Wheelchair's in WDW, how bad is it?

[Fuhnuh]

BelleMaria,
I don't think you'll encounter too many side-eyed glances. I agree with the others that you know you're limitations and you shouldn't bother with what others think. That being said, I know it is sometimes hard not to. I hope you choose to go and have a great time re-experiencing the magic.

Last summer DW and I went on an extended stay with DD12. She was two inches shorter and 10 lbs lighter when we went and DW nor I had any problems pushing her. If you are renting and would feel comfortable riding in it, we found the 16" wheelchair much easier to push and navigate the queues. I also think that you should not walk the queues, save your strength and enjoy your vacation.

When DD12 was younger, she had knee surgery on her knees due to injuries resulting from a congenital condition (discoid meniscus). Last August DD12 hurt her left knee while touring USO and could no longer walk. We had two weeks left in our trip and I had the same worries as you because she still looked "able" (besides a Ace bandage wrap). Even with my heightened awareness that some may look at us sideways, I did not notice it much if at all. I am not saying that we didn't receive some looks, but nothing overt. I tried not to pay much attention, so maybe that helped. As Friendly Frog stated earlier, most of the lines are mainstreamed, so there is not much of a perceived advantage by queuing in a wheelchair. The CM's were good to great about it. The three of us had a great trip. I am not saying that it didn't impact the vacation, but I didn't notice it slowing us down much. I hope you and your husband have a magical trip.

 

[Octoberbaby]

Ok so my story is I am currently in the very midst of a pretty bad disease which keeps me from eating much (1000 calories liquid if i am lucky), pain, and also on medications which make me tired. My husbands job just got a deal with Disney so we will be able to get a somewhat discounted trip (via his co) to go to WDW while my DH is meeting with Disney execs about this deal. Anyways, my issue is duhh im sick. I can barely make it around the mall for longer than 30min because i get weak from walking and can't spare the energy. I'm only 27 but because of my disease I have dropped down to 89lb at 5"4. I really really don't want to miss out on this trip and my husband even offered to push me in a wheelchair for the day.

My question is, how bad are people really going to side eye me? From everything I read people seem kinda snarky when they see someone "healthy" in a wheelchair. Especially since on the outside i look normal and healthy ( well aside from looking crazy skinny) and will be able to get up and walk around when needed. Also do most rides have somewhere to leave the wheelchair while I am on the ride? I read and it seemed most do but wasn't sure if all do, and I don't need to bring the wheelchair alllll the way up to the actual ride. I assumed I could leave it by itself outside the ride? I think I can put up with the standing just not the walking.

This is just so disappointing Before i was sick this would have been the best gift ever and now I am wondering if I should even bother going...

My daughter is in a wheelchair due to cancer. She really doesn't look sick at all though. Her hair has grown back even though she has been on chemo for 2 years so if you didn't know she was sick, you wouldn't think she needed a wheelchair. Most everyone we "ran" into was pretty polite. One 2 occasions I got very upset. One was where someone trampled her not watching where they were going and another got mad because they loaded her on the bus 1st even when we walked up last. Other than that nobody was rude at all. And she had to ride her wheelchair all the way to the actual ride and the CM put it at the exit for her. I assume that if you wanted to walk through the line there is a spot for wheelchairs. I hope you get to feeling better soon and enjoy your trip! Rest as much as possible and you should be ok. Also, It doesn't matter what people think. Go have fun! My grandmother wouldn't ride in a wheelchair afraid that people would look at her and stare. She was in horrible pain, and was always having to sit down and rest. Use the wheelchair so you will enjoy yourself.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Enjoy your trip! Using a wheelchair certainly beats staying home and missing out on all of the fun with Mickey & Friends.

Mickey wants you to come & not worry. He wants you to STOP WORRYING about what others may or may not be thinking about you, and focus on YOU & having a GREAT TIME at Disney!

Enough said. Now - go & have a great time! Feel better!

(Don't forget the sunscreen. Wheelchair & scooter people burn easily.)

 

[bidnow5]

You need to go Disney will make you feel better most people are so busy with visual overload they don't even notice who is in a wheel chair or scooter. I think I have used a scooter about 10 times I can count on one hand the number of problems with others. I get lots of looks and comments at local stores like Walmart and Target but almost never in Disney

 

[sueernieb]

We were at Disney World FEb 4-11 and I was in a wheel chair all the time. We had a wonderful experience. Everyone was very helpful and I was amazed the number of rides that I could get on even though I could not transfer from the chair. On two different occasions I had to go into the regular restroom (we usually used the companion ones) and people offered to help me. The last time we were there I could walk a little and had a terrible time getting castmembers to slow the moving walkways. With the wheelchair they did not mind stopping them. Strange.

Sue

 

[SueM in MN]

We were at Disney World FEb 4-11 and I was in a wheel chair all the time. We had a wonderful experience. Everyone was very helpful and I was amazed the number of rides that I could get on even though I could not transfer from the chair. On two different occasions I had to go into the regular restroom (we usually used the companion ones) and people offered to help me. The last time we were there I could walk a little and had a terrible time getting castmembers to slow the moving walkways. With the wheelchair they did not mind stopping them. Strange.

Sue

The attractions with moving walkways have guests with wheelchairs/mobility devices board at the unloading area. That is where the moving walkways can be controlled for guests getting on and off.

When guests walk in the regular way and board at the regular boarding area, the CMs don't have as much control and can typically only do an emergency stop.

So, that might be one of the differences. Also, if the CMs can see a wheelchair, that is a better indicator for them that the guest may have some difficulty with the moving walkway.