renting a park

[margot31]

My mother in law will be joining us in Oct. She has had some major back surgery in the past 2 years and while she can walk she can't do too much.

Trying to figure out the best option for her that allows her to still walk and not feel like a burden or that she can't do anything.

What is it like renting at the parks? Is there normally enough of each both wheelchair and scooter? Would we be able to go and get one for her if she just needs to rest or does she have to be there to check one out since she is the user?

This is all new to us since last times we have gone everyone always was able to walk.

 

[ktate82]

My mother in law has had one hip replaced and needs the other done as well as a knee. She can walk, but she can't go far and can't stand for very long in one place. The first time she went, we rented an ECV from a Disney vendor. She didn't think she would need one, but the first day we went to AK. She didn't wasn't getting the rental scooter till the next day so the plan was to just rent one in the park. Just the walk from the car to the shuttle, then the walk into the park to the scooter rental, and she was about done. As she took the scooter through the park, she realized just how big it was. She told us there was no way she could have done more than a day or two the entire two weeks we were down there had she not had it.

My advice is to just rent an EVC from an offsite vendor (they are cheaper that way unless you are only there for a few days) so she has it the whole time. DMIL would like to walk some, so we would park the EVC (always take the key with you!), and she would walk that area. Then when she got tired, one of us could go get the EVC for her while she sat and rested. We walk anywhere from 7-15 miles a day.

 

[arminnie]

I am probably older than your MIL (70). I have no joint or back issues and am fairly well toned. I never thought I would need anything like a walker or ECV - but I developed a neurological problem in one leg that causes me to get tired very easily. It's like one leg has a 50 pound weight on it.

I can walk and do normal activity around the house. I clean my own home, weed the flower beds, grocery shop, and love to cook and preserve things. I have no problem carrying a dozen quart jars that have been filled. In other words I am fairly active without any assistance IRL. I'd probably feel kind of odd using an ECV at the grocery store.

But Disney is different. I now have my own ECV. Mine was $600 on Amazon so I figure as often as I go it will pay for itself fairly quickly. It's been great this spring to go on garden tours that may involve 4-5 miles of walking.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that needing an ECV at Disney is not the same thing as being "wheelchair bound" IRL. Unless your mother doesn't drive at all or is otherwise impaired I'm guessing that she'd prefer an ECV to a wheelchair. It's an independence thing. Plus not wanting to burden others.

If she's worried at all about parking on the buses just have one of your party do it for her. That's perfectly acceptable. The bus driver will not get off the bus and do it for you, but they will be exceptionally helpful in giving instructions. There's no issue with parking it and getting off to go into a crowded store or restaurant.

The ECV is a "convenience" vehicle. It is not a declaration that one is unable to walk. So nobody is going to think twice if she gets off to walk around. Someone who is unable to walk at all might not even be able to load and unload from an ECV.

 

[The Hunchback]

Rent from an outside vendor. I like Walker Mobility but Buena Vista is popular on this board.

If driving, be sure to get an ECV that breaks down and will fit into the auto. Does she have a handicapped parking tag? She should ask Dr for letter to get a temporary one. The walk from the end of a row in normal parking to the tram will do her hip in. She may not make it to ECV rental area at MK. We have not stayed on property for many years. I do recall the walk to the busses be a long way too.

All parks do run out of ECVs on busy days. Wheelchairs rarely are all gone.

I park the scooter, take key, and cover control panel (for rain) a lot in MK and EPCOT. Then walk the land or pavilion with my cane. Gives me a break and saves on the battery. I tend to stay on it in AK due to the uneven pathways. Studios vary depending on what we are doing that day.

She will not slow you down with an ECV and the trip will be more enjoyable for all if she is not hurting.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If driving, be sure to get an ECV that breaks down and will fit into the auto. Does she have a handicapped parking tag? She should ask Dr for letter to get a temporary one. The walk from the end of a row in normal parking to the tram will do her hip in. She may not make it to ECV rental area at MK. We have not stayed on property for many years. I do recall the walk to the busses be a long way too.

Alternatively, just let each CM in the parking lot know you need Medical - not handicapped - parking. These are the spaces closest to the tram and don't require a placard or doctor visit.

 

[ktate82]

Alternatively, just let each CM in the parking lot know you need Medical - not handicapped - parking. These are the spaces closest to the tram and don't require a placard or doctor visit.

We did this the first year DMIL went with us. She didn't have a handicapped tag, but we were staying off site and had rented an ECV. The first time I didn't know what to do, so just said we needed to unload an EVC and then park. The CM was very kind and told me I just needed to request medical parking, and it was fine.

 

[The Hunchback]

Ktate82, How did you get the ECV on the tram? Isn't medical parking just a close space in the main parking lot.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Many ECVs break down into manageable pieces; or she may have ridden the ECV from the car to the TTC or entrance.

 

[ktate82]

Ktate82, How did you get the ECV on the tram? Isn't medical parking just a close space in the main parking lot.

The medical parking was actually right up with the handicap parking lot. There were quite a few spots behind the handicap and some off to the side. We walked and MIL rode her ECV up to the TTC. It wasn't really much further than parking at the back and walking to the tram.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

My mother in law will be joining us in Oct. She has had some major back surgery in the past 2 years and while she can walk she can't do too much.

Trying to figure out the best option for her that allows her to still walk and not feel like a burden or that she can't do anything.

What is it like renting at the parks? Is there normally enough of each both wheelchair and scooter? Would we be able to go and get one for her if she just needs to rest or does she have to be there to check one out since she is the user?

This is all new to us since last times we have gone everyone always was able to walk.

I have to admit that when I saw the thread title then began reading the first few lines of your post I thought you were inquiring about renting out the whole park privately to accommodate your MIL. I thought to myself, "Wow she must be one heck of a MIL!"

 

[ktate82]

In THIS thread, Robo has a decent photo of the TTC parking. It is the 15th picture down. The handicap parking and medical parking is the lighter area of parking right past the words "MK/TTC Parking". We have also parked in the lot to the far right (it's out of the picture), but still it wasn't a bad walk since MIL had her ECV. But I would suggest you MIL talking with her physician about getting a temporary handicap parking tag.

 

[margot31]

I have to admit that when I saw the thread title then began reading the first few lines of your post I thought you were inquiring about renting out the whole park privately to accommodate your MIL. I thought to myself, "Wow she must be one heck of a MIL!"

If anything its I don't know how to type....sometimes my fingers are much faster than my mind.