Tip and advice for someone traveling to Disneyland with limited mobility

[Baliezer]

Hi all! I am traveling to Disneyland later this month with my dad who has a hard time getting around. I am an avid Disneyland traveler and I am used to zipping around the park with my four girls, so traveling with someone that is disabled, is going to be a first for me.

First of all, I would like to explain his condition. He was struck by a hit and run drunk driver about two years ago and expected not to live. He has come a long way and had multiple surgeries to repair different parts of his body. Last Christmas, he took his electric wheelchair and stored it permanently. Vowing that he was going to walk and eventually go back to work. With his doctors approval, he did just that. He is able to walk small distances, but with a heavy limp and tires very easily. He is listed as disabled by the state of Texas.

So here are my questions and concerns. First of all, where should I rent an ECV? We are staying off property at the Best Western Park Place Inn and Minisuites and I think that he will be able to walk from the park to the motel, but I am not sure. We plan on arriving at about 7am. Should I just rent from the park? Convenience is my biggest concern here. I plan on getting a GAC for him, but doesn't that take longer than the fastpass lines? Should I try to utilize both? What happens if he starts getting really tired and cannot stand in the lines anymore? Can I stand for him and then have him meet me towards the front?

Any other tips or suggestions would be great! I am trying to find out as much as possible, in a short time, so that I can make his stay as magical as possible.

Thanks!

 

[peemagg]

I would just have him bring his electric wheelchair since he already has one. If he wants to walk for a while he can park it in stroller parking and then when ready, he can pick it back up.

I think you are going to find that this is going to be a bit slower than you are used to.

I don't know about Disneyland, but at WDW, there is no real way for you and the girls to stand in line and then have Dad catch up. You need to plan for a way for him to be able to sit in line with you, whether it is a manual wheelchair, ECV, rolling walker with a seat, or electric wheelchair.

 

[KPeveler]

Yes, you can and probably will walk from the hotel, but it will be MUCH easier to rent off-site than at the park.

First of all, the ECVs in the park are massive and bulky, and may go slower than he is used to if he is has his own powerchair or scooter.

Second, it will be less expensive to rent off-site (considerably)

Third, it will be more walking than he think it will be. He will definitely need a ECV or wheelchair, as there is a LOT of walking between rides and lots of places where he will want to sit (like waiting for fireworks or WOC).

It will be farther than you think from the hotel to the parks, and he will likely need the ECV by the end of the day. The park rental ECVs cannot be taken out of the park areas, not even to Downtown Disney, and after a long day of walking and riding, he will likely need the scooter to get back to the hotel.

I agree with a PP, if he can, bring his own chair. It will save money, he will know how to drive it, and he will be more comfortable.

 

[jdb in AZ]

A friend wore a pedometer in Disneyland recently to measure how far they walked, and it recorded over 12 miles. i doubt we would ever go that far in one day, but could your dad do even half that without being completely miserable?

i would make sure (insist) that he is in a wheel chair or ECV going to/from the hotel, then parking it when he wants to stretch his legs. The vacation you save may be your own.

The purpose of a GAC is to alert the CM's of limited mobility, and a wheel chair or ECV tells the CM the same info, so your dad wouldn't need a GAC. Yes, you could use Fastpass and save time that way as well. He could park and walk as much as he wants. Some of the queues have stairs. Can he handle them?

The lines are set up to wind around outside then inside buildings, and your dad wouldn't be able to see how close you are to the front of the line, so he wouldn't know when to join you. Plus the lines are narrow and other guests don't appreciate people trying to "cut the line."

 

[Baliezer]

Thanks everyone! I will start looking into offsite rentals.

 

[peemagg]

If your Dad brings his own powerchair and flys. The chair flies for free.