Suggestions for trip

[Michy]

hi,
I thought I would introduce myself and group that will be traveling in October. We are going to be trying to do a redo of my make a wish trip. As when I had my wish I was really not medically stable. I was having 25+ seizures a day.
So with that I have no memory of the trip at all, and my mother didn't take much photos as she was trying to deal with me and my little sister who also had slot of issues while we were there. This time around now that it's been 15 years since my trip my best friends and husband have decided it's best to do it now while my seizures are more under control and before I get any sicker.

I have mitochondrial disease, which has caused me to have cerebral palsy, epilepsy, vision impairment ( legally blind), speech impairment, multiple allergies, chronic pain and autism (PDD-NOS). My husband has aspergers, spina bifida but is able to walk.

So far we arrive on Saturday October 24th and leave October 31st at night. We are staying at the art of animation resort.

 

[Glittercat]

Welcome to the group and I hope this vacation is far more magical for you! I've never been to Disney World during October, but many others have and I'm sure they'll be along soon!

Will you have wheels in the form of an ECV or wheelchair? What are you most looking forward to for this trip? Did you have any favorite moments from the last trip? I'm so glad you, you're husband, and your friends are choosing to have a do over trip!

 

[Michy]

I usually use a powerchair but will be taking my manual wheelchair this time so I can enjoy more rides without getting out of my wheelchair. My two friends that are coming along so they can provide all my attendant care while there. I'm nearly total care with my needs. I have no memories of my last trip at all except that it was interesting flying as that was the first time we resilezed that I need someone to help hold me upright on landing or I go head first into the seat in front of me. I'm most looking forward to the MNSSHP event. I love Halloween so it's great that I'm going to that. I also love photogerphy so will have memory maker, and bring our go pro and point and shoot camera.

 

[mamabunny]

Hi Michy!

I'm so thrilled for you - and I hope that on this trip, you get to make all the Magical memories you want to!

One tip for you & your friends - bring along some cute bike gloves for the trip! It is super easy to cover between 5 and 8 *miles* per day at WDW, and the bike gloves can make a world of difference! Regardless of whether you self-propel, or your friends help with your chair, the gloves will come in handy to help prevent blisters!

Congratulations again - I know how excited our family is when we are counting down the days to a WDW trip!

 

[Michy]

I am not able to propell my manual chair much at all, and even when I can it has to be tile floor and no inclines at all but working on that. My husband had already thought about the gloves for himself to push my chair as he already was getting blisters when we challenging to see what his walking limit is. But you comment just verifies that it is a good idea. We are so excited already as we have really started planning our daily activities for each day.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been to WDW in October for about the last 10 years.
The weather is usually great - not to warm and not too cool. Mid day might be warm, but it usually cools off very nicely once the sun goes down. When we look at the extended forecast, it often has rain listed for every day. Don't worry too much about the rain though - the % chance of rain is usually less than 30% and it usually doesn't rain the whole day. When it does rain, it's usually more showers or a short heavy afternoon rain.

Crowds are usually not bad. If you are there during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, it is very worth going. Be aware though that the weekends - especially Friday evening, all day Saturday and early in the day Sunday are often very busy because the locals are there as well as vacationers. It's a better idea to visit mid week.

MNSSHP is really fun. There is a special parade, special fireworks, a special stage show and different dance parties set up in areas of the park. There are also lots of opportunities to see characters dressed in their Halloween costumes. My personal advice would be not to take party time to go on rides. None of the rides or shows do anything special for the party, and there are so many things that only happen during the party that it is hard to get all of the party things in, even if you don't go on any rides.
The party starts at 7pm, but you can use your party tickets to enter the park any time after 4 pm - that's a good time to go on rides and eat so that you are ready to party at 7pm. You can do Fastpass Plus to preschedule attractions before 7pm, but Fastpass Plus is not used during the party.
ALSO, there are a lot of Photopass photographers out during the party and many have special feature shots. Two of my favorites are at Haunted Mansion and near Pirates.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't looked at it yet, near the top of this board, there is a disABILITIES FAQs thread. The first post is an index that tells The subject for each post.
I would suggest just looking around there, but point you toward posts 18-22 which are about access, accessible attractions and getting into ride cars for those requiring a transfer. There is another post on that same page with information about attractions with warnings.

Feel free to ask any questions - someone is likely to know the answer.

 

[Michy]

I have read them which is why we are taking my manual chair instead of my power as that way can go on the rides without having to switch from my chair to the manuals they have there unordered to ride the rides. We plan on only doing one ride a day which my friends will have to transfer me to the ride without my chair.

We also planed on going to mk on Monday to do all the rides so when we go back on the Tuesday for MNSSHP we can focus on all the other stuff.

 

[SMD]

Are you doing any non park days? If having the power chair would make you more independent at the resort, maybe you should bring both.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have read them which is why we are taking my manual chair instead of my power as that way can go on the rides without having to switch from my chair to the manuals they have there unordered to ride the rides. We plan on only doing one ride a day which my friends will have to transfer me to the ride without my chair.

We also planed on going to mk on Monday to do all the rides so when we go back on the Tuesday for MNSSHP we can focus on all the other stuff.

I should probably clarify that almost all of the attractions that have a wheelchair car are accessible to both manual and power wheelchairs as long as the power wheelchair is no longer than 48 inches and no wider than 30. Most power wheelchairs fit in the same 'footprint' as a manual wheelchair.

ECVs are very different. They may be the same size, but are shaped a lot differently. The biggest issue is that they can't turn anywhere near as sharply or be controlled as precisely as a power wheelchair can.

I know some people do travel with 2 wheelchairs, but it is twice the trouble of traveling with one.
If your wheelchairs are pretty standard in terms of size and features, you would be able to bring one wheelchair and then rent a wheelchair of the other type from one of the companies listed in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
We have looked into that in the past, but our daughter requires a very non-standard size and a lot of special seating, so it has never worked for us.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

My mom takes her power chair on the rides with chair accommodations.

 

[Michy]

It's the weight of my powerchair that we were told is the issue, between the seating system and base and me the chair weights 640 pounds. While with my manual it's about 300 pounds. I have non standees seating size and also was told would have to pay for bagage of one of my wheelchairs if I were to take both as they only allow one wheelchair per person who needs it free on the airline. So we thought it would be easier with just the manual chair. I'm used to being dependent at times. Like my powerchair had been in the shop for the last month and a half for repairs.

So far are plans are arrive Saturday for around 2pm then check in and have dinner res in downtown Disney for 6:30pm. Then Sunday it's animal kingdom, Monday magic kingdom, Tuesday DTD followed with MNSSHP that night, wendensday water park, Thursday Epcot, Friday Hollywood, then check out Saturday flight out at 7pm.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's the weight of my powerchair that we were told is the issue, between the seating system and base and me the chair weights 640 pounds. While with my manual it's about 300 pounds. I have non standees seating size and also was told would have to pay for bagage of one of my wheelchairs if I were to take both as they only allow one wheelchair per person who needs it free on the airline. So we thought it would be easier with just the manual chair. I'm used to being dependent at times. Like my powerchair had been in the shop for the last month and a half for repairs.

So far are plans are arrive Saturday for around 2pm then check in and have dinner res in downtown Disney for 6:30pm. Then Sunday it's animal kingdom, Monday magic kingdom, Tuesday DTD followed with MNSSHP that night, wendensday water park, Thursday Epcot, Friday Hollywood, then check out Saturday flight out at 7pm.

I'm not sure if you are talking weight of the power wheelchair for the airline or for rides.
Power wheelchairs are pretty much all heavy. My daughter's is not heavy duty in any way, but weighs over 300 pounds empty.
You are correct though that if you transport 2 wheelchairs, the second would be considered baggage and not be free.
It sounds like the manual chair is a better option for you, given everything else.
There are advantages to a manual chair - for example, driving a power wheelchair requires a lot of attention and can be very tiring. With the manual, other people can share the pushing, so no one person is doing it all.

 

[Michy]

I had my attendant this morning do some phone calls for me. It looks like we will be taking only my powerchair to it. That way I can be more independent. We found that we just have to take my seating system apart for it to fit the plane. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[JennyDrake]

Are you getting a suite at AoA or staying in LM rooms? It may or may not be an issue for you, but LM rooms are a HIKE from the food court and bus stops. I'm a runner yet I got real tired of that walk real fast.....

 

[Michy]

We are staying in a suite. We are going to be in the finding nemo area. As there will be me and my husband and two friends who I paid to come as they will be doing my attendant care while there.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't yet, contact your wheelchair specialist to get advice on transport of the wheelchair.
Because my daughter's controller/joystick assembly can be removed with just 2 screws and a quick clip, he suggested removing it and carrying it on the plane with us. But, for other people, he has suggested leaving it on no covering it with bubble wrap.

We take DD's manual chair seating system and armrests off and carry them onto the plane. You don't want anything left on that could fall or be pulled off or could get caught. If you take pieces off and don't bring them on, make sure they are contained in a bag that is labeled with your contact information and a baggage tag. Nothing worse than getting there and finding pieces are missing.

 

[Michy]

I have a question did they change the view that is posted in the FAQs under plain text of mobility issues. In which is had said " Guests in motorized vehicles or electric convenience vehicles (ECVs) must transfer into an available wheelchair at these Disney Theme Park attractions:". I really want to use my powerchair and cause I can sit in a regular wheelchair I really need to know that I would not have to transfer to a manual chair or not.

 

[SueM in MN]

Power wheelchairs are considered to be wheelchairs. They are not considered motorized vehicles or ECVs.

 

[Michy]

thank you as that has made it a lot easier to go a head and tell the airline that it will be an power chair that is traveling.