WDW with a cane

[Marie14625]

I am going in November with a group. I have Osteoarthritis in my hip and knees. I can manage the pain OK with medication. Thing is, I am in need of a hip replacement, and do have some discomfort when walking long distances. I have recently started using a cane, which helps alot.
Any other cane walkers out there? Aside from taking breaks from walking are there any other suggestions?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'd suggest you at least consider using an ECV.

One thing to keep in mind is that the distances you will walk in WDW are a lot more than you are probably used to. The average person walks between 6 and 9 miles a day (just going around the walkway at World Showcase in Epcot is over 1 mile!). Think of someplace familiar like a store or school about 3 miles from your house and think about whether you could realistically walk there and back. When you actually look at the distance and put it into 'familiar places' most people realize they would not be able to do it.

My FIL had bad hips and knees and tried to get by without one for many years. No matter how slow he walked or how much he rested, he ended up each day in pain and with ice on his knees.
After he started renting an ECV, he had his first pain free evening in many trips to WDW. He did not rent in all the parks, just Epcot and the Studio. But that was enough to at least not have as many bad nights. After renting, he said he felt very silly for not having rented before.

 

[Marie14625]

Thank you, Sue, for the advice. I will have to keep that in mind. Do I have to reserve one in advance, or are they first come, first served?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you, Sue, for the advice. I will have to keep that in mind. Do I have to reserve one in advance, or are they first come, first served?

At the parks, they are first come, first served. There are places where you can rent one from an off-site company. There is information about place to get them (parks and off-site) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the thread list.

 

[LindaBabe]

Marie, I rent an ecv (off site) and take my cane with me to use when I have to park the ecv to get on a ride or go in a restaurant. THe quality of your trip will be much much better with both, not least because of the basket. I've noticed since I have the cane, I never have enough hands, lol. I take a 'gymbag' type soft bag with a shoulder strap and put it over the seatback too (my 'trunk')

IF you happen to run short of battery life, there are places to plug it in, too. CM's can show you where. If you can drive a car, you can drive an ecv.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you rent from off-site, when you make your reservation tell them you have a cane and they will attach a cane holder to the ECV, so you don't have to manage it while driving. Most of the suppliers will charge $10 (per rental, not per day) for a cane holder or crutch holder.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Another good option for all around use and on the plane and on scooter is a folding cane, I use one all the time very convenient it pulls into sections with a tension cord you just stick it in the scooter basket then when you want to stand just grab the handle and it puts itself together and you stand up. on plan stows in the seat pocket in front of you.

 

[Marie14625]

Thanks for the feedback. My cane is a folding one, so stowing it away won't be an issue. What about the security of it when I am away from it? Do I run the risk of someone taking off with it, or does it run with a key?

I do not see me using it every day, as I do want to walk some for exercise, but I will take your advice into serious consideration. Kim, one of my travel companions is telling me, also, that I would be nuts not to rent it.

I have used the mart carts at the stores here, and did not like them as I felt there was not alot of leg room for me, and they seemed gto go slow..I could not speed up any. I could have walked faster.

Oh well, I will keep you posted on this.

 

[Marie14625]

Yesterday I emailed Randy's Mobility, which is one of the places reccomended here. The rental of a scooter for the weel will be $180, which seems reasonable to me.
I assume they deliver to the front desk of the hotel? Sounds as if this is what I will do.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Randy's will wait until you are actually there and then deliver it to you at your room within an hour. Also, they reuire being able to pick it up from you when you are done with it.

All the other companies will deliver to Bell Services prior to your arrival and pick it up from Bell Services after you have departed.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

deffinately take the key with you when ever you get off it. also keep it IN your hotel room. not outside it. You will need to charge it daily anyway.

 

[Marie14625]

I called Randy's the other day, and reserved the scooter. They told me to call when I got to the airport, and they would meet me at the hotel. I have already programed the number I need to call into my phone, because knowing me, I would loose it.