Tips & Strategies for Slow Walkers?

[JackieLately]

Going to WDW in about 19 days now. SO EXCITED! However, i'm very worried because one person in our party is an extremely slow walker because they have a knee problem and just is not used to the walking. Does anyone have tips on how to handle this so that everything goes more smoothly?

 

[fours]

Patience...let others go ahead and someone stay with the slow walker so they dont feel left out. besides sometimes life in the slow lane you have time to see all the little neat things along the way. Just go and enjoy...take plenty of breaks in the cool it will be hot.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My DH has had several knee surgeries and has tried going to the parks with us. He really cannot do it & will not get a wheel chair. After about 3 hours of walking, and walking slow, he has to leave. He cannot do it. I hope that doesn't happen to you. I would see if the person was willing to use a wheelchair..

 

[JackieLately]

My DH has had several knee surgeries and has tried going to the parks with us. He really cannot do it & will not get a wheel chair. After about 3 hours of walking, and walking slow, he has to leave. He cannot do it. I hope that doesn't happen to you. I would see if the person was willing to use a wheelchair..

Is wheelchair rental a better idea than the scooters I've seen people riding around?

 

[kaligal]

Going to WDW in about 19 days now. SO EXCITED! However, i'm very worried because one person in our party is an extremely slow walker because they have a knee problem and just is not used to the walking. Does anyone have tips on how to handle this so that everything goes more smoothly?

What do you mean by "everything goes more smoothly?" What are you "worried" about?

The slow-poke won't be trampled, if that is your concern. There is a lot of pushing and shoving at rope drop amongst those in the front of the pack. Try to enter 5 minutes later, if you're going first thing in the a.m.

If you're worried that they'll push themselves too far, I get it. BTDT. You can suggest a wheelchair/ECV, but you can't push it or force them to use one. They'll probably refuse the ECV and then have to leave the park early. It isn't that they're trying to ruin your day...they're just trying to be normal. Plus, a lot of people feel that if they CAN go on without a chair, they SHOULD, so they don't take one away from someone who actually NEEDS it. If they don't feel that they're a person who needs it, there is no talking them into one.

And even if they get one, you will find that everyone passes you all the same. Those things slow you down, too.

If you just don't want to be held back by this person, tell them before you go that you won't be touring the park with them.

 

[JackieLately]

What do you mean by "everything goes more smoothly?" What are you "worried" about?

The slow-poke won't be trampled, if that is your concern. There is a lot of pushing and shoving at rope drop amongst those in the front of the pack. Try to enter 5 minutes later, if you're going first thing in the a.m.

If you're worried that they'll push themselves too far, I get it. BTDT. You can suggest a wheelchair/ECV, but you can't push it or force them to use one. They'll probably refuse the ECV and then have to leave the park early. It isn't that they're trying to ruin your day...they're just trying to be normal. Plus, a lot of people feel that if they CAN go on without a chair, they SHOULD, so they don't take one away from someone who actually NEEDS it. If they don't feel that they're a person who needs it, there is no talking them into one.

And even if they get one, you will find that everyone passes you all the same. Those things slow you down, too.

If you just don't want to be held back by this person, tell them before you go that you won't be touring the park with them.

When I said smoothly I meant I don't want that person to feel bad, be left out or push themselves to much. Since were a big group I don't know if we'll stay together or split up. I was just asking about the options for making that person feel better when at WDW in general. If there were certain strategies people take when tackling the parks.

Rope Drop sounds insane I wouldn't even want to be caught up in that!!!

 

[mfd25wife]

Try to talk the person into a WC or ECV. When I was injured on our trip down last year and had to have a wheelchair, I was a little embarrassed at first. But, I was able to do more than I could have because of it.

 

[stitch09]

On our last trip, my mom had just finished recovering from multiple surgeries on her foot (the surgery was in January, we went to disney in April). The doctor said she should be fine, but she did have foot pains as each day went on. So, since it was just the two of us, if we needed to rush to reach our ADR time or wanted to get a FP (think running all the way from the International Gateway to Soarin), I would run ahead to put our name down or to grab the FPs before the return time got too late. By the time I would do this, she would catch up, and we would be seated or then hop in a line. Just don't get too stressed out. Sure, my mom wasn't able to run like she'd been able to in the past, but we still had a great time, and I wouldn't have missed that great time spent with my mom!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I would actually suggest rope drop...or actually 10 minutes after rope drop. The parks are often so much more manageable early in the morning.

 

[amery]

At the end of the day (beginning and middle too), t's their vacation too so try to be as accomodating as you can.

Depending on how many days you will have and strategic use of Fast Pass when and where applicable, you can have your slow walker set the pace while stay taking it all in. You might also consider renting a scooter but do so offsite. The ones that you can get at the parks cannot be taken park 2 park.

That ended up being a godsend whiloe on a business vacation back in August of 05 only weeks after knee surgery. The thought of my wife pushing me around a crowded park in a wheelchair in the middle of summer just wasn't appealing to either of us.

Hope this helps.

 

[jamstew]

I'd just see how they do one day and how things go. If it gets to be too much (it's hard for some people to imagine how much walking is involved), they might be willing to try an ECV. I've been in a situation where I had to use one (back problems once, sprained ankle another time), and although I hate it, I couldn't have enjoyed the trip without it. If the slow walker with bad knees has a problem in MK or DHS, I'd definitely suggest an ECV for EP and AK.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Hop on over to the DisAbilities Board for advice. If they can be trusted to drive, rent an ecv off site. A person with a seriously bad knee could be down for the count if they walk a whole disney day on it. They are a pitb to deal with, but well worth it in the right situation.

 

[ScarletFire]

ECV! I had the same issue with my father; he refused to rent an ECV. He left the MK at lunch and returned to the room miserable. After dinner, DS15 went to the Boardwalk kiosk; rented an ECV for the remainder of the week; drove it to Dad's room. We had a wonderful vacation.

 

[MHSweb79]

The average day at a Disney park entails 5-7 MILES of walking. In the brutal heat and humidity. It takes a toll on even the most hardy visitors. Make sure your knee-injured companion knows this ahead of time so plans can be made. You will see loads of people on scooters- there's no shame in it.
Why ruin your vacation if you don't have to? You say he's "not used to walking." Then he's certainly not going to make it past noon on the first day!

 

[POB14]

Let me echo the others, and suggest an ECV. You know what they say about the Pentagon; no matter how big you think it is, when you get there, it's bigger? WDW is like that. If you haven't done it, you seriously have NO IDEA how much walking is involved. Someone with a bad knee could honestly do permanent damage by trying to tough it out.

My wife has rented an ECV each of the last two trips, after she was subjected to cancer surgery, chemo, and radiation. It took six months of gentle persuasion, but she finally agreed to do it, and it makes a better trip for the whole family. We let her set the pace, but we can all spend much more time in the park and do a lot more, and she can scoot off to the buses anytime it gets to be too much.

 

[diberry]

I had knee replacement surgery 2 years ago in September and we came to WDW the previous month. I was extremely resistant to the idea of using an ECV because I wanted to be "normal" but it was fantastic. You can zip around World Showcase in no time - everyone else in your party will be the "slow" ones then - and nobody cares what you look like - they're all too busy having fun! You can get out and walk when you want to/need to. And (despite what you may read) you do get on the rides quicker if you get in the disabled access line. The CMs were wonderful with me. But, as someone said earlier, do rent one off-site so you've got it for all the other places you have to walk eg: around your resort etc - there's a lot more walking than you realise. I used http://randysmobility.com - they'll deliver it to your hotel and pick it up at the end of your stay.
I'm sure your "slow" member will be fine whatever he/she decides to do because it sounds like you're really kind and will take good care to make sure he/she has the best time.

 

[Traveliz]

Aside from a wheelchair or ECV some ideas that come to mind - make sure you are organized with a FP runner so the slower walker doesn't have to hold back the group in that regard.

Additionally try to group activities in the same area to prevent criss crossing or use park transportation (for example the train at MK to get from one land across the park).

I also recommend earlier touring rather than later when energy level is higher and more can be accomplished.

Liz

 

[dudelydude]

I agree with the PP's who speak of the 5-7 miles of walking and treacherous heat. While it may feel insulting to suggest a wheelchair, your friend should be understanding enough to make the trip better for everyone. Even if this person does not require the wheelchair at all times, they can push the empty chair to use as a balancing aid, like a walker on wheels and then they can hop in when their knee gets to hurting too much to walk.

 

[POB14]

And (despite what you may read) you do get on the rides quicker if you get in the disabled access line.

Not our experience at all. But I agree with everything else you posted.

 

[mfd25wife]

I had knee replacement surgery 2 years ago in September and we came to WDW the previous month. I was extremely resistant to the idea of using an ECV because I wanted to be "normal" but it was fantastic. You can zip around World Showcase in no time - everyone else in your party will be the "slow" ones then - and nobody cares what you look like - they're all too busy having fun! You can get out and walk when you want to/need to. And (despite what you may read) you do get on the rides quicker if you get in the disabled access line. The CMs were wonderful with me. But, as someone said earlier, do rent one off-site so you've got it for all the other places you have to walk eg: around your resort etc - there's a lot more walking than you realise. I used http://randysmobility.com - they'll deliver it to your hotel and pick it up at the end of your stay.
I'm sure your "slow" member will be fine whatever he/she decides to do because it sounds like you're really kind and will take good care to make sure he/she has the best time.

That was my experience also. DH was so impressed how they handled my temporary disability. We did talk about sometimes we had to go further for the entrance we used, but it wasn't in the lines. Soarin for instance..They took us outside and around the building, which was a good distance, but they took us back in just before the loading. For HM, we started in line and then moved around to the back and entered the stretching room, I believe it was. It took a little longer for attractions that they would just put the wheelchair on since they have a limited supply. I was able to transfer, just not walk. I could stand up, turn around, and walk a very few steps but that was it.