Sciatica, ECV and GAC advice please

[StitchSpawn]

Echoing that staying in the ECV up until boarding or up to the farthest point she's allowed to take it is your best bet. Even if lines aren't long waits, they can be long distances, some with small slopes throughout the line.

I believe there's some other rides with stairs, I know the Dinosaur ride at AK has them, but if there's back problems this is a ride best avoided as its very jerky.

As for what she can and can't go on, it's really going to be a matter of how she feels. What may be tolerable for one person may not be for another.

This will sound unrelated but I promose it makes sense...my mom gets motion sick pretty easily, but can do most of the rides at Disney. My point is that there's lot of slow and smooth moving rides there so there should be a decent number that she'll be able to ride.

I hope so, thanks! I just feel bad for her.

I guess I'll be suggesting she stick to the ECV unless she is sure she will be ok.

 

[deegack]

just saying...don't post if you don't know what you are talking about, but to everyone else, thanks for the advice. I am still very concerned, but we will do the best we can do and I am going to pray somehow she feels better on the trip.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.c...s&page=1&where=search&qid=96713&pid=80&cid=83

wow a little rude to people trying to help you. The mom's panel is great (heck I'm applying for this year) but they sometimes get it wrong, just like CM sometimes get it wrong. People on this board live the rules and usually have a much better idea of what really happens.

DH went with a bad back last time and asked about a GAC. He was told to get a wheelchair or ECV. There are few if any places to sit in alt waiting areas and usually they are full. I honestly don't understand the reluctance to use a ecv in a mainstreamed line. There is no rule that your sil has to sit in it. You could drive it while she walks.

 

[Piper]

When I go with people who ride things that I can't (and there are a lot of them ) I just wait in the gift shop at the exit. If there isn't a shop, I find some shade and people watch. You will find that there are a lot of things to do at WDW even if you cannot ride all the rides. I am able to fill my days with fun.

If you are staying on Disney property, then I would rent from an off site vendor. Getting on and off the busses isn't really as difficult as you think and the ECVs at WDW are big, bulky, and more difficult to drive! Also, some of the resorts are really large and getting back to the room at the end of the day can be difficult.

Also, be prepared to wait extra in the accessible lines. The number of vehicles available for people who use those lines are very limited and I usually have to wait longer than those in the "regular" lines. Even if there are only 3 parties ahead of you, the wait can be three full cycles before you get on.

 

[SueM in MN]

wow a little rude to people trying to help you. The mom's panel is great (heck I'm applying for this year) but they sometimes get it wrong, just like CM sometimes get it wrong. People on this board live the rules and usually have a much better idea of what really happens.

DH went with a bad back last time and asked about a GAC. He was told to get a wheelchair or ECV. There are few if any places to sit in alt waiting areas and usually they are full. I honestly don't understand the reluctance to use a ecv in a mainstreamed line. There is no rule that your sil has to sit in it. You could drive it while she walks.

And, if you look at the blue bar at the bottom of the page on the mom's panel, you will see it says:
"The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts online, it's affiliates, it's management, it's agents or it's employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts online prior to posting."

So, the information posted on the Mom's Panel is no more 'official' than anything posted on any other website, this one included.

There have been quite a few times when I have personal experience with the question asked on the Mom's Panel and know that the answer given is not correct.
deegack said it just right - the people who are posting answers on this thread have not just read about it. They have lived the advice they are giving. Many have made multiple trips to WDW. So, we do know what we are talking about.
We also have read threads from people who went to WDW expecting each attraction would have places to sit because they read that on the Internet, but what they found was what people a posting here - very few places to sit, many attractions where everyone stands for a period of time, etc.

This is what Disney has posted on their website, at the bottom of this page:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/
STAMINA OR ENDURANCE CONCERNS
Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in Walt Disney World attraction queues. We strongly suggest these Guests consider using a wheelchair, personal scooter or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV), as the distance between the attractions is much greater than the length of the queues.
This is pretty much what people on this thread have been posting.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As an expert on Disney Ticketing I am appalled at some of the answers with regards to tickets which I see on the Mom's Panel. They are totally wrong and off-the-wall.

On DisBoards if you make a factual error there will be at least a half dozen people who will jump on you on the thread (usually politely) and tell you if you are wrong and what is correct. So DisBoards is effectively self-correcting.

If someone makes a statement on the Mom's Panel there are no checks and balances and often the information is wrong. As far as my authority, look at my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has some access information which will be helpful for you - in most cases, the entrance for those using ECVs and wheelchairs is the regular line because most are accessible. There are some lines which are not ECV accessible, but all lines/attractions are wheelchair accessible to the boarding area and some have wheelchair accessible ride cars.

You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

Post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about Guest Assistance Cards. Disney does not publish anything official about them, but I know what is in that post is pretty accurate because I have had several CMs who work in Guest Relations and give out GACs review it for me. I have also received PMs several times form Guest Relations CMs who thought they had "figured out" who I was and that I was one of the Guest Relations supervisors - I'm not a Disney employee, but the question does tell me that the information posted there is as accurate as possible.

There is information in posts 18-22 of the FAQs thread about touring with an ECV and the type of transfer needed for different attractions and a list of attractions that involve standing with no place to sit.

Post 23 has a list of attractions with warnings, plus a bit of information about what about that attraction might be why it has a warning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

just saying...don't post if you don't know what you are talking about, but to everyone else, thanks for the advice. I am still very concerned, but we will do the best we can do and I am going to pray somehow she feels better on the trip.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.c...s&page=1&where=search&qid=96713&pid=80&cid=83

Interesting. Here you're getting responses from multiple people with experience visiting Walt Disney World in pain, with mobility challenges, with various medical challenges. There you're getting a lot of "mights" from one volunteer with expertise in dietary issues and a father-in-law in a wheelchair.

This attitude is just going to convince people to avoid advising you

 

[kaytieeldr]

When I go with people who ride things that I can't (and there are a lot of them ) I just wait in the gift shop at the exit.

Do you at least go through the queue with them, or have you? Every ride has a non-rider exit, and much of the theming is amazing.

 

[Bete]

If you have a scooter at the resort and use Disney transportation, it may be necessary for someone else to park and get it off the bus. The manuevers are tough sometimes to get the scooter parked correctly on the bus; so, it can be locked down properly. Most bus drivers will not help in this matter; There may be a few kind ones, but it's not their job to park the scooter for you. There's a manual overdrive on scooters that some people use to get the scooter in it's proper place on the bus to park it. The resorts are large and it would probably be a good idea to have a scooter there, as well. The price difference is significant between renting at the parks and doing an off site rental for scooters. It's a long trek from the bus stop to the entrance of the parks, too.

You need to charge the battery every night if you have a scooter all the time. You need to get the scooter in her room every day, too. She will probably need help doing these manuevers. Scooters are not wet friendly. If it's raining you need to seek shelter. Many cover the scooter if they are parked for a while. You can a poncho for it.

I strongly suggest practicing on a scooter beforehand. They're free to use in stores like Walmart, Target and grocery stores. Those scooters are not identical to the ones you will have at Disney, but it's a start. Most people rent the portable, travel scooters which are smaller. You can try those at medical supply stores locally. Try a three wheel one and a four wheel one to see which kind feels better to her.

I would even suggest going to a local zoo one day and using a scooter there for practice. It will be a great way to tell if she can endure it. If she can't do well at the zoo she may have bigger issues at Disney. Disney is a 6 to 12 mile hike for most people. It depends on how long you stay each day. She may need an afternoon rest back at the resort.

Keep in mind the scooter driver has responsibilities, too. It can be challenging driving a scooter through a crowd. People will dart out in front of you and you have to be prepared to stop or manuever the scooter away. One of the hardest places to drive a scooter for us is the Land Pavillon in Future World in Epcot. If you want to do the Soarin' ride you need to take the scooter down an elevator to continue to use it. The Soarin ride has a very long ride queue and it's a popular ride; so, the wait can be long at times. I have used a scooter and my 75 year old husband has used a scooter too many times to mention; so, I have some personal experience, here.

You don't have to go on the rides to have fun at Disney. We go with a 90 year old mother in a wheelchair and we still enjoy the shows, exhibits, parades and fireworks and do very little with the rides. You can transfer to a wheelchair on some rides and then use special ride cars to enjoy the ride. Scooters do not go on rides. The dining can be fun, too; my mom likes the character meals.

I would definitely alternate doing rides with other more restful activities. Don't be a commando with the rides. If possible, maybe you should break away from each other if you find the need to do ride after ride all the time. You can meet up for meals and shows and such at different times of the day. Cell phones do great for catching up with one another. If she's new to Disney then I wouldn't suggest this the first day.

I'm not a doctor, but I know some get pain relief from cortizone shots in the back and some even do accupture for relief there. I would pursue pain avoidance options with her doctor. Also, I would talk with the doctor to see what he/she advises in this case on rides and such. Maybe, she shouldn't go on any rides, right now. If you don't make her feel she will be missing out she can still have a good time at Disney without rides. There's so much street entertainment and people watching for one. Alternate and take turns sitting it out with her and have some great conversations.

You will definitely need a travelling and stadegy plan. Use those EMH times in the morning. The parks will not be as full; so, manuevering the scooter will be easier and you will get on rides quicker. I do think this can still be a good trip for all. Family is what make memories, not rides. Disney for us is the best place to enjoy for someone in a wheelchair or scooter. I will say I'd rather go to Disney with a scooter than not go at all.

 

[SashaFarce]

My partner and I are ECV riders but I myself am not comfortable manipulating an ECV through a queue (my partner will if necessary) and we mostly use them to travel the parks. When we're ready to walk, we park them in a stroller area, take the keys, and put the seats down - if you don't you'll have a hot butt when you come back!

 

[jdb in AZ]

My partner and I are ECV riders but I myself am not comfortable manipulating an ECV through a queue (my partner will if necessary) and we mostly use them to travel the parks. When we're ready to walk, we park them in a stroller area, take the keys, and put the seats down - if you don't you'll have a hot butt when you come back!

Hey, one more post and you'll have your ears!

DH rents a 4-wheel ECV and it's a lot harder to steer through a queue than the 3-wheeler I rent.

Another reason to put the seat down is to keep it dry if it starts raining while you're gone. Yes, if it looks like rain we'll park under an overhang of sorts.

 

[kathleendsm]

just saying...don't post if you don't know what you are talking about, but to everyone else, thanks for the advice. I am still very concerned, but we will do the best we can do and I am going to pray somehow she feels better on the trip.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.c...s&page=1&where=search&qid=96713&pid=80&cid=83

Here's the thing. There is a perception that people with a GAC or a wheelchair get front of the line access, because people may see them go into an alternate queue and head in front of them. What they don't see is the places where those folks are often held, frequently for longer than guests in standby.

For instance, Killomanjaro Safaris. Sure, with our stroller as a wheelchair it looks like we race right up the Fastpass line. Sweet! But then you get to the loading point, and you're held with the other folks in wheelchairs and ECV's. There is only one accessible truck (at least, I think so), so depending on how many wheelchairs/ECVs/strollers there are, you could wait for 2 or 3 times longer than the folks in the regular line who can continuously load to every car.

Spaceship Earth has a special waiting area, which looks great since usually there aren't too many people there. But they don't stop the ride often, and so we have usually wait at least half an hour if not longer there, even if the standby line is 10 or 15 minutes.

Once in a while you might get lucky (pixie dust?) with a GAC and get quicker access. I wouldn't count on it though. And really, I hope your DSIL can have as pain free a trip as possible, and it sounds like she will need the ECV to stay in for those longer waits.

One thing you did say is renting in the parks. I have heard that they go quickly, and if you are waiting for buses, that can be a long line to stand in. Also, there is no GAC on a bus. If you want a guaranteed seat you may need to wait for a second bus to come, which could be an uncomfortable wait for her.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another thought: with any reasonable number of adults, it appears a wheelchair would be even better than an ECV in thi case. When the woman needs to sit in line, she can; when she needs to not sit, she can use the cchair as a walker; and between attractions, the various adults in her group can alternate assisting her getting from place to place.

 

[katrina1122]

You don't need to worry about the GAC if you have the ecv or a wheelchair. As to waiting, bring her in line with you even if she isn't riding. We did this with my dad who was permanately in a wheelchair and couldn't transfer to rides that he couldn't wheel right on to. He got to hang with us, see the themeing and in a few cases if the ride wasn't busy a cm would show him the control booth, security cameras etc until we got off, that was more exciting to him than the actual rides.

If she is riding and the ecv is diverted to an alternate line you may actually wait longer than the regular line depending on the number of chairs in front of you.

When we took my dad, Disney had a special number to call about disabilities and they sent a great free brochure for mobility impaired. I don't know if it still exists but it was super helpful.

We are going in Nov 2012 and in all likelyhood I'll be renting an ecv. I had full ankle reconstructive surgery in 09 which corrected the problem but I've had new even worse pain ever since in the heal. I often grab an ecv still just to go grocery shopping and use my handicap hang tag much more than I'd like to. I also have mild sciatica probably from limping for almost 5 years now. We rent one for me every time we go to the Javitz Center in NYC for Toy Fair. This place is flat with a hard floor and massive!!! Tons and tons of walking, no way I'd make it without the ecv. I just ride right into the booths, people will move. When I want to walk for a bit we leave it at one end of the aisle and come back to it at the other end. WDW will be much the same for her I'm sure. The biggest thing is not to push it, use the ecv. I hate it, I'd rather walk, but I've learned. Why hurt when it's unnecessary? Plus I have fibromyalgia on top of everything else so even when my ankle was healthy walking at WDW for week would put in bed for a few days upon return, I think I'd do an ecv this time even without the ankle issue.

Also, I'd second the renting of an ecv. They will will be cheaper than a daily rental in the parks, plus you know you'll have one. The parks can run out, this happened to my mom. She twisted her ankle and tried to rent a chair or ecv and couldn't get either.

Once you practice with the scooter a bit, parking on the bus will not be much worse than pulling into stroller parking. I can parallel park one and I can't even parallel park my car, lol! The resorts are huge and the walk from the bus stop to your room can be longer than from the park to the bus stop. Plus if you go to DTD or resort hopping she'll have something to use.