Knee surgery

[minniekelly]

This is my first post. I have a neighbor that just booked a 5 day Disney vacation one day prior to having knee surgery. In 30 days, they are going to Disney with their 2 children. I told them that they should consider renting a wheelchair. What are the disadvantages? Also, how does someone wait in line with a wheelchair? I have been so many times, but can't remember seeing anyone actually in line with a wheelchair. Does the person in a wheelchair have to wait separately from their family?

[OKWTink]

Welcome ot the boards, minniekelly! Renting a wheelchair is good advice for your friend.

Most queues accomodate a wheelchair. Some attractions have alternate routes in and out for the wheelchair user. WDW does not separate families, so the person in the WC will not have to use a route different than the rest of the family.

There are WC reserved places for many of the shows and fireworks displays. Families, again, are accomodated with the person in the WC.

The WDW buses are all capable of WC access and the person (and family) using the WC board first.

Hope that helps a bit!

[2JsMom]

Also, you can rent wheelchairs or electric "scooters" on-site, but it's on a first-come/first-served basis. When we went last time we rented an electric from an off-site company who delivered it to our hotel when we arrived and picked it up before we left! I'm not sure if they're an advertiser on this site or not, but if you want the name I'll look it up...
Good luck!

[Josette]

I think the disadvantages of the wheelchair is weaving in and out of people in the parks. Also, trying not to hit people in the parks. I have had the misfortune of having been scootered in my ankles.

I hope they have fun in Disney, the rest of your questions have alkready been answered. I just thought about opening my fingers to the discussion of disadvantages.


(you also have to wait a few extra minutes while on the bus, so they an strap the person in the wheelchair in)

[tajainaz]

Welcome to our magical place in cyberspace, minniekelly!

If your friend will be dependent on the wheel chair for mobility, it might be a good idea to rent one off site so it is available at the resort as well as in the parks. It might be a good idea to contact a couple of companies to see what the rates are and compare that to the cumulative daily rates at WDW.

The primary advantage of a wheelchair or ECV is mobility and minimizing pain. I toured the parks in August 2003 on a severely injured leg and had to stop about every two hours to elevate and ice it (knee, ankle & foot). I didn't want my friend to have to push me in a wheelchair, and it never occured to either of us to check into renting an ECV!

Just ask your friend to please be careful of pedestrians--it's painful to be hit by a stroller, wheelchair or ECV! We're pretty good a dodging traffic in front of us, but we don't have eyes in the backs of our heads! :lol:

[Josette]

This takes me back to the time...an elderly man...used his electric scooter..in defense.. only thing is..I didn't anything?

I was standing there, when he thought he was infront of me in line, only he wasn't..and he backed up, and scootered me in my ankles. My parents got kind of :mad: and they just let him infront of us.

[mom of four]

My son used a wheelchair for two days last week at Disney. He was in a car accident in Jan and had trouble getting used to tons of walking. He didn't like the chair, tho, because people walked right in front of it or suddenly stopped in front of him and he was always afraid he was going to hit someone. So after two days, he went without. When he did use the chair, the cast members were great; they came to us, asked how they could help, led us to different entrances to rides if necessary. There seemed to be plenty of wheelchairs available to rent.

[marivigi]

I used a wheelchair back in 2003. No problems whatsoever, on the contrary, I found most of WDW staff extra helpful and nice.

Most queus accomodate wheelchairs, and the ones who don't, then have special wheelchair access. On some rides you can even take your wheelchair along, but on most she will have to get up and walk a few steps to board the ride.

As has been said, all buses are wheelchair accesible, and have ramps or lifts.

I am sure she will have lots of fun!!!