Things you should know about wheeling at Disney

[KPeveler]

I thought I would create a list of helpful hints for people using a wheelchair or ECV for the first time at Disney (either renting there, or bringing their own)... not so much the FAQs, like where to rent, but things like these:

Put suncreen on the tops of your feet (if you're wearing sandals) and your legs/knees (if you are wearing shorts).

Bring a towel to cover the seat - the rented chairs/ECVs are vinyl

Cover the handles of the ECV when you get up for a ride if it is in the sun - otherwise you can burn your hands when you get back!

ECV "Economy" models may be smaller and easier to drive, but that can also mean the battery is smaller - be sure to ask!

If you are bringing a chair from home, decide if all aprts are necessary. I.e. if you dont think you will need the arm rests on your scooter, take them off! it will be one less thing for the airline to break.

Any thing else? i am hoping to share this list with other boards i am on (medical/disability boards, not disney ones) in an effort to encourage more DISers!

 

[lovespoohbear]

if you need something on your own wheelchair and you are flying, if it comes off of the chair take it off and bring it in the plane with you. ie footrests, headrests, control box if electric wheelchair. oh yeah if your headrest is screwed on REMEMBER to screw the screw as tight as you can if the headrest is taken off and brought on the plane. when i got my chair back once arriving home the screw black bracket so they found the screw in belly of plane and bracket on the tarmac in the dark in the rain. that was luck

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Be sure to bring a clear shower cap to go over your control box in case of rain. and if it is your own be sure you have name and address labels on every part.

 

[SueM in MN]

1) Check all the screws and bolts on the wheelchair for tightness before getting on the plane and after you land. The vibrations of air travel can shake things loose.

2) Bring along some extra bolts and screws in case of need.

3) Engineering at your resort can be helpful with things like screwdrivers, allen wrenches, tire pumps, etc.

4) A small laundry bag works really well to 'corrale' wheelchair pieces for carrying onto the airplane. After use, it can be folded very small to fit into a backpack or suitcase pocket.

 

[jaxpooh]

Any ideas for carrying crutches around on the ECV? I rented from caremobility and they do not offer crutch holders.

 

[pugdog]

Any ideas for carrying crutches around on the ECV? I rented from caremobility and they do not offer crutch holders.

Bunge cord

 

[lovespoohbear]

Bunge cord

i was gonna say the same thing. bungy cords are good for a lot of stuff.

 

[MightyMom]

About vinyl seats on wheelchairs.

When we ordered my son's chair I opted for the vinyl seat. BIG mistake! Although it cleans up easily.... it is not the most comfortable.... and it does NOT breathe in the heat.

On both trips to WDW in June DS broke out with a terrible heat rash on his back. The first year we had to use benadryl cream from the resort store.... the second year we came prepared with our own.

So if you have a vinyl seat. Be prepared.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Electric scooters, BRING AN EXTRA KEY, better yet two extras

 

[kimbac3]

I can't second the sunscreen enough!!

Last Saturday I spent the day at an all outdoor truck show. Well apparently Hershey and WDW have more shade because I have never got sunburned at those places. The truck show...my thighs and shins were burnt to a crisp!! I'm still sore! It was awful. I didn't realize the burn until the end of the day when we found some shadows to take refuge in.

This trip I'll be putting on sunscreen before I leave the room AND throughout the day!!

Oh well, lesson learned!

Kimba

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Don't plan too rigorously. I know some people are all for detailed trip plans, and they do have their merits, but there are times when you just need to go with the flow. If you're travelling in a wheelchair, especially if you also have other health problems tied in, you need to be able to run the day as your body dictates. Maybe that will mean rolling all they way through from early opening at MK to the close of PI, but don't count on it.

Instead of just putting a normal towel over the seat, you might want to buy a really cheap towel, and customise it so it fits. OK, so when I say customise, I actually mean sew a bit of velcro or a couple of poppers onto it so it will fit the chair and not slip off, but you could also decorate it if you wanted.

Hang back a little after busy events to allow the crowds to clear. If you've just been to a night time event, such as a parade or fireworks, be prepared to wait a little while before fighting your way to the exit. I've tried battling the crowds in a chair and let's just say, the view isn't pretty (nor is being stepped over, kicked, shoved or nearly burnt by the guy who thinks the no-smoking rule doesn't apply to him). The shops normally stay open while the park's clearing, so have a wander around them, buy a snack, use the restroom, admire the view, whatever you can think of to kill some time before you head for the exit (and the bus queues).

Find the location of the wheelchair parade viewing areas on the maps. These areas magically change your view from a row of backsides to Mickey Mouse.

Be prepared for people with 'holiday head'. No, this isn't a form of hat hair acquired when wearing Mickey ears, this is an odd phenomenon that causes people who are probably perfectly reasonable in the 'real world' to become oblivious to their surroundings. I can almost guarantee that at some point during your trip you will encounter at least one of the following:

Someone stop directly in front of you on a down hill slope (probably followed by a gormless stare at you, trying to figure out why you just squealed to a halt behind them)

Someone stand directly in front of you, blocking your view (they will normally move if you ask).

Someone pull their small child (almost) straight under your wheels (I advise people to stop if they can, otherwise it'll make a mess of their chair).

Someone making a 'smart' comment about how nice it must be to sit down all day / jump all the queues (which doesn't always happen) / skip the bus queue (again, not always the case) / stare at people's backsides all day... oh wait, hang on, they don't normally say that one.


So, have a great trip, ignore the Holiday Heads and enjoy a liberal sprinkling of fairy dust!


WARNING: The writer of this piece has developed a severe case of tongue-in-cheek syndrome, apply a liberal pinch of salt to some comments

 

[LindaBabe]

WARNING: The writer of this piece has developed a severe case of tongue-in-cheek syndrome, apply a liberal pinch of salt to some comments
__________________

As an ecv user, If you don't develop this syndrome, you could easily KILL some fool out of sheer frustration!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

As an ecv user, If you don't develop this syndrome, you could easily KILL some fool out of sheer frustration!

It's the guy walking with a lit cigerette swinging it into my face that I like the least.

There's a suggestion carry a fire extinguisher!!!

 

[Mason7AK]

Buy one of those umbrellas that attach to the wheelchair - they can be a lifesaver for keeping the sun off your little one's face! We have one for each of our kids chairs - bought them both at WDW at the kiosk's that sell the pretty umbrellas for little girls - ask the CM at the kiosk about the wheelchair umbrellas and they usually have them, even if they are not out on display. The stem is bendable and so you can position them however you need to for keeping the sun at bay! They just clamp right on to the handlebars, and are lightweight and easy to pack at the end of your trip.
Angela

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Buy one of those umbrellas that attach to the wheelchair - they can be a lifesaver for keeping the sun off your little one's face! We have one for each of our kids chairs - bought them both at WDW at the kiosk's that sell the pretty umbrellas for little girls - ask the CM at the kiosk about the wheelchair umbrellas and they usually have them, even if they are not out on display. The stem is bendable and so you can position them however you need to for keeping the sun at bay! They just clamp right on to the handlebars, and are lightweight and easy to pack at the end of your trip.
Angela

Just make sure you take it down if there's an electric storm!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Just a little bump to see if anyone else has anything to add

 

[Haley Whippet]

If you are new to ECV's do test drive them, Practice backing up and going Beep Beep Beep when you do
Always have a good answer in mind for the stupid remarks you will receive.
I have cool Eeyore stickers and a "Texas License plate" on my front basket.
I named my scooter Eeyore. I think it makes it look friendly.
Lastly, Enjoy the ride and don't let the doo doo heads get ya down...
Deb

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I just thought: waterproofs! Remember that your legs will be much more exposed; not only to the sun, but also to the rain. Ponchos are good for keeping you dry, but don't expect to push a manual chair with one on. Oh, and make sure you tuck the waterproofing all around you, as the water will often pool underneath you. I know from experience that sitting in wet shorts for the whole day is not fun!

 

[alizesmom]

I just thought: waterproofs! Remember that your legs will be much more exposed; not only to the sun, but also to the rain. Ponchos are good for keeping you dry, but don't expect to push a manual chair with one on. Oh, and make sure you tuck the waterproofing all around you, as the water will often pool underneath you. I know from experience that sitting in wet shorts for the whole day is not fun!

Is there some way I can adapt one so I can push DS while it rains? How do I prevent the pooling of water? Karen

 

[Beccabunny]

These are the kind of threads I love to see here. No fights, no personal attacks, no accusations, just lots of really great hints and strategies.. Nobody in my family uses a wheelchair (although DD will use a stroller as wheelchair on our next trip) but I read these theads for awareness. And it's so encouraging to see this kind of helpful attitude.