What to do with crutches/cane on rides?

[elmoandzoey]

I have looked for info on this issue but couldn't really find it. On rides that do not have an ECV accessible queue, I understand you have to transfer to a provided wheelchair. Since I have to self-propel through the queue at those attractions and want to take advantage of single rider at others, I'd like to have the option of walking through the queue. However, I will need a forearm crutch to walk steadily, especially if there is an incline. Now my question - what do I do with the crutch while I ride? I don't particularly want to take it on the ride, especially if it's sometime like Star Tours. Will I be able to leave it with a CM while I ride?

Also, does anyone have any experience with Universal regarding this issue? Their lines seem to be only wheelchair accessible so I'll probably be walking through queues there a lot more often than at WDW with the crutch. And since they are even more strict about not bringing any loose items on certain rides, how would it work there?

 

[SueM in MN]

For WDW, depending on the attraction, you will either take them with you on the attraction or the CM will hold them for you and return them at the exit.

Universal's policy is that their lines are not ECV or power wheelchair accessible. For attractions where loose items are not allowed, they would hold it for you.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a link to Universal's Riders guide For people with disabilities.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Accessibility-Information.aspxYou

 

[elmoandzoey]

For WDW, depending on the attraction, you will either take them with you on the attraction or the CM will hold them for you and return them at the exit.

Universal's policy is that their lines are not ECV or power wheelchair accessible. For attractions where loose items are not allowed, they would hold it for you.

Thanks for that info, Sue Just what I was looking for! One last question - at WDW, is it mandatory that you take the crutch with you on the ride or can I opt to leave it with the CM nevertheless? I'll have my DD3 with me and having to hold on to her and the crutch is going to prove a bit difficult. Plus getting in and out of a vehicle while holding on to DD and the crutch will probably also be a bit of a challenge (just thinking about POTC and getting in and out of those boats).

 

[SueM in MN]

It depends on the attraction.
For some, you will get on and off at or near the same place. For others, the place you get off is not near where you got on and they may not have someone to bring it to the getting off point.
You could ask the CM at the entrance - the CMs cycle thru different positions in the attraction, so the CM at the entrance also works at load and unload at times.

 

[elmoandzoey]

For some, you will get on and off at or near the same place. For others, the place you get off is not near where you got on and they may not have someone to bring it to the getting off point.

That's pretty much the reason why I asked. But then I thought, they have to get the wheelchairs there somehow, too, if boarding and unloading are in different places. Or do wheelchairs users board elsewhere in such instances? If that's the case, do you wonder if I could ask to board there, too, so I can keep the crutch? If not I guess I'll just bite the bullet and take the wheelchair through the queue.

 

[gap2368]

for about 3 or 4 rides in all of WDW a wheel chair will go through the Exit ( and one of then BTMRR you exit the ride on the other side) the CM moves the MBD to the other side. some rides you can not take churches or a cain on space mountain ( I have seen the person on front of me with churches the CM took them a another CM had them at the exit for her. I would think that they would give you as much time as you needed to get out ( help your daughter)as you needed just as long as you were working on getting out and not doing something else.

I hope this answered your question

and buy the way you can take a wheel chair through the single rider lines if you want to do that.

 

[elmoandzoey]

and buy the way you can take a wheel chair through the single rider lines if you want to do that.

That is an excellent answer! Thank you, I didn't know you could do that!

This whole having to preplan your park days because of FP+ and ADRs and all is getting really frustrating for me since I need all these special accommodations. I wish I could just walk on and be done with it *sigh* My problem with self-propelling is that I am pretty damn sure I'll get sore hands and blisters from the handrails really really fast and sore muscles in my arms. I have bike gloves for my hands but sore arms is something I don't really need with three kids on the trip. So I'd rather walk as much as I can. I guess I should stop worrying and just let it be. It's our first time with FP+, we're just used to the old FP system so that and adding my disability is stressing me out a bit.

 

[bianca]

I was there last month and had mixed experiences. I used a wheelchair to navigate the park and just a cane to get into/on each attraction. A few CM's insisted on holding my cane for me until I got off the ride and that worked well. However, I have folding canes and found those to be very helpful. Most of the time, I was able to use them right up to the point of entering the ride, fold them up and use handrails to navigate. Upon exiting the ride, all I had to do was snap my cane back into place. I had quite a few CM's comment on my "cool" cane.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Bianca thanks for the info as I am going to try the cane this trip and get an ECV if I have to. I have one of the folding canes also

 

[elmoandzoey]

I've never even knew folding canes existed - I haven't seen anything like that around here. I need to look into that for the trip. Right now I am not at the point where I can walk with just a cane. When my foot locks up and I require assistance walking, I need the extra help of the forearm crutch to steady my walking. Luckily I can manage with just one single crutch now. I hope to get that under control soon because I can walk freely without any help just fine until my foot locks up.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I've never even knew folding canes existed - I haven't seen anything like that around here. I need to look into that for the trip. Right now I am not at the point where I can walk with just a cane. When my foot locks up and I require assistance walking, I need the extra help of the forearm crutch to steady my walking. Luckily I can manage with just one single crutch now. I hope to get that under control soon because I can walk freely without any help just fine until my foot locks up.

I have what is call a "hurry cane" which I ordered from their site online. I know my walking problem is different but this is the first in years that I am planning a trip without an ECV. yes I have that as a backup but it is not the first in line

 

[elmoandzoey]

Thanks all for the heads up on the folding canes. Apparently they are not very commong where I live. I talked to my PT this morning about them being a possible replacement for my crutch for our upcoming trip. She said we could try - again - with a regular cane and see how that goes. If I feel confident enough getting around with just a cane, I'll be getting one of those folding ones for the trip.

 

[weetot]

elmoandzoey: I'm planning on using a folding cane and an ECV on my trip to WDW. However, I was advised to NOT start a new routine just before my trip as WDW can be taxing on the body. I hope your PT prepares you so you can use the cane when you are tired, as well as full of energy. Even though it's just for standing in lines, I'm told some lines can be quite long (ie: Soarin' has a 1/4 mile walk before you get to the ride, then when you're done, you have to walk back).

Good luck and have fun on your vacation!

 

[GrammyJudy]

You can get a folding cane at Walmart for $20. I use an ECV at Disney but put the cane in the basket for going into shops and restaurants. POTC you have to transfer to a wheelchair as it is a long walk. No other rides have I had an issue. Stepping into boats at POTC and Small World can be tricky. Will you have another adult there to give you a hand?

 

[elmoandzoey]

elmoandzoey: I'm planning on using a folding cane and an ECV on my trip to WDW. However, I was advised to NOT start a new routine just before my trip as WDW can be taxing on the body. I hope your PT prepares you so you can use the cane when you are tired, as well as full of energy. Even though it's just for standing in lines, I'm told some lines can be quite long (ie: Soarin' has a 1/4 mile walk before you get to the ride, then when you're done, you have to walk back).

Good luck and have fun on your vacation!

@weetot, I won't start a new routine just because of our going to WDW. My PT and I have been trying to get me off the crutch for good for quite some time now. I never really saw the point of replacing the crutch with a cane though - I just wanted to get rid of the crutch for good. I can walk without any aid just fine until my foot locks up - then I need help because I can't put much (or any) weight on my foot until I "unlock" my foot. I never know when my foot will block though hence I try to have the crutch ready. It hasn't happened for the last 4 days though which is a great development but I still want something around in case it does happen. I'm trying to figure out with my PT now if in the instances that I need help, a cane would be of enough support. A folding cane would be much easier to keep close by than a crutch.

@GrammyJudy, I don't think I will have an issue with the boats at POTC or IASW since stepping up and down is not an issue if I can hold on to something (and if it's just the back of the seat, that's perfectly fine for me). What worries me a bit more is stepping in and out of the ships at Peter Pan because I know I will rush myself getting in and out of that one (because of the non-stoppable walkway). The other attractions I know what to expect and how to handle it. Peter Pan is our white whale though - this is the first trip in like 15 years that it's not closed down for refurb when we go. I don't know what to expect. I'm probably just overthinking this one because I think the step up and down will not be worse than at any other attraction. I will not have another adult with me. My oldest just turned 11.

 

[bianca]

For those wondering where to find the folding canes, I ordered mine from Amazon. I have red, pink, lavender and leopard print so that I can match my outfit in any given day!

 

[gap2368]

For those wondering where to find the folding canes, I ordered mine from Amazon. I have red, pink, lavender and leopard print so that I can match my outfit in any given day!

they do allow cain in the park but I have seen CM tell someone they can not sit in it I have all so seen some one fall out of one and break there arm. so just be aware that you may not be able to use the set part of them.

 

[bianca]

If I sat on my cane, I'd be in a world of hurt! Lol. The cane I'm referring to is just that ..... A cane, Not a folding chair.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

most fold canes can not be used to sit on. when mine in out, not folded, it looks like a normal cane. unless the CM saw me unfold, CM would have a hard time telling it folded