W/C user navigating monorail solo?

[Mary976]

Here's my dilemma...I'm thinking of running a WDW marathon next year, and it will likely just be DD and myself on this trip. DD uses a manual chair (we were actually debating a move to a power chair with her going to college, but that was a huge debacle and is unlikely to happen now). DD of course would like to come see me race at some point, and I heard the monorail resorts are good for spectators. The things I'm worried about is that she probably would have a tough time navigating the TTC monorail ramp on her own. I usually have to give her a push because of how steep the ramp is. Is there a way for her to get from a monorail resort to the TTC to Epcot without going down/up another ramp? Also, how is the monorail ramp on the Epcot side?

Otherwise, we might just have to stay somewhere with bus transport because that she could handle on her own. She could probably improvise something with the TTC ramp, but I hate to think of her getting stuck there super early in the morning.

Thanks,
Mary

 

[maroo]

If she knows how to drive a powerchair, I would let her rent one from Apple Scooters (or somewhere else, I just have rented from Apple and know they have good customer service)...

That way she would not have to use up so much energy as she pushes herself up and down the big monorail ramps...renting one would allow her to have a break from pushing herself while she is in Disney?

 

[Eeyore5]

If she is not comfortable with a power chair, would she be willing to try and ECV? You don't transfer when using the monorail and she should have no difficultly getting on and off by herself.

 

[Mary976]

That's actually a decent idea about renting a power chair (an ECV won't work for her seating needs, or we would try that too).

DD does know how to use a power chair and tried out her friend's old one for awhile when we were thinking of having her use one full time. She's super fussy about her chair and has a special cushion, but could be without it if it was just for the morning.

Thanks,
Mary

 

[KPeveler]

I was going to say that the powerchairs that Apple and others rent are Jazzy chairs with vinyl seats. This can be really uncomfortable for those of us who need special seating

i found it helped to bring a car seat cover (got a memory foam one off amazon for $25) and cover the seat - keeps the skin OFF the vinyl! Just a suggestion.

 

[Mary976]

I was going to say that the powerchairs that Apple and others rent are Jazzy chairs with vinyl seats. This can be really uncomfortable for those of us who need special seating

i found it helped to bring a car seat cover (got a memory foam one off amazon for $25) and cover the seat - keeps the skin OFF the vinyl! Just a suggestion.

That's a really good point. Normally DD couldn't do the Jazzy style seating (her cushion helps prevent skin issues but also provides some positioning support). If we do go that route, I'll be sure she has something to protect her from the vinyl. At least she'd only need it for the one day!

Mary

 

[catm]

They actually have elevators at the monorail stations, just ask the cast member that is usually standing there and they will direct you to them. I found this out last year when a cast member saw me with a cane and showed me the way to the elevator.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They actually have elevators at the monorail stations, just ask the cast member that is usually standing there and they will direct you to them. I found this out last year when a cast member saw me with a cane and showed me the way to the elevator.

Epcot and Contemporary are the only stations with elevators. GF and Poly stations are on Resort Second Floor, so that is not a problem.

The TTC and MK stations do not have elevators.

 

[Mary976]

Epcot and Contemporary are the only stations with elevators. GF and Poly stations are on Resort Second Floor, so that is not a problem.

The TTC and MK stations do not have elevators.

Good to know about Epcot! The issue is the TTC/MK ramps. Since they are pre-ADA they're very steep.

Mary

 

[honugirl]

Personally, I know that my friends and I would stop and help if we saw someone struggling up the ramp in a wheelchair. Disney tends to bring out the best in some people. I know what it's like to be in an ECV and currently (for the time being....) I don't need to be in one, so even if she went in a manual chair, I would bet someone would stop to help.

 

[prncess674]

That MK ramp is STEEP and unless you have really good upper body strength it would be a struggle. I remember pushing my Dad up that ramp and I was pushing with all my leg muscles and it was a challenge.

 

[stargazertechie]

I would put money on the fact that another race spectator would give her help up the ramp if she was stuck due to the incline.

I ran the marathon last year, and ended up in a wheelchair for 4 days after the race due to severe blistering. I've been a part-time wc user the past few summers due to abdominal surgery, so I've become pretty adept at getting around.

I was in line for Soarin, and between the incline and the crappy disney rental chairs, I was stuck. A nice couple "adopted" me for the afternoon (my fiance was at his daily Bill W. meeting) and not only did they push me through the Soarin' line, they pushed me over to Test Track, and offered to buy me dinner