I have RA and a number of other medical conditions. The RA and one of them conspire to cause mobility issues at WDW [at home it is much easier to adapt/compensate; not so much with the long distances involved in WDW]. I realize everyone's RA and issues are unique, so I am going to come at this from the perspective of some things that have worked for *me* in the hopes that some of them may also be applicable/work for your sister.
The first, is that once I got DAS for the first time, each subsequent trip when I went to Guest Services I was able to start the conversation with a variation of "I would like to
renew my DAS." Even when the last trip was a couple years before. In my case, I was NOT asked to "explain again" why I needed it, they simply renewed it, took my picture again, explained what had changed [eg when it went from paper to electronic], etc. Other posters in other threads have reported that
usually when you are "
renewing" your DAS it is fairly straightforward, but that yes, sometimes you do have to explain your needs again, so one should be prepared for that possibility. Of course, we don't know what things will be like with the new system, so it will be useful to pay attention as people start reporting their experiences under the new system. I figure, hope for the easiest and prepare for the full thing.
I have several points about using an ECV. I don't use an ECV or any other mobility device at home. The only time I need an ECV is when I visit WDW or the Zoo, because I cannot walk or be on my feet (even just standing in place) that much. I used to be able to, but just cannot anymore. The last time I tried, we had rented an ECV but I figured I would leave it at the resort when we went to DHS to see the holiday lights for a "just" a few hours in the evening. Big Mistake. I ended up in so much pain I almost couldn't walk and barely made it out of the park. I was in severe pain for days. It nearly ruined the trip. I learned my lesson though, and the ECV goes with me when we go to the parks or Disney Springs.
Now, I absolutely understand the issue of standing is a problem, sitting is a problem, joints dont like any position for very long and stiffen up, and sometimes walking is a good thing, if done in limited doses. My solution for this is that I control how much I drive the ECV vs park it and walk around an area within the park. So, if I am having a "good" day and I am game for walking more, I will drive it between lands, but then park it and walk around within a land or within an area within a land. For example, park it under the tomorrowland peoplemover and then do that ride and then walk to some of the nearby rides in the area and do them, then walk back to the ECV and drive it to the next area, rinse and repeat. If I am not having as good a day, I may drive it from ride to ride parking it at each one and walking the line. On an outright bad day (like after that outing to the holiday lights), the ECV does the line with me most of the time. I have total control. I can adapt day to day, and within a day. Bad morning thanks to morning stiffness ? ECV visits more rides or ride to ride. Great day ? More park and walk.
Another advantage of this is I always have a place to sit when I need it. WDW is taking away more and more benches and seating places. With the ECV, I have my own. And, er, with a compromised immune system. well, *I have my own seat*, TYVM. Also handy when my sister goes on rides I can no longer do, like Space Mountain. I can find a nice spot outside it to park my ECV and sit and relax while she rides it. If I need to get up and stretch a bit, no problem, I just do with the ECV right beside me. I can even do some simple exercises if I want, leaning on the parked ECV
As for driving the ECV... I learned an important lesson with my first
ECV rental: the design of the tiller can make a MASSIVE difference in hand comfort. The first ecv i rented was from Walker Mobility. The tiller design of that scooter meant that you had to use your thumbs a LOT. Within the first day my thumbs and hands HURT *a LOT*. Fortunately we only had the rental a few days before a cruise. After the cruise we rented from Buena Vista. Totally different tiller design -- WOW !! What a difference. No thumbs needed !!! And actually, I didn't need to *grip* it with my fingers - I could actually use my hand(s) as a *lever* without *gripping* per se and make it work, and at various angles. One could probably use an object if needed. Since then, when considering which offsite vendor to rent an ecv from, the first thing I consider is what tiller design they have, because for ME it has to be that one "good for me" design. My current preferred vendor is Gold Mobility. Won't matter for everyone, but others have posted on here how the tiller design also makes a major difference for them. I know for myself if I had not had the two different tillers in the same trip, I might have given up on ECVs and visiting WDW.
I also would get a DAS, though not for the mobility issues - I have other medical issues that result in the need for the DAS. Some of those issues are due to side effects from RA meds.
We found our best plan was to combine a good plan for touring the park with the use of fastpasses and DAS. We also usually go at a time when there are parties like
MVMCP which have lower crowds and are later in the day, and we take advantage of those.
My plan for future trips with the new changes is to use a combo of everything we can: DAS (DAS advance, DAS return times), Genie, Genie+,
Lightning Lane, early morning/late evening hours for resort guests (well, probably more late evening).
Hope this helps.
