Wheelchair & Disney transportation

[Woodcourt]

Background:My daughter recently had surgery on her foot. She is in a boot and just starting to walk and bear weight and we leave for Disney in less than three weeks. We are concerned about the amount of walking for her. We have thought about our options and are Leaning towards a wheelchair. Most scooter places won’t let a kid (she is 17) drive them....so that’s one obstacle. Although I believe there is one location that will rent to teens. I am also concerned about her trying to maneuver a scooter through New Years crowds, especially being a first time driver. We are Disney vets and I did years with strollers and crowds. And we have also watched the struggles of inexperienced ECV drivers. So I know it’s not just a joy ride like some people think.

She might be able to walk with no trouble at that time, but I don’t want to risk being stuck at the parks and her being in pain and unable to walk like everyone else. Our travel party consists of myself and my husband and 7 teenagers, so we have plenty of strong able bodied people to take turns pushing her. Not to mention she weighs 115, so she is pretty light. We also have a wheel chair we can bring with us, so we don’t have to worry about the parks running out of them.

My question: if we have the wheelchair folded up, can we just board Disney transportation like you would carrying a stroller. We don’t need to take up space for someone who needs to be locked into transportation spaces.

 

[gap2368]

I am pretty sure you can do just that fold the wheelchair up and carry it on the bus. And best wishes for a speedy recovery for your daughter and a wonderful trip to your family

 

[KPeterso]

You can fold the wheelchair and hold it on the buses. I would still go through the wheelchair line so your daughter can be first onto a bus to guarantee her a seat on the bus. She will probably still need a seat on the bus --- especially after a long day in the parks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just let the bus driver know where he/she opens the ramp that you would like to fold the wheelchair.
she could ride the wheelchair up the bus ramp if that is easier for her.

 

[Woodcourt]

Thank you everyone! Appreciate it!

 

[seashoreCM]

Request to board using the wheelchair ramp (done implicitly by using the wheelchair boarding area, if any). Quickly survey (scan) the front part of the bus for a single or non-foldable seat and have DD sit there. Then fold up the wheelchair if you wish to.

If DD sits on a triple, foldable, seat, that is synonymous with strapping the wheelchair, unfolded, into one of the wheelchair spaces. This is because she is not in a position to give up the seat and free up the space for someone else with a wheelchair or scooter. Also, Disney urges although does not mandate that wheelchair guests transfer to a bus seat.

 

[Woodcourt]

Ok so another question. She shouldn’t have trouble walking through lines, but we do worry about standing for hours. She is asking about her crutches to take into lines so she doesn’t have to stand on her foot for so long. Any thoughts on that? I’m not sure how that can work if we can’t take them on some rides? Especially when loading and unloading are in separate areas??

 

[SueM in MN]

Ok so another question. She shouldn’t have trouble walking through lines, but we do worry about standing for hours. She is asking about her crutches to take into lines so she doesn’t have to stand on her foot for so long. Any thoughts on that? I’m not sure how that can work if we can’t take them on some rides? Especially when loading and unloading are in separate areas??

I’d suggest taking the wheelchair in lines. That way, you don’t get surprised by an unusually long or slow lines.
Guests don’t need anything to take a wheelchair or crutches in line. Most lines are accessible. If using crutches, she will likely just be bringing the crutches with her in line and putting them in the ride car.
If they cants go in the ride car for some reason, the CM will handle them like a wheelchair and either store them or move them to the unload area.

 

[jo-jo]

I would take the chair into the lines. Aside for the doable 25 min wait can turn into 45 mins, sometimes the lines aren't well lit and the last thing you want is her falling or getting the crutch caught in some weird bump.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Request to board using the wheelchair ramp (done implicitly by using the wheelchair boarding area, if any). Quickly survey (scan) the front part of the bus for a single or non-foldable seat and have DD sit there. Then fold up the wheelchair if you wish to.

Where is there ever not a wheelchair boarding area at a Disney bus stop?

And if the party used the wheelchair boarding area and ramp to board the bus, it makes no sense to advise use of a seat at/near the front of the bus. She should select the seat immediately to the left of the door, toward the back of the bus.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Ok so another question. She shouldn’t have trouble walking through lines, but we do worry about standing for hours. She is asking about her crutches to take into lines so she doesn’t have to stand on her foot for so long. Any thoughts on that? I’m not sure how that can work if we can’t take them on some rides? Especially when loading and unloading are in separate areas??

have her take wheelchair thru the line at most rides. at the few rides with steps she will be routed around the steps with your whole party. use the time in lines for resting her foot not standing with crutches.

 

[Woodcourt]

have her take wheelchair thru the line at most rides. at the few rides with steps she will be routed around the steps with your whole party. use the time in lines for resting her foot not standing with crutches.

Thank you!!!such great thoughts. I hadn’t thought about some of the difficult lines. We had a great conversation last night about how we will play it by ear and see what she needs for each day and each ride. Thankful that Disney is so accommodating.

 

[Woodcourt]

Great thought! I definitely don’t want her to get reinjured!!

QUOTE="jo-jo, post: 61334713, member: 354262"]
I would take the chair into the lines. Aside for the doable 25 min wait can turn into 45 mins, sometimes the lines aren't well lit and the last thing you want is her falling or getting the crutch caught in some weird bump.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you!!!such great thoughts. I hadn’t thought about some of the difficult lines. We had a great conversation last night about how we will play it by ear and see what she needs for each day and each ride. Thankful that Disney is so accommodating.

been there and done it granted not her injury but in a wheelchair/ECV