What Having a Wheelchair Means...

[KPeveler]

Disney Parks policy states that if a guest has a mobility or stamina concern, that person should rent a wheelchair or scooter. Especially as the GAC system changes to the new DAS system, this line will likely come up frequently.

I am in Guest Relations at least once a week, and I have heard many guests asking for accommodation for a disability that is essentially mobility related. Most often in these cases, a person says that a wheelchair cannot help them because sitting in a wheelchair all day will make them too stiff or sore or hurt too much, so a wheelchair cannot help them at all.

There is a common misconception about wheelchairs, and I wanted to dispel it.

Wheelchairs do not become permanently attached to your rear when you rent one.

Ok, so that is the silly way to put it. Here is a more serious one.

Just because you rent a wheelchair does not mean you must use it all day long.

I hear people saying all the time, whether in person or on the boards or wherever, that they cannot sit all day without it causing problems, but they also cannot stand for more than a few minutes. (Walking seems to cause the least problems, it is the standing - this happens to me too).

I just wanted to suggest to people who may be thinking about renting a wheelchair or scooter, or using a cane, crutches, walker, rollator, knee walker, etc the following thing:

You can still walk around the parks, pushing the wheelchair empty (or with the backpacks and bags in it). Then when you get to a line or a nighttime show like Fantasmic or Illuminations where you must stand in one place for a long time - then sit down. Then when you start to get stiff from sitting, stand up for a few minutes, then sit again.

Contrary to common belief, most people who use wheelchairs do not use them every minute of the day. In fact, many people who use wheelchairs can walk a little bit. There is absolutely nothing wrong with walking as much as you want, parking the wheelchair in stroller parking, only using it for pre-shows and other times you are stuck standing in one place, or only using it intermittently.

I have heard people say and seen people post on this board that what they need is a seat to sit in while in line, but utterly refuse to rent a wheelchair. All a wheelchair is, is a seat that you can take anywhere, and use at your own discretion.

I just wanted to post this, since I feel like I have been having this conversation with a lot of people recently. It is okay to only use a wheelchair for the times you really need it, and either walk or park it the rest of the time.

It is a chair. With wheels. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Bete]

Good point!

A wheelchair is a tool to use as needed.

 

[Kay1]

Some people really resist renting the wheelchairs. I rented one once for my son and m-i-l to share; she was elderly and he had stepped on a piece of glass. Some of the day no one used it and we put m-i-l's big heavy bag in the seat.

One thing I've noticed on the boards are complaints about people who do what you and I have described. Yes, people who use the chairs do often stand up and walk around. It's okay and not cheating.

Unless I'm mistaken, Disney has plenty of chairs for rent and it's fine to use only part of the day as needed.

 

[tinkerpea]

Thing with this is that you then get accused of faking it!
I had this problem when I was suffering from kidney problems and had the long tendon in my hip tear!
I was recovering when I went to disney but still couldn't walk or stand for too long, so I took a wheel chair with me.
Quite a few people would stare at me when I was walking instead of sitting in it.
And if you was to share it oh my god..... Your called out as your using the chair to get on attractions quicker.

It will be interesting what the new GAC will do for people who need a chair but also have other needs not covered by mobility will it be tough luck as its one or the other?

 

[Rowanonfire]

I am borrowing a wheelchair from a local Red Cross because I have the exact issues you describe. I will use the wheelchair when and as I need it. This is an accomadation I make for myself sometimes. I've had this disability all my life. I know how to manage it.

That said - Regardless of having the wheelchair or not, a line more then 20 mins is a no go. I can not sit for that amount of time. And I can not stand in a slow-moving line for that time. I have no desire however, to go to the front of the line and skip waiting periods. The DAS pass would be perfect for me. I can walk, stroll, and sit as needed. No worries about being trapped in confined lines thus causing me problems. Every themepark I have EVER been to has given me this accommodation. If Disney, who are so well-known for their accessibility can not give me the help I need, I will be very, very disappointed and honestly, we probably will complain about it. It is not an unreasonable request. Without the DAS I may be able to manage - but I will be uncomfortable, in pain within a few hours to the point I'll probably have to leave, and it would affect the rest of my trip. That is NOT equal to everyone else without a disability. I've been worrying constantly about this since I started researching it and honestly I'm fed up of it ruining my anticipation for my trip.

I'm taking a doctor's note and I guess it's all about how I word things. Disney can not ask for a diagnosis, correct? So I will simply say and get my doctors note to state that I have a medical condition that means I can not wait in confined lines, but am able to wait the queue time and would appreciate an alternative waiting area. I've heard they won't look at my doctor's note but it will give me peace of mind to have it.

 

[KPeveler]

Disney cannot require a doctor's note, no matter what the system is.

I know a lot of people have been accused of faking if they get up sometimes, but even I get accused of faking if I transfer to a different seat with my custom made manual wheelchair that does not even have push handles... So really we need to not care about the people who has decided to mind our business, and take care of our needs.

Rowan - are there some rides you cannot do, then? Quite a few rides and I would think almost all shows would be a no-go for you if you cannot sit for any more than 20 minutes. Also, from what we have heard, the DAS system will not be for every ride, just the big ones. So you may need to come up with something for those rides that do not have a return pass system. And, in my experience, even using the Return Pass at Radiator Springs Racers here in DCA, I plan on about a 20-30 minute wait, since I have to wait in the FP and the wheelchair lines (the regular way has stairs, like TSM in DHS).

 

[Rowanonfire]

Disney cannot require a doctor's note, no matter what the system is.

I know they can't require one, but I'm taking one, for my peace of mind and convenience. Interestingly, we are visiting Universal too and I have been told to be sure to take a doctor's note there or I will struggle to get the passes. Makes no sense to me if it's against the law! But makes no difference to me either. I find it all very confusing as here in the UK we can have no such law and for access at theme parks you would need a doctors note or parking badge etc.

Just saw your other comment - Yes, there will likely be many rides I cannot do. This I have already discussed and gotten advice on from people here. It really depends on how I am on a day to basis but I will almost certainly be missing the shows and the Safari (both the length and the bumpy ride are a no go for me.)

 

[jmartinez1895]

Thing with this is that you then get accused of faking it!

AMEN! When we used a stroller as a wheelchair we would get all kinds of looks because my son would get out and walk onto the ride or to see a character, little did they know that was about as far as he could walk before his joints would ache.
I figure you will most likely never see those people again and you know the truth. It can be hard to have people stare, but I just want others in the situation to not be worried about what other people think and do what they need to so they can enjoy the parks.

 

[KPeveler]

I know they can't require one, but I'm taking one, for my peace of mind and convenience. Interestingly, we are visiting Universal too and I have been told to be sure to take a doctor's note there or I will struggle to get the passes. Makes no sense to me if it's against the law! But makes no difference to me either. I find it all very confusing as here in the UK we can have no such law and for access at theme parks you would need a doctors note or parking badge etc.

Universal has a system that is different from Disney's. Disney's system, and especially the new one, is designed to provide equal access. If the system provides equal access, then no note can be required. It may be that Universal's lawyers have said that their system is "special access" which means proof can be required.

Anything that is special, meaning anything the general public cannot have, we need to provide proof for - like getting disabled parking (blue badge), discounted bus fares, etc

 

[KPeveler]

This thread is not meant to discuss any changes to the GAC/DAS system. I created it because I have had a great number of people in the last few months (long before we knew the system is changing) tell me they could not use a wheelchair because they cannot sit all day.

I simply wanted to state, as a full time wheelchair user, that it is okay to get up sometimes.

I wanted to point out that a lot of people, here and elsewhere, ask about having a portable seat in Disney, but balk at getting a wheelchair. They want a place to sit with them all the time, but they do not want to sit all the time.

This is exactly what a wheelchair is - a portable seat.

Some of us use the portable seat because we cannot walk at all, some because we cannot walk far, some because we can stand but cannot walk, some because we only have problems with a full day at Disney. But that is all a wheelchair is: a portable seat.

There is no rule you must sit in it all day - even a full time user wants to change seats sometimes. And when I used to walk in the parks some, my sister would often sit in my wheelchair and enjoy being pushed for a few minutes. When I move my wife routinely sits in my chair - it freaks out some people, but it is just a seat. We have stigmatized wheelchairs and disability to the point that people are afraid of wheelchairs and being seen in one. Most people also are afraid of "taking advantage." Using what you need to access the park and still enjoy it is not taking advantage.

Also, no matter what system is in existence, there is no way to avoid standing while waiting. All the stamps in the world cannot change that. If a person has a mobility concern, whether they have a wheelchair or a card or anything in between, the number of such guests is limited on a ride at any one time for safety reasons. This means, at most rides, the person with the mobility concern will be standing (in the mainstream and/or accessible line), and the CMs will pull in as many people as are allowed at one time. In DL at pirates that is one boat full. At HM that is 3 wheelchairs or people with mobility equipment. At Peter Pan, that is one party. And in between, while you wait for the ride to cycle, you stand in one place waiting. And there is nothing that will change that. I cannot comment on what the DAS system will do, as we are still operating largely on rumors, but I CAN tell you what is being done currently at one ride in DCA - Radiator Springs Racers. I go to a kiosk across from the ride to get a Return Pass. And then I wait in the FP line, then the accessible line (the "regular" line requires you to climb up a full flight of stairs and then back down, like TSM). And I am still waiting in one place, waiting for them to pull in the allowed number of people. I wait an average of 20-30 minutes. If it is a crowded day, waiting longer than 30 minutes is not unheard of. Again, this is about a system currently in place, not the new system, but it does sound similar to the rumors. I just wanted people to consider this when thinking about whether a wheelchair may help them sometimes, even with a return pass.

I met a lady the other day who uses a cane and has moderate to severe mobility concerns. She told me she cannot stand in line for more than 15 minutes. She does not ride RSR because the scenario I described above takes too long. She pushes a stroller with her and her daughter's medical equipment and park things in it, even though her daughter is too big for the stroller and no longer rides in it. She has a GAC. She was telling me about how she really cannot stand more than 10-15 minutes, but she uses the accessible entrances. In DL, anyway, this means you are usually in one place for a while, waiting for the ride to cycle and the next person to be called in. When I posted this, I had this lady in mind. She is not going to be able to push herself, and her daughter is too young and has medical issues herself. But when she is waiting outside Peter Pan, when the line only moves every 15 minutes, or when she is waiting outside HM, when the cycle takes an average of 20-25 minutes, pushing a wheelchair instead of a stroller would allow her to sit, and therefore wait in lines that are longer than she can normally handle. I do not know if she has tried this or not - I was just thinking about her situation, and how it could be made better.

I think the biggest concern we hear about here is whether other guests will think they are faking. Remember, you are one know knows your body and what you can and cannot do. Do not let potential encounters with perfect strangers ruin your trip. And what I have discovered is that those people are going to be nosy and rude whether or not you sit all day or only sit while waiting for a show. So ignore them. Instead of letting them bother me, I pity them that in the Happiest Place on Earth, they are concerned over the placement of my rump more than the magic around them.

I did not want to discuss the changing system, and I will not let this thread turn into that. I just wanted to point out that it is okay to only use a wheelchair part time. For some people, that may meet your their needs best, no matter what other system is in existence.

Remember, there is a difference between surviving the parks and enjoying them.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

Wheelchairs do not become permanently attached to your rear when you rent one.

{snip}

I know a lot of people have been accused of faking if they get up sometimes, but even I get accused of faking if I transfer to a different seat with my custom made manual wheelchair that does not even have push handles... So really we need to not care about the people who has decided to mind our business, and take care of our needs.

Thanks for the reminders!

I've been reading these boards since I decided to go to WDW this December and rent an ECV. I've been struggling with my pride vs my necessity in getting one, and it's very nice to know I'm not alone in not being able to stand, walk, or sit for more than 15 minutes constantly without pain. And I know that there will always be those people who will think *anyone* in a wheelchair (or especially an ECV!) are faking it. I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself for that on this trip.

And I'm still going crazy because it's not time to go yet!

 

[andersonsc]

That said - Regardless of having the wheelchair or not, a line more then 20 mins is a no go. I can not sit for that amount of time. And I can not stand in a slow-moving line for that time. I have no desire however, to go to the front of the line and skip waiting periods. The DAS pass would be perfect for me. I can walk, stroll, and sit as needed. No worries about being trapped in confined lines thus


When people say what you did it really makes me wonder... If you can't sit for 20 minutes or be confined in a line- how the heck do you get to disney from the UK!?

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks for the reminders!

I've been reading these boards since I decided to go to WDW this December and rent an ECV. I've been struggling with my pride vs my necessity in getting one, and it's very nice to know I'm not alone in not being able to stand, walk, or sit for more than 15 minutes constantly without pain. And I know that there will always be those people who will think *anyone* in a wheelchair (or especially an ECV!) are faking it. I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself for that on this trip.

And I'm still going crazy because it's not time to go yet!

I will say this - I almost never have had someone say something, even when I get out of my chair and walk onto a ride (which only happens on a good day, but still...) or when I sit on a bench for a minute and my wife or sister or friend sits in my chair.

In fact, I have been known to let a new friend sit in my chair and try pushing it around a secluded corner for a minute, so they can see what it is like (I figure it is basically a learning experience, and most people do not realize how hard it is, even with a custom lightweight manual chair, and how wonderful it is to stare at butts all day long). Even then people do not say anything.

I have had people get annoyed when I wheel faster than they are walking (I am pushing myself - I am not exactly going that fast!), or when I have to ask them to move because they decided they MUST look at the map on the curb cut. But I go to DL or DCA 2-4 days a week and I have had someone think I was "faking" maybe once or twice.

Using a chair for the first time is hard, and not just because you need to learn to drive it, but because, for a lot of people, you have hit a new point in your illness or disability. And that is hard. And I totally understand (I had to make the decision to use it in Disney at 23 years old, and in daily life while I was in the middle of my master's program at 26).

A lot of people, usually able-bodied (AB) people, and especially AB family will tell you that using a wheelchair or scooter (or walker, cane, crutch, leg brace, whatever) is "giving in" to your disability and that you should walk as long and as far as you can. Some people even believe it is better to stay home and look "normal" while doing so rather than use a wheelchair/scooter and let other people see you.

I will say with absolute conviction and certainty that these people are wrong. Just plain wrong. And if they were in our bodies, they would know this.

"Giving in" is when you allow your illness or disability or condition to dictate what you get to do and what you must miss. "Giving in" would be me missing my favorite place on the planet because I am too sick. "Giving in" is when you stop living your life.

Sometimes that means living your life with wheels. Really, a wheelchair is absolutely no different than a pair of glasses - it allows us to do what we could not do otherwise (in my case, that means seeing past the end of my own nose - I can't see a thing without my glasses).

Not all people want to use a chair. They would rather be in more pain, limit their lives in other ways, than use a wheelchair. And while I do not understand that decision, I respect it as much as I ask they respect my decision.

But do not let ABs, who do not have to live in your body with your pain, make the decision for you - especially not people you have never met before and will never see again!

 

[KPeveler]

That said - Regardless of having the wheelchair or not, a line more then 20 mins is a no go. I can not sit for that amount of time. And I can not stand in a slow-moving line for that time. I have no desire however, to go to the front of the line and skip waiting periods. The DAS pass would be perfect for me. I can walk, stroll, and sit as needed. No worries about being trapped in confined lines thus


When people say what you did it really makes me wonder... If you can't sit for 20 minutes or be confined in a line- how the heck do you get to disney from the UK!?

Please keep the discussion polite - There are ways to make it work. Once you get past initial take off, it is fairly easy to get up and walk around on long flights. I cannot stay in one position for more than 20-30 minutes either, and I have found all manner of creative ways to survive plane flights.

Unfortunately, though, that does mean a lot of attractions are off-limits to the PP - Ellen's Energy Adventure, Carousel of Progress, Great Movie Ride, Muppets, and many others are more than 20 minutes long, and do not allow for getting up and moving around. That is one reason I suggest people think about wheelchairs for the line (on and off - sit for 5 minutes, get up and stand and pace for a bit, etc) - it may be one more tool to help save the "spoons" that will be used for the ride itself. (hope that makes sense - I could not think of a better way to explain it without the Spoon Theory).

 

[happymommy]

That reminded me of the time, in late August, when I was 4 months or so pregnant with our DS (and it turned out to be a risky pregnancy, and then followed by another one, hence I have only two kids) - we were at Shades of Green (my husband was at a weeklong conference, so I came along from Hawaii since all we had to pay was my ticket and some food - not much back then). It was really hot, like we tried to swim and after 30 minutes by the pool had to go into the A/C! So I had called Disney to see about getting a park ticket for myself while he was in conferences or for both of us during an evening (the other Marines were going out at night, but had only brought along non-pregnant wives or spouses, LOL). The Disney rep told me that due to the heat, I should rent a wheelchair. Well, we both decided that if it's that hot, the safe thing to do was rest in air conditioning (and eat a lot - and I hung out at the GF some days and ate there and read lots of nice books in their lobby - even got a haircut at their salon - anything to stay inside).

So, I guess I do understand - I didn't want to get a wheelchair - I was barely showing (first baby) and felt weird. In retrospect, maybe we could have done it, but when I got back to Hawaii had problems so it was probably best. It's hard to have a wheelchair when you feel like you don't "need" it all the time. But I have seen folks using them, with kids or grandkids on their laps, and I know each situation is different. We don't know what ailment someone has or how it affects them.

 

[Rowanonfire]

That said - Regardless of having the wheelchair or not, a line more then 20 mins is a no go. I can not sit for that amount of time. And I can not stand in a slow-moving line for that time. I have no desire however, to go to the front of the line and skip waiting periods. The DAS pass would be perfect for me. I can walk, stroll, and sit as needed. No worries about being trapped in confined lines thus


When people say what you did it really makes me wonder... If you can't sit for 20 minutes or be confined in a line- how the heck do you get to disney from the UK!?

Have three rest days planned at the start of my vacation to recover from the hell! But as a result of that plane ride it makes everything else much harder too. I take plenty of muscle relaxants in the lead up to a plane ride too but unfortunately the ones I take are short-term use only as they can be addictive.

 

[bidnow5]

I use a scooter for different reasons now but for 7 years I couldn't stand walk or sit for more then 15 or 20 minutes. Flights can be difficult but can be done. I flew to Disney World 9 times during that time.

I thought it was the worst day of my life the day I came to the realization that I had to rent a scooter. It turned out to be the best thing I could have done for our vacations after that first day I knew I would never do Disney without one again.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd29 has to rent a ecv for when she needs it. She doesn't need it all the time but there are times that you will see her on the ground trying to keep her body from passing out - sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesnt. When she's not on that ecv my backside will be. I have a lot of foot issues and am usually in severe pain by the end of the day. I don't care about the looks but she does. It took her a long time to be comfortable using her disabled parking permit.

She used the ecv last November for the first time. She said she got a lot of looks and comments (she and her friend with the same heart issues were sharing the ecv). A cm at Spaceship Earthy told her she needed to stop being lazy and walk like everyone else. She and her friend had a very rough trip with dd passing out at the POP bus stop the first night, her friend went out on Space Mountain and both at the airport (they were denied boarding).

 

[Schmeck]

My dd29 has to rent a ecv for when she needs it. She doesn't need it all the time but there are times that you will see her on the ground trying to keep her body from passing out - sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesnt. When she's not on that ecv my backside will be. I have a lot of foot issues and am usually in severe pain by the end of the day. I don't care about the looks but she does. It took her a long time to be comfortable using her disabled parking permit.

She used the ecv last November for the first time. She said she got a lot of looks and comments (she and her friend with the same heart issues were sharing the ecv). A cm at Spaceship Earthy told her she needed to stop being lazy and walk like everyone else. She and her friend had a very rough trip with dd passing out at the POP bus stop the first night, her friend went out on Space Mountain and both at the airport (they were denied boarding).

Please tell me they weren't travelling just the two of them, no one else? That's so scary, the two of them both passing out. Who knew what was going on and was able to assist? They are OK now, I hope?

 

[deb010305]

Thanks for the reminders! I've been reading these boards since I decided to go to WDW this December and rent an ECV. I've been struggling with my pride vs my necessity in getting one, and it's very nice to know I'm not alone in not being able to stand, walk, or sit for more than 15 minutes constantly without pain. And I know that there will always be those people who will think *anyone* in a wheelchair (or especially an ECV!) are faking it. I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself for that on this trip. And I'm still going crazy because it's not time to go yet!

Last April after struggling for a few days, trying to ignore the pain in my knees, and also my foolish pride, I too "gave in" and rented an ECV at EPCOT. It was the best decision I ever made. I could enjoy the park with my family and not have to sit and rest in every 'country'.