Question on Wheelchairs

[Xcited4Disney]

I'm taking my mom (73) to Disney along with me and dd this Summer. I'm thinking of renting a wheelchair for her b/c although she can walk she does have knee problems (arthritis) as well as glaucoma in both eyes (she has fallen a few times due to missteps). I'm not confident in her using an ECV and neither is she. I'm not sure how'd she'll feel about the wheelchair yet but I just don't want her to tire herself or have a spill. Once we are at an attraction, store, or restaurant she'll be fine. Is it okay to use a wheelchair just to get to these places and to get around? I don't want us to look like fakes as she hops out of a wheelchair to shop around a store.

This is all very new to me and I just want to make her as comfortable (in the crowds and heat ) as I can. Any suggestions/comments are appreciated.

 

[Momelie]

I hop out and around stores all the time - and I'm a lot younger than your mother, LOL!

Seriously, don't let that bother you at all! Many people do exactly that because its very difficult to maneuver a wheelchair around some of the stores. In my case, its difficult to tell my husband exactly where I want to go and what I want to look at without his natural shopping allergy kicking in.

The one thing I'd caution, though, is leaving it outside of an attraction. Some of those lines can be brutal to those who find it hard to walk distances or to stand for extended periods. You don't want to get halfway through a queue and find you need the wheelchair that's now 100 yards and 300 people away!

Have a great time!

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Thank you for your reply.

Good point on the attraction lines. Is there an area here she can leave it when we are almost ready to board? Also, where do we "park" the wheelchair? I was just there last year and I'm embarassed to say I really didn't pay attention to those things. I only remember seeing strollers left outside of places.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just ask the Greeter at each attraction for the procedure for that ride/show. Most times, you'll want to take the wheelchair through the line with you; Cast Members at the loading area will transport it to wherever you'll exit, if that's a different location.

Also, you may want to consider getting a Guest Assistance Card for your mom for her vision issues. Go to Guest Relations at any park; explain her needs (i.e. close to the front of any theater so she can see some of what's happening).

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'd suggest bringing some sort of cushion, as sitting on one's backside for long periods of time can get uncomfortable. Also, if you're parking up with the strollers, there's often no rain cover over the area, so a poncho over the chair will keep things dry. Have you looked into the external companies on the FAQ? If you rent from an external company you can keep the chair for the whole week and are able to use it around the resort etc.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Xcited4Disney]

I will also get her the GAC. Thank you again. I was beginning to get worried that this may not have been the best decision to bring her because I had visions of her being so tired and uncomfortable. I feel more confident now that she'll truly be able to enjoy Disney with us.

 

[SueM in MN]

It looks like you already saw the GAC (Guest Assistance Card) information on the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There are also some links there that would be helpful to you in post #3 of that thread (specifically, the one about boarding rides with moving walkways).

 

[off2disneyagain]

I'm taking my mom (73) to Disney along with me and dd this Summer. I'm thinking of renting a wheelchair for her b/c although she can walk she does have knee problems (arthritis) as well as glaucoma in both eyes (she has fallen a few times due to missteps). I'm not confident in her using an ECV and neither is she. I'm not sure how'd she'll feel about the wheelchair yet but I just don't want her to tire herself or have a spill. Once we are at an attraction, store, or restaurant she'll be fine. Is it okay to use a wheelchair just to get to these places and to get around? I don't want us to look like fakes as she hops out of a wheelchair to shop around a store.

This is all very new to me and I just want to make her as comfortable (in the crowds and heat ) as I can. Any suggestions/comments are appreciated.

I am also taking my mom (82) along with me, ds9 and dn9 next month, she is fighting me about getting a wheelchair, she is very spunky but still (being on her feet all day is asking for trouble) I told her she doesn't have to use it all day just when she gets tired, she's so stubborn (sometimes I think our roles are reversed lol) but I think secretly she's glad we are doing this. My question is do you know how much it costs to rent one in the parks? thanks 26 more days!!!! can't wait!

 

[Momelie]

$10 per day for wheelchair, $8 if you buy more than one day at a time.

Scooters are $35, with a $5 deposit.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about where you can rent wheelchairs and ECVs (including parks and off-site places).