Wheelchair Dimensions?

[missbrooke06]

We're getting ready to go to Disney in 2 weeks and my mom has difficulties walking for an extended amount of time. We plan to rent a wheelchair in the park, for sake of convience.

However, my mom is a plus-size lady and we want to make sure that the chair will be comfortable for her. Often, those tiny little chairs at malls and such are uncomfortable for her. Does anyone know what the dimensions are or where I could find them? We are willing to rent off-site if necessary but prefer not to.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not to worry.
A standard size wheelchair is usually going have a seat that is 16-18 inches wide (which is basically the same width as an average airline seat). They do have wider ones. If you rent day by day from the parks, you take a chance on what be available.
If you rent from one of the off-site places, you will be able to order the size she needs and then not have to worry about it for the rest of your trip. There is contact information for the off-site places in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[homer424]

My grandmother is also a plus-sized woman and we rented off-site because the standard wheelchairs she had used are always too uncomfortable and she was nervous to use them for long periods. We rented a 20 inch wheelchair from Care Medical and it was perfect. It also worked out to be exactly the same as if we rented from the parks and we were able to use it in DTD and in any offsite stores we went to. Plus, we had it no matter what.

 

[missbrooke06]

Do not be afraid to rent off-site! We did it for my own plus-size mother twice and the service is great. They deliver right to your hotel and pick up as well. Prices were very comparable to Disney.

 

[BrookieCookie]

How does it work to use a wheelchair with the buses?

 

[lanejudy]

How does it work to use a wheelchair with the buses?

If your wheelchair is designed for use during transport, it's advised that use colored electrical tape or something to clearly mark the tie-down spots. If it's a folding wheelchair, you may enter the bus in the chair and then transfer to a seat and fold the chair like a stroller. All buses can accommodate at least 2 wheelchairs or ECVs, some have space for 3 I believe. The older model buses have a lift, but newer buses are "kneeling" with a ramp.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Schmeck]

We're getting ready to go to Disney in 2 weeks and my mom has difficulties walking for an extended amount of time. We plan to rent a wheelchair in the park, for sake of convience.

However, my mom is a plus-size lady and we want to make sure that the chair will be comfortable for her. Often, those tiny little chairs at malls and such are uncomfortable for her. Does anyone know what the dimensions are or where I could find them? We are willing to rent off-site if necessary but prefer not to.

Here's the link to the transportation situation with wheelchairs:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/mobility-disabilities/

Note that there is a size restraint, 32" x 48", which would be a pretty big wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's the link to the transportation situation with wheelchairs:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/mobility-disabilities/

Note that there is a size restraint, 32" x 48", which would be a pretty big wheelchair.

That's actually not as large as it sounds.
My DD's wheelchair is very narrow for an adult chair - her seat is only 14 inches wide, but the total width of her wheelchair is 24 inches. 48 inches long is pretty standard.
The big WDW rental ECVs are less than 30 inches wide.

Post 4 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about riding buses with a wheelchair.
You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

Here's a picture of my DD's wheelchair tied down in the bus:

This is the DME bus, not the park buses, but it shows the neon green duct tape we marked the safe spots to attach the tiedowns hooks.

It's much easier and faster to tell the driver, "you can attach the hooks wherever you see green tape" than to point out each place.