One party member on crutches, what to do?

[tweak89]

This happened a few hours ago and our trip starts Sunday. My nephew injured his ankle at work and is now on crutches for at least the next week (which of course encompasses our entire stay) if not longer.

I called general guest services and also disability service desk at Magic Kingdom and just wanted to get some feedback from anyone who might have had this issue during their visit. Both people I talked to just spoke in generalities, and basically said we'l know more once we get to the parks and contact the disability service desk in person.

Now, my nephew is extremely fit (he's got a positive attitude about it right now), but a full day at the park will take it out of him I'm sure. Will they be able to make some concessions at some point in the day as he tires? Do they allow people on crutches through wheelchair specific lines?

 

[smitch425]

I would get him a wheelchair. I just got done with 9 weeks of crutches, and no matter how fit you are, they are a HUGE pain. No way could I even make it down just Main Street on crutches. They are seriously terrible. Good luck!

 

[mrsR123]

Being on crutches is exhausting in everyday life. At Disney? Too many miles. Rent a wheelchair for the major moving about and bring the crutches for little stuff like restaurants, restrooms, maybe even lines.

 

[Thing 1]

Or consider renting a scooter. He might be much happier being in control of his movement. The scooter can go through most lines and he can use the crutches to transfer to rides. You can rent off site or daily at the parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

Get a wheelchair or scooter. As someone who has been on crutches more than a few times (I'm that graceful) it would not only be very tiring, but very painful to try and do the parks on them. They won't make any concessions to someone on crutches, other than to tell them to rent a wheelchair or scooter.

Btw, most rides do not have wheelchair specific lines. The lines are mainstreamed, where everybody goes through the same line.

 

[smitch425]

I would rent offsite. Just getting from the bus to the MK gate would be dreadful.

 

[DisFam95]

I don;t think I've ever seen crutches being used at disney. I think it would be a safety issue w/ tripping others since you place them out to your side slightly. I have seen plenty of people on scooters w/ ankle boots on though! Good luck.

 

[disnut8]

Now, my nephew is extremely fit (he's got a positive attitude about it right now), but a full day at the park will take it out of him I'm sure. Will they be able to make some concessions at some point in the day as he tires? Do they allow people on crutches through wheelchair specific lines?

If your nephew uses the crutches for the entire day, there won't be any concessions made for him because of that decision. He won't be able to move up in lines or go to the head of the line because he's tired. There was very few, if any, wheelchair specific lines at Disney World. Most of the queues are wheelchair friendly so all parties can stay together while in line.

As others have stated, rent a wheelchair or scooter from offsite. That way, he AND you can all tour the way you need to and stay together for practically the entire time. If you are staying onsite, all Disney buses are wheelchair/scooter accessible and there will be a marked spot behind the regular line to board the buses as the wheelchair/scooter is loaded first and from the rear door. But realize that then you are offloaded last.

Disney World is extremely accessible to everyone with disabilities. The only "discomfort" your nephew might feel is using the bathrooms with a wheelchair. If at all possible, see if you can take the crutches and store them safely while he's riding through the parks (like in a bag behind him). Then he can crutch into the restrooms. If not, he can push the wheelchair in front of him as support (I did that when my temporary walker wasn't an option).

 

[minnie mum]

Please take the time to look at the Disabilities board. There is a FAQ sticky for those with mobility impairments that can be extremely helpful. Your nephew should have a wheelchair or ecv (if he is 18yrs or older). Rent from an outside agency so he can have use of it at the resort. Just getting from the resort into a park can be a haul. He can bring his crutches with him (rental companies have cane/crutch holsters that can attach to an ecv), and park in stroller parking if he wants to stretch his legs and walk for a while.

There are no "concessions" needed. Disneys answer to those with mobility or endurance issues is to recommend a wheelchair or ecv. He would not qualify for a DAS card. Most attractions are mainstreamed to accommodate these. Those few that aren't (mostly older attractions in MK) have an alternate entrance. The Disabilities thread I mentioned has info on each attraction regarding accessibility.

 

[ToddyLu]

The ECV companies will bring the scooter to your hotel bell services and you pick it up from there, then you return it to Bell Services when you are done and it is picked up. Easy peasy. My Dad needed one short notice due to hurting his back and we ordered it online that night in the hotel room and it was there the following morning. It helped him with endurance around the parks. Pushing a wheelchair, as much as you love the person, may end up causing blisters, back strain, etc. Get him a scooter and let him be independent. He can plug it into the outlet in the room. You can also get one that comes apart and goes in the trunk if you are staying off site. Crutches will cause pain, bruising and chafing under his arms quickly...not a fun way to vacation. He will be pleased. I would order it, have it there, by the second day he won't mind using it. It would be the best money spent on the trip. I would make it easy for him...no pressure...it is here if you need it.

 

[ToddyLu]

While we were there and going out to a bus at DHS we saw the scooter company mobile help van in the parking lot. Someone probably had a breakdown and they came out to fix it there....we were pleased with the service we had. The two times I called to ask a quick question, they answered right away.

 

[tweak89]

Thanks to all for the advice. After talking to him after work and getting all the info, we hope that it won't be a big issue, but I plan to look into a scooter/wheelchair just in case.

 

[1971DBday]

Do not try to do Disney on crutches! Another vote for a wheelchair or scooter!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

another vote for scooter as that will give him more control of his movements. I would look at an off site rental as that will be a lot cheaper and you will heave outside the gates esp at th end of the day

 

[Jewel3k]

If you have people willing to push the wheel chair I would go that route instead of a scooter. I would be uncomfortable driving a scooter around the parks if I wasn't familiar with the controls in the crowds. We took my 80 year old grandmother a couple of weeks ago in a wheel chair and it seemed more maneuverable around stores and on the buses.

 

[DisneySOS]

As someone who just got off crutches about a month ago I also vote ECV or wheelchair.

 

[tweak89]

Well, went ahead and rented a ECV from Apple. Was going to use Yellow Scooters because of the price, but opted to pay more to have it delivered/picked up without having to be there. That way we can head straight for the parks once we drop of our bags at Port Orleans Riverside. He's 21 and in better shape than I have ever been in my life, but I told him better to be safe than sorry than to be half way through the day and super sore and wishing he had one.

He loves to work out, so I guess he can muscle his way around the resort area on crutches instead of using the gym facilities!

 

[ktlm]

My MIL's ankle swelled up the 1st day at WDW due to a prior injury. She called Walker Mobility. They delivered the ECV to the resort room and picked it up on departure day. It saved MIL's trip. She was able to keep up with the rest of us, actually we had to try to keep up with her. Call and rent the ECV. The problem with renting them at the park is that they do run out. You have to get there early every day and get in line and hope you are able to get one.

 

[tweak89]

I assume, if he is so inclined, that we can park the ECV in front/near most of the attractions/rides/restaraunts and use his crutches in line or to sit and eat?

 

[smitch425]

Well, went ahead and rented a ECV from Apple. Was going to use Yellow Scooters because of the price, but opted to pay more to have it delivered/picked up without having to be there. That way we can head straight for the parks once we drop of our bags at Port Orleans Riverside. He's 21 and in better shape than I have ever been in my life, but I told him better to be safe than sorry than to be half way through the day and super sore and wishing he had one.

He loves to work out, so I guess he can muscle his way around the resort area on crutches instead of using the gym facilities!

Glad you got him something. Crutches really are the worst. You can't hold anything when using them, so even something as simple as getting a drink refill is going to require assistance. The first day I was home alone after my hip surgery (two weeks in), I made my lunch, and thought, "oh...I can't go anywhere with this." Thank goodness we have a TV in our kitchen. Lol! Longest 9 weeks of my life. Lol!

ETA: Yes, he can park it in the appropriate places and use his crutches whenever he wants to. They will likely take his crutches from him at loading. They took my cane several times last year, and gave it back at the end of the ride.