Temporary wheelchair at Airport and Magic Express?

[todd222222]

Hi folks,
Planning a trip to Disney World for March and will be our first trip since my MIL's arthritis has taken a toll on her knees.

She is able to walk short distances and climb stairs, slowly.

So questions:

1. Will be flying American Airlines out of DFW, how does one arrange for a wheelchair? We plan to park off-site and ride the parking companies shuttle. But will need a wheelchair shortly thereafter to get through security and to the gate.

2. How do we arrange for a wheelchair to be waiting for us at MCO? To take her from the gate to Magic Express?

I'm guessing we just need to call the airline and request these items, but does anyone have any tips or pointers?

3. When we arrive at ASM there will be an ECV waiting for us that we will arrange for thru Bueno Vista Scooters. I don't think there will be any issues with arriving and just getting the scooter right away, so she shouldn't need a wheelchair at the resort.

Thanks!
Todd

 

[mamabunny]

Start by calling American, and letting them know she will need assistance. They will ask you questions about what kind/how much. They should have the info you need for each airport you fly in to/out of.

They may also call again a few days prior to flying to confirm everything. (I fly American with my personal ECV on a regular basis and they are awesome)

Remember that she will need to be able to climb the stairs on the DME bus; if she doesn't have a mobility device of some kind, she can not ride the lift. (you must be seated on/in a mobility device to ride the lift on the DME buses.)

 

[The Hunchback]

You are correct on calling your airline.

Tell them she will need a wheelchair from check-in to the gate and from the plane to Magical Express. Be sure they have the reservation noted for the flight home. Can she walk down the jetway? If not, tell them when you call. The airlines have little chairs to get you on the plane if needed. I avoid those if possible. Too tiny for my comfort. I just board early and move slow. Generally, one person can board early with her as an aid.

The wheelchair pushers move very fast so tell everybody else in the party to be ready for a fast run to the gate. They somehow speed thru security which is nice. If the whole family cannot move fast, send 1 fast walking adult or older, responsible teen with mom and everybody meet at the gate.

She will need to walk from shuttle stop to airline check-in desk. I have seen stray wheelchairs at bus stops but you cannot depend on that. On the way home you may be able to get the wheelchair pusher to take her all the way to the shuttle stop.

The walk from Magical Express to check in could be a problem. I remember that as being a long way but we fly Southwest. Not sure how to help you there. Hope for a stray wheelchair or an independent porter at the Magical Express bus stop. Give yourself extra time for rest breaks on the way to check-in at MCO in case she must walk it.

Remember, wheelchair pushers often work for tips. Hope this all helps.

 

[todd222222]

Thank you both. Jetway and plane she should be fine. Didn't think about tips either.

Great info.

Todd

 

[The Hunchback]

Be sure mom practices with the ECV before you hit the parks. Some stop quickly. Others have a bit of a delayed stop. She should turn, back, start and stop on carpet and sidewalk to be ready for the parks. People will jump in front of her. Nothing she can do about that but smile. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[clhcpaca]

I fly Delta, not American. When I buy mt ticket, select my seats etc, there is then a box for special things and the drop down menu lists wheelchair assistance (and how much you need of it etc.). I have flown San Jose to MCO for quite a few years and had also no problems. The two times I had problems were in LAX and the people at LAX were prompt to act.