Wheelchair rental and other questions

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I'll be travelling with my aunt this August and she has some mild mobility issues. She has had so many tests done, but no definitive diagnosis or treatment. So a few times every day when she walks and gets too tired, she falls. Sometimes it happens when she is standing in line at the grocery store as well.

I wanted to rent a wheelchair for the week, but she really doesn't want one. I figure if I do it anyway we could put our bags in it and if she needs it she'll have it. So any suggestions as to where offsite I could rent this? How do the Disney buses handle this if it is folded up? Will we be able to go through the long lines with it and her not sitting in it, since she doesn't need it all the time? Should I get a DAS for this? Any help, hints or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[disney david]

I'll be travelling with my aunt this August and she has some mild mobility issues. She has had so many tests done, but no definitive diagnosis or treatment. So a few times every day when she walks and gets too tired, she falls. Sometimes it happens when she is standing in line at the grocery store as well.

I wanted to rent a wheelchair for the week, but she really doesn't want one. I figure if I do it anyway we could put our bags in it and if she needs it she'll have it. So any suggestions as to where offsite I could rent this? How do the Disney buses handle this if it is folded up? Will we be able to go through the long lines with it and her not sitting in it, since she doesn't need it all the time? Should I get a DAS for this? Any help, hints or suggestions are appreciated.

She could use it as a walker when she not in it a lot of people do it and of she needs it it their.

For buses you have two options on loading one is she stay in I through back door and the driver ties it down and she rides in it. Second option is you go through the back door she transfers to a open seat then you fold it and keep it in front of you. That option is only available if their a seat open if not the driver can call for another bus so you don't have to wait till the next bus comes do that for either option emir the spots are taking they will call for a new bus also. If the bus is kneeled then you could go through the front door with a folded wheelchair but the back door will be a better option.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

If you look at the FAQ sticky, one of the posts on the first page has information about offsite rentals.

Since your aunt's problem (based on your description), is purely mobility related, a DAS won't help. Guest Services would just tell her to rent a wheelchair/ECV. The DAS is meant for conditions where someone cannot safely wait in a line for reasons unrelated to mobility.

Have you asked your aunt what her objection is to a wheelchair? It's a bit easier to give suggestions to what might also work or ways to maybe convince her of the need when you know what the objection is. If it's a concern about independence (someone would need to push her in the rented wheelchair), an ECV (scooter) might be a better option if she's safe to drive one (ECVs require her to pay more attention to driving). It's also an option to rent a wheelchair and she can push it when she doesn't need to sit (you're right about the bags). A wheelchair or ECV could also be used between areas and then she could walk through queues if she wanted to. Another option would be to rent a walker with a seat on it (often they're called rollators, but that's just one brand that makes the style). If she's worried about how it would look to other people, it's worth reminding her that there are so many people using mobility aids in the park that 99% of the people you encounter won't give her another look.

There's substantially more walking in WDW than people realize. Most people walk at least 6 miles in a day. It's broken up, but it's a lot of walking to do in one day. Then, the next day, you go and walk at least another 6 miles. That's hard enough on people with no mobility problems at all. There aren't many benches to sit and rest on, either. Depending on her personality, it may also be worth it to mention how it will benefit the entire group to be able to include her in everything. She may be worried about slowing the group down when using a wheelchair or ECV could actually speed the group up.