, appreciate the time w/Mom and let her enjoy her Grandchildren, it is a very special trip!! One more thing- keep her very hydrated, my Mom got a little disoriented at times because of the heat and it's a little scary.

 

[BLLB]

Thank you to all who have taken the time to reply. Great suggestions. Everyone has been so reassuring and encouraging.

 

[peemagg]

Also if you all go on a ride and park the scooter outside of the ride, be sure to take the key with you and double check the speed knob before moving. Sometimes kids and smart-alecs will play around with them and turn them up on high speed.

 

[BLLB]

Never thought of someone doing that. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[mechurchlady]

At DLR twice last month I left the keys for CMs in case they needed to move the ECV and it was left in reverse. Not walls were damaged thankfully. I leave my key in the ECV if it is on the loading platform in case CMs need to move it as freewheeling can be taxing and awkward. I have never had one taken from a dock when the key was left in there but for safety you should take the key. Also someone may accidentally touch the ECV and reset stuff.

 

[toocherie]

At DLR twice last month I left the keys for CMs in case they needed to move the ECV and it was left in reverse. Not walls were damaged thankfully. I leave my key in the ECV if it is on the loading platform in case CMs need to move it as freewheeling can be taxing and awkward. I have never had one taken from a dock when the key was left in there but for safety you should take the key. Also someone may accidentally touch the ECV and reset stuff.

I would never leave a key in an ECV. Not so afraid of someone stealing it, although a possibility, but of a child or teen getting on it and either running into someone/something. CMs are used to freewheeling it--I can do it myself so it is not that taxing. The only time I leave the key is when the CM specifically instructs me to do so.

 

[mechurchlady]

As I stated I only leave the key if it is on a loading dock where only CMs have access as opposed to the front of a shop. Each time the only people who could access the scooter were guests with ECVs or CMs.

ECVs also have a system in place so that the scooter does not take off when parked. There is a minimum weight required for ECVs and if that is not met then the scooter stops. That also keeps kids from using scooters. The worst thing a kid can do with an ECV is reset the controls and leave the lights and scooter on.

As I said or did not say I never leave the key in the scooter. What I as a single woman alone in the parks and with no cares does is not what I tell people to do. I would tell a new person to use slower speeds even though I race scooters. I tell people to be careful in the rain but will drive full speed in rain.

Sigh.