Sister in law with MS going for first time

[babylisa4]

We are taking my husband's relatives to Vero Beach(we are Disney Vacation Club members) but my Sister in Law who has MS and is in an electric wheelchair ones to go to Disney for one day. Which park would she end up being able to enjoy the most? She would do best staying in her wheelchair for most of the rides. She has a hard time transferring and is kind of large now. Anyway, from some of you in a similar situation, which park do you feel like you end up doing the most and is the least stressful? She is about 55 if that helps any. I really appreciate your help. I've gotten a lot of tips off of this board related to travel. She doesn't get to go much and gets anxious so I want to make the experience as least stressful as possible. Any other tips I welcome as well. Her husband and 20 year old son will be with her on this day.

 

[Nanajo1]

i have MS and use a scooter My favorite park is EPCOT. I don't do many rides. I know Ellen's Energy has a w/c car so you don't have to transfer. I like the World Showcase. Everything is acessible there. I also like the Safari at AK. The "jeeps" have a wheelchair accessible car. Also I like the walking trails, Festival of the Lion King show. Each park has something she could do. At MK IASW has a w/c accessible boat, MGM has w/c car for the Backlot Tour. If she can transfer there are other rides she could do. There is a site that list rides and which are easier to transfer to than others. I'll try to find it. Hopefully, someone else will beat me to it.

 

[babylisa4]

Thanks for your comments- I would like that site that tells how easy something is to transfer. She's ususally hesitant to go places so I am glad she's trying. It must be difficult. So I want it to be as good an experience as possible.

 

[sameyeyam]

Nanoj1,

I am trying to convince my MIL (60) to go to WDW with us next year for spring break (first week of April). She has MS (progressive), she can use a walker for short distances, but would probably be in a wheelchair if we went to Disney.

They currently live on the Washington state coastline, where it is cool. The heat really seems to zap her strength and she is very worried about going to Florida. The weather in Orlando at that time is usually about 85 degrees and the humidity is not bad. Do you have a problem with the Florida heat and your strength with MS?

Also, my family LOVES the waterparks. Obviously she wouldn't be able to go on a lot of water slides due to her wheelchear. Have you ever been to the waterparks (not sure if you are in a wheelchair or not?). If so, how did you find them to be?

My mother went to WDW with us in 2005, we had a great time, she had lots of fun with the kids, and then unexpectedly passed away one month later. It has made me realize that we take our family so for granted and I want to do everything possible to give my children great memories with their grandparents. I just have to convince MIL that going to WDW would be ok for her, in spite of her MS.

Any tips or information that you give me would be greatly appreciated! I really want to make this happen, but I don't want to do this at the expense of her comfort & health.

Thanks!
Alison

 

[BlindTyldak]

My husband has MS and thoroughly enjoyed all the parks. I have to second that if she is in an EW she'd probably enjoy Epcot the best as it has the fewest attractions that require transfer . . . it's mostly movies and shows. I googled for the WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities in pdf and came up with many links, and those show which rides you have to transfer.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The slides at Typhoon are not as wild as those at Blizzard. Both have a "lazy river" where if she can transfer to a tube she can float around the park.

Also, the water in everything (except Shark Reef) is heated until some time in May, so the water may even be warmer than the air.

 

[Nanajo1]

I have not gone during the hotter times but with planning I'm sure your MIL can have a great time. Here is some advice I'd give to her. I rent a scooter from an offsite vendor so I have it 24/7. Dress in free flowing clothes, use fans, seek the shade. I bring a small umbrella to use if there is no shade near by, keep hydrated and listen to your body. If you are tiring then rest. There are first aid stations where you can rest if you don't want to go back to your resort but a midday break is very refreshing and a great time for the kids to unwind and hit the pool. WDW is definitely doable with MS.
I'm sure others will chime with their good ideas.

 

[sameyeyam]

I bring a small umbrella to use if there is no shade near by, keep hydrated and listen to your body.

What a great idea - thanks so much. The sun really bothers her and having her own umbrella would certainly help. We normally get up early, go to the parks and then back to hotel around 1:00, so I think that should give her enough rest time. We would definately rent a scooter so it's available at all times. We also never do theme parks 2 days in a row, we always have a relax day at the hotel or water park in between.

She's not much into computers, but I think I will mention this website the next time she visits, maybe she will feel better about going if she can read about others with MS are able to go as well.

Now all I have to do is convince her to go!!!!!

 

[Nanajo1]

I forgot to mention the AC at the shows. Also the waiting areas at the end of the rides have A/C and are a great place to cool off.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I vote for Epcot also. The ECV will fit on

Ellen’s Energy Adventure (easily accessible-cute Jeapordy style beginning that then takes you back in time to Dinosaurs)

Living with the Land (informational tour about various climates and agriculture)

El Rio Del Tiempo (accessible-boat ride tour of Mexico)

A lot of the wheelchair accessible rides in the other parks do NOT fit ECVs.

The Living Seas is fully indoors and air conditioned and fun. Whichever park you go to, definitely see the 3D show.

The World Showcase is nice and there are lots of stores with air conditioning to duck into. Epcot also has the best food. Illuminations is a fantastic night show.

Whatever park you choose, all the shows have wheelchair seats.

Epcot also has Soarin'-the best ride- which is a very easy transfer and fit my bigger Grandma.

You might want to consider a GAC for alternate waiting area.

Christamae

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board. It has links to the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities and links to some past DIS Board threads that would be helpful.

It also has information and links for the medical equipment rental places that DIS posters report renting from most.

You might also want to look into the Passporter's WDW For Your Special Needs book. It has lots of information.

I agree with the others who recommended Epcot and AK. The only thing I'd caution about is that AK can feel very hot on a hot day - but it is the most accessible. MGM is also very accessible, so I would maybe look at what each park has to offer and what she is interested in.
MK would be my last choice. We find it to be exhausting because it is usually so busy and most of the rides require a transfer.

I also agree that Soarin' is wonderful. It's a very easy transfer because you can pull the wheelchair or ECV into whatever position you need to compared to the seat. There is plenty of time and space for getting in and out.

 

[BroganMc]

It all depends on your definition of stress.

Epcot -- is so big there isn't enough time to see and do it all in one day. It's fun to ride around World Showcase, go shopping, see a show or two, and have dinner. But you'll just barely make it through all countries by the time the park closes. On the bright side, there are lots of great areas to view the fireworks and it is probably the best fireworks show in WDW.

Animal Kingdom -- does get hot and is spread out. Plus there are the bumpy roads built into the park. Doesn't bother me, but others...? I'd pass on Dinoland and Asia since all those rides are transfers that can get hard. Exedition Everest and Dinosaur are rough thrill rides. Kali River Rabids is hardest for me because it's climbing in and out of a raft. The jungle treks (walking and Safari) are fun though.

MGM -- feels hot to me most of the time. Not too much shade there. Lots of shows though and virtually everything is accessible in a wheelchair/scooter. Only exception are the thrill rides (Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours).

Magic Kingdom -- is the definition of Disney with the view of the castle from Main Street train station (go up to the second floor and through the lobby to the station to enjoy the best view). But it is the busiest park, has the most rides and half of them are 1970's style with very limited accessibility. But there are still so many one can enjoy in wheelchair, you'll run out of time doing it all. It's a 50/50 park where you can do as many rides as you can't. The ones you can't do (the mountains and FantasyLand rides) tend to have the busiest lines so it's no great loss.

Whatever you do, get fast passes for your party. They really help cut the wait times, especially if you have a exit loading area (i.e. you go through the regular queue then proceed to the exit and wait for the wheelchair car).

 

[sameyeyam]

Thank for all of the great information. I have been to WDW for the last 3 years in a row, but never stopped to consider wheelchair access. My MIL would need a wheelchair to get around in but she has no problem standing or getting out of the chair as long as she has a wall/rail/someone's arm to hold onto. She just cannot stand or walk for long periods of time. She would also not have a great problem getting onto most rides as long as I assisted her. For instance she walks from her car into our home and up about 5 stairs, it takes her a few minutes, she uses a cane or walker on the flat part and then hangs onto the stair rails and lifts each leg to get up the stairs.

I noticed that many of you mentioned transfers. What exactly is that? I was envisioning us using the wheelchair to get up to the ride, but not taking the wheelchair onto the ride. I'm pretty sure she would actually prefer to be seated on a regular seat. I wouldn't hesitate to take her on say Splash Mt. if we could take the wheelchair up close to the loading station. I could then help her out of the log and then go get the wheelchair. Is that something that is possible on most rides?

 

[BillSears]

Sameyeyam,

For me a transfer involves using my arms to lift myself out of the wheelchair and place myself in the seat of the ride or into a car, onto a bed, into a tub etc... But for others it's different things. Basically a transfer is how you get from your wheelchair to a different seat.

 

[sameyeyam]

Sameyeyam,

For me a transfer involves using my arms to lift myself out of the wheelchair and place myself in the seat of the ride or into a car, onto a bed, into a tub etc... But for others it's different things. Basically a transfer is how you get from your wheelchair to a different seat.

Bill,

Thanks for the definition! I thought that was what it meant, but wasn't really sure if WDW was using it in the same context. I'm really going to try and convince my MIL to go with us. It helps me to see so many positive comments about WDW in a wheelchair. Sometimes I think she just expects the worst, so I think she will be pleasantly surprised. I just want to make sure she enjoys it as much as we do!

 

[babylisa4]

Your MIL sounds exactly like my mom and that's exactly what we did. My mom has her own wheelchair but we only use it for long distances. We did take it with us to DW. But you could rent one. I agree that you would need to rent from outside Disneyworld if you don't have your own so you could use it in the resorts and everywhere when you are out of the parks. My mom was 84 the last time we took her. We did do shorter days. With someone in your MIL's condition, I think you would still get the maps from guest services for guests with disabilities and then use the wheelchair entrances. That way your mil doesn't have to try to stand up in a long line.
Then she just stands up and gets in a regular seat on the ride and get back into her wheelchair at the end. One thing to note: you need to be in shape if you are going to push her(I was a little surprised of the effort it took going up inclines etc.). And my mom's neck was sore and it was because she was sitting down all day and looking up at us. Anyway a few new muscles you will notice- just wanted you to be prepared. We did just hold on to mom tight and the cast members help you- some of the time the moving sidewalks were a little tricky for mom- we just sort of shoved her into the ride and guided her firmly.