Walking Sticks

[patm95]

Hello. Has anyone used walking sticks at Disney? My parents have limited mobility (my mom fell hard last year and now fully recovered). We are planning on going in May. Hope to get my mom a scooter. My dad can get around OK, but I feel will fatigue after much walking. Has anyone used walking sticks? Are they allowed? We went last year and I don't recall seeing anyone use them.

Any general advice bringing elderly parents for the first time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have seen a few people using them, if you are talking about the type usually Used for hiking. My DH and I both have a set for hiking.
The two things I’d say to be aware of are that they:
- do take practice to use; they take kind of a rhythm to use effectively
- because of the ‘rhythm‘ aspect, they are easier to use when you can keep going forward. That might not work in line or even just general walking around, depending on how crowded it is.

For your dad, I’d suggest a rollator instead. It’s a walker with wheels and a fold down seat (usually with some storage under the seat). They really don’t take practice and if he’s tired and needs/wants to sit, he would have an immediate seat.
Places to sit are kind of few and far between; they may also be occupied.

Rollators can be folded flat to bring on the bus or into a car/van. They can be rented from several off-site rental places or you can purchase one. They range in price from around $100 to many hundreds.
If coming by air, rollators can be checked at the gate so they can be used all the way to the door of the plane and be delivered to the gate on landing. There is no charge and they don’t count against your baggage allowance

 

[Jmljasmine]

I have seen a few people using them, if you are talking about the type usually Used for hiking. My DH and I both have a set for hiking.
The two things I’d say to be aware of are that they:
- do take practice to use; they take kind of a rhythm to use effectively
- because of the ‘rhythm‘ aspect, they are easier to use when you can keep going forward. That might not work in line or even just general walking around, depending on how crowded it is.

For your dad, I’d suggest a rollator instead. It’s a walker with wheels and a fold down seat (usually with some storage under the seat). They really don’t take practice and if he’s tired and needs/wants to sit, he would have an immediate seat.
Places to sit are kind of few and far between; they may also be occupied.

Rollators can be folded flat to bring on the bus or into a car/van. They can be rented from several off-site rental places or you can purchase one. They range in price from around $100 to many hundreds.
If coming by air, rollators can be checked at the gate so they can be used all the way to the door of the plane and be delivered to the gate on landing. There is no charge and they don’t count against your baggage allowance

My mom did this. After 1 day though she rented a scooter from the park. (it was fast and easy after the first day since they paid for the duration of the trip and didn't have to wait in the regular line with either receipt. ) Her rollator was sufficient for getting too and from the park and any hotel needs. She was stubborn at the start but very glad it ended this way. Also glad we joined them after their first unsuccessful day so they were already using the scooter when we were together.
She bought the rollator and it's turned out to be helpful at home as well if just for the instant seat.

 

[Simba's Mom]

No recommendations re elderly parents-in our family, I AM the elderly one. If you can, consider a "cane holder" as an option on your ECV. I order from Gold Mobility, which allows one free accessory, so that's what I get. However, theirs is just a straight tube, and it's not wide enough (a wide enough diameter) to handle one with any kind of base. However, my cane folds (it's a hurry cane, if you're familiar with the brand) and both halves, folded, fit in. I hope that makes some sense. So glad I have a cane holder, especially because I have days when I really prefer 2 canes to get around, so I keep one in the cane holder and the other one between my knees.

 

[lanejudy]

After 1 day though she rented a scooter from the park. (it was fast and easy after the first day since they paid for the duration of the trip and didn't have to wait in the regular line with either receipt. )

At WDW? I haven’t known WDW to offer length-of-stay rentals for ECVs, only daily; at least for many years. Probably because there is a high risk of none being available after mid-morning. Though apparently a new supply is now available or soon-to-be available and should help alleviate that situation - assuming they don’t need to retire all/most of the older inventory.

OP - I suggest he give the walking sticks a real good trial. Like a really long walk, then doubled. If the concern is fatigue, I don’t see walking sticks helping much. The rollator will give him a place to sit when needing a break. Or maybe mom and dad can share both the ECV and rollator, taking turns as needed.

 

[Her Dotness]

I can't envision walking sticks or trekking poles like mine being of much use at WDW.

They're designed to enable a more consistent pace and as shock absorbers to some extent. In short, I feel that the walker needs to build and then maintain momentum for sticks/poles to be very useful. I'm able to walk for exercise more efficiently with my poles than without, feeling less tired upon finishing, with reduced strain on joints.

As mentioned prior, they do require somewhat of an adjustment period. The grip for trekking poles feels awkward at first and can cause blisters.

Neither is intended for people with mobility concerns.

 

[patm95]

I have seen a few people using them, if you are talking about the type usually Used for hiking. My DH and I both have a set for hiking.
The two things I’d say to be aware of are that they:
- do take practice to use; they take kind of a rhythm to use effectively
- because of the ‘rhythm‘ aspect, they are easier to use when you can keep going forward. That might not work in line or even just general walking around, depending on how crowded it is.

For your dad, I’d suggest a rollator instead. It’s a walker with wheels and a fold down seat (usually with some storage under the seat). They really don’t take practice and if he’s tired and needs/wants to sit, he would have an immediate seat.
Places to sit are kind of few and far between; they may also be occupied.

Rollators can be folded flat to bring on the bus or into a car/van. They can be rented from several off-site rental places or you can purchase one. They range in price from around $100 to many hundreds.
If coming by air, rollators can be checked at the gate so they can be used all the way to the door of the plane and be delivered to the gate on landing. There is no charge and they don’t count against your baggage allowance

Oh never thought of the rollator. Good idea!

 

[patm95]

No recommendations re elderly parents-in our family, I AM the elderly one. If you can, consider a "cane holder" as an option on your ECV. I order from Gold Mobility, which allows one free accessory, so that's what I get. However, theirs is just a straight tube, and it's not wide enough (a wide enough diameter) to handle one with any kind of base. However, my cane folds (it's a hurry cane, if you're familiar with the brand) and both halves, folded, fit in. I hope that makes some sense. So glad I have a cane holder, especially because I have days when I really prefer 2 canes to get around, so I keep one in the cane holder and the other one between my knees.

Thank you for that insight! What do you feel is the biggest obsticle when using a ECV in the park? Navigating around crowds? Something else? Any advice for a first timer of both ECV and Disney World in general?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you for that insight! What do you feel is the biggest obsticle when using a ECV in the park? Navigating around crowds? Something else? Any advice for a first timer of both ECV and Disney World in general?

around crowds was the hardest for me. remember turtle speed is your friend. and straight off any ramp to all wheels clear ramp. best thing was always having a seat to rest in without having to look for one. one that always gets a laugh is remember to take is easy on rest of your party so they can keep up with you

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thank you for that insight! What do you feel is the biggest obsticle when using a ECV in the park? Navigating around crowds? Something else? Any advice for a first timer of both ECV and Disney World in general?

Navigating around crowds, by far! People walking and looking at their cell phone. Little children running while looking the other way. Same with adults.

 

[Her Dotness]

Navigating around crowds, by far! People walking and looking at their cell phone. Little children running while looking the other way. Same with adults.

And the infamous stopping directly in front of an oncoming ECV, expecting its driver to be able to stop as quickly as a person walking can.

The concentration necessary to navigate through crowds safely is tiring. After a few hours in a park in his powerchair, DH naps for an hour or two each afternoon at WDW.

 

[TinkerPan]

My husband used hiking/walking sticks in the parks at the recommendation of his doctor. Effectiveness depends on why you are using them. In my husband's case it wasn't for fatigue as much as balance. When he used the hiking sticks my husband had been diagnosed. with Parkinson's. The sticks allowed him to stand more upright than a rollator which encourages one to bend over. If buying these sticks be aware they come in different sizes and you need the proper fit. My husband didn't use them all the time. Often they were folded up. But, they were useful when not in real crowded conditions, and when he was striding, such as leaving the parks.

 

[patm95]

around crowds was the hardest for me. remember turtle speed is your friend. and straight off any ramp to all wheels clear ramp. best thing was always having a seat to rest in without having to look for one. one that always gets a laugh is remember to take is easy on rest of your party so they can keep up with you

haha. Dad has already told me they will move at their pace and just meet us as we make our way back through the park. lol