HELP. I'm 30yof. Newly Disabled. Single Mom. Need Some Advise for upcoming trip.

[Brittany Dixon]

SO I know like everyone here I am a huge Disney Geek & and have visited the park on multiple occasions. I also used to be a cast member *coughs* like over 10 years ago in the parks on the College Program, so when I go to the park it's like returning home.

I'm sharing these details, because I consider myself pretty well experienced on all things Disney Parks related... and I walk in the parks confident knowing the awesome that's about to happen.

If you're still reading thank you & I'm getting to what I need help with...


My last trip to WDW was last June & was a huge family reunion... & I had and awesome time showing my at the time 4 year old all the awesome stuff he was finally tall enough to ride.


OKAY, Now, Here's what's Changed.

I was Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor & Successfully completed my treatment. I'm in the recuperation stage of treatment... the adjusting, realizing limitations, & rebuilding strength...

To Celebrate completing Treatment, Naturally I needed to go to Disney World!

I need advise on how to deal/adjust/expect on my upcoming trip in September.

I've visited the parks with friends and family who had special needs... but not the same
and I'm not sure what to expect on this trip...

My concern is my stamina and my legs strength... I've never put much thought into the distance from hotel room to bust stop, from bus stop to park entrance, from the entrance and anywhere through the park and back...

I've got a little over the month to build up some distance and endurance, but I'd like to know how anyone else out there deals with their personal disabilities in the parks and what do you do to ensure you have the best time.

Please keep in mind I do have a 5 year old who will be a fresh 6 yo when I head down there in September.

I thought about an ECV, but I don't know if I want that kind of haul around... i'll do it if I've got to, but i'm trying to avoid it. Using a WC is an easy option, but I don't wanna get pushed around all day... I could bring a rollator with me... but I've never used one to know how it is to use.
Or because I'm young should I try to give it a good huff and stop at several benches on the way to the gates and throughout the park?

I know this is long and detailed, but this is a difficult and different trip form me, accepting my new disabilities, but I know that this trip can and will be amazing, but I need to be prepared for the reality of the difference in my physical abilities this trip compared to my others.

Thank You All So Very Much for taking the time to read this post!!!

I Look forward to celebrating with my boy!!! & I truly appreciate any advice/suggestions you can offer me!

Sincerely,
Brittany D.

 

[Black Pearl]

I can not offer any sincere advice having never been in any position like this, other than being with people sometimes with an ECV.

Just wanted to say that I'm glad your treatment went well and that you will have a great time. If I had one piece, that really goes for everyone, its go at your own pace. Do not be afraid to leave the park mid day for a break (or whenever) and relax by the pools then head back later. Don't feel rushed.

 

[Sped2424]

Glad to hear your treatment went well and I also couldn't think of a better place to celebrate then the world! That being said remember that added to the walking is also some pretty hot and intense weather which at times makes things gross and harder to walk around in for long! I would definitely suggest you do what you think is best for you that day and if that includes using an evc then by all means! Just make sure to pace yourself if you don't use one with lots of breaks and carry water! I can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Glad to hear it all went well.
The only advice i can give is when we went with my mother (ms suffer) we went at a slower pace than normal and took time to enjoy the whole atmosphere.Made for a different (but equally good) type of holiday.
Just don't push yourself too much each day as you may regret it the next and take plenty of breaks.

 

[Figgy1]

Glad things went well. Take it easy and go at your own pace! My best advice would be to do what is right for you, give it lots of thought and get a GAC. Good luck! And welcome aboard.

 

[real mad hatter]

Agree with most here..Go with the flow..Do your own thing,your own pace,smell the flowers,so to speak..If there's one medicine that a doctor can't prescribe,it's a vacation in the most magical place on earth..Have a awesome vacation,and breath in that pixie dust..

 

[Disvillain63]

I think part of your concern is your daughter, and rightly so, because you've seen children that age at the parks and how excited they get...you need to remember that your daughter is learning to understand your limitations...she'll be fine with a slower pace...so wipe that worry from your mind...children are wonderful at reading their loved ones. Disney does rent most of the items you mentioned, so if you wanted to try it w/o the equipment, you can always keep in mind that you have the back-up plan of renting if needed. Also, call your resort and explain your current situation and allow them to help you...near bus stop and near central buildings, etc... We had to do this on our November trip with my mom...we were working to locate my mom near transportation and near my brother's room in another resort (POP & AoA)...POP was able to accommodate her beautifully...her room was next to ours and close to Hourglass Lake...and AoA but my brother's room in Nemo near Hourglass Lake. Finally, get the GAC, as @figmentfan423 mentioned.

 

[jazzinator]

Congratulations on completing your treatment!

While I would encourage you to do what you are comfortable with, I would recommend renting an ECV. My wife has MS and although our children are great, I think asking them to go at her unassisted pace in a place like MK would be beyond the patience of a saint.

Using an ECV would mean you could go at pace that you want and it might help limit the amount of frustration that you experience, personally and as a parent tending to your child. FWIW, my mom was 68 yo on our last trip, and although she was used to walking a few miles a day on her treadmill, she was overwhelmed by the amount of walking necessary to go around the parks.

We have used Apple Scooter and been very pleased with them on our trips. They've always delivered the ECV in good working order to the resort in a timely way and had great customer service.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Glad your treatment has gone well. As someone else mention Disney does rent Evcs so if you decide you need one you can get one, sounds like there are a lot outside companies you could call and have one delivered. Just a thought too, you could try taking some walks at home and see how your stamina is and use that to help you decide. Have fun and take it easy, there's nothing wrong with a nice relaxing bench when you need it.

 

[Poofiesdream]

I agree with the others a scooter would be your best bet. Why push it. It will be very hot in Sept. Its our hottest month here. Just be prepared and go slow and remember to enjoy yourself!

 

[luv]

I don't know if this will help you, but it helped me.

Rest. Just sit and watch TV in the room. Do this between two daily visits and at night.

Don't over-do it on days where you're feeling good. If you push harder those days, because you can, the next day will be even harder. This makes sense in theory, but is ridiculously hard in practice. When you're feeling good and CAN do it (yay!), of course you want to take advantage of that and go! and do! and have fun! But you pay for it later.

Don't plan more than two or three hours in a park. You get too whipped. You won't be able to go again later if you stay too long in the morning and will sleep too late the next day if you do it at night.

Use the touringplans.com site and update as you go. It's pretty good about keeping you on track.

Try to stay to one or two areas of a park. Don't do the whole Space to Splash to Fantasyland thing. If you go to Tomorrowland, stay in Tomorrowland.

I didn't use an ECV, for many reasons. But if you have a six year old who is excited to be at WDW and wants to do stuff, you will probably feel extremely tempted to stay too long and do too much, then you both have to sit in the room for ten hours because you're too tired. An ECV will help you not wear yourself out as much. Might give it some thought.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyJoe]

Who else is traveling? Is it just you and your daughter, or will there be others? What support can they give you?

 

[tare]

A scooter is your best bet!!! Glad things are working out for you. Disney is very accommodating to guests with disabilities and such. Take advantage of this. Have fun and may your trip be ever so magical!!!!

 

[ninjaprincesst]

Like everyone says a scooter is your best bet. A wheelchair can be just as exhausting as walking, and if somone is pushing you they will wear out quickly too. a scooter will allow you to rest much more and keep up with that little one. I hope you continue to recover and have a wonderful trip.

 

[JIMINYCR]

My DW is disabled from MS. When we go she targets those things she wants to do the most instead of trying to do it all. When she wants to rest, she will rest, she knows what she is capable of doing and what her body is telling her as a limit, trying to overdo only fatigues her more the next day. Use the scooter because it will give you more time to do the parks with less wear on your body. Plan in breaks where you go back to the resort to rest up and break up the day. Children might want to go, go, go but you can plan an enjoyable trip with your child in mind by being creative with your plan. Schedule play times when you can sit and watch as your child shares play spots with others. Do only those rides you know you can handle but you both share. Hoping your trip goes well and you build a great trip of memorable moments for your child.

 

[Brittany Dixon]

Wow, first off Thank you all so much for the feedback...

I'm so very appreciative for all of your suggestions.

My son & I will be traveling with one of my best friends and her 2 daughters, they'll be 9 & 4.
the more I think about it... the walking & the September heat, that in my hopeful brain meant it would begin to cool off... :/ lol, I think renting an ECV is my best option.
Luckily, even though my son is 6, we were lucky enough to visit the World last summer after I graduated from college... and we travelled with my mom who has MS, so I think he will do well staying close to me with an ECV.

I did think about calling the resort and asking about being close to a bus stop... we get there sept 2nd, is it too early to call and make requests? or should I was week or so out from the trip?

Again, Thank Y'all So much!
It warms my heart, the kindness of strangers
and as a bonus, Typing the original post proved to be very therapeutic in accepting that an ECV is my best option.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

You might want to call and put in your request now, just so it is noted on your reservation. Then call again a week before you go.

 

[smk]

Congratulations of finishing your treatment! And I agree with you, the next best thing to finishing treatment will be capping it off with a trip to your happy place! Have a grand time with your precious son and friends! Let us all know how your trip goes, we all love trip reports!