Wheel chair advice please?

[sherry7]

Hi DIS'ers. I'm hoping you all can give me some advice here. Several months ago, I fell and hurt my knee. The result is that I have a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and patello femural syndrome (kneecap slips out of place occasionally). I'm not sure of how my knee will hold up with all the walking in WDW, even with my knee brace. I know that if I have the need for it, I can rent a wheel chair in the parks. If I do have to do this, I really have no desire to take it through the ride lines. My knee is usually okay if I'm just standing on it. If I leave a rental wheel chair outside an attraction or show, do you think anyone would take it? Would it be a good idea to bring a chain lock (bike lock) along to thread through the wheels so it couldn't be rolled for more than a couple of feet? Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Figaro]

Hi Sherry!

As a veteran of 30 plus knee surgeries, I know that my knees don't hold up to the incredible amount of walking that is normal at WDW(smile). I always use a wheelchair when I am there, and have never regretted it. If you are staying on Disney property, the resorts have wheelchairs available on a first come, first serve basis. I tend to decide whether to stay in my wheelchair for a ride or not, depending on how much pain I am in.

If I can (usually earlier in the day) I park the wheelchair outside and walk on. We bring a bike cable and lock along and lock the back wheels of the wheelchair together. We don't lock the wheelchair to anything, as the cast members often need to move it for safety reasons, and they can do that as long as the wheels are all that are locked.

Good luck! And have a wonderful time!

 

[SueM in MN]

I just want to welcome you and second what Figaro had to say.
Most people don't really realize the amount of walking involved at WDW until they are there. At Epcot, just the circle around WS (where the countries are) is about 1.3 miles. The distance from Epcot's entrance to that point is probably about the same.
So, it is a good idea to rent (or borrow from your resort) a wheelchair for the distnaces. Walking/standing in line is a good idea so you won't get too stiff from sitting all day. As Figaro mentioned, using a bike lock thru either the back or the front wheels allows the wheelchair to still be rolled if the CMs need to move it. One other thing to think about is to ask where the exit of the ride is before you leave your wheelchair at the entrance. Some rides board and exit near the smae place, but others are quite a distance away. You don't want to come out of a ride and then have to hunt for where you left it.

 

[JudithM]

I've used Disney's wheelchairs & ECVs in the parks & have never (knock on wood!) had a problem leaving the vehicle while I am on a ride. I have a knee condition & the vehicles are wonderful. Have fun & enjoy yoru trip!

 

[teri]

Consider using an ECV instead, conserve your energy a bit more. Click on the link in my signature for more tips about wheelchairs, the GAC, and other information that might be useful to you.

 

[sherry7]

Thanks to you all for the advice. You guys mentioned borrowing a chair from my resort. I thought you had to rent them at the parks. Can you explain further please?

 

[Figaro]

Sherry, if you are staying at a Disney resort, they have a certain number of wheelchairs available on a first come, first serve basis. You can't reserve them, but if they have them available, they will let you use the wheelchair for the length of your stay. We have always had to leave a credit card number with them, and were told that if we didn't return the chair, they would charge the credit card $250. Which is one reason we always bring a bike cable and lock with us(smile).

 

[teri]

You can also rent wheelchairs and ECVs for the length of your stay, for use at the resorts and restaurants as well as the parks, from one of these companies:
Walker Mobility
Care Medical
Randy's Mobility

People here on the boards have had overall good experiences with these companies in the past.