Wheelchair

[timber285]

If one has a spouse who can walk, but due to a very recent surgery, moves quite slowly. A handicap room is not necessary. The concern is getting onto and off the ship, traversing the length of the ship when necessary. She feels guilty when she looks back and sees the line backing up. She said to me that the ship may not leave port on time if she travels at her normal pace.
Is there a wheelchair available for (very) temporary use?

 

[Aunt Jo]

One was provided for my husband on our January cruise. He can walk but like your wife, slowly and sometimes painfully. He was in an airport wheel chair when we boarded the DCL bus to go to the port. The driver of the bus called ahead and asked that a wheel chair be there for him at the port. There was one waiting when we arrived and we kept it on our verandah to use when he needed it.

 

[earthfaries]

Yes just let them know ahead of time.

 

[timber285]

Thank you both so very much, it has given me great relief to know this is a possibility. I appreciate your answer.
And to DIS, thank you for the boards. It has been a great experience to be on the internet having the chance to "talk" to really nice and helpful people. I am certain there are thousands who will -given the opportunity - say the same thing.

 

[zack&alexmom]

Also make sure that you talk to Guest Services about having transportation on Castaway Cay because it is a really long walk for someone to get to the tram. We had a problem with my MIL last year and they said that they could pick her up and bring her to whatever part of the beach that she wanted to go to.

Linda

 

[din]

We needed a wheelchair for the week and I was told that the ship did not have any for use. We rented one for the week. The company will deliver to the ship and it will be in the room.

Let me know if you need to go that route.

 

[DVC Mary]

Some people rent those scooters which gives them more freedom of movement. If you post a question or do a search on the park attractions & strategies board, you can find out about different rental companies.

I used one last year after my foot surgery & thought they were kind of fun. I'm a high school and the kids were jealous rather than angry if there was a backup. I felt better using a scooter, b/c it was narrower than a wheelchair.

I also have a DF who uses one regularly for health reasons. PM me & I can put you in contact w/ her about scooters if you want to.

 

[timber285]

I called Disney this morning, based on your answers, and was advised that they could provide a wheelchair at Port Canaveral for getting on and off the ship, but we would have to rent one if we wanted to have it in the room. I will talk to the desk on board about on and off at CC. Thank you again.

 

[Aunt Jo]

I must admit I was surprised that a wheelchair was available for my husband because I had read that if you needed one for the entire cruise you should rent one. I hadn't planned to even ask for one but the bus driver did it for us. We are using DCL transporation to the port again in December so anxious to see if it happens again.

 

[din]

I called Disney this morning, based on your answers, and was advised that they could provide a wheelchair at Port Canaveral for getting on and off the ship, but we would have to rent one if we wanted to have it in the room. I will talk to the desk on board about on and off at CC. Thank you again.

BTW it was not mentioned on this thread, but on CC there are wheelchairs for the beach. These wheelchair are for the sand and water. Warning, a little hard pushing in soft sand!!! I know from experience from pushing one around... Got a good workout though!

timber285: Please PM me if you need a company. This company I got from Disney and they service all the cruise ships in PC.

 

[disneywifeandmom]

Some people rent those scooters which gives them more freedom of movement. If you post a question or do a search on the park attractions & strategies board, you can find out about different rental companies.

Were you able to navigate on CC with your scooter? I have a portable scooter that I own and was afraid that I wouldn't be allowed to use it on board. Glad to hear I will be able to. It's collapsable and hopefully will fit into the room without a problem also.

 

[timber285]

We are going to try it on board "bare". We will just start early and end late. Fortunately we are aft in the ship so restaurants should be easy access. The spa and Disney theater for shows is forward, so we will start at noon.

 

[Aunt Jo]

I'm betting you will be fine. We didn't use the wheel chair much on the ship. It isn't a very long walk to the elevators and you can certainly walk at your own pace. The only problem might be the life boat drill as they don't allow you to use the elevators. You can ask for assistance if needed (and will likely be taken to an elevator). I'm going to ask for assitance on our next cruise because it nearly killed both of us walking up those stairs back to our room. I really worried about my husband because he has heart problems and wears a pace maker. And we are way past just plain old.

Best of luck to you and your wife. Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did.

 

[din]

Me again!!!

Aunt Jo is correct, my mum who has heart problems and cannot climb stairs was fine moiving around the ship. The only time I used the wheelchair on the ship was during the life boat drills. The CM will let you use the elevator, only the person and one other person,. The rest of the party must follow normal procedures.

Not sure what ports you are visiting, but if it includes a stop at St Thomas, which requires an immigration check, ours was at one of the theaters, let the CM know. They will escort the person needing assistance using a service elevator used by CM to the immigration officer located near the stage.

In St Thomas we met the nice cab driver. Seeing that we had a wheel chair she was extra careful with my mom. We made arrangements with her to met at the end of the day and she was there waiting for us with the cab! BTW she was funny too!! Made us laugh all the way from the port and going back to the port!!

Enjoy and relax!! If anything, Disney is great for person's needing assistance. WDW and DCL were the two places that my mom did not have any problems at all!!