Upcoming trip with a child with a broken leg

[Sbunit81]

So this is new territory for me. My 5 year old fractured his tibia (shin) a month ago ice skating. He was in a hard cast which was recently removed today. We have a trip coming up president's week and were hoping he'd back to at least somewhat walking independently by then but it looks like that's not happening. He has to wear a walking boot for at least the next 2-3 weeks as his fracture has not fully healed yet.

This trip is strictly for him and we plan on going and digging out the stroller from the attic to transport him around in. My question is what options do I have for waiting in line for the rides. I can't be expected to carry him the entire time we are on a line. I'm not looking to game the system but the pediatric orthopedist today gave my wife a letter to give those in charge at the parks to see if he can be accommodated. I've heard of accommodations for those in need but I never needed to look into this route In the past. What is the current protocol at Disney Parks for those guests with injuries/disabilities/restrictions etc? Personally I'm happy to wait in line on behalf of my family and have them meet me at the front if that's an option. Again, not looking to take advantage of the situation but he can barely walk or stand on his own and there won't be that much improvement within two weeks time once we are there. Do I just take the letter to guest services and see what my options are? Can any one direct me to what I can expect/plan on? Thanks as always in advance

 

[shosh1530]

You can go to guest services and ask for a tag to treat the stroller as a wheelchair. This will allow you to take it into most lines. Any lines that can't accommodate a wheelchair would have a separate wheelchair entrance (usually through the exit I believe).

Guest services also offers the DAS (disability access service) that allows one to wait outside of the line, but this is typically not given for mobility issues since they can be accommodated via a wheelchair. Speak to guest services if you do want them to consider granting you a DAS, but know that they will not look at doctor's notes or documentation. Rather they will ask what needs make it difficult to wait in the traditional line.

 

[Timandalicia]

Go for it. My spouse had to have an unexpected surgery before our trip. We lasted one day before we went for DAS. The assistance is certainly designed for temporary or permanent special needs. No shame.

 

[Sunnywho]

The "use the stroller as a wheelchair" tag will get him through the lines in the stroller. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Sbunit81]

Thanks for all the responses. At least I have some clarity that I won't have to lug him around on the lines.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

you may or ma

Thanks for all the responses. At least I have some clarity that I won't have to lug him around on the lines.
[/QUOT you may or may not get a DAS but you will be able to get the "stroller as a wheelchair" tag. this tag will also allow your stroller in building that usually do not allow strollers like The Land in EPCOT. there is a small elevator. do not think twice about asking for one as this is what this tag is for

 

[philharmagic fan]

You can go to guest services and ask for a tag to treat the stroller as a wheelchair. This will allow you to take it into most lines. Any lines that can't accommodate a wheelchair would have a separate wheelchair entrance (usually through the exit I believe).

Guest services also offers the DAS (disability access service) that allows one to wait outside of the line, but this is typically not given for mobility issues since they can be accommodated via a wheelchair. Speak to guest services if you do want them to consider granting you a DAS, but know that they will not look at doctor's notes or documentation. Rather they will ask what needs make it difficult to wait in the traditional line.

I'd definitely get the "stroller as wheelchair" tag from Guest Relations. When you approach a ride, be sure to ask the cast member at the entrance what the procedure is rather than just getting in line. Some rides that used to have you take a wheelchair in line now issue return times (for example, Peter Pan now routes its queue through Columbia Harbor House which has stairs along the way). Only a couple of rides route wheelchairs through the exit so don't automatically try that route.

 

[kwdw]

At 5 - he might be big for the stroller in the attic. If he is - you might consider renting a larger stroller or kid size wheelchair. All depends on his height and weight though! The Disney for families or Disabilities threads would have more advice on that if the hidden away stroller is just too small.

 

[KrazeeK120]

At 5 - he might be big for the stroller in the attic. If he is - you might consider renting a larger stroller or kid size wheelchair. All depends on his height and weight though! The Disney for families or Disabilities threads would have more advice on that if the hidden away stroller is just too small.

I was going to say the same thing. I have a 5 year old and I recently got out his stroller to give it away. There’s no way he’d fit comfortably. Jogging strollers tend to have a higher height/weight limit though, so OP may be ok depending on stroller type.

I also agree with heading over to the disability forum, they’d probably be the best group for advice on this situation.

 

[Sbunit81]

At 5 - he might be big for the stroller in the attic. If he is - you might consider renting a larger stroller or kid size wheelchair. All depends on his height and weight though! The Disney for families or Disabilities threads would have more advice on that if the hidden away stroller is just too small.

Would we be able to rent on Disney property/at the theme parks?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Would we be able to rent on Disney property/at the theme parks?

You can rent at the parks, but the stroller must be left in the park.

There are a number of 3rd party rental companies you can use to rent a stroller for the length of you stay.

 

[kwdw]

Would we be able to rent on Disney property/at the theme parks?

While you can rent in the parks - those have to stay in the parks and frankly, they aren't that comfortable and are pretty low to the ground which could be tough for him to get in and out of. They are a hard plastic - and a single - unless he is small for his age - probably not the right size. You can rent a double for larger kids to help with space - but the design on these is just not for comfort for one kid. Most folks who rent these are renting for kids that don't normally need a stroller at home, but the parents are looking for a place for an older toddler/preschooler/kindergartener to get rest on and off during the day from all the walking. They aren't expecting their kid to be in it most of the time. Like - if he was in a walking boot and was comfortable walking much of the time - MAYBE - maybe this would be okay for you. But it sounded in your first message that he's really not going to be at that point - it sounded like he will still need to keep his weight off it much of the time.

Since it sounds like he really isn't supposed to be walking on that leg - I think you need something that is the right size for him and easy on the parents, too. You are going to be very dependent on it - so I think renting the right tool will make this trip SO much better. It's got to be comfortable for him to be in, too.

I'm normally a "5 yo's don't need stroller" gal in my advice - but in this case - you are looking at a temporary disability and you need the right tool to make this trip a success.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

My DD had a boot from a gymnastics injury at Thanksgiving two years ago. She wasn’t supposed to be doing a lot of weight bearing but could manage walking a short distance from where we left the wheelchair near the ride vehicles (we used it in the lines obviously) and transferring herself in and out of rides. Sometimes she needed me to lift her, especially on the moving ride entrances (spaceship earth), and we brought her crutches along most days. She was 8 at the time.

I rented a wheelchair from a third party rental company that delivered to our resort, which was a very wise decision. I rented an adult size one because I wanted it to have tie-downs for the bus (some pediatric wheelchairs have this feature, you just have to read about it carefully). If you’re using the Disney buses as transportation, the “stroller as wheelchair” tag doesn’t apply— strollers cannot be secured in the way that a wheelchair can. So you would have to fold the stroller and lift it along with your son (depending on his weight bearing limitations) on/off of the bus (this would be a more manageable task if you have a significant other; I am a single mom). If you’re traveling by air, I would recommend requesting wheelchair assistance at the airport as well.

 

[supersnoop]

When my wife almost broke her ankle and had to wear a walking boot, the doctor changed her to a soft boot/brace for a Disney trip. Check with your doctor. All that walking could cause more problems in a boot.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Would we be able to rent on Disney property/at the theme parks?

another one suggesting renting off site as Disney ones have to be left inside the gate so you would be caring to transportation/car and then from stop or parking to the room which can be a ways. while checking offsite one also look at stroller chairs. I also second asking on disabilities part of site. one thing I didnt see if you said but will child be able to bend knee because if can not that will limit a number of rides

 

[Sbunit81]

So I actually called Guest Services directly and explained the situation to a cast member there. I was told based on my son's limitations and his age we will most likely be given that DAS pass and for each ride given a return time based on the current wait time to return and ride.

I will be borrowing a friend's stroller that accommodates my sons size (so we have something use in the airport). And for the previous poster who mentioned the knee bending, my son is out of his hard cast and is now in a boot so he has full ability to extend and flex his knee. Unfortunately because he's been in a hard cast for the past 6 weeks his leg doesn't really remember how to walk and is still very tender. So bending is not an issue, any type of weight baring is quite a limitation at least for now. if he was still in a cast I would've just canceled the entire trip because he wouldn't have been able to get on a lot of rides as you pointed out.

Thank you all so much for all the friendly advice, everyone has been so kind and thoughtful in their responses. It's been a very rough year (for all of us, I'm sure) and I'm just happy to be taking my boys on a much needed vacation and giving my 5 year old the opportunity to view Disney and it's magic through the eyes of a 5 year old's imagination before he starts to grow out of his current way of experiencing life.

 

[Sbunit81]

My DD had a boot from a gymnastics injury at Thanksgiving two years ago. She wasn’t supposed to be doing a lot of weight bearing but could manage walking a short distance from where we left the wheelchair near the ride vehicles (we used it in the lines obviously) and transferring herself in and out of rides. Sometimes she needed me to lift her, especially on the moving ride entrances (spaceship earth), and we brought her crutches along most days. She was 8 at the time.

I rented a wheelchair from a third party rental company that delivered to our resort, which was a very wise decision. I rented an adult size one because I wanted it to have tie-downs for the bus (some pediatric wheelchairs have this feature, you just have to read about it carefully). If you’re using the Disney buses as transportation, the “stroller as wheelchair” tag doesn’t apply— strollers cannot be secured in the way that a wheelchair can. So you would have to fold the stroller and lift it along with your son (depending on his weight bearing limitations) on/off of the bus (this would be a more manageable task if you have a significant other; I am a single mom). If you’re traveling by air, I would recommend requesting wheelchair assistance at the airport as well.

Thankfully my wife and 7 year old will be with us. there's no way I'd be pulling off this trip without my wife

 

[gap2368]

So this is new territory for me. My 5 year old fractured his tibia (shin) a month ago ice skating. He was in a hard cast which was recently removed today. We have a trip coming up president's week and were hoping he'd back to at least somewhat walking independently by then but it looks like that's not happening. He has to wear a walking boot for at least the next 2-3 weeks as his fracture has not fully healed yet.

This trip is strictly for him and we plan on going and digging out the stroller from the attic to transport him around in. My question is what options do I have for waiting in line for the rides. I can't be expected to carry him the entire time we are on a line. I'm not looking to game the system but the pediatric orthopedist today gave my wife a letter to give those in charge at the parks to see if he can be accommodated. I've heard of accommodations for those in need but I never needed to look into this route In the past. What is the current protocol at Disney Parks for those guests with injuries/disabilities/restrictions etc? Personally I'm happy to wait in line on behalf of my family and have them meet me at the front if that's an option. Again, not looking to take advantage of the situation but he can barely walk or stand on his own and there won't be that much improvement within two weeks time once we are there. Do I just take the letter to guest services and see what my options are? Can any one direct me to what I can expect/plan on? Thanks as always in advance

guest relation will not look at dr notes

when you go to guest relation explain your childs needs are ( why he need to stay in his stroller ). and they should give you the tag without much worry

but ask them for a stroller as a wheelchair tag if using a stroller this will let you take the stroller where ever you can take a wheelchair while incise the parks.

if he feels he is too big for a stroller get him. a pediatric wheelchair that fits him one too big can be uncomfortable for him.


also you might want to post this on the disability form board where you might get more idea from people that have been where you are

 

[Sbunit81]

When my wife almost broke her ankle and had to wear a walking boot, the doctor changed her to a soft boot/brace for a Disney trip. Check with your doctor. All that walking could cause more problems in a boot.

Doctor said he can go to Disney but should not be expected to walk for any sustained period of time. He was the one who gave us a note to give to the people in charge there to accommodate us in regards to lines. My wife and I kind of shy away from that because we don't want to take advantage of things and understand there are others in much greater need (we count our blessings).

 

[jo-jo]

I know you are asking about strollers and the park, but did the Dr mention anything if he needed to ice it down or apply heat to it?

I just mention it, in case you needed to think for on how to handle those needs too. Sometimes at home, you just do things with stuff around the house, but then on vacation you realize, oh I should have brought a bunch of zip lock bags or a heating pad .

Hope you have a great trip.