Stroller as wheelchair

[smartlabelprint]

One of my kids does best in a stroller for anxiety. We’ve used a qualifying size one before but I’m not sure this one qualifies now. Is there a way to use it as a medical device and therefore the stroller size doesn’t count?

If so, how do you get past security your first day?

 

[mamabunny]

One of my if’s kids does best in a stroller for anxiety. We’ve used a qualifying size one before but I’m not sure this one qualifies now. Is there a way to use it as a medical device and therefore the stroller size doesn’t count?

If so, how do you get past security your first day?

There really isn't an exception, per se.

Security typically won't measure devices unless they are obviously huge, but you may encounter pushback from bus drivers (if staying onsite) if the device won't fit properly on the bus.

°o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o°

There are a couple of reasons that Disney has a size limit on devices (not just because they don't want big ol' giant mobility devices of all kinds in the parks - otherwise, we would have 4 person golf carts, and double-wide ECVs running amok).

First, because there *is* a limit on the width and length that the buses can accommodate via the entrance ramp at the back door (width), and also the actual length of the parking slot on the bus.

Second, Disney has designed their queues to accommodate devices that fit within that same "footprint".

That white box painted on the ground at most Disney bus stops is technically a "sizing box" - if your device won't fit in that box, then it *could be* denied use in the Theme Parks.

There have been exceptions made in the past, however, I do not encourage y'all to rely upon "Pixie Dust" from a Cast Member that may - or may not - be granted, even for a "stroller as a wheelchair" pass. Additionally, you may find that it's just more difficult (overall) to navigate anything too large around WDW.

I believe (if my notes are correct) that the maximum size device that the white sizing box will accommodate is 36 inches wide by 52 inches long. At one time, the standard size bus lift being used at Disney was 36" x 48", however.

I don't want y'all to rely upon Pixie Dust and maybes, and then it winds up being less than the best possible trip as a result. If there is no alternative to bringing that stroller, be prepared to possibly rent something from a local Orlando vendor, or use a standard Disney wheelchair rental. Have a backup plan ready.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Is the advice the same for Disneyland? No transport needed.

 

[Evita_W]

Is the advice the same for Disneyland? No transport needed.

Disneyland is a lot stricter in general on the size of strollers mostly due to the smaller space they have; however, if you tell security it is being used as a mobility device, they will direct you as to where to go, but it still must be within the size limits for mobility devices.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Disneyland is a lot stricter in general on the size of strollers mostly due to the smaller space they have; however, if you tell security it is being used as a mobility device, they will direct you as to where to go, but it still must be within the size limits for mobility devices.

Thank you so much. I’ll look that up.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you so much. I’ll look that up.

Disneyland has the same size guidelines for strollers and wheelchairs as WDW.
Strollers no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long.
Wheelchairs no larger than 36 inches wide and 52 inches long.

Strollers being used as wheelchairs should be allowed at the wheelchair size; because of the more compact park spaces, they are less likely to bend on sizes than WDW.
Disneyland Park Rules

 

[smartlabelprint]

I looked it up. Ours will fit within stroller limits. We may end up renting from city strollers.

 

[Aurora1959]

Thank you for the information everyone.

Do we need a special pass for the stroller chair, and if so, who do we call or contact?

My 12 year old nephew was just diagnosed with a disease and cannot walk for long distances. This news just came on Monday and we leave next Friday for WDW. My sister-in-law and brother are worried, not only about their son but how to manage without ruining his trip. The only stroller I found that can hold a 12 year old 85 lb boy is about 12 inches too big, so I'm trying to find some alternatives. The Dr recommended the stroller style chair over a wheelchair because it will be easier on his spine, but the smaller strollers are really meant for toddlers and I'm worried his hips will be too big to be comfortable. I used the scooterbug website to find a chair because that's what was on the Disney World website.

All tips are welcome since this is a whole new world for us.

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you for the information everyone.

Do we need a special pass for the stroller chair, and if so, who do we call or contact?

My 12 year old nephew was just diagnosed with a disease and cannot walk for long distances. This news just came on Monday and we leave next Friday for WDW. My sister-in-law and brother are worried, not only about their son but how to manage without ruining his trip. The only stroller I found that can hold a 12 year old 85 lb boy is about 12 inches too big, so I'm trying to find some alternatives. The Dr recommended the stroller style chair over a wheelchair because it will be easier on his spine, but the smaller strollers are really meant for toddlers and I'm worried his hips will be too big to be comfortable. I used the scooterbug website to find a chair because that's what was on the Disney World website.

All tips are welcome since this is a whole new world for us.

"Stroller as a wheelchair" passes are issued at Guest Relations at the front of each Park, inside the gate.

There are special strollers for bigger kids, but he may be a bit too "grown up" for that. And at 12, most tweens don't want to be seen as too "babyish", so a standard wheelchair might be better to rent. Our daughter at age 10 didn't want the other kids to see her in a wheelchair, because she didn't want to be "different". I can't imagine what her reaction would have been had we tried to put her in a stroller as a wheelchair! LOL

Rent from an outside vendor if you can - the Disney Parks rentals can not leave the Park it is rented at, not to go to the buses or parking lots, not to go to another Disney Park or hotel. So, rent a wheelchair at Magic Kingdom, and it's only available for your use *at* Magic Kingdom. You can "hop" a rental to another Disney Park the same day (so you only pay one rental fee) but you will have to put a refundable deposit down at each Park you hop to.

Depending on what condition he has, you may want to grab a gel cushion (Amazon has a huge selection) for the wheelchair, to help him be more comfortable. Some rental vendors might have them for an extra fee as well.

You don't have to rent from Scooterbug - you can rent from anyone you want to. Scooterbug can leave the chair for you at Bell Services, but many of the other vendors that are quite popular with folks here will actually come and meet you at your Resort as soon as you arrive, so there is very little difference.

If you are going in the summer months, make sure that anything you rent that has to be pushed will have foam-covered handles. If they are a harder plastic, the heat, sweat from your hands and friction *will* = blisters. In that case, either bring along a cheap-o pair of golf or bike gloves (check WalMart or Target) or you can also just tie bandanas to the handlebars to help pad them and absorb some of the sweat. I always carry clean cotton bandanas with me when I travel (can you tell I'm a former Scout Leader? LOL) because they can be handy for so many things.

If you are staying at a Disney Resort, all buses will board folks with mobility devices first - but they get off the bus last, and this does included wheelchairs, or strollers as a wheelchair, unless you are folding and holding, in which case you go through the regular line like everyone else.

Is this the kind of info you needed? Let us know if you have any more questions

 

[lanejudy]

The only stroller I found that can hold a 12 year old 85 lb boy is about 12 inches too big, so I'm trying to find some alternatives.

Check Orlando Medical Rentals. They have the largest selection of special needs strollers that I’ve found. If the doctor has given recommendations, they’ll help you determine the best option. And I believe most if not all of their options comply with Disney’s size requirements.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with lanejudy. Orlando Medical Rentals has the largest selection of Special Needs strollers. According to their individual special needs stroller listings, they all comply with Disney’s size requirements.
Each listing has helpful measurement, including seat width, but you can also contact them for more assistance as lanejudy mentioned. They do have one model that can be used in buses for transport with the child sitting in it - some of the pictures show transit loops for tieing down on the bus, but I believe only one says it can be used that way in the description.
The family can contact the doctor for more information about why a stroller style was suggested, but my guess is because the seatback is higher and more supportive, the seats tend to not be slings like of rental wheelchairs and the slight recline would further support the back. I would not add a seat cushion without checking with the doctor; there may be reasons a seat cushion would not be recommended.
Also, don’t be afraid to try advice and throw out what doesn’t work for you. Bike of golf gloves are often recommended to prevent blisters from pushing the wheelchair. My husband had a pair he regularly uses for biking and I got a pair to use. YMMV, but the only time we got blisters on our hands was when we wore them. They were just too hot and made our hands sweaty. If they work for you, great, but if not, don’t be afraid to ditch advice that doesn’t work for you.

They probably won’t need a stroller as wheelchair tag for one of the special needs strollers - they are big enough and look different enough that CMs will recognize them. It doesn’t hurt to have the tag though - especially so other guests see it’s being used as a wheelchair. As others mentioned, it is requested at Guest Services at the park.

 

[Aurora1959]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I will check out the other company too. I never even thought about pushing it and what it would do to our hands. I'll be sure to bring something to wrap around the handles if needed.

We're staying at Saratoga, which I do every year. So I've seen the other families with chairs getting on and off the buses. We decided a folding one would be best since he can stand and walk. That way if a wheelchair needs to board they can too. The Dr was recommending that style because it was more supportive than sitting upright and it would give him a hidey space to go. Something he also needs from time to time as a way to take a break from all the stimulation around him.

Right now we are just trying to cope, we were already prepared to handle dining because the kids are on a very modified and restrictive FODMAP diet. But now the poor guy was just told no more basketball, soccer, gymnastics, no running of any kind. He's a very athletic kid so this is very sad for him.

I knew though that if I turned here I would find some great advice.

 

[sparky68]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I will check out the other company too. I never even thought about pushing it and what it would do to our hands. I'll be sure to bring something to wrap around the handles if needed.

We're staying at Saratoga, which I do every year. So I've seen the other families with chairs getting on and off the buses. We decided a folding one would be best since he can stand and walk. That way if a wheelchair needs to board they can too. The Dr was recommending that style because it was more supportive than sitting upright and it would give him a hidey space to go. Something he also needs from time to time as a way to take a break from all the stimulation around him.

Right now we are just trying to cope, we were already prepared to handle dining because the kids are on a very modified and restrictive FODMAP diet. But now the poor guy was just told no more basketball, soccer, gymnastics, no running of any kind. He's a very athletic kid so this is very sad for him.

I knew though that if I turned here I would find some great advice.

If he has good trunk control why not rent a child sized wheelchair over a stroller?
A kid that age might ball HARD at being told to sit in a stroller.

 

[Aurora1959]

If he has good trunk control why not rent a child sized wheelchair over a stroller?
A kid that age might ball HARD at being told to sit in a stroller.

The Dr said the kicked back sling of the stroller would be more comfortable for as much as he will have to sit in it during a WDW trip. But yeah, that's right up there on our list too.