[tinkerbelle24]

Just wondering. My mom has bad knees and I was thinking worse case we can push her around. What are the guidelines?

[Dana]

You need a note from her doctor stating her condition and that she can't stand or walk for long periods of time. You have to get a pass from guest services to rent the wheel chairs.

[tinkerbelle24]

Thanks for that info! I'll make sure she has something. She was going to get a knee replacement but she wanted to go to WDW 1st. If ya ask me isnt that backwards? Oh well she is going 1/2 with me on this trip so im not gonna complain! LOL

[LAURENGOLD]

Dana-

Is that something new?

I've always seen the wheelchairs being rented just like the strollers-first come first serve.

As for my experience, I only have one and it was a few years ago. So it may have changed since.....We had my neice on our trip with us and she pulled a muscle at TL. We ended up having to rent a wheelchair for her at AK and Epcot. All we needed to do was pay. LOL.

tinkerbelle24-If you think your Mom will need the wheelchair the whole week, there are several off-site companies that will rent you one for far less than WDW. And you'll have it at the resort as well. They also rent the EVC's if you need one- this is what we did after my Dad had a hip replacement. It worked out very well for us. We used Randy's Mobility. I'm sure a google search will locate them for you.

Hope that helps!

[rosebud]

You don't need any kind of note to rent a wheelchair. Once you have the chair you may come to Guest Relations for a card but it would just say that you need access to the wheelchair entrances, which the chair does the same thing

[Cynsayshi]

I've rented chairs a couple of times due to bad knees. All they needed was the credit card...

[DisneyJunebug]

On some of my school trips that I've taken with my middle schoolers, I've had several "groups" (I make them stay in groups of 3 or 4) rent a wheelchair for the day (cash) just so they could push each other around, hold their packages, etc. I think one would "pretend" to have a bad ankle....

[Dana]

Maybe I am thinking of the guest assistance pass....hmmm my bad.

[nancyk]

Can anyone tell me the cost? My father's cousin is going at the end of the month & she has M.S.
I think she may need to rent one even though she says she'll be OK. She can walk on her own but someone needs to stay near in case she needs support. I've tried to convey to her how much walking will be involved, but I don't think she really gets it.

[Batgirl]

You know, I think it was free. My DFiL accompanied us to MNSSHP in 2006 and we did not have to pay for the chair (although I think we did have to give a credit card number). I think if you want a motorized chair you have to pay for it and reserve in advance (it comes from an outside company).

[Batgirl]

Originally Posted by LAURENGOLD

tinkerbelle24-If you think your Mom will need the wheelchair the whole week, there are several off-site companies that will rent you one for far less than WDW. And you'll have it at the resort as well. They also rent the EVC's if you need one- this is what we did after my Dad had a hip replacement. It worked out very well for us. We used Randy's Mobility. I'm sure a google search will locate them for you.

Of course, if I read carefully, I would have seen this was posted already -- so sorry! Too early in the morning.

[quakercub]

Tinkerbelle

It is actually $8 per day to rent a wheelchair and $35 per day to rent an ECV (motorized scooter).

I really think the best choice is to get one off-property rather than in the parks (Believe me, I've had lots of experience since I use one all the time at WDW). You'll definately have it with you at all times, the bus drivers are incredibly helpful at getting the chair onto the bus and it'll save a lot of pain.

NancyK

Your dad's cousin will definately need an ECV (this is better I think because no one has to push it and she may feel more independent that way). Not only is there more walking involved, MS also is exacerbated by heat and sun. A very dear friend of mine had this disease so I learned a lot about how it affects the body. She really will feel much better and have a much better time if she has wheels.

[CathysCAT]

I'mglad I found this thread. I haven't admitted it yet to DH, but I'm having doubts on how I'm going to survive our 10-day WDW trip with how my feet are feeling lately.

I had bunion surgery on my left foot in September. Then I had the right foot done in February. I really thought I'd be 99% better by now, but I am still having a very hard time walking or being on my feet for any length of time. Even when I wake up in the morning my feet hurt. The bunions don't hurt anymore (they;re gone) but my feet are still sore and stiff.

How will I get around all the parks? What should I do? I don't think I'd need wheelchair assistance every single minute, but sometimes, like right now, I can barely walk without discomfort.

Please offer some advice. I'm worried.

[quakercub]

Hey Cathy

You don't need to worry at all. If you need a scooter, rent one. I would get one off property because that way you can have it at the resort as well. That way if you need it you'll always have it. We usually rent from Walker Mobility (I've found them to be the best, good quality equipment, reasonable rates and easy to work with.) WDW is one of the most accessible vaction spots anywhere and they go out of the way to make your visit fun and easy.

I hope that you enjoy your trip and that your feet will be feeling better soon. Remember too that you've still got a bit over a month (based on your sig line) till you go so a lot of healing can happen between now and then.

In either case, you can have a great time without worrying. Sending Pixie Dust!!!!

[whitba]

I love this site - we'll be going in Sept with DH's parents. His Dad is awaiting hip replacement, he believes he'll be fine without a chair... I don't think so. Mom has complex issues that almost have her in using a walker full time so a wheelchair will be must for her.

I'll contact the local vendors for options, thanks for the suggestions.

Question - if we went with an ECV, how do we cope with vehicles, they want to rent a vehicle, what might work best? Is it unreasonable to think we could rent two ECV's for the week and cope with a vehicle?