Which do you like best for your child?

[clanmcculloch]

DD10 just broke her ankle and will be on crutches and wear a boot for the next month. We head to WDW in 17 days. I figure this means she needs some kind of mobility devide. What I've found is 3 options. I'd like to hear everybody's opinions on these. I have no experience with any of these so I'd love other people's thoughts. I'll be cross posting this on the disABILITIES! board of the DIS as well.

1. pediatric wheelchair
2. Liberty special needs stroller
3. Maclaren Major Buggy

The Liberty I can get a canopy though I'm not sure I actually need it. If she didn't break her ankle she certainly wouldn't be covered.

I'd prefer to have a basket or something for carrying stuff. I'm normally the family sherpa but if I'm pushing this thing I want to unload everything onto the mobility device. Anything of any value will still go in my park bag which I'll bring in rides. I'd like to be able to bring her crutches to the park for getting on and off the bus as well as any time she feels like parking the stroller and making her way through the line because I bet she'll need to get up and move around from time to time.

I will get a stroller as wheelchair tag if we get a stroller and I'll get a GAC for no stairs for the times when she wants to park the stroller.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Firstly, good plan with the mobility device! Some people think they can do Disney on crutches or in a boot, but most people would really struggle once they got there (though I know that some do manage, and have a wonderful trip anyway).

I don't have kids yet, but I've had joint problems since I was about 10, and have had to use a wheelchair every Disney trip since. I now have my own chair, and have to use it everywhere, so I'm fairly used to life on wheels now. I don't know which of your daughters it is, but 10 or 12 are both awkward ages, and she might feel self-conscious in a stroller. On the other hand, she may want to down-play her injury and 'blend in'. I think you need to have a chat with her first, to see what she wants to do. The advantage of a wheelchair over a stroller is that she will be able to push herself short distances. There's no way a 'rookie' could push all around Disney, but to be able to tour the stores on her own, without having to be pushed or getting up onto her injured ankle, is a big thing.

Whatever option you go for, I think the GAC is a good plan, as not all CMs can recognise a pediatric wheelchair or stroller at first glance. I suggest she doesn't walk through the lines, as it would leave her standing a long time if the ride had problems, or the line was longer than it first looked. Also, a lot of the lines involve walking a long distance, even if there is nobody waiting to ride (Soarin' and the Safari spring to mind, for a start). For most of the attractions you'll be able to go through the normal line for most or all of the way, and the CM loading people into the ride will show you where to board. This will usually be at the exit, so the chair is there when you get off, and so they can slow the moving walkway for her if she needs.

I won't over-load you with information, but do feel free to ask any more questions you've got. I hope you have a magical trip!

Oh, and whatever you get, make sure you decorate it up - even a wheelchair has to look its best at Disney!!

 

[ZPT1022]

I'd be inclined to get the wheelchair so that she can just get on the buses in the chair and remain seated. Some rides offer that feature too which might come in handy. She also might want or need to elevate her leg (like if the heat makes her swell more or something) and the strollers probably don't have that option. I know the maclaren doesn't, not sure about the other

 

[SueM in MN]

If you can get a pediatric wheelchair, I’d go with that. For a 10 yr old, unless she is tall, I would not get an adult wheelchair.

You might be able to rent one from closer to home and bring it with you - mobility devices are transported free of charge on airplanes. You could gate check it like a stroller.

Either of the strollers would need to be folded up on the bus. You could use the rear door for boarding, but once on, she would have to get out and have the stroller folded.

It’s a good plan to use bring the crutches. Many people find them helpful for getting on and off rides.

As was already mentioned, if she is using a wheelchair, there are many more attractions she would be able to stay in it for.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thanks everybody for your feedback. I'm definitely leaning towards the pediatric chair right now. I spoke with DD10 and it's certainly her preference. I figured she might like the comfort of the stroller but she wants something that looks more mature it seems. LOL

Any suggestions for attaching crutches to the chair?

I don't think it'll be necessary for her to stay in the chair on rides, will it? She can easily transfer with a boot on her foot. She's allowed to put a bit of weight on it so she won't be hopping. It would be nice to have the crutches for this but I guess she could even do the transfer without them (I'm her personal private leaning post after all *sigh*).

I'll look into renting one up here as well. Good suggestion. If I rent one in FL I'll contact the airline for help through the airport (a suggestion from somebody on TGM).

The only lines I was thinking about walking were shorter ones though I guess I hadn't actually thought of which lines those may be. LOL! No way would I encourage her to hobble down some of the lines like Soarin'. She'll probably just get up in stores to reach stuff, being the compulsive shopper that she is. I'll get a GAC for her to bypass stairs even though you're right that she's better off not getting out of the chair for lines and I'll get our usual separate GAC for DD12 for her issues associated with her autism.

Can she safely sit in the chair on the bus? Great point that it can be strapped down while a stroller we'd need to fold and hold.

Here's the chair we're considering. It's the pediatric one around 2/3 of the way down the page. http://www.medicaltravel.org/scooter/land_manual_wheelchair_rentals_cruise.html I only found one other pediatric wheelchair for rent from the companies recommended here or on TGM (pretty similar lists) but that one doesn't have a picture and I don't like that their description says for child or adult which makes me wonder about the size.

Thank you everbody for all of your help!! This really is the best and most supportive board on the DIS!

 

[Piper]

If you go with the pediatricchair, you can ask that a crutch holder be attached. I think the chair as opposed to the stroller will look more "mature!"

 

[clanmcculloch]

They have crutch holders? Sweet!!! That's exactly what we need. I'll have to ask about that when I call to get the dimentions/stats for height of the child suitable for the chair.

 

[peemagg]

If they don't have crutch holders where you rent from, you could always just hang the crutches off of the handles of the chair. I would also bring some bungee cords with you to help attach things to the chair (I think bungee cords should be a mandatory packing accessorie anyways, but that's just me. That and Duct tape).

 

[SueM in MN]

Any suggestions for attaching crutches to the chair?

I would highly recommend a product called Twist N Stay.
They were on TV and this is their website. I found them at a home supply store (I think it was a MN and Wisconsin chain called Menards). It was a much cheaper and not a 20 piece set.

I don't think it'll be necessary for her to stay in the chair on rides, will it? She can easily transfer with a boot on her foot. She's allowed to put a bit of weight on it so she won't be hopping. It would be nice to have the crutches for this but I guess she could even do the transfer without them (I'm her personal private leaning post after all *sigh*).

Staying in the wheelchair would be an option for her if she is too tired or if it looks like the transfer would be too difficult (for example, it’s quite a step down to get into the Small World boat and she might be better staying in the wheelchair).

I'll look into renting one up here as well. Good suggestion. If I rent one in FL I'll contact the airline for help through the airport (a suggestion from somebody on TGM).

Definitely let them know you need wheelchair assistance on both ends if you don’t have a wheelchair with you.

Can she safely sit in the chair on the bus? Great point that it can be strapped down while a stroller we'd need to fold and hold.

Yes. Wheelchairs can be securely tied down and it is safe to stay in it while on the bus. Be sure to use the bus seatbelt.

Here's the chair we're considering. It's the pediatric one around 2/3 of the way down the page. http://www.medicaltravel.org/scooter/land_manual_wheelchair_rentals_cruise.html I only found one other pediatric wheelchair for rent from the companies recommended here or on TGM (pretty similar lists) but that one doesn't have a picture and I don't like that their description says for child or adult which makes me wonder about the size.

Thank you everbody for all of your help!! This really is the best and most supportive board on the DIS!

The “child or adult” chair is probably a small adult chair (which may be 16 inches wide), so it may or may not work.

 

[bidnow5]

At 10 years old the wheelchair is the best bet I don't know many 10 year olds that would want to be in a stroller

 

[clanmcculloch]

Those Twist 'n Stays look great! I'll have to check some hardware stores in my area to see if I can find them. I'm not confident they'd deliver them in time if I ordered from their site since we leave in 16 days (not that I'm counting or anything LOL). I bet bungies will work if I can't find them. Thanks for the suggestions!

Small World is closed during our stay but I do get what you're saying. My touring plans don't have us in the parks for very long (DD12 can't handle more than a couple hours at a time) so hopefully she won't get too exhausted and will be able to handle transfers. I will keep it in mind that staying in the chair's an option for some rides as well as for the bus.

 

[peemagg]

Check a local HomeDepot. I have seen those twist things there. They also have some velcro straps of various lengths and colors that fasten onto themselves and are fairly inexpensive. Velcro might be a better solution than bungees due to size.