Rolling Walkers

[TeresaNJ]

I'll be traveling solo to WDW in about two weeks, and I have a myopathy that makes continuous moving painful, as well as spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, which makes walking painful. Usually my DH pushes me in a wheelchair, but as I said, I'll be alone. I can walk about 1/2 mile before I start having back & leg pain, and foot numbness. I find that when using a shopping cart in a store, I have much less pain, and more stamina due to being able to place some of my weight on the cart. I'm thinking of buying a rolling walker to take with me.

Are you able to take the walker on the plane, and also, what about on the busses at Disney? I assume it wouldn't be a problem, as they fold like strollers do. Is there any danger of it being stolen when parked outside a ride? Do you put identifying info on it? Should I just rent one from a rental company to be delivered to my resort, rather than carting it with me on the plane? Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you thought of renting an ECV from an off-site vendor. Use of a walker will not do anything to shorten the distances. Don't forget that once around the World Showcae Lagoon Promenade, even without actually doing anything in the countries, is over 1½ miles.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I've thought about it, but I have such a phobia of them. I don't know why. I imagine myself not being able to get it on the bus, and holding the whole line up, and everyone being mad at me.

 

[Tiggerish]

I can help with the airport part. I get a gate tag for my rolling walker from the airline desk, usually the one by the gate. I do walk with it through security. They will ask if you can walk without it and since I can, they they either put it on the conveyor belt and screen it or hand wand it while I stagger through the screener door thing. I do take it all the way up the walk way to the plane door, then fold it and leave it with just outside the door. When I exit the plane, it is waiting there just outside the door although if I get off too quickly, I may have to wait a couple of minutes for it to show up in which case, I just step to the side, lean against the wall and wait out of the way.

If you go get one, get one with a seat. Having the ability to sit whenever and wherever is priceless.

Also, I rode the Chicago city buses with mine alot and you just fold it up like and hold it against your feet. Like people do with strollers.

For Disney, I use my rolling walker to get through the airport but I do rent an ECV from an off-site place and use that during my stay.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thanks Tiggerish. That's great info.

 

[Tiggerish]

TeresaNJ, I can so relate to the ECV fears. I actually booked a short trip to WDW all by myself and rented the ECV so I could learn to use it without embarassing my family. That first trip I stayed at the Dolphin so I could just take the paths or boats to Epcot and the Studios. To get the the Magic Kingdom I went through Epcot and got on the monorail. Why, because then I never had to use a bus. Since then I have gone with family and have learned to take it on the bus and discovered that most bus drivers will help me get into place with a great attitude and I have never noticed any complaining or eye rolling from others.

I have also used to rolling walker to get to the bus stop and from the bus stop to the ECV rental area at Epcot (which was a long ways). The ECV rental place stored my walker while I did the park in the EVC and then got it back to me when I turned it in at the end of the night so I could use it to get back to the bus stop and then back to the hotel room. So if you get there and find the walking is too much, you could do the daily rental at the parks and avoid having to take it on a bus.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Do they rent ECVs at the International Gateway at Epcot, or just at the front?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes. As soon as you enter the turnsiles at IG, just before the Gift Shop, is stroller/wheelchair/ECV rental.

 

[KPeveler]

One thing to consider is that the ground is not smooth at Disney - it is often brick, cobblestone, full of trolley tracks, or an "authentic" trail. I discovered when I used a rollator that when I was outdoors, the vibrations of the trails and pathways was maddening. I found using a wheelchair (or ECV, though I never used one) much more comfortable.

When in the parks, you can take it all the way to the ride loading area, just like a wheelchair. It is very unlikely to be bothered at that area.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thank you for all the helpful info.

 

[crhbrault]

I am curious to know what you decided on the rolling walker and if you used one, how did you make out?

 

[Bete]

You can get wheelchair assistance at the airport. There are foldable walkers that fit into a larger suitcase. I don't think you can get a rollator one that folds into a suitcase. You may want a walker for your room, too; so, this is why I suggested a fold away one if you go the scooter route.

You can practice ahead of time for a scooter. Your local stores have them for free. You can also go to a local mobility aid store in your community and try one. They should be able to explain to you how it works and how to recharge the battery each day. The Pride to Go scooters are smaller and will be easier to manipulate on the buses and in the resort. You can use an outside rental scooter at the resort, too. They are the cheapest ones you can rent. As already stated you can rent at the parks, but that's more expensive and it's first come, first serve with them; there are no advance reservations. I have often suggested to go to a zoo for a day and rent one there; so, you can see how you like it.

You will be able to take a scooter through line queues and you get handicap viewing with them at the shows and parades in designated areas.

It really sounds like even with a walker you could have some issues walking at the parks. I wouldn't risk it.

You will be able to accomplish a lot more at the parks with a scooter; it's a blessing that way. It's worth the money considering how much less pain you'll have and how much more you can do there.

See if you can borrow a walker (any kind) and use it for a day and see how you feel with it. At home you will have chairs to sit on when you are tired.

 

[disney david]

For the buses you can use the back entrance either the off for the old buses or the ramp for the new low floor buses. And yes you will have to fold your walker like strollers do.

 

[cmesq61]

L love my rolling walker but it's an ECV for WDW. The rollator may help you a lot in your every day life, though. I gate check mine when flying...walk down the jet way, collapse it at the end and leave it for them to load, but I do carry the basket on board with me and put in the overhead. Ditto the comment about cobblestones and hills. Makes me want to cry with exhaustion thinking about all that walking.