Wheel Chair Advice on MAGIC?

[ron777]

Hello,

Does anyone have any advice on wheelchairs? We'll be going on the Magic in a few weeks and we've rented a wheelchair for my mother-in-law. Any suggestions on storage / getting around / etc?

Thank you!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Hi-

I am sorry I have been off the boards a lot because of the flu but just saw your question. My mother uses a wheel chair and we sailed on the October Wonder last year and will be sailing on the October 25 Magic this year all together.

I would suggest bringing a wheel chair that folds. At night or when not in use my Dad folded it in the hallway and brought a little lock and chain. I am not trying to make you paranoid but some man try to take her chair which is the one she uses at home not a rental and said it was nicer than his

We found the elevators small so you may have to wait until you get a empty one. People can be very inconsiderate of the wheel chair users and pushers too so be agressive if needed. It is amazing how many people will push and shove and have rude behavior this did happen on the ship but was much worse at WDW.

At dinner you can wheel your MIL to the table and then the server will take the chair out of your way and bring it back when done, that is for any meal.

At the shows they reserve the last rows for the handicapped and their traveling campions.

At check in make sure the CM checking you in knows you are traveling with someone in a wheel chair and they will direct you to the front of the terminal to wait for boarding so you don't wait in line and then a CM will come and get you for boarding before anyone else.

At Castaway Cay they have sand wheel chairs. You can take the tram to the drop off for the sand wheel chairs. One word of warning the chairs are great for the hard sand and shallow water but VERY hard to push in soft sand. This time my MIL is going and my DH has to stay home (Marine) and he helped my Dad who could not push in the soft sand. I think we may carry her to a chair and use the sand wheel chair for her to go down to the water.

If I left anything out please ask away.

Have fun.

Tiff

 

[HappyGilmore]

Just thought it might help if you haven't already told DCL or your travel agent about the need for wheelchair use it is an important factor they need to know. One of the biggest factors (God forbid) would be if there was an emergency evacuation on the ship. DCL should be aware of the location of guest with disabilities in case they need assistance. My father has several ongoing medical conditions one of which is Meniears assocaited with extreme acute vertigo/dizziness. It could have made him unable to stand without complete aide or walk on his own power. It was requested that have his Dr. complete a medical clearence form DCL in turn provided a handicap accessible room/location.
We were concerned about how easily we would be able to transport him should a problem arise so we rented a wheel chair when we sailed 2/13/03. We found everyone to be very courteous and the staff to be very accomadating.

One thing I learned was that there are a few raised areas on the floor (particularly in doorways) and it was easier to get the chair over them when I approached them at an angle instead of head on. (Ex: right front wheel 1st then left front wheel instead of both at the same time)
Also the forward and aft elevvators were the best ones to try midship elevators fill up more quickly.
We had a chair that had 4 small wheels and it was easier to push than one with big wheels in back.
The trams on castaway key have a section with a ramp so you don't have to transfer out of the chair to ride it.
Have a great cruise I am sure you will have no troubles at all.

 

[aprilgail2]

If you have a handicapped room there is plenty of room in there for a wheel chair...we had a handicapped room but the handicapped child we were supposed to have in there did not make it so it was just my young daughter my 72 year old mom and myself and the handicapped room was good for my mom since there were bars in the bathroom for her to hold onto and the shower was level with the floor so she didn't have to step up into a tub to shower and there was no "sill" on the floor to get into the bathroom.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

They are so right and DON'T forget to have her Doctor complete the medical forms. DCL can fax them to you or her Doctors. In our case my Mom has had a stroke and is mostly paralyzed on her right side and she did not want (?) or need a handicapped cabin. She did fine with my Dad's assistance showering etc. but I can definatley see the advantages to the handicap cabins but my DM is very stubborn and proud. Don't forget the medical forms!

Have fun,
Tiff

 

[cathie]

We just got back from the 3 Day Wonder with my friend Steve who has MD & uses a large power wheelchair with vent attached. Manuevering in the halls can be a challenge in the AM & PM with the cleaning carts & Henry The Vac all over the place. The room stewards are usuallly very helpful with moving the carts if they're around. His stateroom was huge & the verandah beautiful. Steve did best in the midship elevators, he barely fit in the aft ones which were the closest to our rooms. The best doorways to the deck are on Deck 9, there is an automatic door opener without the big drop on the threshold. The only other thing that was difficult was transferring to the bed which is quite lower than his wheelchair. Other than those issues, he really enjoyed his 1st cruise & hope this answers some questions.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Does anyone staying in a handicap cabin need the medical papers signed to get it? We're thinking about taking my grandparents along, and I'd hate to see my grandfather try to move around in those tiny bathrooms in the regular staterooms, and I'm wondering if we'd have to wait until the sail date to get one assigned.

Thanks.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
Does anyone staying in a handicap cabin need the medical papers signed to get it? We're thinking about taking my grandparents along, and I'd hate to see my grandfather try to move around in those tiny bathrooms in the regular staterooms, and I'm wondering if we'd have to wait until the sail date to get one assigned.

Thanks.

You need to have a form filled out by your Dr stating that you have a need for the handicapped room but when you book it you have to book the handicapped room. We booked it and then faxed over the form filled out by the Dr. We wanted to book a catagory 6 handicapped but they were all booked up so we had to pay more and go for a cataogry 5 just so we could get the handicapped room.