park touring strategy for someone with weight and illness issues question

[Piwacket's Mom]

Hi, I have reservations for my first trip with my brother this mid December. I am over 300 pounds and I have COPD, slipped disks and other health issues. I have been dieting for a several months now and my goal is to be at a better weight and stronger by December but I have to be prepared for the struggle that I know park touring will be for me.

I decided worst come to worst I can at least move about the parks in a wheel chair. I don't want to do use this option.

Can you please offer me tips and information to guide me?
Are there benches literally everywhere?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Robo]

Are there benches literally everywhere?

The answer to this question USED TO BE, "Yes."

Sadly, it's just not the case anymore.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

My FiL has mobility and health problems. He is stubborn and doesn't like to consider things like a wheel chair, but after his last trip, with so little seating remaining in the parks, he has decided to take a wheel chair from now on just to have someplace comfortable to sit down when he needs a rest.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Hi, I have reservations for my first trip with my brother this mid December. I am over 300 pounds and I have COPD, slipped disks and other health issues. I have been dieting for a several months now and my goal is to be at a better weight and stronger by December but I have to be prepared for the struggle that I know park touring will be for me.

I decided worst come to worst I can at least move about the parks in a wheel chair. I don't want to do use this option.

Can you please offer me tips and information to guide me?
Are there benches literally everywhere?

Thank you for your help.

I saw someone suggest a rolling walker with a seat, which I am trying to convince my mom to use. I think the best part about it is that it has a built in seat so you don't have to worry about finding an empty bench.

 

[ModernArtist]

Try posting this question to the disabilities board. Since you're looking for guidance, they would be more helpful over there as they deal with these types of questions all the time.

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

I saw someone suggest a rolling walker with a seat, which I am trying to convince my mom to use. I think the best part about it is that it has a built in seat so you don't have to worry about finding an empty bench.

you know I didn't even think of one. thank you. do you think there is a spot when you get on a ride to "store" the walker for the few minutes I would be on the ride?

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Try posting this question to the disabilities board. Since you're looking for guidance, they would be more helpful over there as they deal with these types of questions all the time.[/QUOTE
I don't know how to repost in other areas, but thanks. I'll try rewriting it.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

you know I didn't even think of one. thank you. do you think there is a spot when you get on a ride to "store" the walker for the few minutes I would be on the ride?

I would guess the best place would be in stroller parking. Most rides have stoller parking that is fairly close. I am sure that others who have used them could help. We haven't ever actually used one.

 

[minnie mum]

I echo the recommendation to post this on the dis ABILITIES board. They can answer questions about the pros and con's of the various mobility assistance choices you have, as well as how to tour the parks when using one.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

People use those sit down scooters all the time there. I saw an small girl driving one. They fit in the buses really well too.

 

[summerw]

Hopefully you will post on the disabilities board, but my two cents is to rent a scooter and not use it if you don't need it. Disney world is huge and even from bus to gate in a large crowd with more humidity than you are used to can be hard. My mom who has similar issues was so happy to have it. Just popping in to the dining area when you want a soda at the hotel can be a long walk. And it's easy enough to ditch the scooter if you don't need it. Totally healthy and in great shape people can get pretty wiped at Disney. And there are so many scooters and transportation is all set up to handle them. My mom has never used a scooter at home, but it was the only way she would have gotten through the trip

 

[3Gsandme]

I guess since you're making an active choice to diet to have a better trip (go YOU!!!) is it possible for you to begin walking in small amounts to help prepare your body? I don't mean miles, I mean starting with small amounts of time and very short distances. Are you walking at all now? At the grocery store? I know it won't help cure your ailments and I'm sorry for that, if your body is a little stronger I think you'll find everything at the park a lot easier.

Obviously, if you need assistance you should take it with no qualms, but even being able to tack a few feet onto what you can comfortably walk will make a big difference in the park.

 

[Mikie]

if you have any concerns about fitting or comfort on rides, check out the "WDW at Large" posts on allears.net. http://www.allears.net/tp/ridsiz.htm
The quick summary is: WDW is very size-friendly! Be prepared to have a great time!

Best of luck to you on shaping up for the trip. My dad had a big health scare and worked very hard to shape up for our family trip last fall. He got down to about 260 and had so much more energy, with WDW as his motivator. We all got plenty worn out, but dad kept up with us the whole time! (And the rest of us, ranging from fit to not-at-all fit, also put our feet up and collapsed at the end of each day!). Hope you have a great time!

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

I guess since you're making an active choice to diet to have a better trip (go YOU!!!) is it possible for you to begin walking in small amounts to help prepare your body? I don't mean miles, I mean starting with small amounts of time and very short distances. Are you walking at all now? At the grocery store? I know it won't help cure your ailments and I'm sorry for that, if your body is a little stronger I think you'll find everything at the park a lot easier.

Obviously, if you need assistance you should take it with no qualms, but even being able to tack a few feet onto what you can comfortably walk will make a big difference in the park.

I begin physical therapy shortly and swimming. So far walking is rough for long periods of time. When my breathing is good I do the grocery shopping but it becomes very difficult toward the end. Prior to my last surgery I could walk for miles without thinking about it. Now I hope to get back to 1 mile at a time. I heard I can count on 7 miles of walking a day at the parks and that is out of the question for me.

I thought once I strengthen my back I would hit the mall daily, but I'm not there yet. I do little walks at my complex now.

 

[csm101]

your on the right track, keep on moving. Take it easy and enjoy the magic.

 

[larryz]

Fortunately, weather in December is generally pretty nice... although the temperature can range from lows in the 30's to highs in the 80's depending on the year. But even at the higher extremes, it's not going to be as bad as August!

 

[3Gsandme]

I begin physical therapy shortly and swimming. So far walking is rough for long periods of time. When my breathing is good I do the grocery shopping but it becomes very difficult toward the end. Prior to my last surgery I could walk for miles without thinking about it. Now I hope to get back to 1 mile at a time. I heard I can count on 7 miles of walking a day at the parks and that is out of the question for me.

I thought once I strengthen my back I would hit the mall daily, but I'm not there yet. I do little walks at my complex now.

Small walks are great! Even just adding a few seconds or steps every day will add up and help you. I'm proud of you for making changes to help you have a healthier body and a happier trip!

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

thanks everyone. I didn't know how to move this post so I posted on Disabilities as well. Thank you also for all the support.

 

[Puffy2]

Your number one option and best option is to rent an ECV (electrical scooter). They are convenient and fun to drive. Do NOT rent a wheel chair (someone has to push it..no fun for them) And don't try to do the walking. With a Disney trip the walking is considerable and if you are not used to it , I'm afraid you will not enjoy your trip as much as you could.

If you are staying onsite, the best option is to rent an ECV from an outside company and have them deliver it to your hotel. It will be waiting for you at the check in desk when you arrive. That way, you have it for your whole trip. At the end of the vacation , return it to the front desk and the company will pick it up. Easy!

The EVCs hold a charge for all day touring. Recharge it in your room at night.

When I used this once for a friend, we found it best to ride the ECV to the attractions, park it (just take the key out and no one can drive it off) and stand in the regular line. Trying to take it into the attraction is a hassle. Just park it and go through the cue like normal. Practice driving it a little (it is easy to learn, but you want to make sure you can navigate though crowds without running in to anyone. Don't follow too close! and watch out for kids who dart in front of you.

Do a search online to find companies who deliver to the hotels. I guarantee it is worth the money!

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Your number one option and best option is to rent an ECV (electrical scooter). They are convenient and fun to drive. Do NOT rent a wheel chair (someone has to push it..no fun for them) And don't try to do the walking. With a Disney trip the walking is considerable and if you are not used to it , I'm afraid you will not enjoy your trip as much as you could.

If you are staying onsite, the best option is to rent an ECV from an outside company and have them deliver it to your hotel. It will be waiting for you at the check in desk when you arrive. That way, you have it for your whole trip. At the end of the vacation , return it to the front desk and the company will pick it up. Easy!

The EVCs hold a charge for all day touring. Recharge it in your room at night.

When I used this once for a friend, we found it best to ride the ECV to the attractions, park it (just take the key out and no one can drive it off) and stand in the regular line. Trying to take it into the attraction is a hassle. Just park it and go through the cue like normal. Practice driving it a little (it is easy to learn, but you want to make sure you can navigate though crowds without running in to anyone. Don't follow too close! and watch out for kids who dart in front of you.

Do a search online to find companies who deliver to the hotels. I guarantee it is worth the money!

thanks. I didn't know that was an option. The only experience with scooters is when I used to take my father in law grocery shopping. that thing was so pathetic I had to push him up the tiny hill to the store entrance. My brother wants to push me but I don't want that.