Recommendations for wheelchairs for the parks

[RocketChk]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the best push wheelchair to take to the parks?

My mother has an electric one, but has had issues with it at our home park Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We think that the continued use over the cobblestone areas and the train tracks we have to cross has created a breakdown in the wiring. We are going to take it, but I also want to buy a non-electric chair to have to get her through the hotels and the parks just in case. Does anyone own one that they trust and love?

We will be between SeaWorld, Universal and a night at Boo Bash for a week, so we don't want to rent at each park, each time and the scooter rental companies all rent out the same model she has, so it's kind of a waste of money.

Thank you for your help!
Jessica

 

[Groot]

I don’t know what you exactly need, but Spinlife has a few different options. (Just remember that in Disney, there are A LOT of hills.)

 

[SueM in MN]

You can also look at 1-800wheelchair.com

 

[mamabunny]

If you go to Amazon, here's a hint when searching...

Make sure that the "Prime" button is selected (if you have Amazon Prime) and then open the "filters" (or click on "Sort by" depending on if you are on mobile or pc). Scroll to the bottom, and select "sort by Average customer review" which will eliminate the paid product placement (or "sponsored" items), and the "featured" items, and will show you listings ranked by customer review, from (generally) highest to lowest.

In a category like wheelchairs, you can have *thousands* of choices, so make sure you buy a known brand by a reputable vendor that offers a return policy in case there is a problem. Companies like Drive, Medline, Invacare, and Karman should have easily replaceable parts if needed.

Look for 2 large back wheels that the user can self-propel if needed, and 2 smaller front wheels. DO NOT buy a "transport" or "companion" chair that has 4 smaller wheels of the same size; those will be much more uncomfortable for the rider, and more difficult for the pusher.

Unless they are actually needed, don't worry about elevating leg rests, or reclining backs as a feature; instead consider anti-tippers and comfortable handlebars for the pushers.

Consider making sure that the seat width is comparable to her current chair, and you may also want to add a gel cushion - most power chairs have more supportive, cushioned seats, and the typical folding manual chair will offer only a sling seat.

This Drive Medical chair looks pretty decent, and has 3 seat sizes to select from.

One last tip: Remember not to hang too many bags or items off the back of a manual chair; unlike most power chairs, they don't have enough weight (and a lower center of gravity) to keep from tipping over backwards if/when the rider stands up or transfers off, if there is a lot of stuff hanging off the back.

Hope that's helpful

 

[RocketChk]

Hope that's helpful

Thank you so SO much! I was overwhelmed by the options, so I will go with your choice. Thank you again!

 

[Evita_W]

Here is a thought, several of the scooter rental companies in the area also do repairs on personal scooters, many will even give you a loaner at a discounted rate (or sometimes free) while they are repairing yours, perhaps you could check with some of them about such an option. I believe Gold Mobility, Buena Vista and possibly Walker all do repairs, there may be others as well.

Just thinking that you then will have the scooter in good operating condition when you get home and wouldn't need a manual chair.

 

[KPeterso]

We rent a scooter for WDW for my Mom. But have been getting manual wheelchairs at Disneyland for awhile. This last Prime Day -we ordered my Mom a manual wheelchair. Looks like according to Amazon, we got the Medline Strong and Sturdy wheelchair. We used it 5 days at Disneyland last month and it has been great. Very happy with the decision to buy one and with the choice we made. It will be going to WDW next month (for airports, maybe 10/1 at MK, and around the resort mostly) but we also still have a scooter reserved with Gold.

 

[KPeveler]

No matter what wheelchair you get, invest in a decent cushion for it. Most manual push chairs are sling seats with no padding, unlike scooters which tend to have some padding built in. I got a gel cushion from Amazon for my first manual, and it was $30 to $40.

Also buy some gloves for the pusher, like bike or weightlifting gloves. The ground is "authentic" meaning it has bumps, and the vibrations will get to the pusher through the hands.

 

[RoseGold]

I have a permanently disabled wheelchair bound relative who swears by the Whill Ci. It is an absolutely amazing chair!!! You can rent them in my city fairly cheaply, but we have a lot of medical resources. You could rent it and theyll gate check it on the plane. Or I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you can rent in Orlando.

If you rent it, she’ll want to get one though! It’s really that good. It’s the kind of chair that other people ask you what you have when they see you do a zero point turn.

it’s locked by an app, so maybe that would be weird on a rental. Also, WDW required a backup battery, which is very rare , even with constant heavy use.