Question about cart (using as a walker) in parks

[ilovepcot]

Haven't been able to visit the parks in 2 years now due to an autoimmune disease. I can walk for short lengths with no trouble at all but after a few yards my hips feel as though they're on fire and the pain stops me in my tracks!

I discovered when I push a grocery cart that the pain nearly disappears and I can walk for extended periods. (I pay dearly the next day and can't get out of bed, but, oh well.... ).

Anyway, I found a very small cart I want to order to take to the parks with me but have wondered...how does one avoid something such as this from being stolen? I don't need it on rides, etc. and can "park it" quite a bit. What do people do to protect such items? Does everyone just use the "honor system"?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm not sure if you would be allowed to bring a cart of any kind into the parks.
If you can, you would probably just park it with the strollers. You can't lock a stroller, walker or anything like that to anything, but if you could figure out a way to lock a part of it to itself (like some people lock stroller wheels together so it won't roll).
I don't know if you have tried a rollator, but that might be an option for you. It's basically a walker with wheels and a seat. (This is a page that has rollators for sale).
Also, you would be able to bring a rollator into attractions/queues if you choose. I'm not sure whether they would allow a cart in, even if they did allow it into the park.

 

[ilovepcot]

I attempted posting a pic of the cart but Photobucket didn't co-operate. Looks very much like a child's stroller.

If it isn't allowed, I may have to resort to the rollator. Thank you for supplying that info, Sue. Didn't know about them.

ETA: Here's the cart. Only weighs 9 pounds...smaller than a stroller.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I understand wanting to be independent, I really do, but according to you after you walk extended periods of time you can't get out of bed the next day. Wouldn't that put a damper on your vacation??

Walking in WDW is every extensive, I would be afraid that after walking one day with the cart or what Sue mentioned you would be hurting for many days. Have you ever thought about getting an ECV just for Disney?

Good luck to you in what ever you decide.

 

[ilovepcot]

mrsksomeday...Thank you! You make an excellent point and it's true, I can't walk the next day if I've pushed a cart the day before. Luckily, I only live 38 minutes from the parks and would only be going for the day.

My rheumotologist has encouraged me to walk when I can. Says it will do no harm other than tiring me out. I used to always think it was so neat to be able to ride (ECV's) in the parks, but now... Funny how things get put into perspective when your independence slips a bit.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/dress-code.htm

That is a list of prohibited items. Nope to shopping carts and Radio Flyers.
The pin traders used to use strollers for hauling their pins around.

If you are like me, a local, then one day walking around the park would be fine if you will pay the price of the pain the next day. If it is something you really want to do then do it if you can come back once a month and do a bit at a time.

If you cannot go to the parks monthly, weekly or daily then it is best to get the ECV and enjoy the parks pain free. It is fun until the pain kicks in and your body shuts down.

 

[Mrsjvb]

as someone with RA who managed less than half of AK her first day there , get a wheelchair or ECV. even getting a WC and being pushed around from day 2 on I was still in massive pain and EXTREMELY stiff the rest of the week.

I now know better and will get a WC from the very beginning( still debating whether I need to get one just for the parks themselves or just spring for one to cover the resort and DTD).

the walk alone from the drop off points/parking lots can be enough to end my day.....Plus I cannot stand 'still' very long or what's left of my knees and hips lock up.

 

[videogal1]

I attempted posting a pic of the cart but Photobucket didn't co-operate. Looks very much like a child's stroller.

If it isn't allowed, I may have to resort to the rollator. Thank you for supplying that info, Sue. Didn't know about them.

ETA: Here's the cart. Only weighs 9 pounds...smaller than a stroller.

I use one of these in the house to haul laundry. The big complaint I have with them is that you have to tilt the cart toward you to get the front rollers off the ground when making a turn. It pivots on its back wheels ok, but won't steer a corner because the front wheels are fixed on an axle, which makes it less stable for using to lean on. You have to get one of the bigger ones to get that easy steering feature. I towed a similar cart through WDW (more like a dolly) behind my ECV with no complaint from anyone. Cash even towed his cart (more like an old lady shopping cart also...no complaint. They pretty much don't mess with things that serve as mobility devices, even though I see where the list of prohibited items includes things towed by an ECV..

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others about the ECV. You have to remember that a day at WDW is going to involve at least a 3 mile walk. I'm sure that's a bit more than your doctor had in mind for you to walk.
What you can do is use the ECV to get from one general area to another. Walk around in the area and circle back to where the ECV is parked. That will allow you to walk some, but also cut the distance you are walking a lot.
You could bring the ECV into lines with you if you like; some of the lines are much longer than they look. Also, if you have problems with stairs or with standing on a sloped surface, some lines have those; you would avoid them with an ECV, but would not if you are walking. You could request a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) so that you could avoid the stairs (see post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread for more info about GACs).

Looking at the cart you had a picture of, the wheels (especially the front ones) are rather small. The smaller the wheels, the harder to push and the easier to get hung up on things. So, I think you would find that kind of cart really would not help you that much for walking because it would not be as sturdy or as easy to push as a shopping cart. If you want something to help you walk, I think you would be much happier and safer with a rollator.
You may be able to get your insurance to pay for a rollator with a doctor's prescription (check your insurance - some may not pay or you would have to satisfy a deductible first). If you itemize your deductions for taxes, the rollator would come under the medical equipment deduction (you can only deduct the total above a certain per cent of your income, but if your income is low or you have lots of medical expenses, this might help).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another reason against the cart is that a shopping cart is designed to be pulled.

You are not allowed to bring in items to the park that are designed to be pulled. You would not be allowed to bring it through Security.

 

[bopper]

A thought...could you buy/rent a stroller to push?

What about a walker?

What about renting an ECv but not using it all the time?

 

[TallMumHP]

My Mum has trouble walking, we are bringing a walker, a wheelchair and renting an ECV. Hope we still have space in the room for us.

Good luck with what ever you choose and I hope you have a great visit.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would not recommend that cart, even if it is allowed in the park (which it's apparently not), and even in everyday life - despite that it's working for you.

It's NOT designed to consistently support one's weight to any great degree, plus, as others have pointed out, the wheels don't appear conducive to your planned usage.

Walgreen's often has the rolling walkers with the seats for $99.99. I didn't check the link in a previous post; I don't know if this is a good, bad, or typical price. But it's a mobility device designed and constructed to provide the support you need.

The laundry cart isn't.

 

[ilovepcot]

Did an experiment (pushing a weighted down stroller) at EPCOT yesterday and it went *poorly*. I'm very bullheaded and had to see for myself before throwing in the towel. A ROLLATOR is in my future. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH EVERYONE!!!!!