Recovering from injury

[GirlDreamer]

About 3 months ago I broke my leg in 3 places, fractured it and damaged my ligaments. It's about two weeks since I stopped using my crutches (I got a metal pin, plate and screws to hold it in place). The doctor said it would take 4-5 months for it to heal completely, so it's still healing. I'm walking around alright, but as it's still healing, I can't stay on my feet too long.

We're going to WDW in just under two weeks, so I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or experiences with visiting the parks with injuries? I'm planning to bring a tripod chair so I can sit a little in longer queue lines, and I'm prepared that I might have to rent a wheelchair if it gets too much.

By the way, does anyone know how much it costs to rent a wheelchair in the parks?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Tripod chairs, like any kind of folding chair or seat, aren't permitted into the parks. The only exception is a seat cane, and some folks do report CMs not allowing people to use the seat function on them, only as a cane. Most lines shuffle along at a slow but semi-constant pace anyway.

A wheelchair is $12 per day, and I believe there's a "length of stay" rate available as well. If you plan to use Disney transportation, I'd heavily consider renting one from an off-site company so you'll have it for the bus lines, because some of those can be quite long. Also, I think having your "own" is easier if you plan to park hop, or if you'll need it at your resort/hotel.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Oh that's a bummer Having a tripod chair would've really helped. I don't mind sitting on the floor, but as I'm injured it's a bit more awkward to get up every time the queue moves. Maybe I have to consider renting a wheelchair anyway then.

We're not really using disney transportation as we're staying off site in a villa and have a rental car. But I'll see what the prices are for those wheelchair renting companies as I'll probably need it for the park days at least.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would guess you will use the wheelchair more than you think. think about sitting on sidewalk, do you really want to sit there? wheelchair is best bet for sitting while in lines. been there done that

 

[aaarcher86]

Tripod chairs are a hazard to other people.

Have you thought about getting a rollator?

 

[Sydney2977]

I would recommend getting an ECV from an offsite company. DH had to use one a few years ago after ankle & knee surgery (he was in a boot and off crutches and "could" walk, but like you not for long periods) and we just rented one last trip for DS since he decided to fracture his ankle a week and a half before our trip and was in a cast. If you don't need a large one like DH had (because he's a bit bigger than DS it should be able to fold up and fit in a car trunk. The one we got DS was for under 170lb. and would have fit in a trunk, though we only put it in the back of our Toyota Rav4 once and used Disney transport the rest of the time.

DH had the attitude of "I'll be fine, I don't need one" but was so happy after the week that he did have one. We were also happy we got one for DS because he would have been tired rolling himself in a regular chair since he's not used to it, and I think DH and I would have been tired pushing him after a week since we're not used to it. The $170 we paid for the 8 day rental was worth it, especially since they delivered and picked up the ECV with no problem.

I guess it depends on who else is in your travel party. The small ECV's can go through most lines, they provide push chairs for the ones that can't, and it sounds like you will be able to transfer out in every ride. Believe me, it will take the stress out of you vacation, and if there are places you go where you won't need it (like meal), you don't have to use it. Just my two cents!

 

[Selket]

I rented a portable scooter from Buena Vista Scooters last summer because I wanted to be able to take it in the car to Universal - and it is a great scooter: https://www.buenavistascooters.com/products_details.asp?id=3 My husband and son broke it down and put it in the car but I lifted the pieces and it didn't seem bad at all.

I was just at Disney this week and rented the same scooter even though I was on-site the whole time. I like that it's smaller and the turn radius makes it very easy to maneuver. The ones you rent in the parks are huge. An ECV is nice since no one has to push you - and it's easy to park it and walk when you can. It's made my past two trips very manageable.

 

[bianca]

I have taken the last two trips while recovering from injury. First was meniscus tear and second was dislocated hip. I can say from experience that if you're injured, the chair does much more than get you from point A to point B. It acts as an insulator from people bumping you, running into you with a stroller, etc. I am still struggling with the hip issues, and even though I can walk about 2 miles a day, I think I will remain in a chair or on a scooter for some time. The tendency is that after walking the first mile or two, my stamina goes down and I become more injury prone. I don't need another injury to add to the current list, and I've visited Celebration Hospital enough to know that I'd rather not visit again. During our December visit last year, my kids FitBits were all registering between 10-12 miles a day. We were also stationed in the last room on the long Kidani Village hallway which didn't help. Just know that it can really add up.

 

[gap2368]

About 3 months ago I broke my leg in 3 places, fractured it and damaged my ligaments. It's about two weeks since I stopped using my crutches (I got a metal pin, plate and screws to hold it in place). The doctor said it would take 4-5 months for it to heal completely, so it's still healing. I'm walking around alright, but as it's still healing, I can't stay on my feet too long.

We're going to WDW in just under two weeks, so I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or experiences with visiting the parks with injuries? I'm planning to bring a tripod chair so I can sit a little in longer queue lines, and I'm prepared that I might have to rent a wheelchair if it gets too much.

By the way, does anyone know how much it costs to rent a wheelchair in the parks?

Chairs are not allowed I have seen Cain chair but when someone sate in it a cm told them it was not allowed I also saw someone fall out of one and break there arm. I would rent a wheel chair you can push it and sit when you need to most lines move slowly any ways

 

[GirlDreamer]

A rollator wouldn't be much use I don't think, as I'm fine walking for a bit, but when the pain sets in I just need to get the weight off and let the foot rest properly. I don't want a scooter as it costs more and I really don't think I'll need anything outside of the parks. I might need something when I go shopping, but Florida Mall have courtesy wheelchairs if I get to that point. I'm really leaning on renting from the parks as I need to do as much walking as I can to give my foot some exercise.

Does anyone know how the length of stay rental at Disney works? Say if I rent a wheelchair for 5 days, can I add more days later if necessary?

 

[wilkeliza]

Not sure if you can add days or not. Length of Stay is just prepaying for a set number of days at $10 a day instead of the standard $12.

Just note if you go to Disney Springs, a wheelchair there requires a $100 deposit.

 

[SueM in MN]

A rollator wouldn't be much use I don't think, as I'm fine walking for a bit, but when the pain sets in I just need to get the weight off and let the foot rest properly. I don't want a scooter as it costs more and I really don't think I'll need anything outside of the parks. I might need something when I go shopping, but Florida Mall have courtesy wheelchairs if I get to that point. I'm really leaning on renting from the parks as I need to do as much walking as I can to give my foot some exercise.

Does anyone know how the length of stay rental at Disney works? Say if I rent a wheelchair for 5 days, can I add more days later if necessary?

Rollators are walkers with wheels and a fold down seat.
So, you could use it to walk with for support, to take some weight off your injured leg if standing still and put down the seat and sit on it if you need a seat for a few minutes.
That would be much safer than trying to balance on a tripod chair, even if those were allowed.

 

[BethCPTSD]

GirlDreamer,
I'm so sorry to hear about your leg! It sounds very painful and I empathize! I've broken my back twice this year already (compression fractures) but am hoping by the time I visit the parks next January there won't be much effect. I'll be thinking of you and hope you enjoy your time at Disney with as little pain as possible!

 

[powellrj]

Could you ask a local church or service club if they have loaner chairs you could use. I know my church does. Rollators are pretty reasonable to buy. Many times you can find them on sale for around $70. You might check Craig's list too.

 

[JennyDrake]

From personal experience----RENT THE CHAIR OR ECV.

I rented a chair from walker Mobility--nothing but good things to say about their rates and SERVICE.If you are even considering doing this, I cannot emphasize how easy and trouble free it was! And when in doubt RENT THE CHAIR!!! I could not have endured the parks w/o it.

We would park the chair, collapsed, either in obvious stroller/ECV parking or find an unobtrusive place (usually behind a trash can) and I would walk for a few hours. We tied a bright bandana to the hand grips.

This system worked PERFECTLY!!! On the buses I would transfer to a seat and we would collapse the chair. Boarding was quick and efficient. When departing, if I was not too tired, I would step off at the back door and friend Cathy would hoist the chair. Or I would walk down the ramp. If I was too tired and creaky, we would use the ramp. Going up/down the steep front steps would have been hard for me.

I'm a frequent WDW visitor but even _I_ WAY underestimated the walking from resort room to bus stop and from bus stop to park entrance. I'm not overweight, as in decent shape, and my Achilles rupture which significant, was not the level of the injury you have experienced.