wheelchair tips?

[themillersdaughter]

i tore my achilles (clean off the bone, totally freak accident) in feburary. we will be doing wdw in september, and i've done my best to build a slower trip plan (or at least slower for us). i recognize that im still in recovery, scar tissue from surgery takes a time to stretch and i'm not yet back to my normal "caffeinated tigger in a race car" level of energy. so part of my plan is that i may need to use a wheelchair some days to give my tendon a rest.

but i've never really used a wheelchair before, and i was hoping to get some tips so if/when i have need of one at wdw, i'm not a fumbling mess. what would you recommend to a newbie? wheelchair etiquette for the uninitiated? faux pas or other first timer disasters to avoid?

 

[lanejudy]

I recommend an ECV rather than a manual wheelchair -- unless you are used to self-propelling a wheelchair, an ECV will give you more independence without relying on another person to push you everywhere. An offsite rental will be less expensive than renting from the parks, plus you'll have it around the resort.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[JennyDrake]

RENT THE CHAIR OR ECV!!!

(I wrote this in May 2013) I am forty something and recovering from a ruptured Achilles. I am to walk as much as I can tolerate , but I am SLOW and tire VERY easily. The foot also starts screaming obscenities when i overdo it.

I rented a chair from Walker Mobility--nothing but good things to say about their rates and SERVICE.

Stayed at AS Music and my friend Cathy was with me, now known as She Who Offered to Push.

She would push me to the food court then onto the bus then into the the park of our choice that day. We would park the chair, collapsed, either in obvious stroller/ECV parking or find an unobtrusive place (usually behind a trash can) and I would walk for a few hours. We tied a bright bandana to the hand grips.

This system worked PERFECTLY!!! On the buses I would transfer to a seat and we would collapse the chair. Boarding was quick and efficient. When departing, if I was not too tired, I would step off at the back door and Cathy would hoist the chair. Or I would walk down the ramp. If I was too tired and creaky, we would use the ramp. Going up/down the steep front steps would have been hard for me.

I am not overweight and unless you see my really nifty scar, I don't look like I should be using a chair. I got NO nasty looks from anyone, anywhere.

If you are even considering doing this, I cannot emphasize how easy and trouble free it was! And when in doubt RENT THE CHAIR!!! I could not have endured the parks w/o it.

 

[CuseWazowski]

We've taken a few trips pushing my DMIL in a lightweight, foldable wheelchair with the small wheels. We brought it with us and used it for the entire trip- airports, resorts, etc. We never had any issues, but for our trip next month, she's renting an ECV to give herself more independence while we are on rides and lessen her perceived burden on us (we were glad to do it, but she felt badly having us push her around).

My $.02 of advice: don't get something you need to wheel yourself if you aren't used to it. Blisters on hands are not a fun vacation souvenir. The parks are also deceptively hilly. It is fine to have a push-only chair if you have willing companions. In that case, you can buy one rather cheaply (I think ours was $150 at Walgreens). Or rent an ECV from an outside company. That way, you can use it to, from, and at the resorts or take it to the parking lots if you are staying offsite. Best of luck!

 

[minnie mum]

Tip for w/c newbies - cross the trolley tracks on Main Street and the Hub at a 90 degree angle to the tracks. Otherwise you risk getting a wheel stuck in the track and launching the occupant of said chair onto the pavement. First hand experience here. DD was a newbie pusher and was suitably contrite. I only bruised my composure.

 

[mamabunny]

Tip for w/c newbies - cross the trolley tracks on Main Street and the Hub at a 90 degree angle to the tracks. Otherwise you risk getting a wheel stuck in the track and launching the occupant of said chair onto the pavement. First hand experience here. DD was a newbie pusher and was suitably contrite. I only bruised my composure.

Actually, that advice applies to some ECVs and Scooters as well! I'm glad that only your composure was bruised!

Now, a few words for @themillersdaughter - I vote for the ECV as well. Here's why:

Like @lanejudy said, if you aren't used to pushing (or your pusher isn't used to pushing), there will be blisters. There will be sore and tired muscles you didn't know you have. There may even be tears, and tiny tantrums, and not enough wine/margaritas/chocolate to fix them! LOL

The blisters can be avoided with a pair of cheap bike gloves. The sore and tired muscles could slow down your already-modified plans!

Using the ECV, you can go from "Eeyore speed" back to "Tigger Speed"!!! The ECV will give you the ability to go ALL DAY - in fact, you can typically go far longer than friends/family who are functionally bilaterally ambulatory. (a fancy way of saying that they are walking around on two legs!)

Rent from outside vendors - much cheaper than renting from Disney every day at $50/day. Plus, you can't take the WDW ECVs back to the resort (depending on where you stay, that can be a hike on it's own!) or to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs. With all of the new, added shops and restaurants at DTD/Disney Springs, you will certainly want to spend some time there!

Here's some GENERAL tips for ECV users, while you consider your options:

- Practice at home prior to renting an ECV by using the electric shopping carts at your local Walmart, Target, grocery store, Costco, etc. Master one of those giant, wheezing beasties, and a rental ECV will feel like a Formula One race car!

- If you rent from an offsite vendor, take along a length of brightly colored ribbon or a bandana - something to tie on your ECV to help it stand out in a potential crowd of similar rental units!

- Backing up (reverse) can be the toughest thing to deal with. Try to plan ahead as you drive, and not get "trapped" in odd little spots where you may have to back up. Since you can walk a bit, you may want to park the ECV for shops, since those are (overall) a bit less ECV friendly than anything else at WDW.

- Watch out!!! People at WDW (and everywhere, really - let's be honest) are often so self-absorbed in their phones, conversations, surroundings, etc. that they will WALK RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. While you are moving! Mostly when they aren't busy running INTO you, or BUMPING you. It happens on a startlingly regular basis. Your most effective "weapon" is a bright smile, and a pleasant "Pardon me!". Just remember that it is NOT intentional - they just aren't paying attention. Try not to run over them if possible - that is definitely considered BAD FORM, and may lead to paper work, finger pointing, and other general nastiness!

- ECV riders at WDW need to be on the lookout for the "box" (a painted rectangle on the concrete) at every WDW bus stop. This is where you will park while you wait for the bus. The Driver will look to see if an ECV is in that spot. If it is, he will work with the ECV (and any other folks needing assistance) FIRST, and load other riders after. When you arrive at your next stop, the Driver will allow everyone else to UNLOAD first, and then he will work with the ECVs and others needing assistance LAST. And... just to be clear - the Driver is not allowed to "drive" your ECV on to the bus; if you are nervous about driving up/down the ramp, watch someone else do it first. It's not hard - I promise! Main thing is to keep yourself centered, and pointed straight forward. The ramps have a lip or small side to help keep you on the ramp. One last note on this; you will sometimes encounter new ECV users who don't know to park in the "box" to indicate they are ready to travel; you may also encounter a situation where there are multiple ECV's waiting for the same bus. Each bus has a limit of 2 ECV's and/or wheelchairs, if that's the case as you arrive at the bus stop, you may have to wait your turn!

- In general, watch your speed, especially on turns, ramps, hills and bumps (like the trolley tracks on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom).

- You can take the ECV through most queues (there are a few notable exceptions, which will provide a wheelchair while you park the ECV) Typically, after your board the ride, a Cast Member will move the ECV to a spot close to where the ride disembarks. I think every show at every park has full ECV access; you can ride right in, and either take a seat after parking or sit on the ECV to watch. All of the dining options are very ECV friendly as well - just use a bit of patience and good manners, and you won't have a problem. ECVs/Wheelchairs use the regular queues and FP+ lines just like everyone else. If there is an accessible ride vehicle to transfer to, or ride on to, signage and Cast Members will direct you.

- Resort rooms: Most of the resort rooms will accommodate an ECV in the room overnight (to charge the battery). If you need the extra space in the room, you can call and ask them to remove the table and chairs to make room.

Hope this is helpful! Have a Magical trip!

 

[tinka-belle]

Regarding the OP Walgreen's purchase of a Transport Chair (no big wheels).........often see them online with free shipping for approx. $90 on sale. They are lightweight and fold easily, the airports will gate check it for you and you'll have it at the door of the plane after landing. If you have "pushers" in your party this might be the least costly and more convenient way to go. Can fold up and hold them on Disney park busses and grab a regular seat, park it at the rides before getting in line, or at most attractions just take it to the load area with you.

The advice here is right on, parts of the parks do have hilly areas or slight inclines you wouldn't normally notice. Animal Kingdom is the worst, lots of uneven pathways. Those trolley tracks at MK DO need to be respected, often see people with wheels caught in the tracks. For the pusher, a set of bike gloves (can find them at WalMart) will prevent blisters, and your pusher might want to practice a bit to make sure they can handle the chair with you in it, not everyone has the strength for pushing for hours at a time. When you feel like walking yourself you can always lean on the chair and push it.

If no qualified "pusher" an offsite ECV rental would be the next best option, but a little more cumbersome to load on the Disney park busses than a fold up chair would be.
You would not have to rely on a pusher and can be more independent.

People at the parks seem to walk right in front of you with either a chair or an ECV, need to be a little more vigilant of other distracted people to avoid collisions.

 

[KPeveler]

Just seconding renting an ECV if you can, because you will NOT be able to push yourself much at all.

My suggestion is to transfer to a regular seat in the American Adventure show. There are never enough wheelchair spots, and they are all the way in the back anyway. Also, only one person can sit with you, so your party would maybe have to split up. In fact, if you *are* going to walk, I would walk into the theatres (you can usually keep the wc in the lines). Same deal for the Lion King show (the seats are in the front of the section, but there are almost never enough of them) There are usually not that many wheelchair spots and they tend to be in the back. So you can get better seats, stay with your whole party, AND leave the spots for people who can't transfer. That being said, if you are in a situation where you CANNOT transfer, then don't feel you must. You are perfectly entitled to use that chair if you need it!

 

[themillersdaughter]

thank you so much everyone! for some reason i'm not getting the little email alerts that tell me "stuff happened on your watched DIS post", so i totally missed these, and they are awesome tips!!!

i think i will be sticking with a standard wheelchair. thankfully i do have a very willing pusher, with gloves . i don't trust myself with an ecv. my practice time between now and disney will be quite limited, and i would feel anxious driving one for the first time, especially in a place as saturated with distractions and crowds as wdw.

thank you so much for the tips about uneven terrain on main street and the slopes in AK. those are both things i wouldn't really notice before, but my tendon is VERY aware of now, and where a wheelchair would be particularly helpful. also great to know i park it for a while. there will certainly be times i just want to set it and forget it while i walk around the park, same for folding it to carry on the bus.

are there any places with loads of stairs? up is no problem, but down is still a bit of a challenge for me- i have to go slow and use a hand rail.

thank you again everyone!!!

Try not to run over them if possible - that is definitely considered BAD FORM, and may lead to paper work, finger pointing, and other general nastiness!

Also, this- lol! nobody wants paperwork while on vacation.

 

[mamabunny]

... are there any places with loads of stairs? up is no problem, but down is still a bit of a challenge for me- i have to go slow and use a hand rail.

Hmmm... I can't really speak about stairs; I don't "do" stairs anymore at all, so I generally avoid them.

I can say this: Take your time, and never feel pressured to hurry if you can't. WDW is - by far - the most accessible place you will ever vacation at, so I imagine you won't have to worry about stairs too much in the parks. There is almost always a ramp available.

Do make sure that your Resort has an elevator in your building; you might want to call Reservations, and make sure they know that you really can't do stairs right now. I know that some of the Values and even a few of the Moderates have buildings that don't have elevators, but not many. Most do.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (or look for it stuck near the top of this board).
The first post in that thread is an index for which post contains which information.
Post 2 has information about rental of wheelchairs and ECVs. Posts 18-21 have information about boarding attractions, including ones that might be difficult to step into without being able to bear weight on both feet.
There is also a post about attractions with stairs and moving walkways.

All lines/attractions are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding except for:
Peter Pan - you need to park the wheelchair about 15-20 feet away, with a moving walkway that can't be stopped or slowed.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority - getting up to the 2nd floor station and back down involves a steep moving ramp (think of an escalator without steps) and there is a moving walkway.

Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse - narrow, steep stairways

Tom Sawyer's Island - the raft to go over is accessible, but on the island there are stairs, narrow walkways, bouncy bridges

For other attractions, guests using wheelchairs are routed around stairs or other obstacles.