WDW with MS

[cmesq61]

I have RR MS. We love WDW because not only is it magical, but it so handicapped friendly. That being said, I could not do it without an ECV for the week. Really, really, don't plan on her walking the parks. And she'll get more tired as the vacation goes on, so, ECV. You can mostly ride it right through the lines and then transfer to the ride.

Not sure if you said where you were staying, and I know money is always an issue, but we stay at a monorail resort. The convenience and independence is priceless. Also, they have a fridge in every room for medicine. BTW--you don't need a doctor's note so long as your meds (and needles/syringes) are in a container with the prescription label on it. I carry my labelled medicine box in a Disney Princess lunchbox with cold pack. I zip open the lunch box and tell TSA I have meds. Easy Peazey.

Ditto to the person who said a hat for the sun. Also, I have a nasty skin "thing" that only pops up at WDW, and so just be aware that even if the sun does not bother you at home (we live in the northeast), it may be an issue at WDW.

Hope you have a wonderful time!!

 

[the_green_machine]

I have RR MS. We love WDW because not only is it magical, but it so handicapped friendly. That being said, I could not do it without an ECV for the week. Really, really, don't plan on her walking the parks. And she'll get more tired as the vacation goes on, so, ECV. You can mostly ride it right through the lines and then transfer to the ride.

Not sure if you said where you were staying, and I know money is always an issue, but we stay at a monorail resort. The convenience and independence is priceless. Also, they have a fridge in every room for medicine. BTW--you don't need a doctor's note so long as your meds (and needles/syringes) are in a container with the prescription label on it. I carry my labelled medicine box in a Disney Princess lunchbox with cold pack. I zip open the lunch box and tell TSA I have meds. Easy Peazey.

Ditto to the person who said a hat for the sun. Also, I have a nasty skin "thing" that only pops up at WDW, and so just be aware that even if the sun does not bother you at home (we live in the northeast), it may be an issue at WDW.

Hope you have a wonderful time!!

The more I think about it the more we will have to rent an ECV, another post brought up a good point in that IF I can get her to use one it would elliminate alot of anxiety on her part. We should be able to enjoy the parks and have one less thing to worry about.

I imagine we will be staying at POP, I also understand that if you explain your situation they will provide you with a refrigerator in your room at no cost.

We will have to bring a doctors note as the Canadian airport security have to have 8 different officers look at them before they're allowed on the flight.

I've done a bit of research and it looks like Apple Scooters in Orlando is the way to go, the "go go elite" is a nice compact scooter for a reasonable price and I think they'll deliver right to POP.

 

[peemagg]

Yes you can get a medical refridgerator at no cost as long as you tell them that it is for medical reasons. From what I understand though, is it is not a very big refridgetator. I think it is about the size of a shoebox. If you want one bigger than that, then I think it costs $10 a day.

 

[SueM in MN]

I only have time for a quick response right now, but suggest you take a look at the disABILITIES FAQs thread if you have not looked at it yet. That thread is near the top of this board or you can get there with a link in my signature.

Post 2 of that thread has information about renting wheelchairs and ECVs, both in the parks and from outside rental places. All of the outside places will deliver and pick up from your resort.

Post 3 has helpful links and information about specific conditions or concerns.

There are also posts about parking, transportation and resorts. Several posts on page 2 of that thread have information about transferring to ride cars and also about attractions which have a wait where you would need to stand if you have not brought an ECV, wheelchair or other seated mobility device with you.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes you can get a medical refridgerator at no cost as long as you tell them that it is for medical reasons. From what I understand though, is it is not a very big refridgetator. I think it is about the size of a shoebox. If you want one bigger than that, then I think it costs $10 a day.

The MOderate, Deluxe and Home Away From Home resorts (Disney Vacation Club) all have refrigerators in every room.

The Value resorts do not have a refrigerator unless you request one. They will give one for medical needs at no cost. It may be a small shoebox sized refrigerator that is big enough for several boxes/vials of medication or it may be a small dorm sized portable refrigerator. It depends on what they have available and what it is needed for.

If you get one of the larger refrigerators, check your bill statement when you check out to make sure you were not charged. Since they rent refrigerators, it is relatively easy for a mistake to be made and the charge entered onto your bill. If that happens, it is much easier to deal with before you have left the resort than to try to get the charge removed later.

 

[cmesq61]

I think you'll both be quite happy with an ECV. It makes the trip so much more enjoyable. Everyone's symptoms are different...think about the 3 wheel vs. 4 wheel ECV. As my balance has gotten worse I've had to stop using 3 wheel scooters due to them being a bit tippy even though I am used to using them. Just as an FYI since your wife isn't used to them.

 

[memakwed]

I have RRMS and am not ready to be in a wheel chair or ECV and maybe your wife isn't either. Choosing to use one of those devices is a quick fix for those around us but maybe not something we want to do. Saying that
every trip becomes a little more difficult but I can say there are benches on pathways in the park and I find them and sit. Sun is my enemy along with fatigue and yes I am clumsy and bump into anything and everything. Usually ramps cause me to lose my balance with the incline but there are rails so I always go for one to steady me plus I lean in line to rest. Most lines are covered so even though she will be exhausted she will not be melting from the sun. Make sure to plan set times for meals so she can rest without it seeming like she stopping to rest. Everyone has to eat but only she has to take extra pains to rest. Have a sit down meal everyday it will give her time to cool off, get some space from the lines and relax. The buses are air conditioned so that will be cooling to her but try to avoid busy times for buses where she would have to stand becuase it is so packed. Cut out a little ahead of the crowd or take your time leaving. Sit for a snack or drink. Buses can be long and I know there have been times I've felt so awful getting back couldn't come quick enough but I recover. FYI I'm not sure of your hotel but at POR in a pinch they had a wheel chair( my dad hurt his ankle on vacation). We used to go for the 4th of July but no more now it is Feb. for us. January can be a touch too cold with frost, snow, coats gloves. In Feb. my family still has days to bundle up but I am jacket free and usually in a tshirt with capris or shorts but that's me and not them. We are from upstate NY so we know winter too and I will tell you for me the weather feels good down there while it is cool but adding the sun can be a different story and the increase in temp from home to Fla. does have an affect on me as well. Also if you use the pool at disney it is 82 degrees at the hotel pools. I know my dr. says I should not be in anything from 84 up so my core temp doesn't rise. Something you should keep in mind for your trip too as a way to keep her cool. Pools are generall very sunny until the evening.

 

[the_green_machine]

I have RRMS and am not ready to be in a wheel chair or ECV and maybe your wife isn't either. Choosing to use one of those devices is a quick fix for those around us but maybe not something we want to do. Saying that
every trip becomes a little more difficult but I can say there are benches on pathways in the park and I find them and sit. Sun is my enemy along with fatigue and yes I am clumsy and bump into anything and everything. Usually ramps cause me to lose my balance with the incline but there are rails so I always go for one to steady me plus I lean in line to rest. Most lines are covered so even though she will be exhausted she will not be melting from the sun. Make sure to plan set times for meals so she can rest without it seeming like she stopping to rest. Everyone has to eat but only she has to take extra pains to rest. Have a sit down meal everyday it will give her time to cool off, get some space from the lines and relax. The buses are air conditioned so that will be cooling to her but try to avoid busy times for buses where she would have to stand becuase it is so packed. Cut out a little ahead of the crowd or take your time leaving. Sit for a snack or drink. Buses can be long and I know there have been times I've felt so awful getting back couldn't come quick enough but I recover. FYI I'm not sure of your hotel but at POR in a pinch they had a wheel chair( my dad hurt his ankle on vacation). We used to go for the 4th of July but no more now it is Feb. for us. January can be a touch too cold with frost, snow, coats gloves. In Feb. my family still has days to bundle up but I am jacket free and usually in a tshirt with capris or shorts but that's me and not them. We are from upstate NY so we know winter too and I will tell you for me the weather feels good down there while it is cool but adding the sun can be a different story and the increase in temp from home to Fla. does have an affect on me as well. Also if you use the pool at disney it is 82 degrees at the hotel pools. I know my dr. says I should not be in anything from 84 up so my core temp doesn't rise. Something you should keep in mind for your trip too as a way to keep her cool. Pools are generall very sunny until the evening.

Good points made here for sure....

Absolutely it will be her call.....she has no idea she is going and wont find out until Christmas morning

So after everything is said and done we will sit down and see where her head is at regarding all of this (and more than likely reference this thread).

I think what I will do is just let her know (even if she is on the fence about the whole ECV thing) that even if she doesnt think she'll need one I will rent it for the week and if she never sits on it, oh well...at least it was an option (money well spent just so she is aware it's there if she feels she needs it).

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

DW (RRMS) didn't want to to do a ECV her first trip with MS either but it made the trip so much easier on her and us (me 2 DS now 11,9) we always limit our trips to between Oct and Apr so I'm sure January shouldn't be a problem. As a side note she just started taking Ampyra and it has helped her greatly with her stamina http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2586

 

[the_green_machine]

Awesome I just sent her the link...might be worth looking into...Thanks

 

[brat]

Green, back before I got my power chair a very sweet friend of mine rented a scooter for a trip saying we were shairing(not at Disney).She and I were both manual wheelchair users.During the day we switched back and forth.She helped me make the switch to power chair.That last year before switching I had really decreaesed where I went and socializing because pushing my own wheelchair had gotten so much harder(I did not tell friends but my family knew what was happening).

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

I to have RRMS. My first trip to WDW was in July 07 for a work conference. I only spent one day in the park and was completely miserable. Barely made it bench to bench. It wasn't fun. No way was I going to use a wheelchair.But I knew I wanted to go back and see everything that there was. So I set up a walking program. I got up to 3 miles per day before our next trip in 09. We went in September. It was hot. Even so I did much better because I had built up my stamina. I would recomend doing a walking program prior to going.

Barb

 

[the_green_machine]

Well, it's official. My wife found out on Christmas day that we are going to Walt Disney World and let's just say she was more than a little excited. That said I was a little nervous about her attitude towards using a scooter while in the parks. That said after I explained the situation she sat down and read all of the comments you all placed on this board and she has decided to use one. It's booked though Apple Scooters and it will make this a trip to remember. A big thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge with us, I couldnt have done it without you.

 

[the_green_machine]

Just a quick update....We were in WDW from Jan 20th to Jan 27th. My wife did awesome, only using the scooter on our first night there. For the rest of the trip she paced her self and took breaks when they were needed. At no point did we vacation on MS's schedule....100% better than I thought that we'd do.

 

[cmesq61]

I'm so glad you had a great time!