Wheelchair Availability

[Clubhouse Mickey]

We are planning to be at Disney during the week of Thanksgiving, which I understand can be crowded. Will we have any problem finding a wheelchair to rent at the parks for my mom? Or should I be concerned and insist she rent one for our stay? What if we park hop or she stays at the hotel to rest during the morning and then joins us after our mid-day break?

thanks so much in advance for any help, tips, advice you can offer.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have never been to WDW the week after Thanksgiving, but I have heard it is very busy.
We have been there over New Years and Easter and I do know it's possible for them to run out of wheelchairs then.
I guess one question to ask yourself is whether a wheelchair is vital (if she doesn't have one, she would not be able to go to the parks) or would be important, but not vital (she will get more tired and/or have pain, but not to a level that it would prevent her from going).

If it fits in the "vital" category, you need to have one available and I'd suggest you rent from off-site. Since all the resorts themselves are large and may require a lot of walking, having one at all times would make your trip much better. You can find information and links in disABILITIES FAQs thread about places to rent.

If it fits the 'important" category, you may decide to take your chances and rent from the parks. But, be aware they may have none.

If she would like to use an ECV (mobility scooter) it would be better to rent from off-site since those go run out at the parks.

 

[earthfaries]

I agree. My mom HAS to have one. We are always at the parks before they open to get one. We don't usually park hop, but I would imagine you probably wouldn't get one during Thanksgiving week in the middle of the day. We are park hopping in Jan., and my mom is bringing her own. I would rent one off site if I were you.

 

[KPeveler]

i will be there two days that are a "9" on the crowd calendar - to me this means that it is likely that if i park hop (as i will later in the day), there may not be a chair available, so I am bringing my own with me

during thanksgiving week, i would rent one from off site, just in case!

 

[kimsuenew]

We were able to get one for our length of stay from our resort (SSR), however I did not use it for the parks... only for Downtown Disney and getting around the resort grounds (rented EVC's at the parks). Perhaps your resort offers these as well?

 

[Shorty82]

We were able to get one for our length of stay from our resort (SSR), however I did not use it for the parks... only for Downtown Disney and getting around the resort grounds (rented EVC's at the parks). Perhaps your resort offers these as well?

All the Disney Resorts (AFAIK) have courtesy wheelchairs but they are first come first serve and there is a VERY limited number of them available. If you need a chair or ECV it is much better to go with renting on offsite.

 

[SueM in MN]

All the Disney Resorts (AFAIK) have courtesy wheelchairs but they are first come first serve and there is a VERY limited number of them available. If you need a chair or ECV it is much better to go with renting on offsite.

That is what is written in the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. They actually do say that if you need a wheelchair, they suggest you rent from off-site.