wheelchairs at Universal?

[k_hase]

I was diagnosed yesterday with stress fractures in my right foot and have to spend the next several weeks wearing a big ugly ski boot thing. Unfortunately, our first trip to Universal is in 17 days and I'm not to suppose to walk or stand for any length of time. Basically, I'm allowed to do anything sitting down and walk only when I must, like to the bathroom etc. Does Universal rent wheelchairs? What about the lines, do the chairs fit in the lines because I won't be able to stand in line for very long?

Tell me what you know!

Thanks

 

[mhely]

Hi Kim,

Sorry to hear about your injury.

Last year we visited Universal a few weeks after my wife's car accident. Because of her injuries, she just couldn't walk the entire park. We rented a wheelchair at Universal. It was inexpensive, but you do need to leave a deposit. The rental office was in the big concourse you take from the garage to the parks.

No problems on the rides. Some places youstayed in the "main lines" while in other places there was a wheelchair entrance. The staff was great.

You should be fine. Enjoy!

Mike

 

[ktglads]

Kind of like you, I broke my leg 2 weeks before my Disney/Universal vacation and was in a wheelchair the entire time since I could not walk at all. Universal does rent wheelchairs, although if you are planning a longer trip, you may be better off renting from an offsite location for your enitre trip as the chairs are limited and there is a possibility (slight) that they could run out.

All of the attractions allow you to transfer over from the chair or you can remain there if it would make you more comfortable. You can check the guidemap for the symbols on all the attractions to see which ones you can stay in the chair for and which ones require you to transfer.

Also, for any attraction with stairs like MIB or the Mummy, there are elevators available in the lines. If you cannot do stairs, let them know, especially on the Mummy. You will have to wait for a specific car to be going back to the left side, but your wheelchair will be right there and it will greatly limit your walking.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to Universal's page about touring their parks with a wheelchair. It includes information about renting wheelchairs/ecv (electric mobility scooters) in the parks and also a link to download their official "Rider's Guide" for people with wheelchairs/ecvs.
Since you said you are not supposed to walk or stand for any length of time, you would probably be better off renting from one of the off-site places as ktglads suggested.
This is a list of companies that DIS posters commonly report good experiences with. They are in alphabetical order, in categories. (Note: You must generally be over 18 to rent/use an ecv.)
Full Service Medical Companies can rent wheelchairs, ecvs (electric mobility scooters)and other medical equipment/supplies.
* Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
Phone (407) 856-2273 • Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282
* Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html
(800)747-0246
* Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

Companies that Specialize in Mobility devices (chiefly ecvs)
* RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/
* http://www.scootaround.com/ Not much feedback. Several people who reported they had no problems.

Randy's requires that someone be there for delivery and pick up. The rest will deliver to Bell Services and leave it for you.