Taking Equipment into Parks and on Rides

[mamabunny]

...While the information regarding what can and can't be used in the Parks has changed it is still possible for people to request assistance to meet their needs.
We have contacted Disney for a future trip and use of the wagon for medical transport of medical supplies has been given.
The OP is looking for transport of medical equipment NOT transport of a person.
All I have suggested is that the OP contact Disney to discuss their needs and concerns.
Regards
Mel

It's great that you contacted Disney ahead of time, but unless you have something that shows on your MagicBands - not a doctors note (CMs won't read those), not a letter or printed email from Disney, but something actually attached to your account - when you reach Security for bag check, don't be surprised if you are turned away with that wagon.

And even if you are allowed that wagon, I would urge you to count it as "Pixie Dust", and don't rely upon that being allowed on every trip. A lot of times that decision comes down to one single CM who - in that moment - can "dust" you, or deny you.

I try really hard to never set an expectation of service from Disney that may - or may not - be met for a Guest; I don't want to ever be the cause of someone else's unhappiness on their trip. And when talking about previous "Pixie Dust" moments, I always try to make that very clear, so that other's don't expect the same. It seems like every trip, at some point our family will overhear someone arguing with an CM and those famous words are said "But someone on the internet said..."

 

[kaytieeldr]

We have contacted Disney for a future trip and use of the wagon for medical transport of medical supplies has been given.

Do you have that in writing?
If not, get it in writing.
Reconfirm a couple of weeks before you arrive.

 

[Bjkandma]

Guest Services cannot help you. You are required to call Disney Disability Services. They are two completely different departments. Disability Services can answer questions and handles the needs of individuals who are handicapped. They can offer and do offer other suggestions and things to accommodate a person's needs. This is started usually way BEFORE an individual travels to Disney.

Guest Services is here you go to see if they can offer you a DAS.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thank for explaining the difference between thre two departments. Nothing at all to do with the OP's request, but I agree with mamabunny even more than my previous ststement: have the exception applied to your Magic Band.

 

[bdarling]

This is the bag/bin under her wheelchair. It can be opened for security to be able to see really well into it ( first picture is opened, 2nd picture is closed

Sue - where did you buy that under chair storage? I have been looking for something like that. Also, thanks for the link to the hooks for a backpack. We just got a new chair and the backpack doesn’t fit the same way. I got two sets so maybe I can get the suction machine in a better place too.

I bring a suction machine with us for my trached son and usually have it on the back of the chair. We have the feeding pump, lightly loaded backpack and suction hanging on the back. It was great the year my DH and BIL has scooters as we loaded up the baskets with a cooler of frozen water bottles, and all the medical stuff to lessen the weight to push.

OP - I agree with the idea of using the stroller that you know works. If you can bring the chair and wagon for the resort, Disney Springs, and other places, I would do that. I also know you can’t leave the suction machine in First Aid, as it is life saving emergency equipment. I hope a call to WDW can advise.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Thanks for everyone's input. Does anyone know the dimensions for the wheelchair rides? As in, what size can they accommodate? That was another thought I had with the smaller manual wheelchair vs. the medical stroller. The medical stroller is decent size with the full metal equipment tray underneath. I would hate to not be able to roll him onto a ride and have to deal with transferring just because his stroller is too big.

We can't really push both in the parks to let him switch back and forth. We have 2 other kids and one will also likely still need a stroller. Another option I am considering is to rent a double CityMini from kingdom strollers and use that for my 3 year old and probably occasionally my 7 year old. I could use the extra storage under that for some equipment too. There is hardly any equipment that we can leave in first aid across the park unfortunately except maybe his extra feed mix. We may still end up just using the manual chair at the resort and the stroller in the parks. Just trying to connect with others who have had these experiences. This will be our first trip with our kiddo who has significant medical needs so I am trying to wrap my head around the logistics.

Also, should I still call the disability service people if we don't really need any extra accommodation? We already requested an ADA room at OKW (our DVC home resort). Are there things I need to ask for in the parks? Or if we don't need any accommodation, do I just go? I don't think he will need a DAS as he doesn't have an issue waiting in a line for any reason, just needs to be able to stay in stroller until transfer or roll onto ride.

 

[gap2368]

Thanks for everyone's input. Does anyone know the dimensions for the wheelchair rides? As in, what size can they accommodate? That was another thought I had with the smaller manual wheelchair vs. the medical stroller. The medical stroller is decent size with the full metal equipment tray underneath. I would hate to not be able to roll him onto a ride and have to deal with transferring just because his stroller is too big.

We can't really push both in the parks to let him switch back and forth. We have 2 other kids and one will also likely still need a stroller. Another option I am considering is to rent a double CityMini from kingdom strollers and use that for my 3 year old and probably occasionally my 7 year old. I could use the extra storage under that for some equipment too. There is hardly any equipment that we can leave in first aid across the park unfortunately except maybe his extra feed mix. We may still end up just using the manual chair at the resort and the stroller in the parks. Just trying to connect with others who have had these experiences. This will be our first trip with our kiddo who has significant medical needs so I am trying to wrap my head around the logistics.

Also, should I still call the disability service people if we don't really need any extra accommodation? We already requested an ADA room at OKW (our DVC home resort). Are there things I need to ask for in the parks? Or if we don't need any accommodation, do I just go? I don't think he will need a DAS as he doesn't have an issue waiting in a line for any reason, just needs to be able to stay in stroller until transfer or roll onto ride.

There is not much accommodation they do beside stroller as wheelchair tag and the Das. If it is ride spacific like needing the moving walk way stop ( they can do this at all but Peter Pan and the people mover) or slows you will need to ask at the ride and I am guess this will be Obvious That he will need it slowed or stoped

 

[lanejudy]

Does anyone know the dimensions for the wheelchair rides? As in, what size can they accommodate?

I'm not sure about size for ride vehicles. Wheelchairs must not exceed 36" wide x 52" long. For some transportation, the limit is 30" x 48" (I think, search is failing me at the moment). So I'm not sure if ride vehicles adhere to the smaller box as bus transportation or the larger size limit.

We can't really push both in the parks to let him switch back and forth. We have 2 other kids and one will also likely still need a stroller.

Sorry if I missed this... but if you won't be able to push his medical stroller while he uses his smaller manual wheelchair, how were you expecting to use a wagon for his equipment? Or were you thinking the wagon would serve as stroller for the other child(ren)? If that was the thought, I would bring or rent a double stroller with good cargo space (in-park rentals have no cargo space). The only challenge I see is whether GR will provide a stroller-as-wheelchair tag for the stroller with equipment but occupied by another child, though hopefully they would. My concern would be if he were to need any of that equipment while on a ride (or ride stoppage), it would be with you when using the medical stroller but left at boarding/exit otherwise.

We already requested an ADA room at OKW (our DVC home resort).

This may be a case of semantics but did you request an ADA room or did you book an ADA room? Requests are not guaranteed and ADA rooms are a separate bookable category which will guarantee. Maybe DVC works different, but I don't think so.

should I still call the disability service people if we don't really need any extra accommodation?

I don't think there is any need to call unless you had questions (maybe ask what size wheelchair for ride vehicles) or needed anything more at your resort. Medical equipment or beds, etc. can be rented and delivered if that is anything you might need.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[PurpleKomodo]

We booked an ADA room.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The only challenge I see is whether GR will provide a stroller-as-wheelchair tag for the stroller with equipment but occupied by another child, though hopefully they would.

This is one of the rare instances where I think lying by omission is valid. Don't specify which child needs the stroller-as-wheelchair tag. Just have a child in the stroller as Guest Services.

OP, if you think there might be an issue treating the child in a line, absolutely request a DAS as well.

 

[bdarling]

I am going to ask for the DAS for my trached son. The main reason is that others find it gross to watch suction or even worse if trach secretions spew out, as my son has been know to do during suctioning. I will wait outside the crowded line instead of risking him spewing body fluids to someone near us in a crowded line. I am not sure this is going to be accepted reason but I would ask if that is your situation as well. Even just stopping in line for the few minutes to deal with it is going to annoy some behind you. Is that your problem, no, but I just don’t want the stress of it.

Also thanks above for the wheelchair measurements. One of the chairs my son had was too high for Nemo to close properly, so I will measure his new chair so I have that info.

 

[redberyl]

I am going to ask for the DAS for my trached son. The main reason is that others find it gross to watch suction or even worse if trach secretions spew out, as my son has been know to do during suctioning. I will wait outside the crowded line instead of risking him spewing body fluids to someone near us in a crowded line. I am not sure this is going to be accepted reason but I would ask if that is your situation as well. Even just stopping in line for the few minutes to deal with it is going to annoy some behind you. Is that your problem, no, but I just don’t want the stress of it.

We get a DAS for my trached daughter for that exact reason. We have been several times and they never give us any trouble about it

 

[SueM in MN]

My daughter’s manual wheelchair is 26 inches wide and about 42 inches long. (Almost 48 including her backpack).
The armrest height is 28 inches from the ground and the top of the push handles are just a bit over 39 inches tall.
She has used all of the wheelchair accessible ride cars with no problem.

The tightest ones are Buzz Lightyear at MK, Magic Carpets at MK; Journey Into Imagination at Epcot, Nemo at Epcot; Triceraptor Spin at AK, Safari at AK; Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studio.

Length in general is tighter than width, but we have had no problem with her wheelchair fitting. Multiple times the CM at Aladdin’s Magic Carpets thinks it won’t fit, but it does.

 

[SueM in MN]

This may be a case of semantics but did you request an ADA room or did you book an ADA room? Requests are not guaranteed and ADA rooms are a separate bookable category which will guarantee. Maybe DVC works different, but I don't think so.

OKW (and DVC in general) work the same as other resorts.
ADA rooms are a booking category. There are some fully accessible with roll in showers and some partially accessible without roll in showers.

I have pictures of the renovated ADA 1 bedroom OKW villas if anyone wants to see them.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue - where did you buy that under chair storage? I have been looking for something like that. Also, thanks for the link to the hooks for a backpack. We just got a new chair and the backpack doesn’t fit the same way. I got two sets so maybe I can get the suction machine in a better place too.

I didn’t buy it, I made it.
It started out as a piece of an IKEA hanging closet storage organizer. It was too long for the area I wanted to use it, so I cut the bottom bin off.
The other ‘ingredient’ was a silver vinyl tote bag.
I kind of slipcovered the storage organizer bin with the tote, leaving the netting on the back open, so you can see thru it. The vinyl finishes it off and gives a waterproof and easy to wipe off surface.
The front of the storage bin had a lip, which was finished on all sides and sewn to the bin. I just undid that one seam on each side and opened up the 2 sides, leaving the bottom attached.
I covered the outside with the silver vinyl and added Velcro tabs to close it.

I used the original bag handles to make loops on the top to fasten it to the chair and used zip ties to fasten carabiners to the wheelchair to hook onto the loops (might be able to use Velcro hooks like I posted previously instead).
It would have actually been easier with new vinyl - I had to plan things more carefully and do some things differently because of the size and shape of the vinyl from the tote bag.

The whole thing folds flat and attaches on and off easily. I do that for air travel because I don’t want it damaged during the flight. Once we are at WDW, I don’t remove it - it doesn’t interfere with the bus and easy to remove everything for security check.

 

[SueM in MN]

The other pictures were while I was making the bag.
These pictures show it folded flat, attached to the wheelchair open and closed and the carabiners under her chair.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I’m going to give you several different pieces of advice, based on being a nurse and on multiple years of travel to WDW with our daughter. Our first trip to WDW was when she was 11 months and our first with a wheelchair was when she was not quite 3.

I’d suggest taking the medical stroller for the parks. You know the equipment fits on it and how it fits. You know it would not need any kind of exception. I would still stop in Guest Relations at one of the theme parks to get a ‘stroller as wheelchair tag. The CMs should recognize it as a medical stroller without the tag, but the tag helps with other visitors, who might say, ‘why do they get to use their stroller in line and we don’t ?’
If you use the buses and the stroller can be secured without taking the medical equipment off, that would be easier. A wagon would need to be unloaded and folded up for the buses.
With the wagon, if he needs to use any equipment that can’t be attached to the wheelchair, you would need to push both the wagon and wheelchair and keep them at the correct distance to use.
With the stroller, if he’s attached to any of the equipment, you could probably still use the wheelchair accessible ride cars. If he’s in the wheelchair and the equipment is in the wagon, you’d have to wait because both won’t fit in the accessible ride car.

Bring the wheelchair in addition to the stroller. Use it for independence around your resort and possibly at a park if you plan a short day.
My daughter is an adult now and is very proficient/functional with her manual wheelchair at home (she also is proficient with her power wheelchair that we have not brought to Florida - afraid of damage).
Even though she can easily use her wheelchairs at home, WDW is a different matter. People walk 5-8-10 miles per day going to the parks, which means a wheelchair user is also going to be pushing that distance. Our daughter doesn’t have the stamina to do that for more than part of a day. She prefers us to push her most of the time and she does get intimidated by the amount of traffic and the speed people are going. In the parks, she goes short distances only. Most of her independent use of her wheelchair is at our resort and in our room.

What equipment would you need urgently and need to have with all the time?
Do you need some with you in the park, but would be able to leave in First Aid until you need it? Would there be less equipment if you are going at certain times of day?
I’d figure that out and consider how to carry it without the wagon if you want to take the wheelchair to the parks. What could be carried in a backpack?
Consider ways to attach something under the wheelchair similar to the shelf on the stroller. If your child has an OT or PT, they should be able to help you.

For example, I made a bag/bin that is attached underneath my daughter’s manual wheelchair. Her supplies are in a backpack that hangs off the back of her wheelchair and also in the bag under her chair. It’s efficient for the security bag check and we don’t have a lot extra to carry.

Sue I am asking this because I don't know answer but on wheelchair boat I am thinking Small World does a parent/helper sit beside the wheelchair or is it just the wheelchair with others sitting in rows in front? trying to expand my knowledge of the parks

 

[PurpleKomodo]

I am going to ask for the DAS for my trached son. The main reason is that others find it gross to watch suction or even worse if trach secretions spew out, as my son has been know to do during suctioning. I will wait outside the crowded line instead of risking him spewing body fluids to someone near us in a crowded line. I am not sure this is going to be accepted reason but I would ask if that is your situation as well. Even just stopping in line for the few minutes to deal with it is going to annoy some behind you. Is that your problem, no, but I just don’t want the stress of it.

Also thanks above for the wheelchair measurements. One of the chairs my son had was too high for Nemo to close properly, so I will measure his new chair so I have that info.

That is a good point. I hadn't thought about us holding up the line by having to suction, cough, or deal with other equipment like his feeding pump. I had always thought of DAS being for those who can't wait in line. But, I would be stressed if the line was moving and I was having to deal with something and people were angry that I was holding things up. I will be curious if they will grant a DAS for that reason.

I also have to remember that suctioning a trach and trach secretions are not normal to others. They feel so normal to me, but I would hate to traumatize someone or someone else's child. Or to create an embarrassing situation for my child if someone says something rude.

 

[gap2368]

Sue I am asking this because I don't know answer but on wheelchair boat I am thinking Small World does a parent/helper sit beside the wheelchair or is it just the wheelchair with others sitting in rows in front? trying to expand my knowledge of the parks

On wheelchair boat the wheelchair goes in the middle of the bait where there are 3 rows of sets ( so 6!people pluses the wheelchair user) on the sides of the boat. I hope this made since


Handicap boat

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue I am asking this because I don't know answer but on wheelchair boat I am thinking Small World does a parent/helper sit beside the wheelchair or is it just the wheelchair with others sitting in rows in front? trying to expand my knowledge of the parks

On wheelchair boat the wheelchair goes in the middle of the bait where there are 3 rows of sets ( so 6!people pluses the wheelchair user) on the sides of the boat. I hope this made since


Handicap boat

Yes.
The wheelchair boat for Small World and the ride in Mexico have a ramp down the center of the boat. There are 3 rows with one seat on each side of the ramp for each row.