Newbie with a Special Need

[CALIFLADY]

Hi Folks-

I've tried reading several of the threads here and I think my plan is solid, but I'm gonna run it by you anyhow.

I'm taking my 50-plus year old cousin to WDW for the first time in her life in early January for about 10 days. She has Type 1 diabetes...since she was 9. I think she's starting to lose toes now. Certainly having foot issues for sure. I don't live near her, so I don't have all the details. Sorry.

My plan is to rent a wheelchair for her accessibility, then rent an SUV to transport the wheelchair. The ECV's just seem so cumbersome and slow to move around the parks on the WDW buses (that is, resort to park, park to park, or park to resort).

We'll be staying at BLT and AKV (split stay).

I've made FP+ reservations already, but plan to get the "next generation GAC" (forgot what it's called already!) to help us manage the parks, if necessary. Luckily, we should be there at a bit of a low season (if there is such a thing anymore).

Will the wheelchair/SUV idea work? Or should I suck it up and go for an offsite EVC rental?

Thanks for your help! This is a bit of a new world for me, but I want to make it a good experience for her.

 

[bidnow5]

If you are going to have an SUV I would rent an ECV from an outside company ECVs give you freedom and a wheel chair gets very heavy after just a few miles never mind all the miles you cover doing Disney.
If she has a handicap tag you can use it at Disney just follow the blue lines in the road if not they will let you drop her off then park and meet up with her.
The ECVs come apart to fit in a standard car trunk so it should be no problem in an SUV

 

[livndisney]

Hi Folks-

I've tried reading several of the threads here and I think my plan is solid, but I'm gonna run it by you anyhow.

I'm taking my 50-plus year old cousin to WDW for the first time in her life in early January for about 10 days. She has Type 1 diabetes...since she was 9. I think she's starting to lose toes now. Certainly having foot issues for sure. I don't live near her, so I don't have all the details. Sorry.

My plan is to rent a wheelchair for her accessibility, then rent an SUV to transport the wheelchair. The ECV's just seem so cumbersome and slow to move around the parks on the WDW buses (that is, resort to park, park to park, or park to resort).

We'll be staying at BLT and AKV (split stay).

I've made FP+ reservations already, but plan to get the "next generation GAC" (forgot what it's called already!) to help us manage the parks, if necessary. Luckily, we should be there at a bit of a low season (if there is such a thing anymore).

Will the wheelchair/SUV idea work? Or should I suck it up and go for an offsite EVC rental?

Thanks for your help! This is a bit of a new world for me, but I want to make it a good experience for her.

If her needs are met by a wheelchair/ecv there is no need for a DAS.

 

[CALIFLADY]

Really?!? You can take the ECV's apart and handle them with one person into a vehicle? I didn't know this! I thought they were too heavy to handle without a lift. This may be a better plan. Thanks for the idea!

 

[SueM in MN]

Really?!? You can take the ECV's apart and handle them with one person into a vehicle? I didn't know this! I thought they were too heavy to handle without a lift. This may be a better plan. Thanks for the idea!

When you arrange for the rental, you want to request an ECV that can be broken down for transport.
For example, this page from Buena Vista Scooters has 2 models that say they are not recommended for transport and one that is.
http://www.buenavistascooters.com/products.asp?cid=1

The other rental companies also have transportable models. There is a list of offsite rental companies in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
Usually, they break down into 3-4 pieces with the largest piece no heavier than 45 pounds.


As was mentioned, guests don't need a DAS if a wheelchair or ECV fits their needs.
There is more information about DAS at WDW in a separate thread about it near the top of this board.

 

[CJN]

Another option you can do if you're not sure of your cousin's needs is to use a wheelchair to get to the parks (much easier to maneuver on and off Disney transportation) and then, if and when needed, rent the ECV on-site. When you rent the ECV, they'll let you leave your wheelchair right there until you return the ECV. Renting on-site usually isn't recommended here because of a few issues - availability being one - but we did this on our last trip and loved it. Having access to both my wheelchair and an ECV worked perfectly for us.

 

[lanejudy]

Your first post doesn't indicate, so please don't take this the wrong way...
but have you asked your cousin what her preference would be -- wheelchair or ECV? You say you don't live near her and don't know all the details, but I'm thinking if she has that much trouble with her feet and potentially losing (or lost) toes, she may already utilize a mobility device at least part time.

If you decide on an ECV and she does not typically use one, you might suggest that she try one out at her local grocery store or one of the big box stores. Those will be harder to use than what you will rent off-site at WDW.

Enjoy your vacation! What a wonderful, caring cousin you are!

 

[ErinTwinmom]

So I have been to disney world three times with my mother in a power wheelchair and I'm going again in May with her, my grandmother in a scooter and my autistic twins in there adaptive strollers. We are staying at the OKW. And before you think I'm too crazy my hubby, father, and cousin are also coming so we should be fine. However while we will have plenty of vehicle with both a car and a van with ramp, our plan is to take the bus. Mom has never had a problem using there busses and the bus stop is so much closer to you when you leave than the parking lot especially at mk.

 

[happy Dis planner]

Another option you can do if you're not sure of your cousin's needs is to use a wheelchair to get to the parks (much easier to maneuver on and off Disney transportation) and then, if and when needed, rent the ECV on-site. When you rent the ECV, they'll let you leave your wheelchair right there until you return the ECV. Renting on-site usually isn't recommended here because of a few issues - availability being one - but we did this on our last trip and loved it. Having access to both my wheelchair and an ECV worked perfectly for us.

I have a friend that has tired to do this twice and both times ran into availability issues both first thing in the morning and when park hopping later in the day. Regarding the hopping, despite having paid at the original park for a ecv, there were none left when they went to the different park. This as a while ago so I don't know if it would still be an issue.


CJN..small world, I went to high school in Scio! We used to cruise the "big city" of Stayton's streets for fun! ha!

 

[lanejudy]

I have a friend that has tired to do this twice and both times ran into availability issues both first thing in the morning and when park hopping later in the day. Regarding the hopping, despite having paid at the original park for a ecv, there were none left when they went to the different park. This as a while ago so I don't know if it would still be an issue.

It can be a very real problem, especially at a busy time of year but potentially even at slow times. ECVs tend to run out by mid-morning. If park-hopping or just leaving/returning, it is correct that you are allowed another ECV without paying again, but that is subject to availability.

 

[alisonette]

A word of caution about getting an ECV. My mother has had type-1 diabetes since she was 6 and is now in her 50s. Much like your cousin she has major problems with her feet and nerve damage. She's also legally blind. I'd check if your cousin has any problems with her eyesight, as if she does (and given the foot problems it's likely) she might not be able to use an ECV. Maneuvering one can be difficult at the best of times, at Disney and with limited vision? A disaster waiting to happen. Even if she still has partial vision I'd be cautious and probably go with the wheelchair.