Planning a trip

[Ruthie5671]

Hi all -

I'm beginning to work on plans/thoughts/ideas for a trip that actually won't happen for two years. It will be myself, DH and my mom. We'll be celebrating mom's 70th birthday, my 45th birthday and basically any other holiday we can figure to celebrate. These are big events, and it will take us every bit of the next two years to save up for this.

Here are the "X" factors involved. We're driving, so there's no need to worry about luggage restrictions, buying food and drinks or Magical Express. We plan to stay on-site. My mom is non-ambulatory and is in an electric scooter. She'll be bringing it from home with us. She'll need a fully accessible room. My DH has MS and is a recent kidney transplant recipient. I'm relatively healthy, but have terrible knee and back issues. I can walk for some periods of time but have used an ECV for previous trips. We hope to go to WDW after Thanksgiving, 2016. That will enable us to see all the holiday décor and not be there during the hectic holiday time.

So some initial questions, one room or two rooms? We won't be in the room much but I don't want to have us all be on top of each other. We'll need to rent an ECV. Is it okay for DH and I to share? Obviously not ride together, but a hop on/hop off thing? I don't want to be perceived as abusing the ECV. He tires due to the MS and my knees can only take me so far.

Any other tips or suggestions that will make the trip bigger/better/easier would be appreciated.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable Disers will be along with more advice (I only use a wheelchair, not an ECV), but in the mean time:

You can certainly share the ECV, trading places as necessary.

I would think you would want 2 rooms if for no other reason than space- it would be very hard to cram 3 people, luggage, AND 2 ECVs (that need charging) into one room.

What type of HA room will your mom need? Can she get in and out of a tub, or will she need a roll in shower? Does she need assistance with dressing, bathing or other activities? You might want to request connecting rooms.

 

[ttintagel]

We fit three people and two ECV's into a standard room at Port Orleans French Quarter. HOWEVER, neither of the two of us using the ECV's were completely non-ambulatory, and could hobble around the short distances within the room and use a regular shower with a transfer bench. So, in your case, two rooms may indeed be the way to go.

 

[tobikaye]

It really depends on where you are wanting to stay on if you would fit in one room comfortably. I would think 2 rooms would be more comfortable space wise at most of the resorts. FW Cabins or one of the DVC resorts might give you more space.

I have stayed in an accessible cabin at FW. My sister was only using a rollator that trip, but we could have easily fit 2 EVCs if needed. I know that I considered renting DVC points for a 2 bedroom as well.

A rollator might also be something that you might want to consider to alleviate some of your issues when not using the ECV. It would give you a place to sit or something to lean on when your husband and you are both in need of support.