Non visible problems

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

I had an accident last year, and as of now a year later I am still in pain from it. I can't really stand in one spot for too long without my back starting to hurt really badly. I am going in April and I really dont want to be in pain my entire trip. I hate to take advantage of things, but I just dont think I can do regular lines this year. The girl I"m going with has never been there either so i want her to be able to see as much as possible. Is there anything I can do? If i get a note from my surgeon can the parks accomodate me? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

there are no special front of line passes. if you have trouble standing or walking you can rent an ECV and stay on it up to where you would get on the ride.

 

[alizesmom]

Read some of the threads about wheelchairs and check FAQ about the GAC. You will not get special treatment but they will work with you on your needs. From what I understand the wheelchair line will not make your wait shorter, just easier with the chair/ECV. If you have that much pain, go for some sort of transport for your sake and your friend's. From what I've read just be prepared to look at a lot of butts. Karen

 

[SueM in MN]

For problems with endurance, WDW does recommend a wheelchair or ECV. Most of the lines are actually showly moving forward pretty much all of the time, so standing in one place doesn't happen as much as people think.

Some other things that might help you to not stand in one spot for a long time would be:
- using Fastpasses - here's a page of information about Fastpass
- using some sort of a cane with a seat that can be folded down from it (do a google search for cane + seat).
- you can check into the information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about places to rent ECVs and there is also a section about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs). GACs are not front of the line passes and not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line. A GAC would not really help you to avoid standing.

 

[SueM in MN]

From what I understand the wheelchair line will not make your wait shorter, just easier with the chair/ECV.

Most of the regular lines are wheelchair accessible, so there are very few attractions that have a specific wheelchair line. The ones that do, have something about the line (like stairs or a very narrow space) that makes the line not accessible to wheelchairs.

 

[mechurchlady]

If you have a disabled placard for a car bring it.

Read the FAQs for this board as there are numerous links listed to things like wheelchair rentals, GACs, specific problems, and accessibility.

I am a waddlerump and have damaged knees and a disintegrating disc. I spend my time setting on my bed so I can constantly be shifting positions. I cannot stand for long periods of time as I get lower back pain and sciatica type pain. That said what is my point, lol.

WDW cannot ask for proof of disability. I would bring it as it won't hurt to have it even though you will not need proof. I have never been asked proof of my disabilities not even at the Wild Animal park where I got free admission for being mom's companion.

You do not have to stay in the wheelchair or ECV and if someone give you grief then politely tell them to stop assuming. I use an ECV but will at Wal-Mart get out to reach stuff or to get into type spots. At parks I get out and go into a store rather than be a china store heffer.

Using a wheelchair is easiest because of the ability to fold the chair and get around tight spots. On the train an ambulatory person can climb on the train while a friend puts the chair on the train. Some wheelchairs have leg rests which can be elevated and thus help a sore leg. ECVs are nearly impossible to get comfty in. Powerchairs allow the user the freedom of a wheelchair but they do have to get out for certain rides that only take standard chairs.

ECVs are the mules that carry everything and are a good choice if a person can walk. I use only ECVs because I can stand in line for a while and even climb stairs but without one my day's end is 3 pm instead of midnight and I aint moving around the next day much. It is easier for a friend to talk to a person in an ECV than a wheelchair. I think this is your best bet. Use the ECV then when you come to a shop just hop out and have fun shopping.

The nurse's station which has ice packs and other remedies.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Everyone else seems to have said pretty much what I was planning to, but I'll just reiterate things anyway .

Go for the wheels - Disney is a huge place, with a lot of walking, standing and waiting to be done; getting yourself a wheelchair or ECV will help you enjoy your day more. You might want to consider renting from an off-site company, rather than renting from the parks each day. Renting off site normally works out cheaper over all, and means you don't have to worry about availability (a big issue, especially if you park hop later in the day).

If you have any other needs, that won't be catered for by the wheelchair, you might want to look into a GAC (see the FAQ section). The problems you've descried would probably not require one, but I wouldn't presume to know your entire medical history.

Do a bit of reading up before you go. There's a good thread on wheeling Disney, which you can find a link to in the FAQ. Also, if you decide to rent off site, there's information on that and a whole lot more in the FAQ section too (look at the information on boarding buses if you're staying on property).

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm told that Disney doesn't allow sitting on a cane-seat any more. (You can still use it as a cane.)

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

thank you everybody for your quick responses. I still dont know how I'm going to handle the situation. I'm not really a wheelchair person I like to be active. I may have to grin and bear the pain. thanks again.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Every person has a certain amount of energy available to them. When you are resting, especially when you are sleeping, your energy is renewed.

When you are in pain your energy is drained faster than normal; even faster than when you are very active. And you will not start the next day with as much energy, and will get worn out faster.

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

If you rent an ECV, especially from off-site you will be able to keep up your strength and energy. You do not have to use it all the time, but it should be available to you.

 

[PrincessWendyBird]

thank you everybody for your quick responses. I still dont know how I'm going to handle the situation. I'm not really a wheelchair person I like to be active. I may have to grin and bear the pain. thanks again.

Please don't try to just grin and bear the pain. You will most likely be miserable and as stated above, you will become fatigued much more quickly. I second pretty much all of the advice given above. Get a wheelchair or an ECV.

I can speak to your experience somewhat. I have many health problems that began after my daughter was born. To make a long story short - a bad reaction to the anesthetics caused a chain reaction of major problems. Within the last 2 years, I've developed a severe neuropathy and have to use my wheelchair anywhere outside our little house. I resisted at first - A LOT!! I didn't want to use the chair. I felt embarrassed and didn't like the loss of "control". I also dreaded running into people I knew and upon seeing their horrified faces, having to explain what was wrong. But, I had to stop and think about it. With my wheelchair, I can now help with grocery trips or shopping for something as simple as shoes for my children. I was actualy able to go with my DH to take the kids trick-or-treating on Wednesday! Finally, it made a WDW trip possible for me last year. (and this Dec.) I was able to end the day with bearable pain, sometimes even feeling pretty good.

Go with the wheelchair and just prepare yourself mentally for it. Don't be worried about what others might be thinking or about what you could do on other trips. We found that we slowed down and enjoyed so many more little "magical" moments because of my chair! So go and have fun - without the pain!!

 

[bopper]

Here are top 6 Reasons that people think they shouldn't get one when they should. I added #6 just for you.

I can't drive one. Go to your local Costco/Walmart/Target or other large store. They probably have an electric cart type thing that you could use while shopping. Try it out. I bet you can drive it.

People might think I don't really need it because I can walk. Are these people going to share the pain with you at the end of the day? Do you care what they think? Save your walking energy between rides and use it for lines or getting on the rides. Enjoy your family and your vacation.

It will slow my family down. No, actually it will speed your family up. No more rests because mom is tired. No more going back to the hotel because mom/whoever is in pain. No more cranky mommy because she tried to walk miles and miles in Disney instead of renting an ECV. You are completely mobile on your own (nobody pushing you in a wheelchair). What's the slow down here?

It's expensive. Um, how much are you spending on this vacation? Don't you want to enjoy it? If money is that tight, take a day off of your trip and spend that money on the ECV so you can enjoy it!

I don't want my kids/family to think I am disabled. You are either temporarily or permanently disabled in some way if you are even asking about this issue...once again, why not make it a better vacation by saving yourself from pain? Nobody is saying you have to confine yourself to a wheelchair permanently or you should not stop trying to get better. If somebody told you to go walk 4 miles, you would think they are crazy. But you are paying for the privilige when you go to Disney to do just that...why not use an ECV to make your family's vacation better?

I am not a wheelchair person (I still want to be active). Of course you are not. Nobody is saying that if you get a wheelchair in WDW you will have to be in it forever. We are just saying if somebody told you to walk 5 miles today, would you say "sure, I will just muddle through the pain" or "no way!". Well that is what you are going to do at WDW! Why not use an ECV for the sitting in lines or long distance walking, but then get out when you go in a ride or restaurant or store or what have you. You don't have to stay in it all the time and can still be active, but still have some assistance to minimize your pain. Who wants to be in pain in WDW when they don't have to be? What is the point?

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you have a disabled placard for a car bring it.

An excellent suggestion, if renting a car. On the other hand, these placards are not valid proof of anything other than the need to use a designated handicapped parking space.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC1964.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section%201964#0316.1964

The Florida state law gives persons with disabled tags the right to four hours of free in on-street parking. California also has free on-street parking but I am not looking that up. The tags give the owner the right to park in handicapped zones. Disney assumes the tags are valid and will not question the owner usually. Tags as stated are not a legal proof of disability.

I use my tags to get free parking in Los Angeles and Long Beach. It saved me a lot of money.

Has anyone verified yet if valet parking still exists at Downtown Disney at WDW? Valet parking also available for $6 after 5:00 p.m., (except Tuesday and Wednesday). I got that from Intercot.

 

[Shorty82]

Has anyone verified yet if valet parking still exists at Downtown Disney at WDW? Valet parking also available for $6 after 5:00 p.m., (except Tuesday and Wednesday). I got that from Intercot.

Chesire Figment did confirm that DTD no longer has valet parking here.

 

[SueM in MN]

Chesire Figment did confirm that DTD no longer has valet parking here.

Cheshire Figment lives in Florida and works at WDW, so he is close by. I know in the past, when there were questions about various things, he did call to check since it's a local call for him.

 

[Marie14625]

I know exactly what you are going through! I am leaving a week from today. In fact, next Saturday, at exactly this time I will be there,
Anyway, I also have a not so visible problem. I have a bad hip, and will be getting it replaces. I cannot sit or stand for long periods without pain. And forget alot of walking.
I was convinced by the people here, as well as my travel companions to rent an ECV. I am renting one from an off site place, so I will have it for the entire week I am there.
I say go for it. I have never used an ECV before, but I have been practicing, and think I will be ready to comfortably drive it while I am there.