Current Things to Know about DL w/ Elders and Wheelchairs?

[Yusani]

Hello.

I am considering taking my mother who is in her late 70s to DL in June. She will need to be in a wheelchair. She is not legally disabled (she could probably qualify but has not applied) but has had multiple surgeries in her knees and feet and is slow moving due to advanced arthritis. There is positively no way she can do Disney without a wheel chair, she would have to rest before she even made it to the Castle. What should I know and what should I do to prepare? This will also be my first time taking her on an airplane in a wheel chair so if you have advice about air-travel (Southwest) I would appreciate that as well.

Thank you.

 

[JavaDuck]

I rented a scooter from Scooter Bug for my dad (also in his late 70's) for our trip this past New Year's. If you are staying at a DL hotel they will deliver the scooter to the hotel and leave it with bell services and then youo can drop it off at bell services at the end of your trip. I was very happy with them, The fee was like $140 for 3 days (that included tax and an optional damage waiver fee).

 

[DizMe]

I took my mother when she was in her early 80s. We rented a scooter but she just couldn't manage it, so we sent it back and got a wheelchair. She was much happier with that and it took the stress off her of having to navigate crowds. We rented the wheelchair from the parks, but I don't think you're allowed to take those out of the park areas. It would probably be better to rent one from an outside company if you needed to take it back to the hotel. Scooters are really nice but only if your mom would be able to manage it.

We had a wonderful trip. Your mom doesn't have to have any paperwork at DLR to have a wheelchair and use the wheelchair access points for rides. If she is comfortable with a scooter, that is the easiest method overall. My arms were very sore after pushing my mom around! There are hills I never realized were there before, LOL.

You can request a wheelchair at SW check-in and they will bring a wheelchair and have someone escort her (push the chair) to the gate. After you land, they will be waiting with a wheelchair as well. Just make sure to let them know at check-in.

I hope you can go and that you have a fabulous time! I'm so, so glad my mom came with us. We have a beautiful memory book we made from the trip. Our group consisted of mom, her close friend, me, and my 3 youngest girls, who were 8, 8, and 11. That was the last time Mom was able to go to DL so it's a very special memory for all of us. The girls are now almost 19 and 21.

 

[Malcon10t]

We will be taking my mom to Disneyland this summer. She went with us a lot prior to Covid. Then last Feb, she had a stroke. She is now non-verbal. (But she tells you everything with her pointing finger and eyes.). And she is confined to a WC. She was pointing at my shirt a couple weeks ago, so I asked her "Do you want to go to Disneyland?" She shook her head yes big time. It will be a trip with all the grandkids/great grands. We will have her care givers with us also. She will be able to see fireworks, parades if there is one, she can ride IASW, the train, Jungle Cruise, and we will find other things. She will do some of the things she loved prior to the stroke. It will be a lot of work, but we will do it.

 

[Malcon10t]

If you aren't bringing your own, I would suggest looking at some of the local rentals. If you rent at Disneyland, it can be a walk to get to the rental locations. I use Deckert's myself. (I use an ECV but they also rent wheelchairs.) They can deliver to the hotels and drop at the bell desk (except at the DLR hotels, those you have to meet them since Disney is trying to force you to use the more expensive Scooterbug.) Decide if she can handle an ECV before you rent one. Maybe use one in a store and see how she does.

 

[KPeterso]

We used to rent one at the park directly or through Deckerts if staying a few nights. We finally bought one off Amazon last summer to have for the parks and travelling.

In the parks, it is pretty easy to have the wheelchair. Cast members will tell you where to go with the chair. They will also always ask if she can transfer and if she can stand a few minutes and walk X amount of distance (can vary by rides). One hint, insist on taking the wheelchair into Haunted Mansion as it is always longer than they state.

We flew on Delta last year bringing the wheelchair. It was a pain at times, but was a good decision overall. I had called Delta ahead of time to note on the reservation that we were bringing the wheelchair (if you don't have your own, I believe you can note that wheelchair assistance is needed in the airport) and to get info on the forms I needed to complete. I completed all the forms and put in a plastic sleeve so I have it in the future too. At the airport, I went up to the desk to find out what else I might have to do and give them the form. They never actually looked at the form (so why did I need it?) and issued me a tag for the wheelchair for the gate check. I put it on the wheelchair where it is to this day. We then were the first boarded on the plane leaving the wheelchair (folded) at the door. We were told to take all the time we needed once we got on. When we landed, we just let everyone off the plane and got off towards the end and the wheelchair was there for us. Doing the same again this year.

 

[anonymousegirl]

For the Southwest flights, call Southwest and have it noted in the record that she needs a wheelchair. It won't be waiting but the ticket agent will call for it and since it is in the record, theoretically, it shows up faster, and they'll have one at the plane door when you deplane at your destination.

The airport provides and pays for the service. It is free to you, but the pushers do appreciate a small tip. I've had to use a chair a couple of times and I tip $10. You will then pre-board the aircraft. They usually board the whole family so you can get seats together, so don't waste money buying early bird boarding.

If you are going to be the pusher in the parks, I recommend bringing a pair of padded biker's gloves to help avoid blisters and hot spots on your hands.

 

[disneedee]

we rent a scooter for dad when we go to DL and have it dropped off at the hotel. there are definitely lots of hills you don't remember when pushing the wheel chair. i also love flying with my parents because i don't have to worry about that SW A or B or C or D boarding pass. they will load you first. up to 2 people with the wheel chair unless you get someone very lenient. don't bother with the self printing boarding pass. you will get your wheelchair faster if you check in at the ticket counter. (unless you are bringing your own wheel chair, i've just used the airports.) no paperwork to fill out at the air line for using theirs but on your reservation online, you can mark that you want a wheelchair, or if they have other disabilities.