Questions from Someone on Crutches

[stacyleigh1978]

One week before our trip and I broke my ankle. I am in a walking boot but still have to rely on crutches full-time for a couple more weeks. I am borrowing a scooter to take with me as I cannot be on my feet for long periods of time. So here are my questions:

1) I am signed up for the Magical Express. While I know that the busses going from the hotels to the parks are equipped to carry the scooters, how does that work with the Magical Express? Is there a separate bus for handicapped people? There is no way I'd be able to climb up the stairs either onto that bus.

2) I already know that I won't be able to ride any of the roller coasters, but then I started thinking about the other rides that I will have a hard time getting in and out of (boat rides, rides with a moving platform). Any advice? Can anyone tell me rides that I will be able to go on?

Thank you!

 

[gap2368]

I think DME can handle WC and scooters as some have lifts not sure if all do but I would let DME know ahead of time

You can do any rides as long as you can get in or out on your own some rides can be stopped some can not

As fair as what you can do can you hop can you get on the flor I am think of rides like space and TT if you can then you can then you can kind of Crowl on the ride

I think the rides will depend on what you can do

 

[Badhairday14]

I have been on two trips to Disney World on crutches and used a scooter. Don't worry, Disney are very good at assisting visitors with special needs - can't say the same for Universal.

You need to let Disney know your situation in advance.

The buses are scooter accessible, but you need to be able to manoeuvre in tight spaces. I would recommend trying it at home, "parking " between chairs . Use the lowest speed setting on your scooter - I ran over the driver twice before I figured that out. If you are using Disney buses to tranport you to the parks, go to the front of the queue as the bus needs to let you on first. Great if the queue is long but the downside is that they can only take 2 scooters/wheelchairs , so getting back to the hotel can be a long wait when it's closing time at the parks.

When you go to your first park go to customer services and they will issue you with a special pass. If there are long queues on a ride , show the pass to the cast member and he will give you a time slot to return. It's a bit like a fast pass. It doesn't allow you to jump the line, just stops you having to wait around.

Being on crutches hasn't stopped me going on any rides I wanted to, but the park maps show which rides aren't suitable if you have mobility issues. Cast members have stopped moving platforms for me to go on rides like water rides and the ghost train. They go out of their way to help, so don't be afraid to ask.

If you are going by plane and taking the mobility scooter with you, check with the airport. They will not carry certain types of scooter. They can also arrange loan wheelchairs/ disabled transport in the airport.

Final tip is if your scooter doesn't have lights buy some clip on bicycle lights. I found that because I wasn't at eye level, people kept walking into my scooter in the evening ,especially in the crush to leave the parks. Adding lights and a fluorescent backpack helped.

Don't be upset at having to use a scooter - you get to ride around in style whilst everyone else gets foot sore.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have been on two trips to Disney World on crutches and used a scooter. Don't worry, Disney are very good at assisting visitors with special needs - can't say the same for Universal.

Um, Cast Members are not allowed to physically help you. Now, they can direct you, possibly stop a ride to allow you to board. But they can not physically help you.

I'll let others address some of the other advice listed in your post.

 

[Twende]

I have been on two trips to Disney World on crutches and used a scooter. Don't worry, Disney are very good at assisting visitors with special needs - ..............................

When you go to your first park go to customer services and they will issue you with a special pass. If there are long queues on a ride , show the pass to the cast member and he will give you a time slot to return. It's a bit like a fast pass. It doesn't allow you to jump the line, just stops you having to wait around.
.......................................................................

What are you talking about here? I have never heard of a special pass for people with mobility issues. If you are talking about the DAS pass, then I will tell you it is not issued for problems that are mobility related or can be resolved by the use of a scooter or wheel chair.

I do know that the Jungle Cruise in MK has been known to give return times to people in scooters since it appears the accessible line is rather short in feet (not meaning in time wait) there.

 

[Badhairday14]

I have used the pass myself. It is available for people using scooters. As I said it's not for jumping the queue, the cast member accesses the queue and gives you a time to come back at.

 

[Badhairday14]

Um, Cast Members are not allowed to physically help you. Now, they can direct you, possibly stop a ride to allow you to board. But they can not physically help you.

I'll let others address some of the other advice listed in your post.

I think you have misunderstood me. I didn't say they physically helped me. They ask if you need the ride or moving platform stopped. They have also brought my scooter round to the departure area of the ride so I don't have to go back to the start of the ride to collect it.

 

[Twende]

I have used the pass myself. It is available for people using scooters. As I said it's not for jumping the queue, the cast member accesses the queue and gives you a time to come back at.

Wow!!! I had no idea that there is a pass for people using scooters. What is it called and where do I get this? Is it attached to a Magic Band like the DAS is?

 

[gap2368]

Wow!!! I had no idea that there is a pass for people using scooters. What is it called and where do I get this? Is it attached to a Magic Band like the DAS is?

I too never heard of it most lines you can get a wheel chair or ECV through I do know some will give out a return time if the line is not assessable but I do not know of any passes

 

[lanejudy]

Just to clarify here... the Disability Access Service (DAS) program is generally NOT available to guests whose needs can be solved in another manner -- such as using a wheelchair or ECV. More information is available in the sticky pinned near the top of this forum. There is no other "pass" available. I don't know if Badhairday14 is thinking of the prior GAC, a program that was discontinued in 2013 and replaced with the DAS program; or possibly confusing a "wheelchair return time" which MAY be issued at specific attractions (not at Guest Relations) and that depends on the situation at that ride at the time.

OP -- the disABILITIES FAQs thread also pinned near the top of this forum has lots of information you may find helpful. I strongly recommend that you contact Disney's Magical Express to inform them of the need for a bus with a lift if you are unable to climb the stair onto the bus. Otherwise, you could end up waiting much longer at the airport while they dispatch one. Most moving walkways may be slowed or stopped on request, but not always. Depending on how bulky the boot is, you may find it tight getting in/out of some ride vehicles.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Twende]

Just to clarify here... the Disability Access Service (DAS) program is generally NOT available to guests whose needs can be solved in another manner -- such as using a wheelchair or ECV. More information is available in the sticky pinned near the top of this forum. There is no other "pass" available. I don't know if Badhairday14 is thinking of the prior GAC, a program that was discontinued in 2013 and replaced with the DAS program; or possibly confusing a "wheelchair return time" which MAY be issued at specific attractions (not at Guest Relations) and that depends on the situation at that ride at the time.

OP -- the disABILITIES FAQs thread also pinned near the top of this forum has lots of information you may find helpful. I strongly recommend that you contact Disney's Magical Express to inform them of the need for a bus with a lift if you are unable to climb the stair onto the bus. Otherwise, you could end up waiting much longer at the airport while they dispatch one. Most moving walkways may be slowed or stopped on request, but not always. Depending on how bulky the boot is, you may find it tight getting in/out of some ride vehicles.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you for clarifying this. I have a medical condition that necessitates me getting a DAS so I was fairly familiar with it. DH uses a scooter and the only place we were asked to return at a later time was the Jungle Cruise. Another pass just did not sound right to me.

 

[mamabunny]

OK, let's get this back on track!

One week before our trip and I broke my ankle. I am in a walking boot but still have to rely on crutches full-time for a couple more weeks. I am borrowing a scooter to take with me as I cannot be on my feet for long periods of time. So here are my questions:

1) I am signed up for the Magical Express. While I know that the busses going from the hotels to the parks are equipped to carry the scooters, how does that work with the Magical Express? Is there a separate bus for handicapped people? There is no way I'd be able to climb up the stairs either onto that bus.

2) I already know that I won't be able to ride any of the roller coasters, but then I started thinking about the other rides that I will have a hard time getting in and out of (boat rides, rides with a moving platform). Any advice? Can anyone tell me rides that I will be able to go on?

Thank you!

First, call your airline, and let them know you will be flying with the scooter. You will possibly need the name/model number of the scooter, and information about what kind battery it has (SLA or Lithium Ion are common)

Call Disney and let them know you will be using a scooter, and will be arriving using DME. You can also call DME directly, however in my experience it doesn't make a whole lot of difference LOL. When you get to MCO, expect that you may have to wait a bit for a bus with a lift to show up. You will have to BACK the scooter on to the lift of the DME bus, and ride the lift from the ground level to the floor of the bus. The driver will give you directions (turn right, back slowly, etc.) You will reverse the process when you get to your Resort hotel. As with the airlines, and Disney Parks buses, it's first on, last off.

When staying onsite, you can ask the front desk to have the table & chairs moved from the Resort hotel room to give you more room to park the ECV at night. You have to park the ECV in the room - you are not allowed to park it in the lobby, or a hallway.

Take along a heavy duty 3 ft - 6 ft extension cord - you will need to charge the scooter battery every night to full! The cord is because often the outlet you need to access for the charger is in a bad spot. Don't want to sit around at WDW waiting for a battery to charge while everyone else has fun!

Other take-alongs for park days include a towel to cover the seat (if it is hot) so you won't burn your legs if you have to park in the sun, and a poncho to cover the ECV if it rains.

There are TONS of rides at WDW where you can drive the ECV on if you need to. If you can transfer to a ride supplied wheelchair or an accessible ride car, that opens your possibilities even further. I admit - Peter Pan is currently off my list because of the non-stop belt, but there really are very few things I can't do at WDW that I want to.

The only boats you can't ride on (from a transportation standpoint) are the little launches like the ones that go from MK to WL & FW. Otherwise, you can (and should!) pretty much go wherever you want!

WDW is the easiest, friendliest place for someone who has to use an ECV or wheelchair to visit.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, really, half the boats on the MK/WL/FW circuit absolutely are wheelchair and ECV accessible. None of the launches on the MK/GF/Poly side can, though.

 

[mamabunny]

Well, really, half the boats on the MK/WL/FW circuit absolutely are wheelchair and ECV accessible. None of the launches on the MK/GF/Poly side can, though.

I always forget that the MK/GF/Poly boats are "off limits" for me - I think because I am so excited to ride the Monorail whenever I visit Poly or GF LOL (I truly act my shoe size, and not my age when I am at WDW)

You are absolutely right - the bigger boats that run that MK/WL/FW route *are* accessible. The problem I have encountered is late at night leaving FW (after the last Hoop-Dee-Doo show) typically only the smaller launches are running out at FW.

But, overall, it's still the easiest place I have ever vacationed at since I had to start using my ECV.

 

[Sydney2977]

OMG, almost the same thing has happened to my DS! He just broke his ankle last night and we leave in 10 days for WDW. The ER dr. splinted it and he has to see and orthopedic dr. I don't know if he'll get a cast, boot, or what. I guess the waterpark, pool, and Splash Mt. are off the list!

DH had ankle surgery prior to our trip in 2009 and was in a boot so we rented him an ECV. He found it easy to get around and CM's were very accommodating, as well as bus drivers. I am thinking we will have to rent one for DS too. Any opinions on this?

Also, OP are you planning to bring your crutches into the parks too?

 

[jdb in AZ]

OMG, almost the same thing has happened to my DS! He just broke his ankle last night and we leave in 10 days for WDW. The ER dr. splinted it and he has to see and orthopedic dr. I don't know if he'll get a cast, boot, or what. I guess the waterpark, pool, and Splash Mt. are off the list!

DH had ankle surgery prior to our trip in 2009 and was in a boot so we rented him an ECV. He found it easy to get around and CM's were very accommodating, as well as bus drivers. I am thinking we will have to rent one for DS too. Any opinions on this?

Also, OP are you planning to bring your crutches into the parks too?

How old is your DS? The vendors won't rent a scooter to anyone younger than 18 -- it's a liability issue. As for the waterparks, ask your orthopod about a waterproof cast. You can also get disposable cast covers for Splash Mtn and showers.

 

[webcreatrix]

This thread is so encouraging. We have another 90 days before our trip, my DD13 just broke her ankle and has to have surgery. I'm kind of worried about recovery time and her ability to walk the parks for 7 days, even 3 months out. Does anyone have any experience with real recovery time for a broken ankle requiring surgery? I won't get to talk to the surgeon until Monday. Only have a few weeks left to cancel our trip if I need to.

 

[gap2368]

I would not cancel your trip yes you may have to do things a little different like get a wheel chair for your DD or she maybe fine either way I think you should go and enjoy your trip.

 

[webcreatrix]

I would not cancel your trip yes you may have to do things a little different like get a wheel chair for your DD or she maybe fine either way I think you should go and enjoy your trip.

Hopefully, by that time she's recovered but will just need to take it slow. We can plan a lot of down time with meals or pool time!

 

[gap2368]

Hopefully, by that time she's recovered but will just need to take it slow. We can plan a lot of down time with meals or pool time!

yes I think with 90 days it should give her a good amount of time to recover and you really will not need to do much different then you normally would but there are things that you can use if she needs it like you could bring her cruches or if she needs it rent a WC just remember that even if she dose not need any help at home you do walk a lot more at disney so you may want to remind her that if she is in any discomfort/pain to tell you and maybe let her know some things she can do like we cantering your churches and if you need them you can use them or we can rent a wheel chair so that she know if she said her foot is hurting her it is not a lets just go back to the hotel when she want to stay in the park.