Touring the parks in a walking boot

[asumom]

Unfortunately, I have to wear a walking boot if we go ahead with our planned vacation next week. We may bring a wheelchair just in case. I can walk/stand, but not for extended periods. I do want to walk even if we bring the wheelchair. Looking for advice on a few things.

We plan on using Fast Passes and single rider lines. I understand to just let the castmember know if I need extra time getting on a ride. What about if a line a very long and I cannot stand (assuming I don't have the wheelchair). Will there be a place I can sit until it's my turn? Or, is this something I have to ask for a guest assistance card (don't want special treatment, just the first time touring with a mobility issue).

If we bring a wheelchair, are their "parking places" we can leave it for awhile. Again, I am hoping/wanting to be able to walk a bit.

Any other comments/advice would be helpful as well.

(background: haven't been to DL in 10 years; hesistant to cancel as we were really looking forward to the halloween decorations; won't be our last trip so not worried to take it slow and maybe have to miss a few things)

 

[Niltiac]

I have a similar situation for my upcoming trip and our tentative plan is to rent a wheelchair but leave it at the hotel some of the time, and also park it when it's not really needed. I'm sure someone with direct experience will chime in here, but I'll tell you what my understanding is. I've heard you can park a wheelchair and walk around, and I'm guessing you would park it in the same areas where people park their strollers. As for waiting in long lines, I'm pretty sure if you tell them you can't stand long enough to wait in line they will direct you to rent a wheelchair. There is a program for people who can't wait in line where they will give you a return time that's equivalent to the line wait, and you wait wherever you'd like and come back at the return time. However, my understanding is that this program is intended more for people with sensory issues and the like, and mobility issues don't qualify (unless you're in a wheelchair and the line can't accommodate it, in which case you get a return time). I'm sure someone will correct me if that's wrong.

Another thing I've heard is that the park wheelchair rentals run out, so if even if you're doing ok in the morning, if you'll need the chair later you should either rent it and park it somewhere, or rent one for your entire stay from an outside company instead of renting at the park. We're planning to go with an outside company if there are any that deliver manual wheelchairs to hotels.

 

[asumom]

Thank you and good luck to you too on your trip. We are borrowing a wheelchair from a friend. Even if I can walk more next week that will certainly solve the long line/standing problem.

 

[cinder-ellah]

Deckerts is our go to company for renting ECV's or wheelchairs.
(714) 542-5607
They deliver & pickup to your hotel. If you're within walking distance it's nice to have one coming and going to the parks. Plus you're then able to avoid standing in lines daily to rent one at the park. Yes, you can park them in stroller area and leave them while walking around an area, unless you're directed by a CM to park somewhere else. We always like to tie a ribbon so we can identify ours, easy to get mixed up. We also do a picture of it as most rentals will have a company name & number on it. A lot of the line areas in CA can accommodate wheelchairs & scooters.
Just ask a CM as you approach a ride where to enter with one. Or if you can stand and walk tell them and they'll accomadate you with a return time. Lines in Fantasyland : most don't accomadate wheelchairs or scooters, but you'll usually be instructed to enter at an exit with a return time. For all in your group the CM needs their park ticket to scan & schedule whose riding with you.

Scooters & wheelchairs are great for those in need. Wheelchairs can be a bit of a challenge for the pusher. Going in & out of Toontown and back to Splash Mountain area can be a challenge as the areas are not completely flat.

Our experience has been that CM's are very helpful if you need to go all the way to boarding a ride. We've never felt rushed when family members needed help getting on or off a ride. They don't / can't physically assist you, but they were always very patient.

Hope you have lots of fun !

 

[Malcon10t]

On rides you think you will need extra time, please use the Handicap access. An example is Space Mountain. If you need extra time, the rocket moves to the side to allow you to load at your pace. In the regular line, if you are not loaded quickly, the ride will cascade and stop. Big thunder Mountain, they will ask you if you can load in under 30 seconds. Again, if not cascades can happen and they will recommend you not ride. You need to load and unlaod quickly. Also, it is a difficult exit should the ride cascade and you will need to walk the stairs. Same for Screamin'. Racers also has a quick load but they have the HA car pull over to load and you can have all the time you need. Oh, and Matterhorn does not have the ability to slow for you. All it takes is one slow load, and it stops the ride. I've watched a family argue over who was going to sit where just long enough m older daughter was stuck just before the exit for 10 mins and my younger daughter (they did single rider) was stuck over by Pixie Hollow for 45 mins. Some rides you just won't have unlimited time to load.

 

[cinder-ellah]

On rides you think you will need extra time, please use the Handicap access. An example is Space Mountain. If you need extra time, the rocket moves to the side to allow you to load at your pace. In the regular line, if you are not loaded quickly, the ride will cascade and stop. Big thunder Mountain, they will ask you if you can load in under 30 seconds. Again, if not cascades can happen and they will recommend you not ride. You need to load and unlaod quickly. Also, it is a difficult exit should the ride cascade and you will need to walk the stairs. Same for Screamin'. Racers also has a quick load but they have the HA car pull over to load and you can have all the time you need. Oh, and Matterhorn does not have the ability to slow for you. All it takes is one slow load, and it stops the ride. I've watched a family argue over who was going to sit where just long enough m older daughter was stuck just before the exit for 10 mins and my younger daughter (they did single rider) was stuck over by Pixie Hollow for 45 mins. Some rides you just won't have unlimited time to load.

That's all good to know. In thinking back none of our family members with mobility issues rode those. Except for RSR. So, I'd had no experience with getting family members on them. Great information.

 

[SMD]

I'd take alternative loading area whenever offered. Even if you can get on the ride quickly, getting off can be harder. Sometimes the boot kind of gets stuck in the bottom of the vehicle because it's so bulky...

Anyway, definitely get a chair or ECV. The boots are heavy and rarely match the height of your other shoe. After a day of lifting your foot and teetering, you'll feel it. Also, don't get a knee scooter. People bump right into them. And you'll realize how many subtle hills are in the park after pushing up them and riding down using your other foot as a brake.

If you need a seat in lines, a rollator is an option, but that doesn't take weight off your foot between rides. If you use a wheelchair in DCA you can take it in most queues with you, push it and use it as a seat when needed. Most DL rides have an alternate queue.

I'd probably just get an ECV, park it when you want to walk, and or get your walking time outside of queues, or even outside of the parks.

 

[asumom]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I was able to borrow a wheelchair from a friend.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

On rides you think you will need extra time, please use the Handicap access. An example is Space Mountain. If you need extra time, the rocket moves to the side to allow you to load at your pace. In the regular line, if you are not loaded quickly, the ride will cascade and stop.

Agreed, this works very well on Space Mountain.

Big thunder Mountain, they will ask you if you can load in under 30 seconds. Again, if not cascades can happen and they will recommend you not ride. You need to load and unlaod quickly. Also, it is a difficult exit should the ride cascade and you will need to walk the stairs. Same for Screamin'. Racers also has a quick load but they have the HA car pull over to load and you can have all the time you need. Oh, and Matterhorn does not have the ability to slow for you. All it takes is one slow load, and it stops the ride. I've watched a family argue over who was going to sit where just long enough m older daughter was stuck just before the exit for 10 mins and my younger daughter (they did single rider) was stuck over by Pixie Hollow for 45 mins. Some rides you just won't have unlimited time to load.

I've been in a walking boot, and I wouldn't recommend even trying Big Thunder, it's too narrow when trying to fit in with a boot. The Matterhorn will simply be impossible to ride due to the boot unless you are a tiny, tiny person and can sit in front. There's just no room for it.