Tips for People with Physical Challenges?

[BekahBelle]

My family are lifetime Disney goers but lately my dad hasn't been able to enjoy the trip due to his bad knees and heart problems. Any tips on how to make his experience enjoyable again? He's a sweet guy and refuses to get a wheelchair or slow down because he's afraid he'll ruin the kids trip even though we and they assure him he wont. Also, general tips for people with any physical challenges or disabilities are appreciated. Lots of people I know have questions about this including a family friend with blind and autistic daughters. Thanks in advance!

 

[Asellus]

No particular tip but My Dad got a wheelchair on our last trip and it didn't slow us down at all. If anything it made it so he could keep up with us. (Our last family trip was 8 people, my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my husband and 2 older children [prior to me having #3])

 

[BekahBelle]

Thanks! Maybe if I tell him that he will change his mind!

 

[jec6613]

Get the wheelchair! He won't slow you down, if anything, he'll come in handy. Wheelchairs can hold the backpacks and gear and such.

 

[diz8297]

Nevermind the wheelchair! Get an ECV!! My mother suffered from spinal stenosis. With the ECV she was able to keep the pace and really enjoy herself!! If you have a wheelchair, someone has to push it. And trust me. There are hills in the parks you never noticed before!

 

[siskaren]

There's a whole forum here for touring Disney with disabilities:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/

 

[hsmamato2]

We took my Dad recently, he has double knee replacements. At first he insisted he would be fine walking, but we knew he wouldn't. So we insisted that he would rent an ecv. This gave him the dignity to decide where/how he wanted to travel,and he had that with him. We got off the bus at the resort,and the people met us at the front desk. After checking in, we went to our room.... it was at that moment my Dad said "OMG I am SO glad you made me rent this thing, the walk to the rooms would have been too much for me!"
Disney is BIG. Having an ECV makes it so nice for those who can't walk to far,and it is nice to have a spot to hold some drinks,jackets etc. too! It didn't really slow us down at all,it actually smoothed things out!

 

[hsmamato2]

IMHO having the ECV made it easier for rides and shows too- the CM's just ask about mobility,and he got assistance where needed to experience everything. Awesome.