Questions on traveling with someone who needs a manual wheelchair

[smallworldnh]

I will be traveling to WDW in May with my elderly mom. She can walk for short distances, but we will need to rent a wheelchair for the trip. This will be my first time traveling with this need. I've read so many excellent pieces of advice on rentals, accessible rides, etc. on this page by so many helpful and knowledgeable people so I thank you for all of that. My question is basically on the airports since we won't be traveling with a chair. When we arrive at the airport is it easy to get a chair for my mom to use until we board? Can we ask that a wheelchair be ready when we land in Orlando and can we use this until we board the Magical Express bus? And lastly, will our chair rental be ready for us at the bell hop area when we arrive at the hotel? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Call your airline.
Let them know she will need wheelchair assistance to and from the gate.
At the airport, go to the check in counter and repeat.
Please remember to tip the assistance persons.

 

[smallworldnh]

Absolutely! Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Wheelchair Assistance at the airport is handled thru your airline as the other posters mentioned.

Only one company, Scooterbug, is allowed to deliver and pick up at WDW owned resorts from Bell Services without meeting personally with the guest. If you rent from that company, you can arrange the delivery time to have it there when you arrive.
If you are renting from one of the other companies, you will need to arrange for delivery after you are sure you will be there.

Another alternative you might not have thought of -
check into purchasing a wheelchair and bringing it with you. The basic type of wheelchair you can rent is not that expensive to buy - depending on how long you are staying, it may be the same price or less expensive to buy. Amazon, Walmart, Costco and many other places sell basic chairs.
Mobility devices fly for free and you can keep it right to the gate and have it delivered to the gate at your destination. That way, you don’t have to worry about airline assistance or waiting for delivery or pickup.
Wheelchairs can go into the baggage area underneath the Magical Express bus.
If you buy one and don’t think you will use it again, you can donate it when you get home.

 

[smallworldnh]

Bringing one might be an alternative as well. Thank you.

 

[Groot]

Definitely get a chair for the Orlando airport. The distance from some gates to the DME pickup/drop off site can be looong. Plus you have to stand in line waiting to board the bus.