Parkinson's disease and booking a trip: please give me your experiences!

[mommycrawford]

My daughter's father was given a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease which came late due to a torn achilles tendon which masked many symptoms. My daughter is off to college next year, so I thought as a last hurrah, we should all go to Disney (I don't intend him to visit parks because of mobility issues, but swim in the pool and eat meals with us.) Booking a package with dining, he would need a ticket. I had no concerns, thinking at a future date, someone would use it, but now tickets expire apparently . Any thoughts on what to do?

Any thoughts on necessary items to bring that I would not have thought of?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lanejudy]

Unless you have booked a promotional rate that requires tickets, you can book a "ticketless package" of room+dining by calling, then purchase tickets for yourself and daughter separate from the package.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mommycrawford]

Unless you have booked a promotional rate that requires tickets, you can book a "ticketless package" of room+dining by calling, then purchase tickets for yourself and daughter separate from the package.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you for your response!...Last summer we were able to book "bounceback" free dining, so the cost of the ticket is less than we would pay for food....Money is just VERY tight, since he had to stop working, (I will be using CC points for travel) so I was hoping to see a way to not just have an unuseable ticket, as we definately will not be able to return before it expired. The expiring part is the only rub.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm not positive, and there are a couple of threads on the TPAS Forum about tickets, but I think unused tickets with an expiration date will still carry a value after the expiration date but will need to be "upgraded" to a current ticket when used. So it isn't a completely lost ticket, just that you may need to pay a little extra to bring it up to current rates when ready to use it.

But if you booked a bounce back last summer including tickets, I think that ticket shouldn't have an expiration date and can be used in the future. Robo on the TPAS forum may know on either the ticket sticky or the large thread about the ticket price increase.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mommycrawford]

I'm not positive, and there are a couple of threads on the TPAS Forum about tickets, but I think unused tickets with an expiration date will still carry a value after the expiration date but will need to be "upgraded" to a current ticket when used. So it isn't a completely lost ticket, just that you may need to pay a little extra to bring it up to current rates when ready to use it.

But if you booked a bounce back last summer including tickets, I think that ticket shouldn't have an expiration date and can be used in the future. Robot on the TPAS forum may know on either the ticket sticky or the large thread about the ticket price increase.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you for your input!...I only read about the new expiring thing today, and see no other trips in the near future (this one is only because we won't get such an opportunity in coming years. )

 

[sueernieb]

I have Parkinsons and go to the parks. My husband pushes me in a wheel chair and we only go on the rides that can stay in the wheel chair and there at quite a few It sounds like he has better mobility than I do, I could not swim. If he wants to go give it a try

 

[gap2368]

I have Parkinsons and go to the parks. My husband pushes me in a wheel chair and we only go on the rides that can stay in the wheel chair and there at quite a few It sounds like he has better mobility than I do, I could not swim. If he wants to go give it a try

I know someone that is in a wheel chair full time he can not transfer at all he loves to go to Disney and goes about once a month for 4 to 6 days I know people in wheel chair can have a great time at Disney I would give it a try

 

[mommycrawford]

I have Parkinsons and go to the parks. My husband pushes me in a wheel chair and we only go on the rides that can stay in the wheel chair and there at quite a few It sounds like he has better mobility than I do, I could not swim. If he wants to go give it a try

He was only diagnosed in August. He has major balance issues, but he would never want to be pushed in chair (He is still not ready to accept the situation.) I am guessing that moving in water would be comfortable, but I really don't know. I just think a change of venue would be good for him. Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[mommycrawford]

I know someone that is in a wheel chair full time he can not transfer at all he loves to go to Disney and goes about once a month for 4 to 6 days I know people in wheel chair can have a great time at Disney I would give it a try

Thank you for your thoughts! He will be happy.watching movies by the pool.and eating!...He would not embrace a chair.

 

[camper06]

My daughter's father was given a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease which came late due to a torn achilles tendon which masked many symptoms. My daughter is off to college next year, so I thought as a last hurrah, we should all go to Disney (I don't intend him to visit parks because of mobility issues, but swim in the pool and eat meals with us.) Booking a package with dining, he would need a ticket. I had no concerns, thinking at a future date, someone would use it, but now tickets expire apparently . Any thoughts on what to do?

Any thoughts on necessary items to bring that I would not have thought of?

Thanks in advance!

I have been told by customer service at Disney (take it for what its worth!) that tickets that are associated with the package expire 14 days AFTER FIRST USE. If he does not use them at all, the clock would not be ticking toward expiration. However, I don't think they are transferable. They would sit under his name until he activated/used them. I would give a call to verify this, but it was very recently that I was told this. My problem was that I had non expiring tickets on my account and when we went last year, those were used instead of the tickets I bought with the package and the package ones were still sitting there! He then explained what I stated above.

 

[minnie1012]

He was only diagnosed in August. He has major balance issues, but he would never want to be pushed in chair (He is still not ready to accept the situation.) I am guessing that moving in water would be comfortable, but I really don't know. I just think a change of venue would be good for him. Thank you for your thoughts!

My cousin has Parkinson's and she also had a hard time accepting it. As far as mobility it takes time to find medication that works for each person. There will still be times though when it won't work. From what we have read when he is able to find medication that helps with his balance exercise can be very good. Swimming is especially good. They actually put a pool in their yard and it helps her a lot.

 

[mommycrawford]

My cousin has Parkinson's and she also had a hard time accepting it. As far as mobility it takes time to find medication that works for each person. There will still be times though when it won't work. From what we have read when he is able to find medication that helps with his balance exercise can be very good. Swimming is especially good. They actually put a pool in their yard and it helps her a lot.

I thought the weightlessness of being in a pool would be very liberating! Of course, it is not a cure, but laying in bed is so demoralizing. Thank you for your experience!

 

[PigletsPal2]

I have Parkinson's with balance, mobility, and stamina issues. I can't walk distances (use a cane for short distances like from a handicapped parking spot to a restaurant entrance). I can't stand for more than 5 minutes, and I tire very easily. But I still love going to Epcot and have an "Epcot After 4" annual pass. The other parks are OK, bit we love Epcot.

I use a mobility scooter when we go to Epcot. I order it on-line from Scooter Vacations and have it delivered to the Swan Hotel. We valet park at the Swan, pick up the scooter keys from the Bell Captain's desk, and take the back entrance to Epcot. It's a nice "drive" from the Swan, through the Boardwalk area, to the park entrance. It's rarely crowded, and after entering the park, you're right around the United Kingdom and France pavilions in the World Showcase. Most everything we want to do and see is in the World Showcase, but we always go to Soarin' on the other side of the park. Before we get on the ride, we stop at Club Cool, get a free Coke, and go to a huge room that winds around behind Club Cool, where we relax while re-charging the battery of my scooter. There's also a Starbucks in the immediate vicinity if you want a little snack.

When we decide to call it a day (usually no more than 4 hours later), we go back to the Swan, park the scooter in the designated area, turn the key over to the Bell Captain, collect our car, and head home. Having the scooter delivered to the Swan means we don't have to disassemble and reassemble it and load it into the car, a real benefit.

If you're staying at one of the resorts, you can have a scooter delivered to your hotel, and you can take it on the busses, trains, and the monorail. Your traveler would still maintain some personal control over his mobility.

I hope this info helps and that you have a great time on your vacation.

Queen Colleen

 

[ToddlerMom311]

Would Parkinson's that affects mobility and stamina ever qualify for the disability access program Disney offers? My father is going with us to wdw in November and his Parkinsons has been progressing to the point that I have concerns about his ability to handle the parks.

 

[gap2368]

Would Parkinson's that affects mobility and stamina ever qualify for the disability access program Disney offers? My father is going with us to wdw in November and his Parkinsons has been progressing to the point that I have concerns about his ability to handle the parks.

The DAS is not really given out for mobility problems

you may go to GR and talk t them about what your Dad need while waiting in line and see what they say, I would always have a plan B incase they say no to you getting a DAS

 

[Duffy2008]

My mom had parkinsons and she was able to use a scooter in the parks and had a great time. Hopefully your husband will get more comfortable with whats happening with time and maybe at a later date he will go into the parks. If he likes the pools, I might look into the water parks for just the lazy river. I love love love the lazy river in both parks. Ive seem people float with the interrubes or even walk with the intertubes. He may be interested in that? What ever your guys do have a great trip.

 

[Goddesstree]

Would Parkinson's that affects mobility and stamina ever qualify for the disability access program Disney offers? My father is going with us to wdw in November and his Parkinsons has been progressing to the point that I have concerns about his ability to handle the parks.

How are you planning on dealing with the mobility and stamina issues outside of the queues? There are miles of walking outside of the attractions - the queues are the least of it. I would get him a wheelchair. They are easier to maneuver in the queues, easier to get on the buses, and it saves him energy as he doesn't have to concentrate on safely driving a vehicle in crowded areas. Mobility/stamina issues do not qualify for DAS mainly because if mobility and stamina are issues in a queue then they are issues outside of the queue and one would need to take care of it then too, by using a scooter or wheelchair.