Question about if wheelchairs are ever stolen.

[jo-jo]

My DH will be almost 71 on our next trip. During everyday life, he complains his knees hurt. He is worried about the walking at disney. I was thinking we could rent (from outside source) a wheelchair, so he could use it when he needs it. But I'm concerned what if someone steals it while we are in a ride. I suppose we could just rent from disney, but then I'm thinking "what if they run out", especially with park hopping. Can anyone please give me guidance on this matter? Thank you

 

[lanejudy]

While I don't think it is common, anything left unattended could potentially be stolen including wheelchairs. However, if he brings the wheelchair through the queue with him, it will be left near the ride entrance/exit and unlikely to be bothered. If you park it in stroller parking and he walks through the queue, it is more likely to be moved or this is where could possibly be stolen.

As to availability -- I haven't heard much about manual wheelchairs running out in the parks. ECVs definitely run out by mid-morning and may or may not be available later in the day (park hopping) without a wait. Offsite rental is recommended; it will be less expensive, you'll have it for to/from transportation and around the resort.

And speaking of ECVs -- your husband might prefer one of those rather than you pushing him in a manual wheelchair. He'll have more independence and you won't get exhausted pushing. If he's hesitant to use an ECV, he might try one out at a local grocery store or big box store; those are bigger and more cumbersome than the park or offsite rentals.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[jo-jo]

Thank you for the quick response. At far as a ECV, no chance he would agree to that. Even using a wheel chair would be pushing it (no pun intended). At home, he is active, mows the lawn, shopping, etc, but that's for an hour or so. Not the disney 8 hr day, we gave up 14 hr disney days long ago. Our usually trip is morning park, afternoon rest, evening park, so about 4 hr windows. As far as me getting exhausted, I don't think I'd be pushing him all day, I'd be surprised if he used the chair more than half the time. He likes to push grandkids stroller to help give him balance. Same thing with grocery cart. So I'm thinking not use wheel chair in morning, rest, and use chair in evening.

I'm just concerned that he is concerned he won't be able to do the trip, that's why I'm looking into this now. Thanks again.

 

[Earstou]

Since he likes to push the stroller, he can take the chair to the park the whole time and push it when he doesn't want to use it. That way he'll have the chair when he decides he needs it.
Some people will tie something distinctive to the wheelchair to identify it, which cuts down on someone taking it. Tie a scarf on the handlebars, or some colorful ribbon, something like that.

 

[powellrj]

Has he thought about using a rollator? He would have a seat when he needed it and can use it to balance when he walks. https://www.simplymedical.com/Simpl...ators/c/3313?gclid=CJDPjZHQ9MYCFQoTHwodBFgLzg

 

[gap2368]

in this day of big brother disney has camera all over ( do not try and jump over the moving walk way going out of space montion and sit in the table and pretend to drink out of the glasses on the table as disney security will be waiting for you,) but they are all over and most you can not see so if it was stolen chances are they would be able to see the person how did it but as other said chanse are they just moved it but they can also go through the line that way you do not have to leave it some where

 

[jo-jo]

Thank you for the suggestion and the link. I would have not had any idea what it was. My sister had used one of those some yrs before. He might be more willing to use that, then a wheelchair.

 

[jo-jo]

in this day of big brother disney has camera all over ( do not try and jump over the moving walk way going out of space montion and sit in the table and pretend to drink out of the glasses on the table as disney security will be waiting for you,) but they are all over and most you can not see so if it was stolen chances are they would be able to see the person how did it but as other said chanse are they just moved it but they can also go through the line that way you do not have to leave it some where

I'm just concerned if we rented from an offsite and it was stolen, what then? This is a new situation for me, just trying to think ahead.

 

[Bete]

We use what is called a portable travel wheelchair that folds up and fits in a lot of cars. If you are flying a wheelchair is not counted against your luggage. Anyway, you can get one for $100 to $150 depending on the model, not counting tax or shipping. You will never have to rent. The downside is there will be a stigma owning your own, but in the long run it's a good answer.

The rollator is a good aid for balance issues. The downside is you have to walk with it. Yes, you can rest, but then you are not moving.

I know you feel DH won't use an ECV, but you can really last a lot longer at the parks with a scooter. By lasting longer you get better value out of your park tickets. Most importantly, you don't have to hurt and you don't have to push; so, you will last longer. The average walking at Disney World is 6 miles a day. Of course, you aren't walking constantly. You can take scooters through many of the queues. There will be a place to park them in the ride. You can also park it outside of an attraction and walk the ride. Infact, you can park it in a section of the park, as long as, you don't block anything important like a parade and then go back to it when you are done with an area.

 

[mamabunny]

If you will be pushing (or he will be self-propelling) in the wheelchair for any amount of time every day, you may want to bring along an inexpensive pair of bike gloves to help prevent blisters!

Don't worry about the wheelchair being stolen; as others have said here, it is VERY uncommon, and as long as he takes the chair all the way through the ride line (or show line) it will be fine. Just don't leave your purse or shopping bags on the wheelchair when it is unattended (which you wouldn't do anyway!) and it will be fine!

 

[jo-jo]

Again, thanks to everyone for the suggestions and tips. I feel a lot more prepared to make a plan if by trip time, the need comes up.

 

[JennyDrake]

From my own expereince RENT THE CHAIR FROM AN OFFSITE VENDOR. Trust me. I was post op and I fought the idea tooth and toenail especially since I was supposed to be walking as much as my rebuilt foot would tolerate. Finally my friend going with me, another friend (WDW nut too) and The Husband said, "You aren't going without the wheelchair."

They were right......

I could handle the walking INSIDE the park OR from the resort room to the bus stop to the park entrance--but not both. I never appreciated just how far all of that is--even with a preferred room location.

You can ALWAYS park the wheelchair and walk; that's what I did. I walked up to 2.5 hours wo the chair, but then I sure needed it. What really "got" me was not the walking--it was standing in line.

 

[zela02]

Thank you for the suggestion and the link. I would have not had any idea what it was. My sister had used one of those some yrs before. He might be more willing to use that, then a wheelchair.

My very proud, and stubborn, 80-year-old mother finally started using a rollater last year. Unlike your DH, she needs one for every day life. It has made a tremendous difference and really might be a great choice. My husband wheeled my mom around Disney for just a few hours and it is tough work if you aren't used to it. She bought this one - very sturdy and well made, height adjustable and foldable. If you think he might be traveling to the parks again, might be a good investment.

http://www.amazon.com/Hugo-Rollator...=UTF8&qid=1437832296&sr=8-4&keywords=Rollater

 

[Pats Dragon]

I finally gave in and use ecv. It is a brave thing to do with the amount of resentment thrown at you. You can injure tendons at his age if you try to power through. Takes months to heal. Wheelchairs are a burden for family members to push. They get to be very heavy.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm just concerned if we rented from an offsite and it was stolen, what then? This is a new situation for me, just trying to think ahead.

You can check the insurance provided by the rental company. Some cover loss, others do not. Also check with your insurance broker to see if loss (theft) would be covered by your home insurance. While anything is possible, I've been renting wheelchairs for over 20 years, either in the park or from an outside agency, and have never had my chair stolen. Moved, yes. I've been thrown into panic mode a couple of times because a CM has had to move it ( it happens if you park it in stroller parking). But I've always found it eventually.

 

[jsutherin1]

I would assume that it is rare but it happened to us. Before I bought my mom her ECV she had her own wheelchair. We were at Epcot and she had left it outside of Mousegears to do a little shopping and when we came out it was gone!! We immediately told a cast member inside the store and they got on the walkies and contacted security who put an all points bulletin out to every cast member. They found a couple of women that had the wheelchair and returned it to us within about 30 minutes....weirdest thing to happen to us at Disney for sure I don't know what they did to the ladies but their embarrassment alone was good enough karma for me