Stroller Dilemma

[abouley]

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas.

I had no idea that wheelchairs are cheaper then strollers! That seems odd.

We thought about taking our stroller and taking a tire off and bringing it with us on the rides -- odd I know but then again I am sure stranger thins happen in the parks

I have found an outside rental company which sounds good BUT you are on the hook for any loss or damage so unless they sell insurance I am too afraid to go that route because it is no different then just bringing our own stroller.
I have contacted them but haven't heard back yet.

We are planning on getting DS2 a GAC so that we can use if it need be. Depending on how he is doing we may need to have some creative line waiting. For example he may not be able to stand in the line if he is having a bad day. AND if it is hot out he can not be in the sun if he is sick.

Someone asked what he has -- He has asthma, thyroid disease and hypoglycemia which are all basically no big deal. BUT he was just diagnosed with a rare disorder called PFAPA - which is a disease that causes children to have VERY high fevers on a regular basis and a sore throat. He also has some other things going on which they haven't been able to trace yet -- he has severe fatigue, dizzy spells and stomach pains. Also it looks like he has some form of arthritis (they are working on a diagnosis) as he has severe muscle and joint pain. The bulk of his symptoms have happened in the last 3 months or so - so we are still working out how to deal with everything.

Our last (first) DLR trip was when he was 4 and other then his asthma bothering him he was basically a very healthy guy. I don't want this trip to seem any different to him, he is one of those kids who knows that he gets sick a lot but has no idea that there are some very serious things wrong with him. We would prefer it to stay this way as there is no cure and only experimental treatments so we don't want him to get into the mindset of being "sick". (The good thing is he has a huge team of specialists AND he LOVES going to the hospital here so at least he has fun while they try to sort him out )

Thanks

I'm not sure what you have to do to qualify (maybe a note from a doctor and then you take that to guest services I think)...but you might look into getting the pass that allows you to enter through the exit on rides geared for disabled/special needs guests. We went with our friends who have an autistic son and they were able to get the pass and it made a huge difference for them and their ability to enjoy the parks. They were even allowed to use his stroller to come up the exit since that was his "security net". It was good for up to 6 people to use the pass with him.

 

[jenniferrose]

It is pretty unlikely to have your stroller stolen, but of course a valid concern. We took our brand new BOB Last year and it wasn't touched. They do have stroller locks ... here is a link to one I came across recently.... http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=536569&cmSource=Search

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm not sure what you have to do to qualify (maybe a note from a doctor and then you take that to guest services I think)...but you might look into getting the pass that allows you to enter through the exit on rides geared for disabled/special needs guests. We went with our friends who have an autistic son and they were able to get the pass and it made a huge difference for them and their ability to enjoy the parks. They were even allowed to use his stroller to come up the exit since that was his "security net". It was good for up to 6 people to use the pass with him.

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread and look at post #6, you will find a lot of information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs). Although it was written for WDW, how you request one is the same at WDW and at DL.
The disABILITIES FAQs thread also has information about Disneyland, including a link to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities from DL.

 

[wannagoback]

bring 1 cheapo stroller with us and rent one at Disneyland

Exactly what I was going to suggest!