New and clueless to this scenario

[Micca]

We'll be visiting WDW during a very busy time with my DMIL. She is in her 80's and although she can walk, she cannot move at a very fast pace, nor is it comfortable for her to walk great distances.

For those who are experts, what do you suggest? We'll be there for about a week. We are not determined to get on every attraction.

Top concerns: Do we need a regular wheelchair or an electric cart?

Can we pick up/drop off at the park entrance?

What else should we know?

Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may be better off renting an ECV, as pushing a wheelchair can get very tiresome, especially if you are not used to it. Also it depends on the weight of the passenger and the condition of the pusher(s). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the urls:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better.

If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

You might have her use an ECV at a large grocery store to get an idea of handling. Note that the ones in the stores are MUCH larger than the rentals, and have a very large basket. Note there are pictures on the web site and you will see the ECVs there are smaller

Another suggestion is find out your state's requirements for a temporary disabled hang tag and get the paper work and have your doctor sign off on it. The tag will allow you to use any of the handicap parking areas (which will be a necessity). Also, with the policy of charging for valet parking, with a handicap hang tag the fees will be waived. Also the valets will usually volunteer to assist in loading/unloading an ECV. In Virginia I printed the required form from the DMV website. When I took the completed form to the DMV Office it took less than 15 minutes from the time I walked in until I had my tag.

There is also pretty good availability of other transportation provided by Disney; the monorails, almost all bnuses, and all but the smallest boats are accessible.

Good luck and let us know what finally happens.

 

[Micca]

Thank you so much. This was just what I needed. DMIL is a small person, but neither DW nor I are accustomed to pushing a wheelchair around so the ECV sounds like a good idea.

I was thinking that we would avoid breaking-down and transferring the wheelchair/ecv by renting something in the parks.
Bad idea?

Thanks again

 

[Nanajo1]

You stated you are going at a busy time. The park ECVs rent out quickly and early. Also the WDW ECV is not transferred from park to park so if you went to MK for a short stay and then wanted to go to EPCOT there is no assurance that an ECV would be available at the second park. If you are staying on-site then the resort transportation is fine. Breaking the ECV down takes two-three minutes, the heaviest piece is apporx 30 lbs. One person can do it.
If your DMIL has never used an ECV it is a good idea to practice a the local Wal-Mart etc. They are not difficult to drive but I think she would feel more at ease having driven one before the trip.
Have a great time.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Nanajo. Even in non-busy times, there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent an ecv in the parks.
An ecv would free you from having to push her and would give her more independence, but an 80 year old may not be too keen on the idea of using one. Trying one out ahead of time is a good idea. Let her know that the ones in stores are usually harder to drive (bulkier and bigger) than the ones you would be able to rent at WDW. If she decides that the ecv is OK, rent from one of the local places that Cheshire Figment posted. If she doesn't like the idea of an ecv, i would still use the medical equipment companies to rent a wheelchair. That way you would have one guaranteed to be available and you could also use it if you go to DD or at your resort.
If you are staying on site, you might be able to get a wheelchair on loan from your resort. They are first come, first serve though and there might not be one (or might not be an appropriate size) available for you to use.

 

[Micca]

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions

 

[SueM in MN]

I forgot one of your questions I was going to answer:

Can we pick up/drop off at the park entrance?

If you are staying at a WDW resort, you are best off to take the bus to MK. The WDW resort buses let you off right outside of the turnstiles. Almost all the buses are equipped with ramps or lifts to transport wheelchairs/ecvs. If you drive, you have to either take the monorail (a very steep ramp up to the monorail station) or take a boat from the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) to the park entrance.
For Epcot and AK, I have seen drop off areas near the handicapped parking. You can ask about this at your resort and/or at the parking booth when you drive in. I have not seen one at the Studio and if MK has one, it would be at the TTC.

 

[LindaDVC]

We recently went to WDW with my parents both in their 80's!
They are healthy and Dad walks everyday and Mom gets easily tired. Neither one needs a w/c . Mom used one a few years ago when she hurt her knee right before one of our trips.

To decrease the amount of walking and the pace I would send Dh in his power wheelchair and son with all of our tickets to the fast pass machine such as at A.K. > I would leisurely walk with my parents to the planned meeting spot and do another attraction prior to the fast pass arrival time.

Their are other ways to decrease the walking requirements too.
Use the friendship boats to cross over to the countries in EPCOT, and the train at MK.

However as several folks have suggested there still is ALOT of walking and a w/c can help increase the endurance and enjoyment of the trip.

Enjoy your trip!

Linda

 

[travelitis]

I always rent an ECV off site, and I suggest you ask Walker or Care about the weight of the individual pieces. It breaks down into 2 parts, and one of those was sustantially more than 30 lbs. (I'm thinking the heavy piece was double that.)

 

[Nanajo1]

Travelitis,
My ECV broke done into 5 pieces including the two batteries. I didn't realize there was such a difference in the type of ECVs rented out. It would be a good idea to check with the rental company about the type of ECV they will give you.