New wheelchair user

[ssmrogo]

Reading all the info previously posted - very helpful, but
would like some advice on which way to go.

"pooh" sized MIL will be coming for 1st time (not a
frequent traveler). Has decent mobility but difficulty with
stairs and long distances, and does not currently use a
wheelchair, but we are planning on getting wheelchair for parks.
Should we just rent one for the whole week? We are staying off
property and planning on visiting Sea World, Universal,
and EPCOT, and will have a rental car. Have requested
wheelchair assistance at airports.
Any and all anecdotes and advice are greatly appeciated
Thanks.

 

[KPeveler]

Can she drive an ECV? That would make her more independent. Pushing me in a wheelchair all day is exhausting for family and I am 5'1" and 110lbs. Not to disparage your MIL, but pushing a pooh sized woman is difficult. ESPECIALLY in AK.

If she can drive an ECV, that is great. There are only a few queues that she cannot take the ECV in. She can either transfer to a regular chair or walk those queues.

Also, she can get a GAC which allows her to skip stairs and use another part of the queue.

It is important to tell your family that, unlike the way it used to work, ECVs and wheelchairs wait in almost every line. I have heard occassional stories where people believe that you get to skip lines with a wheelchair. In fact, my doctor told me I would skip the line.

There are places for a lot of rides to "try" the ride vehicles before getting in line, so she can make sure she fits comfortably.

I suggest this article:
http://allears.net/tp/ridsiz.htm (thanks to allearsnet)

And go to the photos section of disboards and search "wheelchair" and Sue has posted all kinds of great photos for your MIL to prep.

I would definitely rent a wheelchair from offsite. If you can transport an ECV, which others will tell you about, then rent offsite, as it is less expensive.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, she can get a GAC which allows her to skip stairs and use another part of the queue.

Just a clarification of the good information KPeveler posted;
If she will be using the ECV in line, she will not need a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) to skip stairs and use another part of the line.
Guests with wheelchairs and ECVs are routed past things like stairs without a GAC.
If she plans to park the ECV and walk in line, then she would need a GAC to avoid those things.