Should I rent a scooter or simply rest more?

[RockyMtnMaria]

We are planning our second trip to Disney (first with children) for January 07. I have an autoimmune disease in the arthritis family, and normally for each days adventure I have to rest for 1-3 days after that. I've often wondered about renting an ECV, but have never been able to bring myself to do it (I'm young and look healthy) and often sit home while the rest of my family goes out. Should I plan a 10 trip with rest days built in, and daily naps with my 4yo? Or should we stick to 7 days, rent a scooter, and keep up with the pace of the rest of my family?

In January I would expect the hours to be shorter, which would make it easier to not overdo it. I feel wierd renting a scooter when I can walk just fine, but walking all day would gaurantee a migraine, and the need to take a day off.

I was thinking of going to the parks til about 2 and back for dinner/fireworks each night, with a few days of sitting around the hotel thrown in, but know I'd be holding back the rest of my family. How do those who CAN walk, but just can't handle the quantity handle Disney? Should I just use the ECV's on the days I would normally stay in the hotel?

I would probably park and then walk on to most rides. Does anyone get rude comments if they do it? I would stand in the normal ride with the rest of my family. I can't do sun (last year at Disney I forgot the sunscreen on the last day and all of my exposed body swelled up, got a rash, and I had to take prednizone) or loud noises either, but can handle those issues on my own.

Afraid to try the scooter, but also afraid NOT to try it. With plane tickets, and 2 hotel rooms, this trip will cost almost $1,000 a day, even staying in a value resort! The joys of a larger family.

 

[angelbaby29871]

i have arthritis in my knees and heels and i also feel silly renting an ecv as i look young and fit. i have been twice and the firt year i didn't rent i had an awful time, was in so much pain (even trying not to show if for the kids sake). the second time i rented and it was great, i could get around and enjoyed myself more and so did my kids. i just rent my ecv and justify it to myself that this will help my kids and their holiday enjoyment. you don't have to justify your reasons to anyone other than yourself. will the cost of renting the ecv be just the same as if you stayed the extra days? the worst thing about renting an ecv when you look healthy is that people assume that you are cheating so that you can jump the queues and i hate that. this is just my thoughts, hope it helps.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

the worst thing about renting an ecv when you look healthy is that people assume that you are cheating so that you can jump the queues and i hate that.

First of all you cannot "jump the queues" with either a wheelchair or ECV as almost every queue at WDW is "mainstramed", in that there is enough room in the queue for a wheelchair or ECV. The times you are taken out of line is only when there is something (such as stairs) which cannot be handled in the WC/ECV.

Second, there are times when it even takes longer with a WC/ECV than normal. One example is the Safari, where you are pulled out of the regular line to a special waiting/boarding area and have to wait for a specially equipped safari vehicle.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For both posters: Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[angelbaby29871]

i agree with what you have said. but i have had people come up to me and rant that i am only in the ecv so that i can "queue jump". i have politely responded, through gritted teeth, that i cannot queue jump and that the disabled entrance is more likely to take longer than the regular queue and anyway whats it got to do with them why i have an ecv? i don't ask them why they are ignorant and rude? sometimes its enough to embarasses them to shut up. I choose to rent an ecv as the distances at disney are massive and i know that i cannot do them now and most importantly i want my family to enjoy their holiday without worrying about me, they do that at home. personnaly i would say stuff it rent the ecv and enjoy your holiday, people with narrowminds will always have them, you on the other hand are enjoying your holiday.

 

[deany]

I was just diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis a year ago and now I am unable to walk or stand for long distances - especially on hard pavement. Yes, I can walk and look normal, except for times when my hip really hurts and I do limp. As this is new, I hope you guys can help me with a couple of things:
- what would be better to rent - a wheelchair or ecv? I am going with DD18 and her BF19. They are going to help me out.
- how hard is it to drive an ecv? I hate to be one of those people who run into everyones heels!!
- stairs are hard for me. What do you do at places like SM where there are so many stairs?

Thanks so much. I am really stressing about this and wondering how the vacation will be.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If a person is not used to pushing a wheelchair they are in for a generally unpleasant surprise at WDW. The rental wheelchairs are not lightweight and when pushing a chair you find there are hills. Use of an ECV will give more independence.

I don't know about in Canada, but in the US a lot of larger grocery stores, as well as WalMarts and Targets tend to have ECVs available for people to use in the store. We tend to suggest trying one just for basic familiarity. Pleasde note that the store ones are very large and clunky, with a large basket in front. The one's Disney rents are not quite as large and clunky, but still have four wheels and are slow (max 2 MPH). The ones from off-site rentals are only three wheel, very maneuverable, and can go up to 4½ MPH.

If you are in the ECV (or wheelchair) at a place like Splash with stairs you will be directed to an alternate entrance where there are no stairs.

 

[zumbergc]

I do the ecv rental. I've got leg issues, back issues. If you look at me you couldn't tell I have knots in all my muscles in my back and legs.

I do walk some, since I've been working hard to get my leg muscles stronger. If you are able to walk, still walk some to keep up your muscle tone strength/ Don't just stay seated for a week straight so people won't think your a cheater, for using a wheel chair. Take care of yourself.

I walk when its less crowded, and I'm less likely to get bumped if I'm feeling ok. I don't even try to walk after a parade or the late night shows. I don't want to get shoved or stepped on, or bumped.
Sometimes we take the scooter on the ride queue sometimes we walk thru. My legs have been doing much better this year, so I was able to walk more.
My husband has no problem riding in the scooter when I want to walk, and we aren't just staying in a small area. The thing is, I never know when my knees, hips, or ankles will go out. Plus, it looks funny because when we are in a hilly area (like to and from the dolphin/swan from MGM or epcot). I like to walk up the hills, but going down hurts my knees, so I bump my husband off the scooter on the down part, and get back off for the up hill.

I remember back to when we went to disney and I didn't do the scooter or wheel chair. Ow my, I was in some serious pain every night, and after that first day, I was in pain most of the time. Not fun, and not a very magical time.

Connie

 

[newtowdw1]

It is difficult to admit you need it. I have chronic back and neck issues. I manage in 'real' life without one.

But I was a MUCH nicer Mom with the ECV. When my DD9 and DS5 said,"Come look at this!!" I could, without mentally calculating the pain and energy it would take, adding in the future effects, and subtracting the joy they'd feel. I just WENT and SAW! I could look at the sights around me, instead of at my feet to make sure I wasn't going to stumble. I could move at a constant pace, intead of slowing on ramps (tons at WDW) and needing DH to help me.

I wasn't so tired at night that I was snapping at everyone.I had the energy to go to the pool, shopping, fireworks, etc.

DS was a little worried about me. He was 4 and felt the need to stay right with me at all times (not a bad thing at WDW ), but DD was happy that I could do more.

Yes, there were times I felt pretty bad about needing the ECV. But I'm getting one this year for a family gathering. And I'll enjoy WDW much more because of it!