It doesn't fit like a glove especially if it has the leg pads on it besides the footrest but nonetheless you can wiggle it in there and if the driver has any involvement he will ask that you keep a hand on it. Also consider the fastest that bus will go is 50 mph on a short section on World dr. the majority of the roads are less than that. And w/c folded up don't come on that often I sometimes go weeks without seeing one. I believe ( never paid close enough attention) I see more with guest that stay in them, like from injury or what looks like surgery, a cast.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Would it still be magical to use a standard wheelchair in the parks?
- Thread starter Dafid Duck
- Start date
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
Will the trip be magical? I guess it will depend on which spouse you ask...your wife will of course enjoy it, but trust me, you'll be worn out pushing the wheelchair all day (even on flat terrain). I too don't look disabled, ( I have MS and can't walk long distances anymore), but I use my dad's scooter, park it outside the attraction, and walk in. CM's will treat her like royalty and will go out of their way to make her feel comfortable. Please impress upon her that having to use one IN NO WAY should embarrass her and it would be a win- win for BOTH of you. Just a couple of notes...If you CAN talk her into an ECV, rent one from Buena Vista scooters...they will drop it off at your resort and she will be able to use it anywhere. Their prices are MUCH better than renting them at the parks. If you rent one at a park, you can ONLY use it at that park and must rent one every time you go to a different park. Plus, they don't have an infinite amount, and once they're rented for the day, that's it until someone turns one in. I would also STRONGLY suggest that she take 15 minutes or so, BEFORE entering a park to drive it around and familiarize herself with the ECV (i.e. steering, breaking, etc.). That ONE piece of advice will make for a much LESS stressful vacation. GO FOR THE ECV...either way, have a MAGICAL trip!!!
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
Oh, and one more piece of advice if you talk her into an ECV...don't forget to plug it in EVERY night...you'll be surprised how much you walk/travel in a day, and while at a restaurant, they will have NO problem letting you pick a quiet, out of the way spot to plug in while you dine.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
DIsney actualy recommends that you get out of the chair (if you can) and sit in a normal seat.
-dave
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
Dave, I agree with you on the busses, but I always feel VERY guilty that my ECV takes up a few seats, so I always insist on staying on the ECV and freeing up a seat for someone else. For what it's worth, It's kinda my way of giving back.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
You will overhear people complaing about it - I have overheard it a number of times "why cant they just sit on the EVC, why do they have to sit in a seat too?". When we took my ex-mother in law, they would make her secure her wheelchair, and then get into a seat. Luckly we dont use any wheelchairs or EVCs when we go now, but I still overhear people making comments about those who do.
-dave
Lisa t
Member
wheelchair makes it more magical for me. I have fatigue issues, and still can only do a couple of hours at a theme park a day. it's not too hard for my husband to push, was much worse at the DC's zoo this last month.
At mostrides, they will ask if you can take short steps, to get on the ride. They'll put your wheelchair a couple of steps away. the buses are no issues, you can fold up your wheelchair and put it next to you.
At mostrides, they will ask if you can take short steps, to get on the ride. They'll put your wheelchair a couple of steps away. the buses are no issues, you can fold up your wheelchair and put it next to you.
If you rent one from Disney at one park, and then hop to a second park on the same day, keep your receipt, and you don't need to rent again at the second park - they will give you one if they have one available, they may just setup the deposit.
DisAl
Well-Known Member
The bottom line is that if it makes the trip more comfortable for your wife, the wheelchair will make the trip MORE magical, not less. If she is exhausted, hurting, or simply can't move fast she won't be able to enjoy the trip. Don't worry about what others may think. To look at my 87 year old mother (she looks about 65) transfer out of a wheelchair you would think nothing was wrong with her at all. And you would be right - for the first 100 yards of walking after which she would be out of commission for the day.
As others have said, all the WDW CMs are extremely helpful when it comes to meeting the needs of someone who is in a wheelchair or EVC, but the bus drivers are probably some of the hardest working and most caring people you will meet anywhere.
And congratulations on your anniversary! My wife and I spent a week at WDW for both our 35th and 40th. JUST US! No adult kids, no grandchildren, just us. We plan to do it again for our 45th in Jan. 2019. I hope you and your wife have as much fun as we did.
As others have said, all the WDW CMs are extremely helpful when it comes to meeting the needs of someone who is in a wheelchair or EVC, but the bus drivers are probably some of the hardest working and most caring people you will meet anywhere.
And congratulations on your anniversary! My wife and I spent a week at WDW for both our 35th and 40th. JUST US! No adult kids, no grandchildren, just us. We plan to do it again for our 45th in Jan. 2019. I hope you and your wife have as much fun as we did.
The bottom line is that if it makes the trip more comfortable for your wife, the wheelchair will make the trip MORE magical, not less. If she is exhausted, hurting, or simply can't move fast she won't be able to enjoy the trip. Don't worry about what others may think. To look at my 87 year old mother (she looks about 65) transfer out of a wheelchair you would think nothing was wrong with her at all. And you would be right - for the first 100 yards of walking after which she would be out of commission for the day.
As others have said, all the WDW CMs are extremely helpful when it comes to meeting the needs of someone who is in a wheelchair or EVC, but the bus drivers are probably some of the hardest working and most caring people you will meet anywhere.
And congratulations on your anniversary! My wife and I spent a week at WDW for both our 35th and 40th. JUST US! No adult kids, no grandchildren, just us. We plan to do it again for our 45th in Jan. 2019. I hope you and your wife have as much fun as we did.
Thank you so much! Everyone's thoughts and suggestions are very helpful. Please keep them coming.
I had to push my cousin many years back when DAK first opened. She had just had surgery and could use crutches for short distances. It was probably one of the warmest days in December and it was a very difficult day to say the least. From navigating holiday crowds, to heat, to inclines, it was very exhausting. If you can, get a scooter.
rent one from Buena Vista scooters...they will drop it off at your resort and she will be able to use it anywhere.
I actually contacted another business to rent a manual wheelchair. (Walker Mobility of Orlando) We had some difficulties setting up an early pick up time at the resort. This business actually recommended Buena Vista Scooters saying, "They are good people over there. They can probably work out an earlier time for you."
I actually contacted another business to rent a manual wheelchair. (Walker Mobility of Orlando) We had some difficulties setting up an early pick up time at the resort. This business actually recommended Buena Vista Scooters saying, "They are good people over there. They can probably work out an earlier time for you."
Last edited:
We did come up with a workable way to pick up the wheelchair. The problem was having a late plane arrival and a before the park opens Crystal Palace breakfast on our first full day. They said we could pick up the chair at one resort and return it at a different one. So we will walk to the CP breakfast, maybe a quick ride with no lines (hopefully), and pick up the wheelchair at the Contemporary. We will continue our day at the Magic Kingdom, have it the rest of our stay and return it from our resort (French Quarter). We will miss the early morning low crowds but overall it will make the trip more magical.
I pushed my wife through the parks several times after she had her knee replacement.. You would be surprised how many hills are in the parks, that you don't notice when you are just walking. Epcot was by far the worst. I think it is built that way to help with storm water run off. AK would be second and the paths are much narrower than the other parks. MK would be the next hardest, but not too bad. HS is pretty flat and covers so little area now. Beauty and the beast and Fantasmic! both have handicapped parking/seating at the top. My advice would also be to get a scooter. (we used walker mobility) That is the route we eventually used. Hope this helps
Last edited: