wheelchair or not?

[NitaO]

Party of 6 going to WDW next week. My friends daughter(13) has sickle cell diease and is having hip pain alot of the time. Alot of walking and standing makes it worse. I think she should just get a wheelchair and stay off her legs, it would be better in the long run after 5 days in the parks. She feels embarrased about it because she can walk. Plus can we all use the wheelchair access line with her as she transfers to rides, I don't want to be split up. Just 2 adults and 4 kids. I want her to have a great time. Any other sugestions that might be available to her?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

First thing is that most lines at WDW are "mainstreamed", so a person in a chair will be able to go through the regular line just as anyone else and will either be in special seating or transfer to a ride vehicle, depending on the type of attraction.

For those attractions where the line is not mainstreamed your group will either be pulled out of the line at a specific point or directed to an alternate entrace at the start. When using an alternate entrance it is usually limited to the person with the disability plus up to five others, so your group of six will have no problems.

As far as her reticence to use a wheelchair here are two suggestions.

One is to pick a location that is about a mile from your house and ask her if she could easily walk there. After a short pause while she is thinking, also ask "and back". And if she is not sure then ask "three times". Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is over 1¼ miles, and most people find they do between seven and twelcve miles per day at WDW.

And then ask her the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with Cheshire Figment.
If she has trouble with walking and standing, she really needs a wheelchair.

Another way to think about it is an 'energy account'. Each day start out with a certain amount of energy. Just walking around WDW takes energy (and it can be a long distance walking). Being in pain while walking uses up more energy than walking without pain. If she ends up using all her energy just getting around, she will have less available to have fun. Each night, your sleep will put more energy into your 'account.' But, if too much energy was used, the next day will start with an 'overdraft' and you will start the day tired.

 

[viluvsdisney]

this will be my first trip with using a wheelchair rental. I'm not sure what to expect and I'm very anxious (and a bit sad) about it. My family has no problem helping me around...thankfully.....you mentioned most lines are accessible for wheelchairs - do you know which ones are not? And how does that work if I can't "wheel" through line with a family of 4?

And do you know how much the rentals are per day?

 

[SueM in MN]

this will be my first trip with using a wheelchair rental. I'm not sure what to expect and I'm very anxious (and a bit sad) about it. My family has no problem helping me around...thankfully.....you mentioned most lines are accessible for wheelchairs - do you know which ones are not? And how does that work if I can't "wheel" through line with a family of 4?

When you get to the first park, go to Guest Relations and request a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. In the last few months, this has been changed to a guidemap, but either the map or the guidebook will help. At the listing for each attraction, you will find information about where to enter.
The Studio and Animal Kingdom were built with Mainstream Lines, which means that the regular line is handicapped/wheelchair accessible. If it is not, the guidemap will tell you where to enter. If you are not sure, ask the AM at the entrance.
For lines that are not accessible, or for lines that have something like steps in the line that makes them not accessible, you will be directed where to go and your family of 4 will be able to come with you.

And do you know how much the rentals are per day?

Follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. In post # 2 of that thread, you will find rental information for the park rental wheelchairs and also some information on off-site rental places.