Traveling with someone who can't really walk long distances?

[megsoro]

After a stroke, my father is left winded after long walks. We do not own a wheel chair for him, and don't think he'd agree to a normal wheel chair. Does WDW rent "hod rod" (his words) wheel chairs/ scooters? We don't need a handicap room or anything, my mother is just worried he'll get tired after a few hours.

 

[SueM in MN]

The WDW parks rent ECVs (power mobility scooters). It is less expensive to rent from one of the off-site companies, especially if he will need one each day.
You can find more information about wheelchair and ECV rental both at the parks and from off-site companies in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

One other thing to think about is whether the stroke left him with any deficits/difficulties with vision or ability to reach quickly. With an ECV, he will need to be ready to reach quickly if people walk into his path or veer suddenly in front of him. If he is not able to do that, he would be safer using a wheelchair.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

We take turns pushing my grandma in a standard wheelchair and have had no problems

 

[megsoro]

Being relativity young when he had his stroke (45) Dad recovered well, but has stamina issues. He usually does not need assistance, but this the first big trip after his stroke, and we are concerned about long days. My mother is trying to convince him to use a normal wheel-chair, but he has pride issues. To him, he's an able bodied 50 years young. Do you think it would be useful to get him a GAC? He really shouldn't be standing for too long a time (like a three hour que).

 

[livndisney]

Being relativity young when he had his stroke (45) Dad recovered well, but has stamina issues. He usually does not need assistance, but this the first big trip after his stroke, and we are concerned about long days. My mother is trying to convince him to use a normal wheel-chair, but he has pride issues. To him, he's an able bodied 50 years young. Do you think it would be useful to get him a GAC? He really shouldn't be standing for too long a time (like a three hour que).

A GAC won't give him a place to sit when he needs one. A wheelchair/ecv will give him a seat. Plus Disney's answer to stamina/mobility issues is to rent a wheelchair/ecv.

To keep him out of lines, you may want to make good use of Fastpass and a good touring plan.

I dealt with the "pride" dad, the day renting an ECV was HIS idea-we celebrated LOL.

 

[digiMom]

My mom was the same way last trip; didn't want the stigma of being in a wheelchair during the trip as she doesn't normally use one. But once we got there, she realized there was no way she could have gone without it. We're going again in a few months and she's considering a scooter this time.

If he gets totally adamant about not wanting a wheelchair, maybe he can use a walker like this: http://www.disposablemedicalexpress.com/id-169/imgupload/4203.jpg. It would give him somewhere to sit if he gets tired. Not sure if appropriate in your case, but it's a thought...

 

[SueM in MN]

A Guest Assistance Card will really not help for someone who has difficulty walking and standing. The reason that WDW suggests a wheelchair or ECv for stamina/mobility is that the average guest walks between 5 and 9 miles per day at WDW, much of it getting from place to place, where a GAC is not going to help.

Besides not having a place to sit, some of the attractions have a long distance to walk - whether or not you are using the Fastpass line.
For example, at Soarin’ in Epcot, the distance from when you enter the line until boarding is 1/4 mile. The Fastpass and regular line are parallel to each other, so using the Fastpass line doesn’t make the distance any shorter. Because of how the ride loads, you will be moving forward for a few m,inutes, then stand in one place for 3-4 minutes before moving again. That repeats during the wait. And, once you are done riding, the walk out is just as far.

Pirates of the Caribbean at MK, the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK are some of the many attractions with long distances to walk.

 

[bellanotte10]

my father was the same as DigiMom's. He has muscular dystrophy and can't walk long distances without constantly stopping. Went from the entrance of Epcot to Soarin' after months of saying "no i DO NOT WANT A WHEELCHAIR" and getting downright mean when i said it'd be better... to finally accepting one when a very nice Cast Member got it for him. He used one the rest of the trip.

I feel really bad. He was clearly ashamed he was in it, but he felt better at the end of the day. He wanted a scooter, but it was SO expensive. I think it was like 70 bucks last week compared to 13 for the wheelchair.
So like others have said. Wheelchairs are fine... unless you're fathers a bit "pooh" sized like mine. And i'm tiny... I had issues pushing him up hills. Look off site. It'll probably be cheaper and better!

 

[AnninIowa]

I just returned from WDW with my dad, who is almost 80 and has trouble walking long distances. We rented a scooter from Buena Vista Scooter for $30 a day - they delivered it right to the resort. It gave my dad the freedom to get himself around rather than be pushed in a chair. He was nervous about it at first, but he was so glad he had it in the end. All of the bus drivers and cast members were so kind and helpful towards him, too, making sure he got on and off the buses and attractions without any problems.

 

[Leota]

The other thing to think about with renting an ECV at WDW is that they often run out very early. I know I'll need one this trip, so I rented from an outside company. (Apple) $125 for the week - dropped off & picked up at our resort. That's less than the cost of 2 days WDW rental.

I consider myself an able young 46, but I also know my body & I know WDW. I know that there is no way with my health that I can make those walks. The idea of a wheelchair somehow seems harder for me to swallow than an ECV. If your Dad is the same way, I'd rent from an outside co. to be sure you have one available & to save some money.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!