Park Wheelchair for DD but...

[Shoshana]

My 13-year-old dd has significant feet problems which necessitate a wheelchair each time we visit. She can manage the non-park walking/standing without too much pain so we rent the chair at the park and avoid the hassles with the bus.

My daughter and are are both 5'1 and weigh approximately the same. I tell you this because I think it's relevant. I really get a work out pushing these park chairs!! This past December we noticed that there were a few wheelchairs that were different than the ones we'd always used. They were a darker color and they were not extra-wide. It was so much easier to push those chairs!! Of course, I figured that I had an easier time pushing the smaller chair because it fit MY body better, it's more efficient and ergonomically correct to push with your arms at your sides rather than pushing with arms extended away from the body.

Once, the 'special' chairs were not outside ready to be rented, the CM would not get us one and told us they didn't exist. Another day, a CM told us that they had more of the extra-wide chairs and only brought out the smaller ones in busier times. I assume that means holidays.

Unfortunately, I just learned that I have a torn rotator cuff tendon in my right shoulder and it's painful. It will be even harder for me to push the wheel chair this trip. I'm planning to ask for a DAS card to save pushing her through the lines (we'd get a return time, right?). Here's my big question -- do you think the DAS could include rental of the smaller wheel chairs? We're staying at CSR from June 11-19.

It won't help me to rent a chair off site -- that would mean even more pushing for me.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Kaytie]

Not sure you would get a DAS, since her issue is mobility and yours doesn't prevent you from waiting in a standard queue. But no, it won't help you get a smaller wheelchair. Why not rent a properly sized chair off-site and let your daughter push it empty as much as possible?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Not sure you would get a DAS, since her issue is mobility and yours doesn't prevent you from waiting in a standard queue. But no, it won't help you get a smaller wheelchair. Why not rent a properly sized chair off-site and let your daughter push it empty as much as possible?

That sounds like a good idea. Rent from off site, but only use it as a wheel chair when you need to. The daughter can use the wheel chair as a walker when she is not sitting in it.

And it is true, if the disability causes mobility issues, then a DAS is not normally issued.

 

[Shoshana]

okay, that makes sense - I think I'm going to do that! I can bring our own wheel chair on the new Express Transportation buses, right?

I'm not trying to take advantage in any way, but while my daughter's disability is mobility related, my injury is not and wouldn't need any accommodation were it not for her disability -- it impacts my ability to push her chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

okay, that makes sense - I think I'm going to do that! I can bring our own wheel chair on the new Express Transportation buses, right?

I'm not trying to take advantage in any way, but while my daughter's disability is mobility related, my injury is not and wouldn't need any accommodation were it not for her disability -- it impacts my ability to push her chair.

You will have much better chance of getting the size chair you need by renting from offsite.

The Express Transportation buses are the same buses as used between parks and resort so they are accessible.

 

[SirDuff]

Do you have someone who can be the "runner" to get the DAS return times? If not, we actually found that we did more walking using the DAS than otherwise. The DAS saves distance on rides where the standby line is longer (physically, not by time) than the FP line, but this was more than negated by going up to the ride, getting the return time. leaving, and then coming back to ride.

 

[mousehockey37]

Can kids that are 13 use ECV's? If yes, I'd get her one of them. Then you don't have to push her around at all.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you have someone who can be the "runner" to get the DAS return times? If not, we actually found that we did more walking using the DAS than otherwise. The DAS saves distance on rides where the standby line is longer (physically, not by time) than the FP line, but this was more than negated by going up to the ride, getting the return time. leaving, and then coming back to ride.

That is true. If you have a runner, or can leave her somewhere so you don't have to push the wheelchair to the attraction to get a DAS Return Time, DAS would be helpful. If not, it will be twice the walking and pusginh.

Be sure to use your 3 Fastpasses, whether or not DAS is issued to you.

Can kids that are 13 use ECV's? If yes, I'd get her one of them. Then you don't have to push her around at all.

In general, no.
The parks and pretty much all the rental companies will not rent an ECV for use by someone under 18.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Can kids that are 13 use ECV's? If yes, I'd get her one of them. Then you don't have to push her around at all.

I'm pretty sure that you have to be 18.

And unless she regularly uses one, I don't know that I would recommend that she tries it out at Disney. It can be quite stressful to use one at Disney. The crowds, even at "slow" times are incredible. People cross back and forth in front of you, walk into you and generally ignore you.

 

[mousehockey37]

In general, no.
The parks and pretty much all the rental companies will not rent an ECV for use by someone under 18.

Ok, I didn't think so, but it was a thought.

If bringing a scooter of their own from home, that would be a different story. I could not imagine the nightmare of logistics that would go into that.

 

[mamabunny]

Ok, I didn't think so, but it was a thought.

If bringing a scooter of their own from home, that would be a different story. I could not imagine the nightmare of logistics that would go into that.

It's actually super easy to fly (or drive) with your own equipment. The airlines allow one piece of medical equipment per passenger, and many ECV's can be gate-checked, so you "drive" all the way to the door of the plane. My ECV folds down into a travel bag that is the same size as a golf bag, so when we road trip to WDW, it doesn't even take up that much space.

There is a manufacturer that makes scooters specifically for children and people who are shorter in stature.

 

[mousehockey37]

It's actually super easy to fly (or drive) with your own equipment. The airlines allow one piece of medical equipment per passenger, and many ECV's can be gate-checked, so you "drive" all the way to the door of the plane. My ECV folds down into a travel bag that is the same size as a golf bag, so when we road trip to WDW, it doesn't even take up that muck space.

There is a manufacturer that makes scooters specifically for children and people who are shorter in stature.

Then OP, I'd talk with @mamabunny and see what's involved here. This might be a great option.

 

[Gracie09]

Then OP, I'd talk with @mamabunny and see what's involved here. This might be a great option.

If she is not using one regularly, it is not really a good idea. There is a girl in my town that uses one all the time. In school, at the park, at the pool etc., but she can drive that thing like no ones business. She is use to it. Knows how it works and etc. Putting a young teenager in an ECV that may not be sized for them, and that they may only have a short time to get use to is not a good idea. Also, they are very expensive and it is doubtful given what the OP has stated that insurance would pick it up. And to find a local rental company with the right size equipment may be difficult and she could run into the same issues as a local wdw rental - age limits.

 

[Shoshana]

Lake Buena Vista & Best Price only carry the large and the extra large.

Apple Scooter carries 16" and 18" so I reserved a 16" - it's based on availability so I may get an 18" which is still an improvement over Disney. I didn't call ScooterBug.

When I asked why there were no smaller size wheelchairs, the woman at Best Price said, "Large wheelchairs aren't hard to push, I can push it just fine." Wow!! When I see elderly people pushing their partners in Disney wheelchairs, I have a lot of sympathy. These commercial chairs are not easy chairs to push!

I would not allow my 13-yr-old to drive a scooter at Disney, even if we owned one! She's a bit clumsy and distractible under the best of circumstances

I appreciate the advice!

 

[cobright]

Your daughter and you are both 5'1" and weight about the same... That doesn't help much. If your daughter is petite and you would be able to push her in a chair as needed so long as the chair wasn't very bulky or heavy, you might look into an umbrella style folding wheelchair. They can be purchased from Amazon for around $100 (or even less) and weigh as little as 15 pounds. They can be slung on a shoulder when not in use or packed into a backpack. The downside is they do not allow the seated party to propel it with handwheels. Some people use them solo, by "walking" the chair along with their feet while sitting in it. But for the most part this option would require a pusher. on the plus side, It's very light.

Cost wise, it will be about the same as renting anything for a couple days and if it proves itself then you have a new tool to employ on future occasions.