Wheelchair rental ?/staying offsite/what to do...

[dreamscometrue47]

I hope this makes sense. I'm going crazy trying to figure out whether or not to rent a wheelchair/ecv for 83 yr old Mom (very spry but of course can't walk all day) offsite or at each park. We're leaning towards a wheelchair as there will be 5 teens who can push their grandmother. We are going April 16-24, 2010.

First of all, we are staying offsite at the Vistana, using timesharing this time. Thinking if we rent offsite, she can use the wheelchair for her entire stay and not get that tired.

How hard is it logistically to park at the TTC (for MK), get the wheelchair on the tram, then on either the monorail/ferry and off? I was actually thinking of dropping her and couple of the teens (Disney vets) at the Poly and having them take her via the monorail to the MK and meeting them inside the gate after parking at the TTC.

As for the other parks, is there drop off parking or handicapped parking?

We went 3 yrs ago, but stayed at the Poly that time. Since then, though, Mom had back surgery so is a bit slower to walk and her stamina isn't as it once was.

Any recommendations? We plan on hitting the parks at rope drop and I just don't want Mom exhausted before we even start!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Does your mother have a disabled hang tag? If so, bring it with you. As long as she is in the car with you parking in the disabled lots is legal.

If not, go to http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/20060.pdf , get the form, and get her a placard.

 

[prncess674]

How hard is it logistically to park at the TTC (for MK), get the wheelchair on the tram, then on either the monorail/ferry and off? I was actually thinking of dropping her and couple of the teens (Disney vets) at the Poly and having them take her via the monorail to the MK and meeting them inside the gate after parking at the TTC.

Sounds like you have plenty of helping hands. Will your Mom be able to easily get up into the tram? You are not required to ride the tram, you can always walk. Another option is when approaching the parking attendant just let them know you have a person with mobility issues and they will let you park at the front of the row right by the tram. If she doesn't have problems getting on the tram then have two teens in charge of the folded up wheelchair and two teens in charge of grandma. Teen 1 enters tram and other teens assist getting folded wheelchair in row. Teen2 sits on the other side of the row. Teen 3 boards tram first in another row, other teen on ground assist grandma onto the train. Reverse for disembark.

Personally I would take the ferry over to the MK since it always seems less crowded and it is easier to navigate a chair verses the fast moving and jam packed monorail.

 

[SueM in MN]

Keep in mind that that the Ferryboat is currently undergoing some repairs.
Here’s a link to the information.

 

[chaoslobster]

I have never stayed offsite while using mobility assistance so I don't know about the parking lot trams, but it's ridiculously easy to bring a wheelchair or ECV on the monorails. The monorail operator will spot you as soon as you enter the queue and bring over a portable ramp. You just drive\roll yourself right up the ramp and into the monorail car. The operator will ask you where you'll be getting off, and then radio ahead so that when you reach your destination there's another guy with the ramp waiting right there for you.

I've had multiple major joint replacement surgeries and can't get around too well, so I always rent an ECV (from Care Medical, I highly recommend them, simply the nicest people) and spend my vacation driving it all over the World and back again. I'm a younger person with some fairly debilitating medical conditions and I usually visit WDW alone. I've never, ever had a problem using the monorail, the Disney buses, or getting around the parks themselves and through the queues. If I can do it by myself, I'm sure Grandma with the assistance of 5 teens won't have any troubles! Disney is absolutely THE most disability-friendly place I've ever visited. They have existing infrastructure \ standard procedures for nearly every type of mobility issue imaginable, and if you somehow manage to present one they're not ready for, they'll see that you're accommodated. The only drawback I've ever encountered is occasionally having to wait a short time until a cast member, specific ride car, or required piece of equipment (i.e. the ramp) is available to meet my needs. And I certainly don't mind.

Jenni

 

[jmartinez1895]

I would rent offsite because as you said yourslef, she will have it with her for the whole trip. Also, what would you do if you got to the park and they had rented them all out? So to be sure that she has the help that she needs I would make sure to line up an off site company and have everything taken care of before you get to the park. As far as parking gos, you can tell the attendant that you have a person in a wheel chair and if you do not have a handicap tag or palce card they will help you out. I hope that you all have a sfae and fun trip.