Wishes, Nighttime Parade and Wheelchairs

[asta]

i have been living in denial regarding my pain level and our upcoming WDW trip. I honestly had written off WDW as a possibility but my husband and daughters decided they wanted to go again. I am two years into one artificial knee and still needing the other one replaced. I feel bad that the leg with the artificial joint still hurts with a lot of walking because I hear others talk about being pain free but I don't think that I will ever get there.

So the point of this post - I need to be prepared to get a wheelchair. Due to non existent eye hand coordination I would never be able to use an ecv because of the risk of hurting other park goers. Does WDW ever run out of wheelchairs later in the day? I can manage without one earlier but I would like to have one for the evening. If I have a FP+ for Wishes, is part of this area set up for wheelchair users? Should I just forget the FP for this and go to a handicap area? Are there handicap viewing areas for both the parade and Wishes? If the handicap viewing areas are full, are you just left to fend alone for a spot to see from a wheelchair?

Sorry for so many questions but I had hoped to be more mobile and had not prepared for the wheelchair.

 

[gap2368]

I was down for my birthday and had some medical problems the manager let me in to the fast pass area for wishes ( even tho I did not have a fast pass) I was still not better even after laying down in first aid for over an hour I was given a wheel chair since it was standing room only so yes the fast pass area is wheel chair accessible and you can see very good. I will be going back in July and already have fast pass for wishes

 

[minnie mum]

The FP areas are wheelchair accessible. There is no Handicapped designated viewing for Wishes, but there is for the parades. They are marked on the park Maps. But they are small, so you need to arrive early to get a spot. One person from your party can stay with you. The rest have to find their own spot nearby. Again, this is because of the limited number of chairs and ecvs that can be accommodated.

 

[Glittercat]

i have been living in denial regarding my pain level and our upcoming WDW trip. I honestly had written off WDW as a possibility but my husband and daughters decided they wanted to go again. I am two years into one artificial knee and still needing the other one replaced. I feel bad that the leg with the artificial joint still hurts with a lot of walking because I hear others talk about being pain free but I don't think that I will ever get there.

So the point of this post - I need to be prepared to get a wheelchair. Due to non existent eye hand coordination I would never be able to use an ecv because of the risk of hurting other park goers. Does WDW ever run out of wheelchairs later in the day? I can manage without one earlier but I would like to have one for the evening. If I have a FP+ for Wishes, is part of this area set up for wheelchair users? Should I just forget the FP for this and go to a handicap area? Are there handicap viewing areas for both the parade and Wishes? If the handicap viewing areas are full, are you just left to fend alone for a spot to see from a wheelchair?

Sorry for so many questions but I had hoped to be more mobile and had not prepared for the wheelchair.

Please understand that this question is in no way meant to be rude ever.

Is it safe for you to walk on a knee that needs replacing? I've been told I get new knees when I'm older-but even then they don't know if the bones will accept the grafts as I've EDS, RA,scar tissue, dislocating joints, lots of surgeries- but I'm not to be on my legs for any length of time and use my chair daily. Do you need a mobility device now?

I'm so sorry you felt like you could not do Disney anymore. You can you really can! As with everything in life dealing with disability has a learning curve. Have you considered getting yourself an ECV/scooter or wheelchair not just for the parks but for you?

 

[PatMcDuck]

My son uses a WC (well a Convaid chair, same idea) and I LOVED the FP area for Wishes. We got there early, and he had a spot in the front of the area, behind the fence. It was nice, because in front of that, is an area they keep clear for a walkway. This means, no last minute kids on shoulders RIGHT in front of us. Of course, lots of Dads DID that, but at least they were not 6" from our personal space. This was only a concern for the castle projections, not really an issue for fireworks of course.

I stopped going to the fireworks with DS, the FP+ area has made it possible to enjoy the fireworks again.

 

[minnie mum]

Is it safe for you to walk on a knee that needs replacing?

I'm not the OP (obviously) but I can answer your question. If the reason for the knee replacement is arthritis, then yes, it is safe to walk on it. I walked on mine (including 12 hr hospital shifts) for 10 years before I finally had the surgery. Prolonged walking isn't unsafe, just painful. Obviously if the replacement is needed for a different reason, or if there are complicating factors such as multiple medical problems, as in your case, the situation would have to be re evaluated.

OP, I'm 10 months post op after my knee replacement, and was in WDW in March. I still rented a chair from an outside agency and took it to the parks every day. I pushed it most of the day, or parked it in stroller parking before going on some rides. But I was very happy to have it when I tired or my knee became sore. I found I was good for an hour or two on my feet, and then I needed the chair for a while. So you might want to consider getting a chair for your whole stay.

 

[Glittercat]

I'm not the OP (obviously) but I can answer your question. If the reason for the knee replacement is arthritis, then yes, it is safe to walk on it. I walked on mine (including 12 hr hospital shifts) for 10 years before I finally had the surgery. Prolonged walking isn't unsafe, just painful. Obviously if the replacement is needed for a different reason, or if there are complicating factors such as multiple medical problems, as in your case, the situation would have to be re evaluated.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I feel for you having to walk on a knee with it. Thank you very much for the information. Very much hope your knee replacement was successful.

 

[asta]

Please understand that this question is in no way meant to be rude ever.

Is it safe for you to walk on a knee that needs replacing? I've been told I get new knees when I'm older-but even then they don't know if the bones will accept the grafts as I've EDS, RA,scar tissue, dislocating joints, lots of surgeries- but I'm not to be on my legs for any length of time and use my chair daily. Do you need a mobility device now?

I'm so sorry you felt like you could not do Disney anymore. You can you really can! As with everything in life dealing with disability has a learning curve. Have you considered getting yourself an ECV/scooter or wheelchair not just for the parks but for you?

No worry, I don't think you are being rude at all. I have OA and my doctors have not told me that I shouldn't walk. It is just a matter of how much pain I can endure. I think that since the cartilage is mostly gone in the remaining knee they know that it will just be removed and replaced when I can't take it anymore. I get by in my daily life without a mobility device by putting together a lifestyle that works for me. None of it would be possible without my husband who does so much leg work for me and provides door to door transportation much of the time.

I do feel disappointed when I still have pain/weakness in the leg with the artificial knee. Some people report no pain but I find that hard to believe. I wonder if it is a matter of how much they try to do on the new joint.

This trip to WDW will be a real test. I would not have considered it but I was surprised when my two twenty something daughters wanted to go with us. I'm sure they have memories of what it was like on our trips when I was healthier but it can't be the same. I am ruling out the ECV because I have always had the worst eye/hand coordination. Even as a child I did not have that link. With such bad reflexes I would never trust myself I'm a crowd.

 

[asta]

My son uses a WC (well a Convaid chair, same idea) and I LOVED the FP area for Wishes. We got there early, and he had a spot in the front of the area, behind the fence. It was nice, because in front of that, is an area they keep clear for a walkway. This means, no last minute kids on shoulders RIGHT in front of us. Of course, lots of Dads DID that, but at least they were not 6" from our personal space. This was only a concern for the castle projections, not really an issue for fireworks of course.

I stopped going to the fireworks with DS, the FP+ area has made it possible to enjoy the fireworks again.

Thanks for this information. It sounds like this area will work for me.

 

[mrsksomeday]

It is just a matter of how much pain I can endure. I think that since the cartilage is mostly gone in the remaining knee they know that it will just be removed and replaced when I can't take it anymore. I get by in my daily life without a mobility device by putting together a lifestyle that works for me.

People report walking 5 - 7 miles a day in the parks. I would not wait until I couldn't take it anymore to get the wheelchair. If you don't want to use it all the time use it going to the attractions/lands and then walk in that area.

Could the reason your replacement knee is hurting is because it is trying to compensate for the knee that hasn't been replaced yet?

 

[WDWprincessloyola]

This trip to WDW will be a real test. I would not have considered it but I was surprised when my two twenty something daughters wanted to go with us. I'm sure they have memories of what it was like on our trips when I was healthier but it can't be the same. I am ruling out the ECV because I have always had the worst eye/hand coordination. Even as a child I did not have that link. With such bad reflexes I would never trust myself I'm a crowd.

Speaking as a now thirty something, when my parents finally had to resort to being pushed in a wheel chair and then finally ECVs, I was in my 20's. It may have been different from when my parents were younger and could walk through the parks all day, but ultimately, having their mobility accommodated meant more time in the parks, more time together, less physical pain for them, and the ability to enjoy themselves more. Sure, a wheelchair may change things, but trying to create as much enjoyment as possible is far more important for us. Even with just my mother and I now, her health has now impacted her ability to go on certain attractions for our upcoming trip. That's another change to our WDW memories since I am not one to ride anything solo, but I would rather have us go to WDW together for as long as we can, rather than missing out on the opportunity.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

So as someone with a coordination disability that prevents me from driving I would get the scooter. You can get one with a speed dial and set the max to slow. The hardest thing to remember is that the break is automatic and to stop you must embrace your inner Elsa and let it go. Try going to your local zoo and renting one for the day to practice.

 

[I Love Pluto]

So as someone with a coordination disability that prevents me from driving I would get the scooter. You can get one with a speed dial and set the max to slow. The hardest thing to remember is that the break is automatic and to stop you must embrace your inner Elsa and let it go. Try going to your local zoo and renting one for the day to practice.

Embrace your inner Elsa & let it go - this is sooooo funny!!! I will use that phrase!!!!