Power chair or scooter?

[LittleSleepy]

Hi y'all! Fairly new to the DIS board so please bear with me.

I'm not actually in the planning stages quite yet, but thought I'd ask an opinion of y'all since my internal debate isn't going as well as I hoped it would. lol

I have my own power chair that I could bring when we visit, but my mil has a scooter, which is lighter weight and breaks down much easier (the pc doesn't break down at all). Which would you bring? I'll also have a cane with me to go short distances, if needed. Just not quite sure which I'd prefer to use as of yet.

Also, how well equipped are the buses for those who are mobility impaired? Have you seen more scooters, more wheel chairs, or more power chairs in use on them or a good mix of all 3?

Thanks!

 

[KPeveler]

the buses are all accessible, and can fit two wheelchairs/scooters.

i would think a powerchair would be more comfortable for you if that is what you are used to driving. you can also rent a powerchair down there, rather than have to travel with your own. there are some links to companies in the FAQs up top...

welcome to the DIS!

Hi y'all! Fairly new to the DIS board so please bear with me.

I'm not actually in the planning stages quite yet, but thought I'd ask an opinion of y'all since my internal debate isn't going as well as I hoped it would. lol

I have my own power chair that I could bring when we visit, but my mil has a scooter, which is lighter weight and breaks down much easier (the pc doesn't break down at all). Which would you bring? I'll also have a cane with me to go short distances, if needed. Just not quite sure which I'd prefer to use as of yet.

Also, how well equipped are the buses for those who are mobility impaired? Have you seen more scooters, more wheel chairs, or more power chairs in use on them or a good mix of all 3?

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have my own power chair that I could bring when we visit, but my mil has a scooter, which is lighter weight and breaks down much easier (the pc doesn't break down at all).

I think you have to look at whether the breaking down part is going to be helpful to you or not?
If you might be transporting it in a car, that would be very helpful, but if you are going to be using the WDW transportation, then it doesn't really matter.

Which would you bring? I'll also have a cane with me to go short distances, if needed. Just not quite sure which I'd prefer to use as of yet.

I guess I would probably look at comfort.
Is one more comfortable for you than the other?
What about hand/arm position? A power wheelchair has the armrests to rest your arm on, would you get less tired driving that than the ECV where you don't have arm support?
Is one easier for you to get on and off than the other?
A power wheelchair is more manouverable and there are some attractions where you may be able to bring the power wheelchair onto the ride car, but would have to get out if you had the ECV.
Also, there are some attractions where you would be able to bring the power wheelchair into the line, but may have to switch from the ECV to a manual wheelchair (they have them at the attraction for those).
So, anyway, think of some of those things.

Also, how well equipped are the buses for those who are mobility impaired? Have you seen more scooters, more wheel chairs, or more power chairs in use on them or a good mix of all 3?

Thanks!

I've actually never seen a power wheelchair on the buses, although I have seen a pretty good number of people using power wheelchairs in the parks.

The buses all have 2 spots where the bus seat can be lifted up and a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down. We have not been brave enough to travel to WDW with my DD's power wheelchair, so all of our experiences have been with her manual wheelchair.
It is not difficult to find spots to tie down a manual wheelchair. ECVs are a bit more of a challenge, but the WDW bus drivers do it all the time, so they are pretty experienced at it.
My DD's current power wheelchair has a 'transport option' that includes some loops built into the frame for attaching the tiedown straps. Her previous power wheelchair didn't have those and it was a real challenge to tie it down. I would personally not bring a power wheelchair I planned to use on the buses if it didn't have the transport option because I think it would just be too difficult.
If you plan to use either the monorails or the boats, either the wheelchair or ECV is fine.

 

[SueM in MN]

the buses are all accessible, and can fit two wheelchairs/scooters.

i would think a powerchair would be more comfortable for you if that is what you are used to driving. you can also rent a powerchair down there, rather than have to travel with your own. there are some links to companies in the FAQs up top...

welcome to the DIS!

That is a good option if you have a common size of power wheelchair and don't need a lot of special equipment.

We have looked into that in the past, but DD needs things like foot/ankle straps, a pressure reducing gel seat and a very narrow chair.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Speaking from the perspective of a former ride CM I would go with a powerchair hands down. I have seen just how difficult it is to navigate WDW with a scooter- especially the lines. If you are not used to driving it you will probably hav ea lot of problems with corners. There is also the issue of needing to transfer to a manual wheelchair since so many lines cannot handle ECVs in the line. I think it will be easier for you if you use either your power chair or rent one.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Yep, another one here for the powerchair! More comfort and as EB has already stated; smaller turningradius which will be very helpfull. Especially in lines, shops but also there are rides out there for which you'll have to transfer out of an ECV but not out of a powerchair.

I'm a powerchair user in daily life and us such, of course did WDW with the powerchair. Doing the bus (or whatever form of WDW transport) is very easy. Again; it's easier with the powerchair due to the turningradius than an ECV. With an ECV you'll have to parallel park, whereas with a powerchair, I can drive on, make a 90 degree turn and voila. I'm in my appointed spot, ready to be tied down.

Assuming your powerchair is suitable for transport and has tie down spots; mark the spots very clearly. Use some kind of bright colored tape to highlight them. This way, you'll only have to tell the busdriver to look for the ........-colored hooks. They see so many different types of chairs and aids, it can be confusing as to where to look. This will make it a lot easier on them and you'll know that they didn't use the wrong spot to tie down the chair.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

you can also rent a powerchair down there, rather than have to travel with your own. there are some links to companies in the FAQs up top...

Just a warning. If you choose to rent a powerchair from one of the offsite companies, be sure to ask them what powerchair they can supply. On my last trip down, the airline damaged my powerchair and agreed to rent a replacement. The chair I was given was entirely unsuitable, It was something called a Jazzy - It was really a scooter with no handlebars and a joystick on the armrest instead. The seat was far too grippy for a sliding transfer and I ended up calling the fire department every morning to lift me into it. Just make sure the rented chair is one you can use.

My DD's current power wheelchair has a 'transport option' that includes some loops built into the frame for attaching the tiedown straps. Her previous power wheelchair didn't have those and it was a real challenge to tie it down. I would personally not bring a power wheelchair I planned to use on the buses if it didn't have the transport option because I think it would just be too difficult.

I don't agree with SueM. My Powerchair used to have tie-down points fixed to the frame. Disney bus drivers always used to ignore them, even when I specifically showed them to the driver. I no longer have them fitted, and the Disney bus drivers still manage to tie me down.

I got the distinct impression that drivers had their own routine for tying down chairs and they didn't like to be told to do something different!

Andrew

 

[LittleSleepy]

You all have certainly given me many options to consider before we get much further into the planning stages.

Another thing I probably should do is make sure my doctor's are okay with me traveling again so soon. It took me awhile to convince them I'd be okay going to CT for a short trip last year, so it might take awhile to get them comfortable with this idea as well. Once I get them on board, it'll be convincing the dh that this was all his idea to begin with.


I'm not sure if my chair is equipped with a transport option. It's a Pronto M51 made by Invacare. I probably should call them to find out about this and will definitely be putting that on my to-do list.

Although it seems like an unnecessary expense right now, I'll also keep the option of renting one in my mind and will do some pricing to see if that would be the best option. If we rented one, then we wouldn't need to rent an accessible van so that may end up saving us some $$$ in the end. Definitely will be doing some comparisions.

Thank you all again for your replies and such a warm welcome here. I'm off to do some more exploring and will definitely ask if I have any more questions.

Have an AWESOME day!

 

[going/again]

I've actually never seen a power wheelchair on the buses, although I have seen a pretty good number of people using power wheelchairs in the parks.

The buses all have 2 spots where the bus seat can be lifted up and a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down. We have not been brave enough to travel to WDW with my DD's power wheelchair, so all of our experiences have been with her manual wheelchair.
It is not difficult to find spots to tie down a manual wheelchair. ECVs are a bit more of a challenge, but the WDW bus drivers do it all the time, so they are pretty experienced at it.
My DD's current power wheelchair has a 'transport option' that includes some loops built into the frame for attaching the tiedown straps. Her previous power wheelchair didn't have those and it was a real challenge to tie it down. I would personally not bring a power wheelchair I planned to use on the buses if it didn't have the transport option because I think it would just be too difficult.
If you plan to use either the monorails or the boats, either the wheelchair or ECV is fine.

Hi sue my wife has used a power chair on WDW transport for several years there has never been a problem

hope this helps

 

[going/again]

I don't agree with SueM. My Powerchair used to have tie-down points fixed to the frame. Disney bus drivers always used to ignore them, even when I specifically showed them to the driver. I no longer have them fitted, and the Disney bus drivers still manage to tie me down.

I got the distinct impression that drivers had their own routine for tying down chairs and they didn't like to be told to do something different!

Andrew

agreed we put green and yellow cable ties to mark the tie points, some would use them others took no notice

 

[mrsksomeday]

Originally Posted by SueM in MN
My DD's current power wheelchair has a 'transport option' that includes some loops built into the frame for attaching the tiedown straps. Her previous power wheelchair didn't have those and it was a real challenge to tie it down. I would personally not bring a power wheelchair I planned to use on the buses if it didn't have the transport option because I think it would just be too difficult.

Bill, my DBF has been to WDW 11 times, 6 of those with me, we have never had any problems with his power wheelchair on the busses. He has CP and a speech impediment, sometimes I have put ribbons where we wanted the tie downs to go, most of the time I just tell them that there are only certain acceptable places that the tie down can go. Just be firm with them. Here are some picture of where the tie downs when on his PWC:

Bill would not be comfortable at WDW without his personal chair. I hope you have a great time! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[SueM in MN]

The tiedowns are supposed to be attached to a part of the chair frame. The places Bill's chair is tied down to are the swingaway armrests

(I admit to being a little compulsive and have actually read the mamauls for the tiedowns when we got the consumer version of the Qstraint tiedowns.)

Power wheels often can have the tiedowns hooks attached to the front OK, but finding a spot in the back is challenging. DD's old power wheelchair didn't have any good spots. Her school transportation department put some special straps permanently attached to the back part of the wheelchair. That way the hooks could be attached right onto those in a few seconds. Without that, there was no way to attach to the frame. In an accident, parts like armrests could be pulled right off.
Her current power wheelchair has built in loops that can have the hooks attached right to them. That is the safest and the fastest

On our last trip about 1/3 of the drivers did something wrong and had to be corrected by DH or I. The worst were the ones who had their own way of doing it and did not want to listen. One wanted to crisscross the straps in the back, which is totally against the operator's directions. One wanted to attach the back straps almost at DD's headrest. The most common thing was wanting to attach to her armrests, which on her manual wheelchair swing totally away to the side and can then be lifted up. They are not attached at all

I will admit to being a stickler for safety and we made it as east as possible for the drivers to know where to safely attach. Some did not want to listen though and would have done things that were not safe if we let them.

 

[SueM in MN]

The other hong we caught a few drives trying to cut corners on was the bar that is at the front of the chair in Bill's picture. When it is in its stowed position, it is shorter and only comes to about the place where the large knob on the top of the bar is. Quite a few drivers didn't extend the bar out and lock it into place as shown in the picture. Sevral of them told us it didn't come out (until DH shower them how to do it).

 

[mrsksomeday]

The tiedowns are supposed to be attached to a part of the chair frame. The places Bill's chair is tied down to are the swingaway armrests

He does not have swing away armrests, it is part of the frame. It is up above the swingaway footrests.

 

[mrsksomeday]

The other hong we caught a few drives trying to cut corners on was the bar that is at the front of the chair in Bill's picture. When it is in its stowed position, it is shorter and only comes to about the place where the large knob on the top of the bar is. Quite a few drivers didn't extend the bar out and lock it into place as shown in the picture. Sevral of them told us it didn't come out (until DH shower them how to do it).

I will not let them hook Bill up until they extend it and lock it into place.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My Powerchair used to have tie-down points fixed to the frame. .... I no longer have them fitted, and the Disney bus drivers still manage to tie me down.

Sue M has quite rightly pointed out the dangers of attaching tie-down straps to swing away and lift out parts.

Whilst I no longer have fixed tie down points on my chair, I don't want to give the impression I am unconcerned about my safety. I know exactly where it is safe to tie down my chair and where it is not. I might appear to be letting the bus driver do his or her own thing, but I am keeping my 'beedy eye' on him or her all the time and I intervene if necessary.

I even ask to be given the lap & diagonal seat belts if not offered.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

He does not have swing away armrests, it is part of the frame. It is up above the swingaway footrests.

Sorry if I could not tell.
That kind of armrest is usually attached with pins or bolts. Most of them have a latch at front and can be swung straight toward the back of the chair for transfers. Usually, by undoing the latch at the front, swinging it straight back and then takingout a pin, the whole armrest can be removed. If that is the case, it is not part of he frame. When I look for frame parts, I am looking for a part that is welded on since that is stronger than a part that is attached with screws.
So, again sorry if his is part of the frame, but in the course of work, I see lots of different wheelchairs and I have not seen one like that where the armrests were actually part of the frame.

 

[SueM in MN]

He does not have swing away armrests, it is part of the frame. It is up above the swingaway footrests.

I will not let them hook Bill up until they extend it and lock it into place.

We don't let them do it either.
Some just forgot, but it was intersting to us how many said it did not come out and lock down at all until they knew that we knew that it did.

 

[mrsksomeday]

So, again sorry if his is part of the frame, but in the course of work, I see lots of different wheelchairs and I have not seen one like that where the armrests were actually part of the frame.

Bill is so light that he doesn't need anything to detach to transfer, we just cradle lift him .

ETA: There was aftermarket welding involved, sorry if there was any confusion.

 

[LittleSleepy]

I definitely want the chair tied in the safest way possible because you just never know when something will happen.

Unfortunately, the trip is being put on hold for now. Found out just a couple days ago I have to have a revision surgery to replace the leads in my spinal cord stimulator implant. Thankfully only about 4 weeks recovery time, but it'll be months before I'm able to convince the dr's I'm feeling up to traveling again. <sigh>

I appreciate all the help and suggestions I've received regarding this. When the time comes for the trip, I'll have plenty of options to consider.

Thank you all!