wheel chair rental AT THE RESORTS

[PrincessP]

We'll need a wheel chair for my sister who has downs syndrome and some mobility issues (but is not normally in a wheel chair) on our upcoming May trip. I know they can be rented at the parks. BUT can you rent them from the resort itself to aid in getting to the transportation options? we're staying at the Polynesian. THank you!

 

[KPeveler]

if you MUST have one at the resorts and other such places, rent one from off site. You can get one at the resorts, but its first come, first served. So if they are all gone, then you are stuck and will have to rent off site anyway. It may be better to have one guaranteed.

you may also want to see if you can get one from a local hospital (talk to her dr) because the airport is HUGE and you have to ride a little monorail with no seats, so if her balance is off, it can be hard. It may be nice to have one from the beginning.

Check out rental companies in the FAQs up top.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with what KPeveler wrote.
You can probably find a rental place near your home if you want to bring one with you.
If you bring one on the airplane, it will be transported free of charge and you would be able to use it right up to the door of the plane and then gate check it. They will tag the wheelchair so that it is returned to you at the gate when you get to your destination.
If she is in school, the PT or OT may know of a lending closet that can loan you a wheelchair from your area.

 

[Mrsjvb]

concur especially since the ones at the Parks CANNOT be taken out of the park and there are NOT always available ones to make the transition to and from the bus stops..or in my case, each time I tried to get one it was busted and DH had to pop a wheelie...

 

[Bete]

First, the good is it's free at the resorts to get a wheelchair from them and you can keep it for the lenght of your stay there. We did have to give a deposit down which was refundable upon the return of the chair.

The bad is there's limited availability at the resort. You will not get much choice, either. We did it and the wheelchair we got was so big it couldn't fit in a Lincoln Town car. It was heavy to push, too. We ended up using Disney transportation most of the time; because, it didn't fit in the car. We survived and it was free. I think if you go when it's not so busy there you should have no problems getting a free one.

I now have what's called a transport chair and we love it. It weighs only 16 pounds and it fits nicely in the car. I like the one we got; because, it has a safety belt, a cup holder and a small pouch in the back. It cost me around $170. Like the previous poster stated there's no charge to transport by plane.

 

[mechurchlady]

Myth buster at your service.
The wheelchairs at the hotels are for guest who have suddenly become ill, had an accident or what ever. Those chairs not for persons needing a wheelchair before coming to the park. It is a common myth that those free chairs are for everyone to use but are not. DLR and WDW strongly state over and over that guests with any limitations should bring the proper medications, medicals supplies and aids.

http://www.spinlife.com/critpath/spec.cfm?productID=82503&adv=froogle&tar=82503
I am getting mom the Invacare Tracer EX2 for $149 but this one should be fine and costs $109 plus tax I think. I got mine with free shipping. You could decorate it and use it in the airport and around the resort. If you decide you do not need it then resell it or donate it for a tax write off.

 

[PrincessP]

Thank you all so much for the information and advice. It has really helped!