should I make plans?

[Piper]

I haven't posted in a long, long time. I went to Disney in the summer of 2000 and it was a very difficult trip. I was with my sister's family (sister, bil, and 3 nephews in teens and 24). I was in a great deal of pain and was pushed beyond my endurance to do things. I was very willing to go back to the cabin and rest by myself, but I don't think my family really realized how much pain I had--I tend to downplay it. The ECV was a lifesaver.

Anyway, since then I had a triple cervical spine fusion with hardware, a lumpectomy and treatment for breast cancer, and gall bladder surgery (found that one on a bone scan to check for cancer metastesis-sp). My family now realizes that I wasn't "faking"--I need more spinal surgery, but I am just not ready to go through it right now.

OK--now to my question-----I am thinking about going to WDW alone in June. I don't want to have to explain my every move to people and if I want to rest, I want to be able to do it without feeling like I am spoiling someone elses fun! I will again use an ECV and I can walk using a forearm crutch. Am i nuts? Will I be viewed as weird? Will I be viewed as crazy if I decide to go on rides by myself?

I think I will also post this on the solo board, but I would really like feedback from people who also deal with disabilities. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think you will be able to enjoy yourself. Almost everything is easily accessible.

My strongest two suggestions are to:

(1) rent your ECV from an off-site location and don't depend on Disney's rentals. Although I don't need them, I think there is a "crutch clip" on the seat back of most ECVs. You might, when you make your reservation, be sure to specify this need.

(2) If at all possible, stay in a monorail hotel. This gives you easiest accessibility to both MK and EC.

Best choice would be the Contemporary in a Tower room. This way you will be in the main building. In the Poly there are no sleeping rooms in the main building, and in GF only Conceirge. This way if there is inclement weather you can stay inside.

 

[cupcake]

Hello! I accompanied my dh on a conference in October and spent an entire week touring by myself in an ECV. We were at the Swan, and I liked being at an Epcot resort, it was very easy to get to Epcot and MGM. I found that Epcot was my favorite this trip; all the live entertainment was great and it was less crowded and thus easy to get around without aggravation. Also enjoyed MGM a lot by myself, I think it's bc most attractions are shows. MK is, as always, crowded and has a lot of transferring. I had many nice conversations with other guests while waiting for parades or shows to start.

The things that are occurring to me are: (1) beware of attractions that require transferring & then waiting in line using a manual wc (eg Rock & Rollercoaster & Tower of Terror). at the former, the CMs were unwilling to commit on exactly how long the line was and a nice CM went thru the line with me in a manual wc, which was greatly appreciated but not something to count on all the time. tower of terror also requires waiting in line in a manual wc but it is possible to load at the exit if the fastpass line is too long to manage. (2) I enjoyed shows much more than rides by myself. (3) table service restaurants are a nice break and are easy to do by yourself. if you do non-table service, dine way off peak (unless you are way more coordinated than I am and can get your food in your ECV!). (4) the animal viewing at AK was a nightmare earlier in the day, plan on doing it as late as possible. I was not only invisible in my ECV, I was super invisible. it was like a total obstacle course, what with all the people drifting into me and literally walking thru doors and letting them shut on me (there are many doors in the viewing areas so it can be more challenging when you are trying to get them by yourself). I spoke to a CM in despair and she recommended doing shows first and animals much later. bc there is not a full day of rides, it clears out later on. when I was by myself with no one to run interference, etc., I found I got more easily frustrated by crowds or hard to manage short attractions. (5) it's easy and fun to tour by yourself!! I was ambivalent about it ahead of time, but had a super time.

I rented from Walker, btw.

Cupcake

 

[Talking Hands]

Funny because at AK I find that people are more than willing to hold doors for me. I am in a power wheelchair and not an ECV so that may be the difference.
RocknRoller Coaster they allowed me to enter through the exit each time I did it. I cannot handle and manual wheelchair.
Tower of Terror, a friend pushed me. Have not done that one on my own.

 

[Piper]

Thank you so much! I am feeling much more confident that I can do this! I am somewhat shy, but I think your advice about shows and the rides will really help. I am going to do a lot of research and make plans for the first of June!

 

[cupcake]

When I was at the RocknRoller Coaster, they said there was no access thru the exit and since I was in an ECV, it was walk, use a manual wc, or nothing. Like Sue has said before, the only thing that's consistent is inconsistency!

Piper, I truly did have a really good time, and like you, I wasn't sure I would! The EVC gives you so much freedom, and you can pace yourself and either do a lot or just a little. Since my dh's conference was a full week, I was by myself for quite a bit and as anyone here will tell you, I am not the most intrepid person around either!!

I look forward to chatting with you more as you plan your trip!!

Cupcake