Taking wheelchair when flying

[maxiesmom]

If I want to take a wheelchair along with me when I am flying to Disney, how does that work?

I don't need it for walking around the airport but I will need it for the parks. Is a wheelchair something that gets gate checked, or can we check it as baggage? Or is it just simpler to pay to rent one? I mean, I'd rather save the money if taking a wheelchair along isn't a hassle, but I'm clueless.

 

[MS_Warrior]

You can either gate check it or you can check it as baggage. It’s not a big deal. When you book your airline tickets, go the site, and fill out their ADA form. They are really good to work with wheelchair users. Good luck!

 

[KPeterso]

We are taking a wheelchair for the first time next month with us. We want to gate check as my Mom cannot walk the whole airport (she will walk some and push it like a wheelchair, but will mostly sit in it). When I called Delta Disability Services (almost no wait for that area - probably under 2 minutes), they were super helpful. They made note that we will have the wheelchair and asked if we wanted to check with bags or gate check. They also took the dimensions and weight of the wheelchair and made all the notes on our reservation (I guess it is to ensure it will fit the storage area door). Remember to remove all extras or loose type items like the foot plates, extra cushion, cupholders, etc... Those items can be placed in an extra "medical only" type bag to either be carried on or checked. As long as nothing else is in the bag, there is no extra charge and can be an extra carry on. That is true for Delta at least.

I am a little nervous about getting through the airport with the wheelchair, but I am sure it will be fine in the end.

 

[MS_Warrior]

We are taking a wheelchair for the first time next month with us. We want to gate check as my Mom cannot walk the whole airport (she will walk some and push it like a wheelchair, but will mostly sit in it). When I called Delta Disability Services (almost no wait for that area - probably under 2 minutes), they were super helpful. They made note that we will have the wheelchair and asked if we wanted to check with bags or gate check. They also took the dimensions and weight of the wheelchair and made all the notes on our reservation (I guess it is to ensure it will fit the storage area door). Remember to remove all extras or loose type items like the foot plates, extra cushion, cupholders, etc... Those items can be placed in an extra "medical only" type bag to either be carried on or checked. As long as nothing else is in the bag, there is no extra charge and can be an extra carry on. That is true for Delta at least.

I am a little nervous about getting through the airport with the wheelchair, but I am sure it will be fine in the end.

You will be fine! I’ve been doing it for years. The first time is the most stressful. We have started gate checking, but if we have connecting flights, we usually check it through to the destination and ask them to have a wheelchair waiting. We did this after almost missing our connecting flight to Miami for a cruise because it took them so long to get my chair to me.

 

[KPeterso]

You will be fine! I’ve been doing it for years. The first time is the most stressful. We have started gate checking, but if we have connecting flights, we usually check it through to the destination and ask them to have a wheelchair waiting. We did this after almost missing our connecting flight to Miami for a cruise because it took them so long to get my chair to me.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! We are flying direct and gate checking the wheelchair. Good to know if we ever have flights with a connection to have them check it through. We are still renting an ECV at WDW as I cannot push my Mom for almost 2 weeks and it is just the 2 of us. The wheelchair is for the airport, around the resort, and maybe on 10/1 at MK.

 

[MS_Warrior]

We are still renting an ECV at WDW as I cannot push my Mom for almost 2 weeks and it is just the 2 of us. The wheelchair is for the airport, around the resort, and maybe on 10/1 at MK.

I would think about renting her an ECV from an offsite company. That way she’ll have it around the resort, etc. It will give her more freedom and will save your shoulders and back. DH has pushed me around Hawaii before, and it made me feel very dependent upon him and worried that he wasn’t able to enjoy the trip. That was the last time we did the manual wheelchair thing. It was too hard on both of us for that trip, and it was only during shore excursion. While on the ship, I used my ECV

 

[KPeterso]

I would think about renting her an ECV from an offsite company. That way she’ll have it around the resort, etc. It will give her more freedom and will save your shoulders and back. DH has pushed me around Hawaii before, and it made me feel very dependent upon him and worried that he wasn’t able to enjoy the trip. That was the last time we did the manual wheelchair thing. It was too hard on both of us for that trip, and it was only during shore excursion. While on the ship, I used my ECV

Oh we are most definitely renting offsite. We are renting from Gold like we have the last few times. Reservation has been made already. Just thinking might have times at the resort that the wheelchair might be easier. We will be at AKV-Kidani this time. I am used to pushing her quite a bit around Disneyland so a little here and there at WDW should not be too bad.

 

[MS_Warrior]

Oh we are most definitely renting offsite. We are renting from Gold like we have the last few times. Reservation has been made already. Just thinking might have times at the resort that the wheelchair might be easier. We will be at AKV-Kidani this time. I am used to pushing her quite a bit around Disneyland so a little here and there at WDW should not be too bad.

That’s great. We haven’t stayed at AKV, yet. It sounds like a blast, though. Have a great time!

 

[Woodview]

Note Make sure that you have a " Stick on Label " stuck onto some secure place on the

wheelchair With your name & phone no on it ................... just in case it goes " walkabout "

you never know .

 

[KPeterso]

Note Make sure that you have a " Stick on Label " stuck onto some secure place on the

wheelchair With your name & phone no on it ................... just in case it goes " walkabout "

you never know .

Great idea!!! I will get something to stick onto the wheelchair with this information!