Wheelchair Apprehension

[BrennaRN]

I posted this on another forum (trips and planning) I guess I'm wanting to know more or less what anyone's experiences with wheelchair and not being exactly handicap was at Disney world. I have hip dysplasia. I am 4 weeks away from surgery and the doctor has told me I need a chair while I'm there. I just want to know other's experiences especially since I will look like nothing is wrong with me.
Thanks,
BrennaRN
WDW 05-19-08 Can't wait!!!!

 

[brkgnews]

Welcome to WDWMagic!

Odds are you won't find any major problems. One option, however, is to bring a note from your doctor stating the nature of your condition and why you need the wheelchair. In extreme cases you can get a Guest Assistance card that will allow you certain privileges, however in your description, it sounds like you aren't looking for "line skipping" or anything like that. You should be fine and shouldn't face any hostility unless you start turning cartwheels the second you get out of your wheelchair. Most newer attractions have queues designed to accomodate wheelchairs right up until the load area, anyway.

 

[Christine43]

My son is autistic and walking long distances became a huge problem on our last trip so I rented a wheelchair for him and it was a great relief. Noone gave us a hard time at all. We did have the guest assistance card, if you needed one I'm sure you could get one with a note from your doctor stating the nature of your injury. There is a big difference between people who actually need the help and those who abuse it and you are clearly not the latter.

 

[Monty]

I posted this on another forum (trips and planning) I guess I'm wanting to know more or less what anyone's experiences with wheelchair and not being exactly handicap was at Disney world. I have hip dysplasia. I am 4 weeks away from surgery and the doctor has told me I need a chair while I'm there. I just want to know other's experiences especially since I will look like nothing is wrong with me.
Thanks,
BrennaRN
WDW 05-19-08 Can't wait!!!!

My apologies, but from what you describe, you would qualify as disabled. It may be a temporary condition, but if a medical doctor is advising you that you need a wheelchair then you should use one.

As for apprehension, put it aside. There is no shame in using whatever means you need to to enjoy WDW properly. :animwink:

 

[BrennaRN]

all three of you have made me smile and even tear up a little. I'm 29 and love WDW and have been so many times I can't count. I don't want to skip line and I certainly don't want a wheelchair, but I'm looking at trying to save the cartilage between my hip and leg. I feel much better. I leave in 2 days so I don't have time for a note from the doc, but i can pull up all of my records on line. I don't want to get in anyone's way or abuse the system. I just want to go to enjoy it and not be in constant pain. Thank you so much and I'll keep you posted on my trip and the wheelchair adventure I'm embarking on.

 

[GoofyDadKB]

I think you will be all right. I think most animosity is toward ECV's not wheelchairs.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

You shouldn't have any trouble. I've been to WDW many times with family members in wheel chairs - we have a big family that meets there once a year. So many times a group of us who are healthy goes ahead of lines w/the member in the wheelchair because we want to be together, and nobody has ever seemed to mind.

So we've never been treated badly by people who thought we looked perfectly healthy. Most people are so busy w/their own families that they wouldn't go out of their way to be rude to another. Nobody knows the conditions of those in wheelchairs, and I don't believe they will judge you. At least, we've never had that experience.

Enjoy your trip :wave:

 

[Monty]

all three of you have made me smile and even tear up a little. I'm 29 and love WDW and have been so many times I can't count. I don't want to skip line and I certainly don't want a wheelchair, but I'm looking at trying to save the cartilage between my hip and leg. I feel much better. I leave in 2 days so I don't have time for a note from the doc, but i can pull up all of my records on line. I don't want to get in anyone's way or abuse the system. I just want to go to enjoy it and not be in constant pain. Thank you so much and I'll keep you posted on my trip and the wheelchair adventure I'm embarking on.

When I provided a doctor's note, the CM at Guest Relations said it wasn't necessary... She rightly pointed out that not being a Doctor herself, she couldn't assess the information in the note anyway. She graciously took my word for it.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If you need a wheelchair then make sure that you use one - if anyone says anything you can hold your head up high (well - at everyone else's waist height :ROFLOL and know that you're not attempting to cheat anyone out of a few places while stood in line

 

[brkgnews]

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Keep us posted!

 

[RedBaron]

I posted this on another forum (trips and planning) I guess I'm wanting to know more or less what anyone's experiences with wheelchair and not being exactly handicap was at Disney world. I have hip dysplasia. I am 4 weeks away from surgery and the doctor has told me I need a chair while I'm there. I just want to know other's experiences especially since I will look like nothing is wrong with me.
Thanks,
BrennaRN
WDW 05-19-08 Can't wait!!!!

I have not had any problems with a wheel chair in WDW before. My mom has had 2 knee replacements and while she can certainly walk to wait in line for rides, walk around in stores and what not, it would be impossible for her to walk around big parks like Epcot or Animal Kingdom. No one has ever looked at us strange or negatively when she gets up from the chair to walk around. If anything, the staff and people in general have been very helpful and kind. The only problem I had (being the person pushing the wheel chair) was that you never realize that there are so many hills or inclines until you have to push someone in a wheel chair. Let me tell you, it was no easy task pushing my mom around all day every day (she was afraid to rent one of the motorized ones since she has never been in one before and was afraid she would accidentally run someone over). I was still glad to do it though.

 

[NASAMan]

To BrennaRN:
My mother has also had both knees replaced, so a wheelchair for her is mandatory. Usually 4 or 5 in our family group, so using the handicap entrance is not problematic. People see she is older, and it is apparent she needs an assist.
Now, you're a youngster, and some folks might be suspect if you roll up the exit ramp and spring out of the chair to board a ride. On the one hand, you have a legitimate need for the chair and you should not pay them any mind. On the other hand, if you rise slowly, hand on hip, and cautiously make your transfer to the ride vehicle, those waiting in line would be shown a reason for your chair, and why they may be waiting a little extra. Think of it as a small performance to enhance other guests' experience. Your own little sprinkle of pixie dust.
Myself, I don't care if CMs allow someone coming up the alternate entrance to get in front of me. I don't care if there is an obvious reason or not. I know CMs are monitoring the entrance and if they let a party in, it is none of my business what the reason. The main thing is, get a GAC from guest relations, ask them how to use it, and then do your best to use it properly. You'll find CMs very accommodating.

 

[BrennaRN]

Thanks for all the support. I am getting packed and ready. I can't wait and hopefully I won't mind using the wheelchair once I'm there. I should just sit back and let myself have a relaxing vacation while I get pushed around the parks. Thanks for everything,
BrennaRN

 

[TinkerbellK]

brenna, i know you are gone already, but for the others - as someone said the CM "graciously took their word for it" on the need for a wheelchair - legally they cannot require a drs note and disney policy is NOT to even look at it. Per the ADA, you cannot be forced to prove your disability. all disney can ask is what accommodations you need

 

[jtwyatt]

Disney in a wheelchair is no problem. My Father was in a Wheechair for about 5 years and we never ran into any problems at all. Infact I feel that disney really makes the effort to make sure everything goes smooth and comfortable. One example is that we were staying at the Port Orleans Riverside resort, and on our way to EPCOT, 2 busses came that had their area for wheel chairs full. The second driver apologized for the wait, got on the radio, and with in minutes an empty bus was there to pick us up and continue on the rest of the loop.