Wheelchair rental and car rental ???s

[dawnandnala]

So it seems that our WDW plans may be changing....
Some background-
Booked for the trip are my BFF and her daughter.
A few days ago my BFF's daughter (13) had a serious accident driving an 4 wheeler/ATV off a bridge 25-30ft into a dry creek bed.

Thank goodness she is going to be alright but has major injuries. Among others they removed her spleen and half of her pancreas, broken arm and some broken ribs.
So long story short - the doctors seem to think she may still be able to go to the world in 6 1/2 weeks as scheduled however she may be in a wheelchair.

I have been reading the stickies and learning about things I might need to know including renting a wheel chair but my first question right now is what size rental car should I be considering assuming we will be transporting a wheel chair?
Would a compact car be sufficient? - the one I was pricing states Dodge Caliber or similar.

Thanks for your help!

 

[SueM in MN]

So it seems that our WDW plans may be changing....
Some background-
Booked for the trip are my BFF and her daughter.
A few days ago my BFF's daughter (13) had a serious accident driving an 4 wheeler/ATV off a bridge 25-30ft into a dry creek bed.

Thank goodness she is going to be alright but has major injuries. Among others they removed her spleen and half of her pancreas, broken arm and some broken ribs.
So long story short - the doctors seem to think she may still be able to go to the world in 6 1/2 weeks as scheduled however she may be in a wheelchair.

I have been reading the stickies and learning about things I might need to know including renting a wheel chair but my first question right now is what size rental car should I be considering assuming we will be transporting a wheel chair?
Would a compact car be sufficient? - the one I was pricing states Dodge Caliber or similar.

Thanks for your help!

Sorry to hear about your daughter.
Here's some pixie dust for a quick recovery

Then, a few questions.
1) Will you be getting the car at the airport and need to transport people and luggage?
2) Will you be renting the wheelchair for delivery to your resort?
3) Where are you staying?

 

[dawnandnala]

Thanks for the quick response Sue!

Sorry to hear about your daughter.

Actually my BFF's daughter but I will spread the Pixie Dust!
Here's some pixie dust for a quick recovery

Then, a few questions.
1) Will you be getting the car at the airport and need to transport people and luggage?
Yes, Thats what I was looking at
2) Will you be renting the wheelchair for delivery to your resort?
I think so!
3) Where are you staying?
POP

 

[Hankshouse]

My DD (8) is full time manual wheelchair user, my elderly father has used a "transport" wheelchair and we've done WDW both with a rental car and without using ME. First, you'll need to know what type of chair she'll be using. I can't help you with info re: powerchairs but most rental wheelchairs are manual folding and a transport chair (without wheels that the user can "self propel") is folding too and would certainly fit easily in the trunk of a mid size car. If you are renting a chair there, the supply company should be able to tell you if your chair will fit in the type of vehicle you're renting. You may want to consider having her chair prior to your trip. Remember, that although you can request assistance from the airline it may be simpler to have the chair on hand for long walks through security, gates, etc. The airlines will allow you to take her chair right to the plane and then they move it to luggage. It will also be waiting for you as you exit the plane. Also, fyi... a wheelchair rental should be billable to insurance through a medical supply company with a doctor's script.

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't help you with info re: powerchairs but most rental wheelchairs are manual folding and a transport chair (without wheels that the user can "self propel") is folding too and would certainly fit easily in the trunk of a mid size car.

The companies that rent power wheelchairs will usually only rent those to someone who is experienced with a power wheelchair (for example, someone like my daughter who is a daily power wheelchair user, but chooses not to bring it to WDW). If you were able to rent a power wheelchair, you would be dependent on WDW transportation since most power wheelchairs are not able to broken down for transport in a car (There are some, but not ones that would be for rent).

If you are renting a chair there, the supply company should be able to tell you if your chair will fit in the type of vehicle you're renting.

And, if you are having the chair delivered to the resort and picked up from the resort, you won't have to worry about whether it will fit in the trunk with your luggage.
The Dodge Caliber back storage space doesn't look very big to me (this picture is from the Dodge website - in case it doesn't show up, here is the link to the page:
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/caliber/design/storage/

If there are only the 3 of you and if you are not having to transport luggage at the same time, you may be able to fit the wheelchair by folding down part of the back seat.
As was already posted, the wheelchair rental company should be able to tell you what size car will work. You would not be the first people to ask.

You may want to consider having her chair prior to your trip. Remember, that although you can request assistance from the airline it may be simpler to have the chair on hand for long walks through security, gates, etc. The airlines will allow you to take her chair right to the plane and then they move it to luggage. It will also be waiting for you as you exit the plane.

The wheelchair will not count toward your baggage allowance. There is more information on air travel in the disABILITIES FAQs thread - see the link in my signature to get there.
If you bring the wheelchair along with you, you might want to look into having some of your party drive from the airport to the hotel using the rental car and some using Disney's Magical Express. Not all of the buses are wheelchair accessible, but they are available. If she can climb the steps to the bus, she could just get on and the wheelchair would be folded and put into the luggage area under the bus. There is information (including pictures) about this in the disABILITIES FAQs thread too.
Also, the WDW transportation (buses, monorails, most boats) are wheelchair accessible, so keep that in mind as an option. (Pictures of those on the disABILITIES FAQs thread too).

Also, fyi... a wheelchair rental should be billable to insurance through a medical supply company with a doctor's script.

Check with your insurance to make sure. Some cover, some don't.

Thanks for the quick response Sue!

I happened to be on when you posted. (And, sorry, I didn't proofread better and notice it was the BFF's DD.)