WDW trip with MIL - She needs an EVC

[HannaBelle]

We are heading to WDW with DH’s extended family in June with a total of 13 people ranging from 4 year old twins to Grandma and Grandpa in their late 60’s. My family of 4 has been to WDW twice in the past 5 years and now we are the experts of the group…lol… That is just a small amount of pressure to plan things so we have a great trip! We are staying offsite in a condo and will have multiple cars that will hold a disassembled ECV.

So here is my dilemma, Grandma is very unstable and currently walks with a walker. She has a tendency to lose her balance and fall. She does not have and official diagnoses as to what is wrong and has been to countless doctors, but the effects of it are very much like a stroke. She has lost motor skills on the left side of her body. We have been encouraging her to rent an EVC for the duration of the trip and she does not want to do so. She does not want to do any physical therapy, but is making efforts at home to exercise and is able to walk up and down the stairs. She is able to walk at least a quarter of a mile with the walker, but I am failing miserably in my gentle encouragements to rent an EVC. If it was my own mother we would have a come to Jesus talk about this, she would repent and rent the scooter. I cannot do that with my MIL.

She is a retired RN and usually knows better than her doctors! Lol She is a very strong and independent person and these changes have been very hard for her emotionally. Any suggestions on how to convince her she needs an EVC? Grandpa is totally on board with the rental and has not gone ahead with it because Grandma has not agreed.

Any suggestions on how to handle the stituation?

At this point I am leaving it alone. I see a few things happening…

1 – She agrees prior to leaving, we rent something from on offsite rental for the duration of the week and have a great week.

2 – She does not agree to a rental prior to leaving, she struggles the first day and then decides to get an EVC. Is it safe to assume we can get a last minute rental when in Orlando?

3 – She rents an EVC at the park each morning.

Whatever happens we are just going to roll with it the best we can.

 

[Eeyore5]

While there is no guarantee, twice I have been to Disney and someone in the group needed a last minuter ECV rental and it wasn't a problem. My concern is that she has left side weakness. ECVs can be a bit of a challenge to drive. Can she still drive a car? You might be better off renting a transport chair. It is light weight and easier to push then a wheelchair. She can walk when she wants, then ride for a break. Another option is a walker with a seat to rest on. If you think she can handle an ECV, great. If not, there are other options.

 

[MacFam4]

During our first visit in 2005, my mom had terrible knees. We discussed renting a wheelchair or ECV, but she was determined that she would be OK. Our very first park day, we were at AK, we were there maybe 2 hours, and my dad and I had to go rent her a wheelchair. There was just no possible way she could do it. We didn't really know anything at the time about renting off site, so we just rented her a wheelchair every single day at the parks. Let me tell you, even though we all took turns pushing her, it will wear you out quickly!!!

The next year we decided to go back, and mom agreed to renting an ECV from off site. We rented from ScootARama and it worked out great. We're returning in November and I think we'll rent from Apple Scooter this time around.

Now, I understand this is your MIL and not your mother. Is there anyway your hubby can have the come to Jesus talk with her? More than likely she will get there and realize she just can't walk all those miles. I have no idea how quickly you can rent a scooter. If she won't agree, I would take phone numbers of several of the scooter places with you and call once you get there. They're so much cheaper than renting from the parks, and they're smaller and easier to manuever. I also know that depending on how busy the parks are and what time you arrive, the scooters can all be rented.

I know this wasn't all that helpful, but I do wish you the very best!!

 

[Bete]

walking like a zoo or a museum? Most of those won't compare in walking to Disney, but it gives you a heads up real fast on hard it can be to walk in these environments all day. Most zoos rent scooters; so, this would be my first choice of where to take her. You can then rent a scooter at the zoo if it's needed. If she can't make the day then she and all others will know how it will be. It's a great place to do a practice run with a scooter, too. You will be able to see if she can work one ok. A zoo is still not as busy as Disney in most instances. She needs to get use to people not paying attention and darting out at her; this happens or I wouldn't be mentioning it. She needs to be prepared on taking a scooter on the Disney bus if you are getting around that way there. If she has problems at the zoo with a scooter then by all means I would revert to a wheelchair.

I use a manual wheelchair for my mom all the time. I will admit we use a travel wheelchair which weighs under 15 pounds and this really helps. I'm not in great shape and I manage most trips that go 10 days at Disney. I don't get relief, either. My other companion needs a scooter. I've learned to alternate activities; so, I can have rest periods. For example, do some rides and then a show, do more rides and go to eat, do more rides and see the parades, and then still do more rides and do the fireworks. You have enough in your group; so, you can possibly share the wheelchair pushing.

I think it will help if you point out how much more she will enjoy herself lasting longer and being with the family if she uses a scooter or wheelchair.

 

[KPeveler]

I do not drive scooters regularly, but I know many of them require motor skills in both arms. Also, she will need to be VERY aware with very fast reflexes all day. It is common to have to stop short all the time when people cut in front of you. It is very mentally tiring to drive an ECV (I use a powerchair, so same thing here). Some require the use of both hands, as the "back up" button can be on the right.

Does she lose her balance and fall while sitting? If so, using an ECV could be dangerous for her and those around her.

I am not saying an ECV won't work, but she may be hesitant about her ability to drive one. You may want to consider renting a wheelchair rather than an ECV.

She may want to try using one in a grocery store or something, just to see how it goes.

 

[HannaBelle]

Thank you for all of the replies! This is the exact info I was looking for. I love the idea of visiting the zoo or another large venue for the day for a "trial" run, thanks Bete!

KPeveler, she does not fall when sitting. Honestly, it is mostly when she is without her walker or reaching to far for something and losing her balance. He left foot has limited motion, but I think her hands are much more agile. She has an ipad that she loves to play games on.

We have discussed her doing some "testing" at Walmart in the early mornings when the store is not crowded, but so far she has been very resistant. As I type it has dawned on me that maybe she does not want to go, but they have bought park tickets, train tickets to Orlando and plane tickets home plus they saved up their timeshare weeks and got all 4 families their own off-site condo for a week.

I don’t understand why hubby and his sisters feel like they cannot address this with her. They did not grow-up discussing things. At my house, we were very emotional…lol…

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as someone who uses a scooter, i would some trial runs during a crowded time as you will be dealing with crowds at Disney. i have found the smaller scotters from offsite rental easier to operate than nlarge Disney ones. if you can do a zoo or local park before your trip will help mom to see how it is. wheeled walker with seat is harder to use when walking as you have to turn around to sit in. not suren if you can use in Disney sitting on and pulling along behind you. see rules about pulling behind ie carts and wagons. just not sure.

 

[livndisney]

Thank you for all of the replies! This is the exact info I was looking for. I love the idea of visiting the zoo or another large venue for the day for a "trial" run, thanks Bete!

KPeveler, she does not fall when sitting. Honestly, it is mostly when she is without her walker or reaching to far for something and losing her balance. He left foot has limited motion, but I think her hands are much more agile. She has an ipad that she loves to play games on.

We have discussed her doing some "testing" at Walmart in the early mornings when the store is not crowded, but so far she has been very resistant. As I type it has dawned on me that maybe she does not want to go, but they have bought park tickets, train tickets to Orlando and plane tickets home plus they saved up their timeshare weeks and got all 4 families their own off-site condo for a week.

I don’t understand why hubby and his sisters feel like they cannot address this with her. They did not grow-up discussing things. At my house, we were very emotional…lol…

It may not be that she does not want to go. It may be she does not want to face the fact that she has now reached the point that she NEEDS assistance. We went through this with my Dad. He LOVES WDW (he is the reason I love WDW), but was a real bear when it came time to face that he needed an ECV (his "solution" was to spend one day in a park stopping at EVERY bench). He made it to Club Cool in Epcot (took almost two hours), before HE had the wonderful idea of renting an ECV. rolleyes1). It did not matter how many times we mentioned an ECV to him before the trip..... but once he was there and trying to "do it", it was HIS idea to ask for assistance. (My dad is also one of those that does not discuss things).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, pick a place about a mile from where your mother in law lives and ask her how difficult it would be to walk there. After a short pause, add "and back". The after she answers, say "four times in a row".

Then she will give you a look as only a mother can do to a child which implies "Are you out of your mind". Explain to her than most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW. Once around the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon Promenade, is about 1½ miles. And that is without actually entering any of the pavilion areas.

 

[HannaBelle]

Okay y'all, we have a trip planned to the Fort Worth Zoo on May 14th as a "trial run" at WDW!!! She is going to see how it goes without an ECV and then decide if she needs to rent one.

I talked with my FIL tonight about the plan in Florida. At this point, she is going to bring her handicap parking tag, park near the tram pick up spot in parking lot so she can get closer to the park to rent an EVC and then if it is too bad the first day at WDW, they will rent an offsite EVC.

I complied a list of rental sites I found on the boards and I will just make sure I take a copy in my planning pack. I might bookmark a few on my iphone as well!

Cheshire, you have a great suggestion. I might get DH to broach that subject with her. We are going to watch the twins play soccer this coming weekend and according to DFIL, she is doing a great job getting from the car to the soccer field. There has to be 16 to 18 soccer fields at this one park so I know it is a quarter of a mile walk.

 

[livndisney]

Okay y'all, we have a trip planned to the Fort Worth Zoo on May 14th as a "trial run" at WDW!!! She is going to see how it goes without an ECV and then decide if she needs to rent one.

I talked with my FIL tonight about the plan in Florida. At this point, she is going to bring her handicap parking tag, park near the tram pick up spot in parking lot so she can get closer to the park to rent an EVC and then if it is too bad the first day at WDW, they will rent an offsite EVC.

I complied a list of rental sites I found on the boards and I will just make sure I take a copy in my planning pack. I might bookmark a few on my iphone as well!

Cheshire, you have a great suggestion. I might get DH to broach that subject with her. We are going to watch the twins play soccer this coming weekend and according to DFIL, she is doing a great job getting from the car to the soccer field. There has to be 16 to 18 soccer fields at this one park so I know it is a quarter of a mile walk.

The handicapped parking doesn't get you close to the tram. Handicapped parking is closer to the park entrance. Often there will be wheelchairs you can borrow from the handicapped lot to get to the ECV rental.

 

[Bete]

handicap parking doesn't have trams to the park entrances. Just beyond handicap parking are the trams in the parking lot. So, you need to make a decision which way is better. Most will use handicap parking; because, you still have to walk to the tram area for boarding it. Usually, there are park wheelchairs at the end of the rows there for your assistance at handicap parking; you can use these to get to the park. It's a good walk to the entrance, anyway.

If you rent at the park for an ECV it's done at stroller rental areas.

You have a plan of attack now; so, you should be able to know what will work best.

 

[HannaBelle]

I did not explain myself well in my last post!

If she opts to rent an ECV at the park, my plan was to park near the tram pick-up because it will get her closer to the park entrance.

If she opts to rent an offsite EVC, then the plan was for her to plan in a handicap space.

I did not know there would be wheel chairs at the handicap parking area, that is a great tip! Thanks…I will recommend she park in handicap parking either way. She can choose to use a wheelchair if she would like.

Thanks again! I will have to give you all a post zoo trip report.

 

[HannaBelle]

First, I want to say Thank you to all of my Disboard friends such great advice!!! We took our trip to the Fort Worth Zoo this past Saturday and things went great!

My DMIL parked in handicap parking, walked into the zoo using her walker and then rented an ECV at the customer service counter inside the zoo. She was able to bring her walker on the EVC too.

It was not crowded in the AM and she had plenty of room to maneuver and practice using the cart. She had it set at about 75% speed. When we stopped for lunch, she parked the EVC and used her walker to go in to the restaurant. It was great! It was decidedly more crowded after lunch and things were a bit tight a few times, but she did not run anyone over...LOL…

The high was 90 and it was very humid. I think that gave me a real feel for hot it will be in June @ WDW. Definitely no make-up for me, but I seriously need some sweat proof mascara! My DD13 had ankle surgery over spring break and is still in recovery mode, so we did not stay all day. We left about 3:00pm. I was very happy with our trial run!

At WDW, I was planning on hitting rope drop, leaving a bit after lunch and then coming back to the parks after dinner on all day except at DHS and at AK. (I know lots of ppl say these are half day parks, but they are full days for us!!!) I think this will work great.

My DMIL plans on renting an EVC at the park each day. While I think she would be better off renting from an offsite spot, I am pleased she is planning on renting at all! I am hopeful that my DD will do alright on her ankle and her Dr said she is good to go unless it starts hurting.

[FONT=&quot]Thanks again and I will definitely come back with a post trip check in!
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[jdb in AZ]

So glad your DMIL is willing to use an ECV. Have you priced rentals? If you "comparison shop" she may decide that the cheaper route of renting off-site is best, then she'll have an ECV at the hotels and not have to worry whether all the ECV's at WDW will be rented before she gets one. On the other hand, if she can't get a rental at WDW one of the days, that might "encourage" her to rent one off site.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Since you are staying offsite, your MIL may be concerned about how to transport a rental scooter back and forth. An offsite rental would be much cheaper, but make sure you get one that will fit in a vehicle.

Renting in the parks is good, except it is quite a bit more expensive and you can't take one between parks. If you want to leave Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to Epcot, you have to leave the ECV at the gate to MK, go up the HUGE ramp to the monorail, come down the huge ramp at Epcot, make your way through security and the gate, and then try to get another ECV.

 

[HannaBelle]

So glad your DMIL is willing to use an ECV. Have you priced rentals? If you "comparison shop" she may decide that the cheaper route of renting off-site is best, then she'll have an ECV at the hotels and not have to worry whether all the ECV's at WDW will be rented before she gets one. On the other hand, if she can't get a rental at WDW one of the days, that might "encourage" her to rent one off site.

Since you are staying offsite, your MIL may be concerned about how to transport a rental scooter back and forth. An offsite rental would be much cheaper, but make sure you get one that will fit in a vehicle.

Renting in the parks is good, except it is quite a bit more expensive and you can't take one between parks. If you want to leave Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to Epcot, you have to leave the ECV at the gate to MK, go up the HUGE ramp to the monorail, come down the huge ramp at Epcot, make your way through security and the gate, and then try to get another ECV.

You guys are 100% correct and DH & I have discussed this issue with her and DFIL, but for whatever reason they do not want to rent from an off-site vendor.

I am concerned about leaving the parks mid day and then not having an ECV available when we come back in the evenings, but it is not my decision. We are just going to go and have fun and roll with the “punches”.

We are going to the Hoop Dee Do for dinner one evening, what is the best way to get to Pioneer Hall assuming she is using her walker? Any suggestions? My plan was to park at the MK and then ride the boat over to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. If I recall, the walk from the dock to Pioneer Hall was somewhat long. Is there handicap parking closer to the hall?

 

[KPeveler]

Glad to hear your test went well - I agree with other posters about trying to rent off-site. Something to remember is that to rent a scooter in MK, she will have to get from the car in the parking lot, walking up and down an underpass, walk across the TTC, up a steep ramp to the monorail, down a steep ramp, and then across the entry area to the ECV rental counter. There is no way to shorten this, so having an ECV may be a big help with hitting the parks!

Also, ECV rental is INSIDE many parks, so you may get there at rope drop, but then you will have to go straight to the rental counter before any rides. You will not be able to rent a scooter before rope drop. Just something to consider,

 

[HannaBelle]

Katy, I appreciate the comments, but I cannot convince her to rent off-site.

I know it would be better for her...all the way around...but she is refusing and plans to rent at the parks. Our first park day will be at Epcot, so we will just have to see how it goes.

I am pretty sure I will have to refrain from doing the "I told you so dance" once we get there!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

How about presenting her with a fait accompli; make the reservation and have the ECV at the Resort waiting for her. It will already be paid for. As she has now used, and said she will use an ECV at the park it is a money saver and will allow her to run around the Resort, especially if the room is a long distance from the lobby or where you park the car.