Rent ECV or wing it?

[emerymt]

I've got rheumatoid arthritis and I don't need a wheelchair or ECV normally, but I can't do a theme park without one. I used an ECV at Disneyland last year (after having really suffered at Legoland) and it made all the difference in the world to me. That being the case, would it still be a good idea to try to rent one at the parks? How hard is it to push someone around the park in a wheelchair (the park's wheelchairs) in case I there isn't an ECV for me to rent? I can't push myself. I've got a strong husband and son who can do it, I think.

I don't really want to deal with the aggravation of moving an ECV around on the busses if I don't have to, so I don't want to do a weekly rental- but, maybe I should? I can walk around pretty well for a little while- like an hour. I know they can run out of ECVs at the parks- does that happen often? We're going June 2-10.

Thanks so much!

 

[minkydog]

I pushed our 100lb son in his w/c and I'll tell you, I was sore for the whole week. I think it would be worth putting up with the inconvenience of the bus just to have your ECV available all the time. We just got back from a week at WDW and I don't know what we would have done without the ECV. DH has severe lung/heart disease which limits his stamina. He really didn't want to use the ECV, but since he had just had a bout of heart trouble I insisted. It made all teh difference! Without the ECV he would have been winded within 30 min and looking for a place to sit. Then he would have gone from sit to sit, apologizing for slowing us down, and I would have been saying, "Oh, that's okay, it's no trouble." Within 2hrs we would have been out of sorts with each other. Instead, he sailed along and saved his energy, which allowed him to fully participate in our vacation .

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is a very strong chance that all the parks will be out of ECVs by 11:00 am during that time period.

It can be very difficult to push a person around in a wheelchair at the parks for several reasons. One is if they are not used to it, it can be a big physical strain. And it is HOT!. Another is that the WDW rental wheelchairs are not lightweight and that adds to the effort. The third is there are hills which most people do noot notice when walking but you definitely are aware of either in or pushing a wheelchair or even when in an ECV.

Last is that Disney is getting more newer buses. The newest ones with the ramps work very well; they are getting rid of the older ones with the lifts.

And if you check the disABILTIES FAQ you will see a list of the off-site vendors which people have used and tend to recommend highly.

P.S. Don't rent an ECV with a canopy. They are a lot more trouble than benefit.

 

[Haley Whippet]

Get the ECV! DH pushed me around on one of our trips, and he was totally worn out..
You can get a nice compact ECV off site..
Deb

 

[yorkshiregirl]

Another yes for the ECV. DH found it invaluable and helped maintain his independance. We used Randys Mobility and it was delivered to our villa the first day and collected at the end of our stay.

 

[Schmeck]

Yes, get an ECV - and rent one from offsite, so you can use it at Downtown Disney, around the resort, and even at the Boardwalk/BC/YC area.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[emerymt]

Okay, okay I'm convinced
Minkydog, I really understand about your husband "going from sit to sit!" I engage in what I call "pre-emptive sitting." I start sitting down at every chance, whether I need to or not, because I know I only have so many steps in me.

The problem is partly that I have been able to manage my illness pretty well by basically cutting back on everything (meaning retiring 20 years early, no more sports or even walking, reduced driving, help for housework & cooking, etc. etc.) that my family doesn't really "get it" that the parks are going to be a huge problem for me. My husband & oldest son weren't there when I went to Disneyland and used the ECV. Thanks to a lot of foresight & luck, and the fact that this is a progressive illness, this will be our family's first real inconvenience on account of me.

What I am hearing from you all is that the inconvenience will be greater if I don't get an ECV. I hope the family realizes this.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Here is a set of questions I often post for people who are worried (embarrassed) about using a wheelchair or ECV. You might want to look at them and modify them to discuss them with your family which may work toward helping them see the light.

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[cupcake]

My dh pushed me for years in a wc at WDW. He feels the extra cost and trouble of the ECV is well worth it bc he doesn't have to spend his trip being HOT!!! That time of year is esp. tough for someone pushing. Think of how hot and tired people get who are not pushing. We think it's also easier to manage crowds with the ECV. It is easier for me in the ECV than for him pushing bc I can see better what is right in front of me. He does not miss the stress of trying to navigate the wc, and in fact, he will put his hand on the basket and walk a bit in front of me to help me when it's very crowded.

Have a great trip!

Cupcake

 

[bzzymom]

My mom is a person with difficulty standing, and walking. She refuses to rent an ecv from a medical supply place at WDW because she doesn't want to have to deal with getting on the bus with it. On our last trip, she had so much pain in her knee and back from her walking at the hotel, and from the parking lot to the ecv rental, that she spent the last 2 days there at the hotel. She wouldn't even try to come in with us. She did sit in a chair by the pool, and that walk was too much for her.

I wish she would just rent one for the whole stay.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I don't really want to deal with the aggravation of moving an ECV around on the busses if I don't have to,

If your favourite parks are Epcot & MGM stay at a Bay Lake hotel (Boardwalk - Swan - Dolphin - Yacht Club - Beach Club), you can get to either by boat, which are easier to get onto with an ECV than the buses - you can even ride all the way on your ECV.

If your favourites ar MK and Epcot, stay at one of the monorail hotels (Grand Floridian - Polynesian - Contemporary)

Andrew

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My mom is a person with difficulty standing, and walking. She refuses to rent an ecv from a medical supply place at WDW because she doesn't want to have to deal with getting on the bus with it. On our last trip, she had so much pain in her knee and back from her walking at the hotel, and from the parking lot to the ecv rental, that she spent the last 2 days there at the hotel. She wouldn't even try to come in with us. She did sit in a chair by the pool, and that walk was too much for her.

I wish she would just rent one for the whole stay.

Ask her the questions I listed a few posts above this one.

Also Disney is getting more buses with the low ramps and getting rid of the ones with the lifts. And if she does not want to deal with the bus ramps soemone else in the group can drive it on and off the bus whie she uses the stairs (or maybe the ramp).

Also Andrew had very good advice about selecting where to stay.

 

[emerymt]

We are already booked into OKW through a timeshare trade with Interval International, so there's no changing that!

Thanks for the tips everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

[arminnie]

I've never used an ECV except at WDW - not even the grocery store or Walmart where they are readily available. I really don't need one for day to day life.

BUT - boy do I need it for WDW. It just made all of the difference in the world.

Don't be intimidated by the buses. I was at first because of what people wrote here, and I really didn't need to be. I am not the best at manuevering (even a shopping cart), but I really had NO problem with the buses. The drivers were great and told me exactly what to do.

I never took buses (always drove) before the ECV. The ECV will make it much easier to get around at OKW. I ended up getting a refillable mug as a trip on the ECV to get a refill was a nice outing not a horrible chore.

 

[emerymt]

I've heard OKW is big- we've never been there before. I never thought about using the ECV there, but that makes great sense Duh! My planning skills really need to be tuned up! Thanks for the tip

 

[mbb]

Glad you're getting the ECV

Just have to share...my parents always come with us to WDW, and my mom brings her wheelchair (she has some tremendous mobility issues).

I get to push.

...and the first year, she felt really bad. We talked about her renting an ECV, and I explained to her that if we ever went to WDW in the summer, she would HAVE to get one, it's just too hot.

But in December, January, February, I'm all hers

I know she worries about my health while I'm pushing her..
I know she hates to ask:"Can we go look over there?"

I also know how we giggle at things we see and overhear...and how we enjoy the secret Mickey Bars we treat each other too when we're rolling, and need a break (we send the boys on a ride )...

...and I know that I wouldn't know those things, if I wasn't right behind my mom. Just glad that I am

Now the inside/outside ramp/elevator situation at The Land...is a whole other story!! LOL!!

 

[Momelie]

Hi there! I have psoriatic arthritis, and I can totally relate to how you feel!

I just got back today from a 5 day trip, and let me tell you - ECV is the way to go!

I only used one in the parks, because I always either valet park or request a room right by the handicapped spots, depending on which resort I'm in. It was a godsend not to have to hear my DH huffing and puffing up the hills, or trying to hold on to the chair while going down the ramp at The Land! You will be amazed at how much extra stamina the use of an ECV will give you. They aren't that difficult to operate - my hands are very stiff, and I can do it, LOL!

Good luck, and I hope you have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

If she hasn't used an ECV before, have her try at stores - places like grocery stores, Target, Walmart have them. If she's OK with those, she should be fine at WDW.
There are some places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread where you can rent them off-site, rather than taking your chances at getting one at the parks.
Have her practice at the resort so she feels comfortable going straight, turning both ways, backing up and backing into a space.

 

[LindaBabe]

RENT IT! But there are some things you can do before you go to prepare. One of them is "backing practice" at the supermarket or lowes, with one of those shopping cart ecvs. I'd try to get in some quality time backing into small palces discovering how tight you can turn, and so forth. The ones from off site will be much more maneuverable than Disney's because they have 3 wheels, not 4.

OKW is GREAT with an ecv. Be sure to mention on your reservation, or fax 5 days in advance to the front desk, AND reiterate on check in that you will have an ecv. Otherwise, they may put you in a 2nd floor walk up.

Remember to turn the speed DOWN when backing on to the busses. Some of the newer ones, you can drive on.

My husband gave me grief too - til he saw how much better HIS life was when I rode the ecv rather than struggling from rest spot to rest spot, miles behind everyone else. If your family doesn't like it they can lump it - YOU deserve to have a good time.

 

[emerymt]

Thanks, everyone! This last weekend convinced me you are all right. I purposefully overdid it this weekend, just to see. Sat. I did some baking and helped at a "high tea" (not as nice as the one at the GF, but oh well!) and I even did less than everyone else, they all know I've got arthritis. Hurt a lot then. Sun. I went to church then sold tickets at a basketball tournament (again, requested a "sit-down" volunteer opportunity). WAS I A MESS ON SUNDAY NIGHT! Took narcotics both days which I don't like to do.

Learned my lesson. I had to do it though. In my first post I mentioned how I am lucky enough not to have to do much of anything, so I really didn't know my capabilities (or lack thereof).

Thank you all so much for your help! I know if I don't get an ECV my week will not only be ruined, so will everyone else's- also, I want to be independent. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere alone if I had to rely on a rented WC.