Wheel Chair Question

[C&G'sMama]

Okay,

You who are experienced with using wheelchairs at Disney. My 93 yo mom is coming with us to WDW next May/June Yayyy She is coming with my DB and DSIL. DSIL asked about wheelchair rental and I gave her the name of a company we've used before. But she's asking about Disney wheel chairs. I personally think an offsite place where you can have the same chair at all times is the way to go. Below is the text of my SIL's message. Any thoughts, comments, etc would be greatly appreciated?


"Have you ever tried to get the wheelchair through Disney? The
reservation agent (...) asked if we needed special anything, and I
said we would need a wheel chair, but we could get her up and down on
the elevator so I didn't think we needed anything special other than
that. .... She gave me a number to call for the chair:
4079380349. She asked if we would need it just at the park or
everywhere, and I said everywhere, and she gave me the number above.
Maybe I'll check both places, that one and yours below. Or, maybe
they're one and the same. Can you think of any special kind of wheel
chair that I should be looking for? Or are they all the same?"

 

[SueM in MN]

That phone number is for Buena Vista Scooter rental; they rent ECVs and wheelchairs. There is some arrangement with Disney because they are the only company that is allowed to have a rental station on Disney property (at Boardwalk). Buena Vista is one of the companies listed in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature).

I know that Disney does have some wheelchairs at the resort that they have leant out in the past. The current WDW Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities say that they have wheelchairs available for rent at the resorts. Not sure if they have stopped loaning them out, or just have that in to cover in case they stop loaning them. People have had variable success with borrowing a wheelchair. Some had no problem, but some have found the size they needed was not available or the wheelchair was not in very good condition. The resort wheelchairs are the heavy models like you can rent in the parks.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Thank you Sue. My SIL has since written back and discovered it was indeed Buena Vista.

Any thoughts on the type of wheelchair that would be best both for mom and for those of us pushing her? She weighs maybe 110-120 lbs if not less and is about 5 feet tall.

SIL is asking and I'm not sure. What types of things should we consider?

Thanks again in advance. Mom can walk and go up and down stairs, Good Lord she still drives But the amount of walking required at Disney is beyond her at this point. She does rest a lot (heck so do I)

 

[Here we go again...]

You should just need a basic wheelchair.
One thing to consider is that Disney has chairs on a first come first serve basis. If you get there and they are out then you will have to get one on site.

You can ask for a loaner chair at your resort that will allow you to use it all day but they are limited.

Buena Vista Scooters is located on property and will deliver and pick up at your resort. That would be the cheapest way to go if you decided to rent.