wheelchair rental

[tojesahajj]

We are going on Aug 8 for a week. My 14 year old son was recently diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy (CMT). He does not have many symptoms at this time, but his feet can become quite uncomfortable with a lot of walking. I'm not real sure if a wheelchair is the right answer. I would feel funny having him get out of it and walk onto rides? Any suggestions? We are a large group , 14 of us. Thanks for any tips.

 

[WDSearcher]

There are a lot of people who rent wheelchairs to get around, and then get out of them to get onto rides. You'll get a few comments from rude people, perhaps, but most will understand that there's a reason for the wheelchair and won't judge. In fact, most of the ride CMs will ask if he can get out of the wheelchair and get onto the ride by himself or if you need help. It's very common.

Many of the rides now have the wheelchair guests wait in the normal line like all the other guests, and only split them out when they get to the loading platform. So it's not like you're renting a wheelchair to take advantage of the system. Do what you need to do to make your son comfortable, and don't worry about it!

Have a great trip!

 

[Figaro]

Hi, tojesahajj!

The people on the disAbilities board can give you more information and are just great with helping people out. The distances at WDW are enormous and most often everyone says to rent a wheelchair from an outside provider so that you have it to get in from the parking lot, at Downtown Disney and around the resorts. He isn't old enough to be allowed to rent an ECV (have to be 18 years old), so a manual wheelchair would probably work best.

If you are staying on property, there are a limited number of manual wheelchairs available at the resort on a first come, first serve basis that you can keep for your entire stay. Before I got my spiffy wheels(smile), we used to do this and they would put a $200.00 hold on our credit card and take it off when we returned the wheelchair. We would take a cable bike lock for those times that we would leave it outside of the attraction and lock the back wheel to the frame, as then the CM's could still move it if they needed, but no one was going to take it.

Think sunscreen for the knees and tops of the feet(smile), as they are much more exposed when sitting in a wheelchair. Oh, and for the very few rides (mostly in Fantasyland) that don't have mainstream queues), they do have a limit as to the number of people that can enter with the person in the wheelchair. This is because there just isn't room for everyone to be accomodated at the alternate entrance.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Wenda]

I have arthritis and used a wheelchair last time I was at Disney. Most of the time I was in it but sometimes I walked and pushed it. For me sitting all the time it just as bad as walking all the time. The only time I noticed rude people was when I was riding and they jumped in front of me and I almost hit them. If people don't understand about your son it is their problem not yours. Don't pay any attention to them and just enjoy being there with him.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

My daughter was born with a major birth defect which later caused Scoliosis. When we took our vacation in '97, it was a few months before her back surgery. SHe was still able to reach over and touch her toes despite a 60 degree curve, but she couldn't even walk the length of one of our malls here (about average size), without having to sit down and rest. Her endurance was nil.
After her surgery, two years later, she did real good at a local theme park here in Alabama.
However, four years ago, she had a mild stroke after surgery. Then spent three more years just barely able to breath due to the shape of her face caused by her birth defect. Well she had surgery last year for that, but she still has no endurance after all of that. Will we feel bad about putting her in a wheelchair? Nope! We know that that may be the only way she can enjoy herself without wearing out after long treks through the parks. We didn't worry about her jumping up out her wheelchair then, and won't worry now.
If your son needs the wheelchair, and/or tires easily, definitely go for one. I'm sure now is stressful for you guys, so take a load off in that area.
Sorry for the long post!
(peeking around for Pop Daddy)
Kim