Hi,
It was suggested to me to get a
ECV and let the other in the party drive when when wants to walk stretch. I'm just not sure he is going to go for a ECV, he is a younger Dad (55) and hates the idea of a chair. My question is, is there some type of card we can get to allow my Dad to board the bus first so we can get seat if he decided not to have a chair, there is NO way he could stand. Also, I know they allow you to less of a wait in lines when you are using a chair, but if you don't have one can you still tell the CM member that a person in your party has a disability and can't stand in line for any significant amount of time? Also, if someone can suggest the best place to ECV is we decide to rent for the week long period.
Thanks for your help!
Jill
Check out the FAQs for
ECV rental companies. There are some there with good reviews!
Also, perhaps some people here were unclear but for attraction lines, having a wheelchair will not shorten your wait. There is no head of line pass, except for make a wish children. Perhaps someone here has an experience they can share, but it is my understanding, after travelling WDW with a chair, there is no real way to skip any lines.
It is over a mile once around the World Showcase. My guess is that if you walked into Epcot, walked directly to Soarin, walked directly through the line (not taking into account any wait there may be), ride, and walk directly out of the park again, that will probly be over a 2 mile walk.
Lines or no lines, I think he will need a
scooter.
The only way I know of to be sure he boards a bus first is to have a wheelchair or scooter. WCs/
ECVs always board first (its the law), and everyone standing in the line after the WCs and their parties. There are no cards for buses.
Also there are no cards for restaurants. If he walked into a counter service restaurant, there would be no guarantee that he would be able to sit within 20 mniutes (how long it usually takes us to get in line and get food). There are no cards for restaurants, and i doubt he wishes to be sent to the table ahead of time like a child. also, if there are no tables, he would have to leave, as there would be no where to sit, rahter than be able to take his food and sit anywhere outside in his scooter.
Can he sit on a hard seat? Most attractions have hard benches, like Small World, and when it is crowded, it is not uncommon to have to wait in your boat for a while (i've been on that ride a half hour
). He would be able to roll a wheelchair right on the boat, which may give him some more cushioning. I assume with his back he will not be riding roller coasters or Splash Mountain.
Can he board on moving walkways? If he cannot he will need to go to Guest Relations and explain his needs to get a GAC for them to slow/stop the moving walkway. He will need to get into and out of cars without a CM helping (obviously one of you can, i am just not sure if you are able - i know none of us are strong enough to help my grandfather). He will need to be the one in Guest Relations explaining his needs (or you can do it for him, but he must be present there), so if he is going to be at all like my father or grandfather, this may be something you have to prepare him for.
My grandfather is a disabled WWII vet, and my dad was in Vietnam and has a Purple Heart. I have never met two more stubborn people in my life, and they are not even related!! they would not ask for a glass of water if their pants were on fire. I say this not in any way to insult your Dad, but I know from experience that getting either of them to tell a stranger at City Hall about their needs would be like pulling teeth. With my fingers. From a chicken! It may be that you have to explain that he will need to do this ahead of time. Perhaps he can write it down, if that is easier.
Also, for parades and shows like Wishes and Fantasmic, he WILL want a wc or ECV by the end, even if he does not admit it. If you want to get a bench to watch Wishes from, he will have to wait most likely at least 1 1/2 or 2 hours before hand. Fantasmic has people lining up about an hour or more before when it is busy. Fantasmic is also a show with hard metal benches that are shallow with no back, so that sounds rather excruciating for him. He would have to sit there for about an hour (the show is a half hour). A wheelchair or scooter he would be allowed to remain in with all the benefits of hte cushioning and arms.
When in doubt, and I mean this with all love and respect, use guilt. Disney is often a once in a lifetime experience, and we all know it is expensive. Perhaps he would be more comfortable not going this time. If he is going to go, remind him of this:
There is a difference between surviving Disney and ENJOYING it!
Especially if he is going with grandkids, does he want to miss his grandson seeing Mickey the first time because he was in so much pain he was stuck sitting far away? Or miss the first trip on Small World with his daughter as an adult? Disney is all about the memories, and missing them because of pride is foolish.
I am 23 and i am still fighting using my wheelchair, often foolishly. However, I decided last trip to swallow my pride and use the darned thing, adn it was a whole new world for me. I was able to do what I wanted, and not only be free from pain, but be free from the fear that I was going to hurt. To me, my wheelchair is freedom.
Yes, I still fight using it, and i refuse to use it at school. That is because whatever wisdom I gain at disney is promptly lost when I come home. I am silly and stubborn and hurt because of it. I understand completely how he feels, and I think this is even harder when you are older than I am now. It is terrifying that you might lost your independence. However, I personally feel it is more important to have fun with my family than to retain silly pride only I care about.
Ok, I have now written a novel, so I will stop.
Hopefully you find some answers in my ramblings somewhere!
to disABILITIES!
