Walker Users With Mobility Disabilities

[GroovyWheeler]

Do people who use walkers, get treated the same at WDW, as wheelchair users do? I've never really paid any attention when I'm using my walker at home, but I was just curious to know. That way, I won't end up with any problems when my DH, DMom, DGodfather, DSis-in-law, and I go to Disney World in January. I know that people have bumped into me on accident, because they didn't see my Kaye walker. I'm still planning on taking my walker, but was worried about when I turned in, or picked up the park rental scooter/wheelchair (walking to, and from the rental place).

Samantha

 

[djblu883]

generally I have not seen good treatment of people using walkers or w/c's in the parks. Much of the crowd is so tied up in trying to see everything and go there quickly they don't take into account the possible needs of others...recently I was in the park with a friend from this board and actually watched how others reacted to the chair and it's ability to go through the crowds..what I saw saddened me...many times I saw people who acted as if they were put out by having to move around or out of the way..many were just plain rude...I work in physical therapy...It's my job to work with the handicapped and I enjoy it greatly...and I have to say just be careful as you would anywhere else or more so...kids get away and run from their parents just because they are so caught up in the magic...so do adults...if you have major balance and or endurance issues please be extra careful!!! Try to plan your trips at less busy times in off season and go early...stay late to beat the crowds....parades can be especially dangerous getting to and out of their traffic...go early..plant yourself in the handicapped areas they have designated and stay put til its over and the crowds have thinned....sometimes the parents of the kids can be worse that adults for putting you in harms way in their zest to allow thier child to have the best seats!!!

Do people who use walkers, get treated the same at WDW, as wheelchair users do? I've never really paid any attention when I'm using my walker at home, but I was just curious to know. That way, I won't end up with any problems when my DH, DMom, DGodfather, DSis-in-law, and I go to Disney World in January. I know that people have bumped into me on accident, because they didn't see my Kaye walker. I'm still planning on taking my walker, but was worried about when I turned in, or picked up the park rental scooter/wheelchair (walking to, and from the rental place).

Samantha

 

[tink2dw]

Even scooter drivers have Adults and kids try to jump across the front of the vehicle while it is moving. Try to use parade times to go on rides!! So many stop to watch the Parades that rides can be quite empty, like Fantasyland or Tomorrowland

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I was using an ECV, which was not moving at the time and a woman walked right into me and then screamed at me, SHE walked into ME, I didn't run into her, but boy was she rude. You really have to be aware of your surrondings because you can't imagine the rude people there are at WDW when it comes to WC's or ECV's, personally I haven't seen anyone using a walker, but WATCH OUT.

May I suggest you rent an ECV from an outside agency, so that you don't have to worry about whether there will be one available at the park when you get there, and if you don't do that, the rental desk will put a claim check on your walker and hold it in the back for you. I did that with my mom, we used a WC from the resort and then the rental booth held it until my mom brought the ECV back.

Suzanne

 

[dizchick93]

I have CP, and at other parks my family has been to, people have been great, some even helped my mom or dad transfer me from the ride to my chair; which I mostly use on trips like those.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

I'm still planning on renting an ECV mostly when my DH, Sis-in-law and I are by ourselves. DH only has use of one arm and hand, and I worry about him pushing me in the park wheelchairs. I don't know if DSis-in-law could do it either, since she's smaller in height, compared to DH and me, although she's 16.

For taking my walker on the buses, I know I'd most-likely have to fold it up and carry it on. I think taking it on the monorail should be OK without having to fold it, or even the boats as well (except maybe the Friendship boats, which I know are smaller, and most-likely we'll have to fold my walker then. When we had my manual wheelchair on the Friendship boats, my DGodfather and another guy that happened to be standing right there, lifted my wheelchair on without my DGodfather or Mom, having to take it apart and folding it).

DH and I are excited to show his sister all of the cool rides at Disney World, and even at Universal. She's never been to Disney World before, so this should be exciting.

Samantha