Staff question

[mgilmer]

On our upcoming trip, I am going to have to use some sort of walking assistance device due to a bad hip. I have tried canes and have found them not to be satisfactory due to my size. Around my home and town I use a wood hiking pole about 55" long. Has anybody had any experience with using a walking stick/hiking pole in the parks? Any problems with getting them through security? I found a great one on the web that even has a removable top to turn it into a monopod so I could use it for two purposes.

http://www.rmconnection.com/Whistle_Creek.htm

 

[SueM in MN]

I've never seen one that long in the parks, so I'm not sure whether it would be a problem or not. My gut feeling is that one that long might not be viewed as a walking aid.

 

[wilde_oscar]

on the last trip I did see someone with a mountain climbers type walking stick. I would not even guess as to the length. You might wanna ask at the guest services on the way into the park before security for a GAC that covers your walking stick.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Have you tried seeing if there are any that fold up? That would make it possible to bring it with you on the rides. I know there are canes that fold up, not sure about walking sticks.

Have you thought of using an ECV?

 

[mgilmer]

on the last trip I did see someone with a mountain climbers type walking stick. I would not even guess as to the length. You might wanna ask at the guest services on the way into the park before security for a GAC that covers your walking stick.

Thats a great idea. I will ask about a GAC. I never thought about that.

Have you tried seeing if there are any that fold up? That would make it possible to bring it with you on the rides. I know there are canes that fold up, not sure about walking sticks.

Have you thought of using an ECV?

As far as I have been able to find, they do not make a foldable one. As for rides, that is not important to me. I do not want to use an ECV until absolutely necessary.

 

[mgilmer]

I've never seen one that long in the parks, so I'm not sure whether it would be a problem or not. My gut feeling is that one that long might not be viewed as a walking aid.

The last time we were at the World, they were making and selling them in Epcot at the African exhibit. I don't know if you had to have them sent to the front for pickup or if you could just carry it around with you. They were very pricey though.

 

[BillSears]

A friend of mine uses a telescoping walking stick similar to this:

It's not as pretty as the wooden ones but it would fit anywhere a cane would fit.

 

[mgilmer]

A friend of mine uses a telescoping walking stick similar to this:

It's not as pretty as the wooden ones but it would fit anywhere a cane would fit.

Yeah, I saw that just a few minutes ago on the web. That may be the way for me to go. It does cost more than a wood one but it fits the bill.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yeah, I saw that just a few minutes ago on the web. That may be the way for me to go. It does cost more than a wood one but it fits the bill.

I think it would work better. For one thing, you would be able to retract it to take it with you on most attractions.
This is what it says on the WDW website about things that may not be brought into the parks:
Q. Are there any personal items I should not bring with me into the Theme Parks?
A. Items that you may not bring into the Theme Parks include, but are not limited to:
Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.
I would be afraid that someone would think the staff qualified as a weapon or club because of the tall size. I'm not sure they would give a GAC that would cover the staff, and even if they did, the security people might still decide it could not go in.
So, the telescoping walking stick seems like a better choice for a lot of reasons.