What will we do, one in a WC and one on an ECV

[LMC]

Our next trip is the last week of May 2010. I just really don't want to go now since I found out DH will have to use an ECV. He had a horrible leg injury in August, and his doctor says there is no way he can walk at WDW for 7 days. I also have a special needs child that will be in a WC on day 3 or 4 as he physically gives out. We are used to that issue but the DH is a new thing. We usually stay at FW campground but have decided to stay at the Yacht club this trip. We will also only go to the parks 5 or 6 days and have a couple of rest days at the resort. I hope we will all have fun at Stormalong Bay but DH must be careful not to get his skin grafts sunburned and special needs DS HATES to swim. DS will have to spend some time at the pool as we can't leave him alone (he'll be 15 but with cognitive delays it's impossible). I just really don't want to go but since we had to cancel in 2009, the kids are really looking forward to it. Now I am thinking how are we going to handle transportation while we are there with a WC and an ECV? It is hard enough with the one WC but now we will have both. I thought we could walk or ride the boats to DHS, Epcot then monorial to MK. We'd only have to bus it to AK (I think). How long of a walk is it to DHS or Epcot, whichever is in walking distance to Yacht club?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yacht Club is closer to Epcot - seven or eight minutes - than to DHS, but even that's only about fifteen minutes.

Honestly, getting to MK by going through Epcot seems awfully time-consuming. Each bus has two spots for wheelchairs/ecvs; if (as is always possible) a bus with only one or no space available, ask the driver to radio for a bus to come get you, so you can all ride together.

ECV offsite rentals offer a canopy as an option, but they're not particularly effective and they can get in the way. Your DH's best option would be light colored tightly-woven slacks.

 

[LMC]

OK, so it is probably best to walk to Epcot and bus to other parks? I thought there was some boat transportation at Yacht Club but maybe it is just to Epcot also. Using our own vehicle is out since we don't have the means to transport the ECV. I am not too worried about the leg as we will use a high SPF sunscreen and he will probably want to keep a wrap on it as it looks bad AND he can't stand for anything to touch it or bump it. He feels safer with the wrap so that's fine if that is what he wants to do. Only problem is he is very hot natured! I would be fine with extra layers on me but he'll have to adjust. Now I have to think about getting 2 GAC's since my DH will need one at times to ride the ECV into some of the ques or alternate entrance where that is not available as he usually takes the younger two to ride and I usually stay with the older special needs DS (who usually has a GAC). It is stressful thinking we need the extra accomodations and now the worry with bus transportation.

 

[KPeveler]

you can also take the boat to DHS (MGM). I much prefer the boat to the buses when possible.

Depending on the needs of your child, you could use the lift or ramp to get onto the bus, and then fold the wheelchair (if it is a folding chair), so if there is only one wheelchair spot, it can go to the ECV.

be aware, your DH will have to get off the ECV on the bus - just wanted you to know, since that is sometimes a problem for people...

 

[LMC]

Thank you! We'll boat to DHS, walk to Epcot and bus everywhere else. I never knew they would allow a fold up of the WC, they always put DS on in the chair and let him sit in it while moving. DS and DH can both get up a move so the folding option will work great. Ya learn something new everyday.

 

[KPeveler]

I have seen several people fold up wheelchairs and sit in a regular seat - there just needs to be someone who can hold the wheelchair. There are two wc spots on a bus generally, but if one is full, then you can still make it work... Both your DS and DH should be able to get onto the bus up the ramp or lift, though, rather than dealing with stairs.

Will your DH have a cane or crutches? There are some queues that you cant take an ECV into, so he will have to transfer to a regular manual chair or use crutches... there are only a few queues like this, though...

 

[LMC]

Will your DH have a cane or crutches? There are some queues that you cant take an ECV into, so he will have to transfer to a regular manual chair or use crutches... there are only a few queues like this, though...

This is why I thought he might need a GAC just for those few circumstances. He will have a cane; just something else for me to keep up with. We are not sure what to expect but his doctor told him he should be able to go just use the ECV because of excessive walking and pain. We know he will swell, that's just par for the course. Do they give ice packs at the nurses stations in case it gets bad?

 

[KPeveler]

This is why I thought he might need a GAC just for those few circumstances. He will have a cane; just something else for me to keep up with. We are not sure what to expect but his doctor told him he should be able to go just use the ECV because of excessive walking and pain. We know he will swell, that's just par for the course. Do they give ice packs at the nurses stations in case it gets bad?

I am not sure that a GAC will help in those situations. The reason that the ECV is not allowed in the line is that it literally does not fit. There would be no way to get the ECV in, GAC or not.

If he cant walk at all, you may have to push him in a wheelchair for just those queues. He will not be able to walk in HM at all, he will either have to go in the exit (i still dont think he can go up to the car) and skip the stretching room, or use crutches to go through the stretching room...

Most times he should be fine, but I figured it was worth alerting you...

I am not sure about the ice packs, but i would not be surprised if you could do something to help!

 

[Momelie]

Hi there!

Wow, something I actually have experience with! Yes, you can get ice packs at First Aid, should you need them, and as often as you need them.

Also, if I can suggest - one of those collapsible canes can make life at Disney much easier on both of you! The way we manage it is with a backpack with a side pocket, and the cane collapses and fits in the side pocket when I'm in the ECV and when I need to get out and use it in the line, a quick shake and I have a cane handy! The backpack I use is actually one we purchased at the store in Norway in the World Showcase one day (yep, we got desperate) and its by Helly Hansen, so its not cheap, but its the PERFECT size for my ECV, has a vent pocket for water bottles so they don't drip on anybody, and a perfect size pocket for the collapsible cane - oh, and a clear pocket the right size for my GAC. We live less than an hour away, so we go enough to make it worth it, LOL!

I think the two places that you might need to think about strategy ahead of time are POC and HM. For POC, you'll need both DH and DS to transfer to one of their wheelchairs, then get into the ride and come back up in a different one of their wheelchairs via the elevator, through the store and back to the place you left your own. WARNING - this is the only time I've ever had my own personal wheelchair 'commandeered' by another family, who swore they thought it was a Disney chair, available for Gramma to ride in! Thankfully, the CMs were great about it - but I did have my name in brightly colored Dalmation stickers on each armrest, and Sorcerer Mickey on the wheels which did help with ID.

For HM, I highly recommend skipping the stretching room and asking if you can either load at the exit (least amount of walking) or going straight to the loading (about 50 yards, via queue, with many other people who might bump his leg).

Those are the only forseeable problems I think you'll encounter. Well, at the parks, anyway. We always use our own vehicle, so we don't deal with transportation issues. Let me know if there's anything I can help with or answer, though. We'll be there tomorrow and Wednesday, so I can look for specifics, if needed.

 

[LMC]

I didn't think of POC. We've been to WDW many, many times, however, never under these circumstances so I a bit stressed. Usually they take DS around back to enter and then we get his chair at the exit area. Will they move the ECV to the exit area in this manner too no matter what method of entrance we take? If DH can have access to some ice packs and can stay in the ECV most of the time and avoid having to stand in line for 60 min+ I think we can manage. We plan on some down days in between at the resort this time which we never do. If he needs to transfer to a WC for que access do they provide such WC for that use? There may be times he can use DS's WC if need be and DS can sit on the floor when we are waiting in ques. As far as getting chairs mixed up, I know DH should take the key out but how will the CM's move it like on POC if he has the key?

 

[KPeveler]

I didn't think of POC. We've been to WDW many, many times, however, never under these circumstances so I a bit stressed. Usually they take DS around back to enter and then we get his chair at the exit area. Will they move the ECV to the exit area in this manner too no matter what method of entrance we take? If DH can have access to some ice packs and can stay in the ECV most of the time and avoid having to stand in line for 60 min+ I think we can manage. We plan on some down days in between at the resort this time which we never do. If he needs to transfer to a WC for que access do they provide such WC for that use? There may be times he can use DS's WC if need be and DS can sit on the floor when we are waiting in ques. As far as getting chairs mixed up, I know DH should take the key out but how will the CM's move it like on POC if he has the key?

They will put the ECV in freewheel if they have to move it. I am not sure how they handle it at POTC.


If they require him to transfer to a regular chair, there will be one at the ride....

 

[kaytieeldr]

The one time I accessed PotC using the 'back' entrance, they did not move my ECV. I had to leave it with the strollers, and then hobble back to it using the regular exit/elevator.

 

[LMC]

I could always go retrieve it for him if need be. We have not been in two years so I do not know which ques are accessible now. There will be times that I am with special needs DS and DH is off with the other two kids. I really have to plan this trip now since we are in this situation. DH can't take special needs DS if DS is in a WC at that point. We will have two or three days before they are both on wheels so DH will have to have his one/one time with DS early on. Thanks for all the replies. Since it usually just DS in a chair, I have been fretting the planning and going for this trip.